Fuji GW690II

[Rich C.]

Indeed! I've been shooting with a newly acquired GSW680iii and it is an amazing machine - so easy to load and stash in a bag and have with me for huge negatives when traveling around the city. I love mine!

 

[EdColorado]

I love my GW690II and need to use it more (too many cameras). As others have mentioned, I feel the sound gets a bad rap. Its not a classic sound, but its no where near as loud as some people say. Not to me at least, and I don't see heads turning every time I fire one off.

For a meter I chose the Voigtlander VCII as seen in the link below. I got a black one, and while it looks large on a "normal" rangefinder, on the Fuji it fits perfectly. Plenty sensitive, very accurate, its a wonderful meter.

See it here:

https://www.cameraquest.com/voivcmet2.htm

I find the Fuji to be an excellent hand hold camera. I shot the following at 1/15 at f3.5 on Arista EDU 100.

 

[mfmike]

While I don't know if this is true for the model ii, one of the things I appreciate on my model iii is the large spacing between the negs on the roll. Makes it easy to trim the roll after developing without botching the shots!
Cheers,
Mike

 

[Prest_400]

I love my GW690II and need to use it more (too many cameras). As others have mentioned, I feel the sound gets a bad rap. Its not a classic sound, but its no where near as loud as some people say. Not to me at least, and I don't see heads turning every time I fire one off.

It's a bit of "videogame railgun" sound but not that bad. I think it gets a bad rap on size also because it is compared to 35mm cameras because of the form factor and rather light also. AFAIK A Hassy kit weighs also around 1.5 kg but so does a Nikon F5.
It's quite convenient, integrated RF focusing and metering with a small handheld like a Sekonic L308 can be quite quick. THen, the lack of meter.. Some complain about it but most MF cameras neither the classic Leica M's have one. I was infact quicker than a slow newbie digi shooter friend.

 

[braxus]

I'm thinking of getting this camera. Is there any reason to not get the version 1 of the GW690 over version 2? Also what are people using for metering when using this camera? Seems silly to bring along a second camera just to use its light meter. I downloaded a light meter app for my Samsung phone, but is it accurate enough for film use? My plan is to get both a GSW690 and a GW690II.

 

[DREW WILEY]

Use a light meter, of course. Just depends on what kind of accuracy you need. I use Pentax digital spotmeters for all my cameras. As far as I'm concerned, cell phones have no use in the mountains except for skipping across a pond when a flat pebble is not available.

 

[Dan Daniel]

I'm thinking of getting this camera. Is there any reason to not get the version 1 of the GW690 over version 2? Also what are people using for metering when using this camera? Seems silly to bring along a second camera just to use its light meter. I downloaded a light meter app for my Samsung phone, but is it accurate enough for film use? My plan is to get both a GSW690 and a GW690II.

I and II are basically the same camera except for the exterior trim pieces. I imagine that some minor tweaks were made here and there; camera companies are always fine tuning mechanics, even in the middle of the same model name. But for all practical purposes, same camera. Just look closely for wear, any signs of corrosion, heavy use, etc.

Light meters are all simply guides. Experience and most any meter can be workable. Here's a great overview of the issues-
http://www.fredparker.com/ultexp1.htm

 

[papagene]

The differences are minimal... get whichever one is in the best condition. You will be quite pleased with the results of either version.

 

[destroya]

I have a version i and iii and much prefer the version1, only because of the annoying retractable hood. to me, that is the main and only difference between them. yes there are others, but they really don't mean anything to me

 

[Deleted member 88956]

I was looking for III simply because it was newer, but then looks alone won me over quick and started exploring II, once a near new came into view I snapped it and could not be happier.A beast for good reasons, but all for the good of associate joy. I continue to dislike the looks of III vs. II but that is all the gripe I have as I have never shot a roll on a III.

 

[Alex Varas]

I'm joining the club of GW690 owners, camera is on its way

 

[moto-uno]

^ In Moscow , what is your selection of 120 film like ? Peter

 

[Alex Varas]

I would say I don’t miss any 120 film here, said that I can’t miss what I don’t know Ilford, Kodak, Fuji and Foma, Bergger are the most found, the biggest shop has Rollei as well, Cinestill at very few places.

 

[norm123]

Very good camera. You will be very happy. The result are great. I love mine and his brother GSW690. I use them mainly for landscape and with a tripod, it's gorgeous. Simple to operate. Good luck.

 

[4season]

Wonderful cameras, but you can very easily burn through several rolls of film without even trying!

 

[sixby45]

I am curious about the camera too. My questions are: Is the Range finder easy to use and is it accurate? Is the reportedly high contrast lens overly so? Is it manageable with proper film processing?

Dennis

For sure! I've had both the II and the III and have heard people say that both were easier to focus.

For me I find the III rangefinder update easier to see but others swear that the II is brighter. To be honest either will be easy and fast to focus when you practice - as I used both for street and event shooting and didn't have difficulty grabbing focus on the run.

Great cameras and the lens does what it is supposed to and well - I believe that the EBC coatings are the same on the II and III, but both are very optimized for color rendition and pull great specular highlights. The biggest issue for me using it in a studio setting is only having 8 shots before reloading. This can slow you down a bit though perhaps you can have two and cruise along

A great camera and one that doesn't have the name recognition of say rollei or hasselblad but definitely one of my favorites!