Fuji GW690ii Broken Shutter Base

RKastle

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Dec 3, 2021
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2
Location
Los Angeles
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35mm
Hello,

I have a Fuji GW690ii and the aperture is unresponsive. The previous owner also mentioned that it would occasionally misfire. I sent the camera to Nippon Photo Clinic in NYC and they diagnosed it with a broken shutter base. They did not have parts to fix the camera and so were unable to make any repairs.

I've since been trying to reach out to various camera shops across the United States to see if anyone has parts that could fix it. Below is a list of the shops/Technicians that I've reached out to so far.
  • Steve's Camera Service Center (Los Angeles) - Their Fuji Technician wasn't accepting repairs
  • Walters Camera (Los Angeles) - I believe the previous owner took it here and they were not able to fix it
  • Nippon Photo Clinic (New York) - Diagnosed Camera but could not repair
  • KEH Repair (Georgia) - Said they could inspect the camera but no confirmation on if they have parts.
  • Camera Doctor (New York) - No Response to email
  • Southern Photo Technical Service (Miami) - Said they are an authorized Fuji service center and would accept the camera for a diagnostic but no confirmation on if they have the required parts.
  • United Camera Repair (Illinois) - Did not have the parts to fix
  • Dan Daniel Cameras (New York) - Did not have parts for this camera
  • Mark Hama (Georgia?) - No Response to email
  • International Camera (Chicago) - Said they could inspect the camera but no confirmation on if they have parts.
  • Mamiya Repairs/Bill Rodgers (Las Vegas?) - Did not have parts for this camera
  • Lezot Camera Repair (Vermont) - Did not have parts
  • Advance Camera Repair (Oregon) - Did not have parts but their technician is still willing to inspect to see if there is anything they could do
  • Frank Marshman (Virginia?) - I have seen this recommendation a lot but my understanding is that he is retired (or semi-retired) and I cannot find current contact information for him.
There might have been some others that I've reached out to but forgotten. Dan Daniel suggested that I make a post here to see if I could get any recommendations as their might be camera repair people out there who don't have wide reputations, who never hit the internet referral buzz, but who are doing great work. I think this is such a cool camera and would love to be able to get it fixed and shooting again.

Cheers,
Robert
 

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Kodachromeguy

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RKastle said:
Southern Photo Technical Service (Miami) - Said they are an authorized Fuji service center and would accept the camera for a diagnostic but no confirmation on if they have the required parts.
Click to expand...
Southern Photo repaired my GW690II in 2017 when I did something bad to the shutter. At that time, they had parts, but I do not know the situation now. I am sorry to hear about your broken camera, because these have amazingly good lenses. Also, they have a straight film path.
 

Maris

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Try: Zacks Camera Repair
zackscamerarepair.com
info@zackscamerarepair.com
(401)2737247
Their motto is "We do the impossible".
 

MattKing

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OrientPoint

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I wrote to Zacks earlier this year about a repair. They couldn't help me with my particular issue, but they were still active doing online/mail order work. I believe just the storefront operation is closed.
 

abruzzi

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Zacks CLA’d two shutters for me ~3 months ago, so I hope they’re still in business.
 

FotoMark

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abruzzi said:
Zacks CLA’d two shutters for me ~3 months ago, so I hope they’re still in business.
Click to expand...
that's good to know... I was there right as he was closing down, and he sounded kind of unsure about the future of repairs from home. I'm glad to hear he's still at it--
 
OP
OP

RKastle

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Dec 3, 2021
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Location
Los Angeles
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35mm
I wanted to post a follow up in the thread in case other people have a similar problem and need a solution. I ended up sending the camera to Southern Photo and Isaac (I believe thats right) worked on my camera. We had a nice discussion and he explained the full extent of the damage that the first repair shop that worked on this did to the camera. They basically broke the shutter base then glued it back together. This was not communicated when I bought the camera (I bought it for $250). Anyway, Isaac at Southern Photo was able to source the parts needed (Shutter Assembly, Aperture Control Assembly, Grip, Lens Element & other misc parts) then conducted the repair and a CLA. It was not cheap but its a great camera and I was happy to pay that for a qualified technician to keep a classic film camera in use. Now the camera is essentially brand new! Happy to answer any questions if they come up!
 

toyotadesigner

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Thanks for your follow-up and information! Now enjoy one of the best cameras on this planet.
 

AgX

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RKastle, could you explain what "shutter base" means at this camera? Or was it just a term one of the technicians used.
 
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