Fuji GW690 Blank Frames

braxus · May 2, 2021

I shot my first roll of B&W through my recently purchased GW690 camera. When I finished developing the roll, I noticed frames 5 and 6 were blank. Around that time when I shot frame 7, I noticed the shutter speed dial was off closer to the 2 second mark. If it was inbetween shutter speeds, would this cause the blank frames? I would have thought I'd get overexposure if anything. But when I shot frames 5 and 6, it didn't sound like a long exposure. So what do you think caused my blank frames? Frames 7 and 8 turned out fine. I had put the camera tight in my camera bag during the shots.

I must say Im impressed with the results from the GW690 and GSW690 cameras (I bought both). Sharp and contrasty pictures and love the 3:2 frame ratio.

Dan Daniel · May 4, 2021

First thought- lens cap left on. That's my typical reason for blank frames with a rangefinder. I did it so often with the GW690 that I ended up putting tabs on the lens cap that would project into the viewfinder. Painted them yellow, like a daisy.

mark · May 4, 2021

Between shutter speeds might be it, My experience is leaving on the lens cap. powered through two rolls with the F***ing lens cap on last summer. Boy I felt stupid.

I will be employing Dan's tab idea as soon as I get home.

Pieter12 · May 4, 2021

Blank as in clear, or black?

braxus · May 4, 2021

Clear frames. No exposure.

Leolab · May 5, 2021

You could try dry firing the camera with the dial between speeds to see if shutter opens.

Dan Daniel · May 5, 2021

Leolab said:
You could try dry firing the camera with the dial between speeds to see if shutter opens.

(reminder that the back needs to be open for dry firing on the GW/S cameras)

mshchem · May 6, 2021

I shot a roll of Ektachrome with a K2 yellow filter. Forgot to take it off when I switched to color. I've got 4 of these, best all around camera ever made. Both 90 and 65 mm lenses are amazing.

mshchem · May 6, 2021

Dan Daniel said:
(reminder that the back needs to be open for dry firing on the GW/S cameras)

Yeah, it's almost easier to shoot a test roll. I have a 1st generation G617. I was having uneven spacing, overlapping etc I had to adjust the spring that presses the film to the roller that turns the exposure counter.

braxus · May 6, 2021

mshchem said:
I shot a roll of Ektachrome with a K2 yellow filter. Forgot to take it off when I switched to color. I've got 4 of these, best all around camera ever made. Both 90 and 65 mm lenses are amazing.

As mentioned I also have the GSW690. I got it before I got the GW690. Tested both cameras recently.

braxus · May 6, 2021

I developed a second roll from this camera and all 8 frames turned out fine. I'm really impressed with the sharpness from the 90mm lens. I could see the stubble on a friend's face in the scan.

Sash Dobroruka · Dec 20, 2021

braxus said:
I shot my first roll of B&W through my recently purchased GW690 camera. When I finished developing the roll, I noticed frames 5 and 6 were blank. Around that time when I shot frame 7, I noticed the shutter speed dial was off closer to the 2 second mark. If it was inbetween shutter speeds, would this cause the blank frames? I would have thought I'd get overexposure if anything. But when I shot frames 5 and 6, it didn't sound like a long exposure. So what do you think caused my blank frames? Frames 7 and 8 turned out fine. I had put the camera tight in my camera bag during the shots.

I must say Im impressed with the results from the GW690 and GSW690 cameras (I bought both). Sharp and contrasty pictures and love the 3:2 frame ratio.

Hi, just saw your post. I'm writing because I just had a similar problem. I just bought the Fuji G690 and after developing my first roll I saw that the first three exposures were blank like yours. The last 5 were perfectly exposed. Just wondering if you figured out what the problem was with yours. Thanks in advance!

Sirius Glass · Dec 20, 2021

Hold the cameras with an open back and dry fire to check that the shutter opens and closes properly. If not time for a CLA.

DREW WILEY · Dec 20, 2021

Maybe your film just wasn't securely into the take-up roller to begin with, and it slipped for several frames.

250swb · Dec 21, 2021

Sash Dobroruka said:
Hi, just saw your post. I'm writing because I just had a similar problem. I just bought the Fuji G690 and after developing my first roll I saw that the first three exposures were blank like yours. The last 5 were perfectly exposed. Just wondering if you figured out what the problem was with yours. Thanks in advance!

Had you advanced the film until the start point arrows on the backing paper align with the reference mark in the camera? It's not like 35m when you just engage the film and within two winds you are at frame one.

You can get a manual for your camera online.

braxus · Dec 21, 2021

With my situation, it may have been as simple as leaving the lens cap on during shooting. Im guessing thats what it was.

Sirius Glass · Dec 21, 2021

braxus said:
With my situation, it may have been as simple as leaving the lens cap on during shooting. Im guessing thats what it was.

My best photographs have been taken with the lens cap on. I put yellow gaffers tape on my lens caps for the non-slr cameras.

Sash Dobroruka · Dec 21, 2021

Thanks for the replies. I don't have a lens cap so it's not that. Pretty sure I loaded it correctly lining up the arrow to the red dot. I tried putting the setting to 'slide' and opened the back to see if the shutter was actually firing properly and it turns out that sometimes when I advance the lever the shutter fires but the aperture blades don't open...very weird. so by the time I get to the next frame the shutter has already fired and when I press the shutter release nothing happens. I've never seen this before. The used camera store I got it from said to bring it back if there were any issues so I'll see what they say. At least they threw that roll in for free when I bought the camera!

250swb · Dec 21, 2021

Sash Dobroruka said:
Thanks for the replies. I don't have a lens cap so it's not that. Pretty sure I loaded it correctly lining up the arrow to the red dot. I tried putting the setting to 'slide' and opened the back to see if the shutter was actually firing properly and it turns out that sometimes when I advance the lever the shutter fires but the aperture blades don't open...very weird. so by the time I get to the next frame the shutter has already fired and when I press the shutter release nothing happens. I've never seen this before. The used camera store I got it from said to bring it back if there were any issues so I'll see what they say. At least they threw that roll in for free when I bought the camera!

Sounds like sticky shutter blades then. They can be tricky, sometimes they are intermittent and sometimes they just stay stuck, those are the best because at least you can see the problem. A CLA will sort it out but the Fuji rangefinders have fantastic lenses so don't let this put you off.

Sash Dobroruka · Dec 22, 2021

Thanks, just brought it back to the shop and he said he'd pay for the repairs. I guess I'll find out in a couple days what the problem was.

Sirius Glass · Dec 22, 2021

Sash Dobroruka said:
Thanks, just brought it back to the shop and he said he'd pay for the repairs. I guess I'll find out in a couple days what the problem was.

I am glad that you got help and guidance here.

Timothy Hyde · Jan 8, 2022

Please let us know what they find in case it happens to one of the rest of us. Thanks.

Swordman · Jan 9, 2022

I get uneven spacing and overlapping on mine. It’s intermittent, though, and I do crank the advance lever quickly. Next time, I’ll crank it slowly to see if there is an improvement.

drmoss_ca · Jan 9, 2022

Sash Dobroruka said:
I don't have a lens cap so it's not that.

I don't want to be rude, but it's difficult to imagine someone wants decent results if they don't have a lens cap.

Huss · Jan 9, 2022

Swordman said:
I get uneven spacing and overlapping on mine. It’s intermittent, though, and I do crank the advance lever quickly. Next time, I’ll crank it slowly to see if there is an improvement.

It may be from how you load the film. Makes sure the roll is tight at all times, and maintain tension on the film originating spool as you load/close the camera.

Fuji GW690 Blank Frames

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