Fuji GSW690 III - wow

[George]

Hmm. I asked you the question because my GW690 is right now full with a film so I cannot open it to see for myself. You would be maybe surprised to see that in some (all? - couldn't check it on my Fuji right now) 120 film cameras the film touches the film gate just on the longer dimension (the horizontal one), not on the short (vertical) one. The reason is that the constructors wanted to avoid film scratching while winding the film - the horizontal part can be scratched anyway, as it doesn't show on the picture, but the vertical part would be a disaster.
So it is for ex. on my Linhof 617 which served me as an example when I built my 6x24 roll film camera (that's how I discovered it). The vertical film gate is slightly off the film, not touching it. It doesn't allow for any light leak, surprisingly, as the off setting is small and the light from the lens is anyway cut off by the vertical edge efficiently. Needs to be seen to believe it. But I thought it could give the film picture actually a bigger length and make a difference of a few mm (?) if measured on the film or on the film gate...

 

[david b]

What are the differences between the II and the III models, aside from the II is metal and the III is plastic?

 

[david b]

So I just called FUJI USA to ask about service for the II model. I had to explain to two people that I was calling about a film camera. They both said hold and then sent me to someone else. They eventually disconnected me.

I called back and a woman gave me a number of a place in FLA, Southern Photo Technical Services, who does the service on their film cameras. Calling them, I got a voice mail message.

Oh boy.

 

[Marc Leest]

Look what i have in my hands. ROTFL

-M-

Its a GSW690III hehe

 

[david b]

Lucky you.

 

[Marc Leest]

The GSW690II is THE travel camera. Almost a lightweight LF camera for travel. A basic lightmeter would have been welcome, as is in the Mamiya 7 II, anyway, best camera for this purpose.

-M-

 

[Don Dudenbostel]

Yes, I have one. It is a wonderful camera with a terrific lens! Try some Fuji ACROS developed in Pyrocat - or some Fuji Velvia 100.

Yes I have one too and shoot Acros as well. I run my Acros in Ilford HC. How is it different and why should I use pyrocat?

Thanks!

I also have a Fuji 6x17 and have never been disappointed in Fuji glass. Acros in the 6x17 is killer.

 

[Lee L]

What are the differences between the II and the III models, aside from the II is metal and the III is plastic?

According to this page: http://members.aol.com/dcolucci/fuji670.htm

New Rangefinder / Viewfinder
film loading release buttons added
camera back latch changed
bubble level
body cosmetics

Lee

 

[sanking]

According to this page: http://members.aol.com/dcolucci/fuji670.htm

New Rangefinder / Viewfinder
film loading release buttons added
camera back latch changed
bubble level
body cosmetics

Lee

I photographed last week with someone who was using a Fuji GW690II and we compared features with my GW690III. I found the viewfinder on the III slightly brighter than that of the II but the biggest difference I noticed was that the release buttons make film loading of the III much easier than with the II.

Sandy King

 

[Tom Hoskinson]

Yes I have one too and shoot Acros as well. I run my Acros in Ilford HC. How is it different and why should I use pyrocat?

Thanks!

I also have a Fuji 6x17 and have never been disappointed in Fuji glass. Acros in the 6x17 is killer.

why should I TRY pyrocat? Because I (and others) have found that Acros and Pyrocat make a wonderful film/developer combination.

 

[Tom Hoskinson]

Fuji Acros, 120 size film, developed in Pyrocat-HD with what Sandy King calls extreme minimal agitation.

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

 

[david b]

Anyone using a flash with the fuji 6x9?

If so, which flash?

 

[Jeremy]

Anyone using a flash with the fuji 6x9?

If so, which flash?

Did some flash shots with the GW670iii the other day using a big honking Quantum flash. I'm thinking my old Vivitar 283 should work well, too.

 

[papagene]

The Vivitar 283 and the Sunpak 555 work very well with the GW670 II. I have also used the camera with a couple of White Lightning WL10000s with very good results.

gene

 

[Jarvman]

Managed to drop mine on a beach today Anybody know where I can get hold of a replacement base plate. There's a nice crack in it.

 

[Dave Miller]

Managed to drop mine on a beach today Anybody know where I can get hold of a replacement base plate. There's a nice crack in it.

From experience I can say that these haven't been made or stocked for a very long time in this country at least, so no point asking Fuji as I did. If you have a clean break, and no missing pieces, it will repair with super glue. I used a Loctite plastic super glue on mine and achieved a successful repair.

 

[Peter De Smidt]

The one thing I really don't like about these cameras is how easy it is to crack the plastic.

 

[Jarvman]

Alright cheers, It's just a little split, should be easily fixable with some glue. I'll probably just put some black tape over it instead though. For a while there I thought a piece missing where the two little trapeziums cut a groove for the back door. Looking at a photo the one on the left has a bigger gap though, phew. It's not as bad as I first though. The lens hood got a bash and is dented so doesn't slide back and forth as smoothly but that appears to be it.

What's the best way of straigtening out small dents in the metalwork?

 

[david b]

Made some 8x10 prints from these negs tonight.

Really nice and very easy to print.

Saying the lens is sharp and contrasty is a bit of an understatement.

 

[david b]

anyone know if there was a GSW670III ?

 

[papagene]

As far as I know, there was never a wide angle version of the 6x7 Fuji.

gene

 

[david b]

that's what I thought. thanks gene.

Fuji had a brochure of what they called "The Big Format"
and it doesn't even mention the 6x7

See the brochure here.

 

[Chazzy]

As far as I know, there was never a wide angle version of the 6x7 Fuji.

gene

It was my understanding that the 65mm was available in both 6x7 and 6x9, but I can't point you to a source to prove that. It's just my best recollection.

 

[david b]

I have looked all over for the 6x7 with the 65mm, but cannot find it either.

When I owned a Mamiya 7II, I felt the 65mm was the perfect lens.

 

[papagene]

I have the GSW690III and I actually prefer the 65mm lens with the 6x9 format because it gives my photos a better wide angle look. Where as I prefer the 6x7 format with the normal 90mm lens.

I have a Fuji brochure (somewhere up in my disorganized attic) of their 6x7 & 6x9 and I don't recall seeing a 6x7 with a 65mm lens. This brochure dates back to the early '90s when I was first looking to buy the 6x7.

gene