Fuji Medium Format/ Advise needed

rmjranch · Sep 1, 2016

Looking to purchase a Fuji Medium format camera for fun. Seems there are many models available. I have several Hasselblad cameras that I use all the time. Have no information or background on the various Fuji Medium format cameras. Budget not a problem. Also open to any and all suggestions of which model to purchase. Will use it for general photography, no professional work. Thanking you in advance.

Moopheus · Sep 1, 2016

You could sort of think of it in flow chart terms: do you want something smaller (6x4.5) or larger (6x7 or 6x9) format than the blad? Do you care if it all mechanical or not? Are you okay with fixed lens? Do you prefer a wide or normal lens? I have a Fuji GW690II with the 90mm lens, and while I do like to shoot wide, this lens offers a fair bit of coverage--I've rarely used it and thought, I really wish this were wider.

craigclu · Sep 1, 2016

The bigger format series are without meters. Does this matter for the duties you expect to use it for?

Alan9940 · Sep 1, 2016

Really like my GA645Zi. I've seen many comments over the years that the zoom range is too narrow, but it has never bothered me as I tend to use the widest or longest setting for 90% of the pictures I take with this camera.

Regardless of which one you go with, it's all good!

Prest_400 · Sep 1, 2016

rmjranch said:
Budget not a problem

Get one, no! Two, Hell why not even three or four?

I have a GW690III, as said no meters and all manual... But Leica M3's are as well unmetered. 35mm RF form factor, thus the Texas Leica Nickname.
Sometimes I do find that I'd like a 645. The "half frame" Ga645's are kind of P&S's and may complement the fully manual large 6x9 cameras well.

You do have to pick up a starting point (645 vs 6x9; Normal-Wide vs Wide). I second moopheus points and found that the 39mm Equivalent 90mm Fujinon is quite nice and wide enough.

jimjm · Sep 1, 2016

This site has an overview of the various Fuji cameras.
6x7 & 6x9: Dead Link Removed
645: Dead Link Removed

Alan Gales · Sep 1, 2016

There are a lot of nice Fuji 6x9's out there on the used market. You might find the longer format a nice change from square. Sometimes a change helps in getting those creative juices flowing.

rmjranch · Sep 1, 2016

Thanks for all the help so far. No difference to me meter or no meter. What approximately was the price of a new GW690111? When did they stop production?

Moopheus · Sep 1, 2016

rmjranch said:
Thanks for all the help so far. No difference to me meter or no meter. What approximately was the price of a new GW690111? When did they stop production?

Not sure when they stopped production, but in the mid-to-late 90s, a new one would have cost in the neighborhood of $1000-$1200.

destroya · Sep 1, 2016

Alan9940 said:
Really like my GA645Zi. I've seen many comments over the years that the zoom range is too narrow, but it has never bothered me as I tend to use the widest or longest setting for 90% of the pictures I take with this camera...

I have the same camera and its a nice travel camera. can fit it in the pocket of a pair of cargo shorts. the downside to the ZI is the slow lens. But when there is enough light the quality is awesome. i have a very hard time telling results from it and my mamiya 6. the meter is also pretty good when you understand how it works.

I also have a gw69i, with the 90mm fixed lens. great camera but requires a separate meter if you need one. also a great camera. it does not fit in a pocket so if im hiking lightly (no backpack) i have to hold it. first figure out what size you want, then what lens size and the choice will be much easier

macfred · Sep 1, 2016

My main kit for traveling is a wide-angle FUJI GA645Wi (FUJINON 45mm f/4) and a FUJI GW670iii (FUJINON 90mm f/3.5) - highly recommended !
They fit in a Domke F6 bag (together with some filters, a seperate meter and film).
The GA's meter is quite accurate - even with slide film. The lens is very sharp and contrasty. AF is a little slow but I have no problems for this reason.
The GW series (670, 680, 690 - i,ii and iii) are beyond debate.

4season · Sep 1, 2016

Alan9940 said:
Really like my GA645Zi

This. Or if you're okay with a fixed focal length, one of other GA645 variants.

Alan W · Sep 1, 2016

Hasselblad{Fuji} xpan.Lotta Fun.

Alan9940 · Sep 1, 2016

destroya said:
the downside to the ZI is the slow lens. But when there is enough light the quality is awesome. i have a very hard time telling results from it and my mamiya 6. the meter is also pretty good when you understand how it works.

I have it on a tripod most of the time so the slow lens doesn't bother me. I've used a handheld meter for so long I'm not sure I'd remember how to use any in-camera meter.

mshchem · Sep 2, 2016

I have GW 690 II and III. the latest model has bullet proof outer plastic housing super easy to load. I shoot a lot with Medium format Bronica SQ, and RZ s. The Fuji 6x9 is always what I grab to go out and do street and landscape etc. My favorite camera and you can still find low mileage ones especially coming out f Japan. No battery just you and a great rangefinder. The negs are yuuuge!
Best regards Mike

mshchem · Sep 2, 2016

Alan9940 said:
I have it on a tripod most of the time so the slow lens doesn't bother me. I've used a handheld meter for so long I'm not sure I'd remember how to use any in-camera meter.

I really don't know how to use in camera meters, I have always used an incident meter. I think the ones I've got hoarded now are Minolta IV-F.
Best Regards Mike

craigclu · Sep 2, 2016

I'm a hand-held (mainly incident) meter user, too. The simple, big Fuji's are very direct and easy to function with when you're already accustomed to that type of metering. By this, I mean that the camera is only manual and always in the right mode for this without switching around various modes of operation. I've had various models (645's, 67's and 69's) over the years but only kept one which is the slightly odd (but quite easy to find) GSW680III. I have other medium format gear that I have development/film processes that work well with (universally) but the I need to soften the inherent contrast of the Fuji or I struggle a bit in printing them. I don't see this comment by others but mine has been quite noticeable in that regard.

papagene · Sep 2, 2016

I have the GW670II and the GSW690III... I lug them hiking around Rocky Mountain NP. The results are very pleasing, no complaints from me.
I think you will be happy with just about any Fuji as they all have excellent lenses.

rmjranch · Sep 2, 2016

I purchased today a GW690III from Japan via Ebay. I am in Miami FL. Assume I will receive it in about two weeks.I always use a light meter. I shoot 6x6 (Hasselblad) so thought the larger frame size, 6x9, would be interesting. The GW690III weighs the exact same as a Hasselblad, standard viewer, 12 back and 80mm lens.I weighed my Hasselblad before the purchase. I carry it all the time in a small Think Tank bag. Thank everyone for the help and information.

Greg Heath · Sep 3, 2016

macfred said:
My main kit for traveling is a wide-angle FUJI GA645Wi (FUJINON 45mm f/4) and a FUJI GW670iii (FUJINON 90mm f/3.5) - highly recommended !
They fit in a Domke F6 bag (together with some filters, a seperate meter and film).
The GA's meter is quite accurate - even with slide film. The lens is very sharp and contrasty. AF is a little slow but I have no problems for this reason.
The GW series (670, 680, 690 - i,ii and iii) are beyond debate.

The Fuji cameras are great. I have a GS645S. The lens crispness reminds me of that Zeiss "Pop". They are lightweight too. I have not shot with the the GW's.

Greg

Prest_400 · Sep 3, 2016

rmjranch said:
I purchased today a GW690III from Japan via Ebay. I am in Miami FL. Assume I will receive it in about two weeks.I always use a light meter. I shoot 6x6 (Hasselblad) so thought the larger frame size, 6x9, would be interesting. The GW690III weighs the exact same as a Hasselblad, standard viewer, 12 back and 80mm lens.I weighed my Hasselblad before the purchase. I carry it all the time in a small Think Tank bag. Thank everyone for the help and information.

1460g? I thought the Hassie would be slightly more (ofc with a prism). Volume of the body + body width of the Fuji is what makes it a bit less portable in compactness. I've heard people complain about Hassies not being portable...
Then there's the 35mm RF "on steroids" form factor of the Fuji which I think helps it in getting the bad rap for size (6x9 after all!) and lack of meter (Many Leica M's are meterless too!) by way of association with the more tech incorporated 135.

Moopheus · Sep 3, 2016

Just for laughs, I put my cameras on the scale: Fuji GW690II: 1485 grams, Hasselblad 503cx w/80mm CF lens, standard wlf, 1596. Oh wait, there's film in the 503 right now, so take off 25 grams for that. So they're pretty close.

Fuji Medium Format/ Advise needed

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