FujiFilm to introduce new MF prototype.

[copake_ham]

How much for those models below on the bottom of that web page?

Just remember, they only come in three packs!

 

[Terence]

And I'm guessing those are pro-packs . . .

 

[ChrisC]

Just when I was looking for a compact 6x7 MF for hiking. Come on Fuji, make this affordable and sell it worldwide, or at least through Asian vendors with great online stores.

 

[Sanjay Sen]

I guess a couple more pictures of the camera won't hurt, along with some basic specs... here!

 

[mabman]

Via RFF there's also a post on a Czech blog with some pics - definitely 6x7 from the top plate labelling.

Interesting choice - correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the only other 6x7 folder is the Plaubel Makina 67/670 - wonder if the optics are as good (from what I've read of the Plaubel Makina, anyway).

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Well, if the buzz keeps going, we should expect prototypes in short order from Cosina-Voigtlander and Zeiss Ikon.

 

[Iskra 2]

Via RFF there's also a post on a Czech blog with some pics - definitely 6x7 from the top plate labelling.

Interesting choice - correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the only other 6x7 folder is the Plaubel Makina 67/670 - wonder if the optics are as good (from what I've read of the Plaubel Makina, anyway).

Back to basics!! I'll "trade in" my Iskra 2's for one of these. What "goes around comes back around". Hard to believe a company has the "cajones" to bring back a classic design. Regards.

 

[firecracker]

Fuji used to make 6x6 folding cameras called Fujica Six, similar to Mamiya's back in the day.

If the new one that we are looking at is 6x7, I can understand but won't bother. But if it's 6x9, old Bessa copy, I will consider buying it.

My guess on the price would be around 1500 USD.

 

[firecracker]

Via RFF there's also a post on a Czech blog with some pics - definitely 6x7 from the top plate labelling.

Interesting choice - correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the only other 6x7 folder is the Plaubel Makina 67/670 - wonder if the optics are as good (from what I've read of the Plaubel Makina, anyway).

Yeah, it says "FUJIFILM 6x7." Thanks.

 

[david b]

sure it's a prototype but it says 6x7 on the top.

I am thinking $1500 as well. at least it will come with a warranty and a much smaller manual
then their current cameras.

 

[Mick Fagan]

To think I've ordered a Razzle camera for walk around large negatives, when I really would've liked one of these. All of the old folders I kept on seeing, were on their last legs, so I went this route. We'll see how long I keep it!

I had the Fuji GS645 75 F3.4 many years ago and loved it, except for the vertical or portrait orientation of the film gate. It was this having to turn the camera on it's side to do landscapes, that I finally and almost regretfully, sold it.

If this camera does come to fruition it will be marginally bigger in width to the GS645, depth, and height would virtually be the same. It will be able to fit into my coat pocket as the GS645 did, the side camera straps, will enable it to be carried under one arm quite unobtrusively and easily.

It would appear that these prototypes, have had a reasonable amount of thought put into them.

Working on the basis of what most people want, which is large negative area, then the 6x7 format seems to be a wise move, although the slightly more compact 6x6 size, may have shaved a few millimetres an extra 10 mm is neither here nor there.

Having used the GS645 focusing thumb indented lever, I know it works well, it should on this.

Very smart move Fuji, when you're on the up, you're on the up!

Mick.

 

[david b]

Well, the CEO keeps talking about how he loves film.

So, maybe this will really happen.

 

[JBrunner]

I like this camera. If it comes in affordable, I'll have one. It fits a perfect niche that you can only fill right now with an old folder. Simply brilliant.

 

[dpurdy]

I've been looking at old folders for a long time and thinking that they have alignment problems and probably inferior lenses. It is such a nice idea to have a camera of great quality that can be carried easily. I just probably can never get past that fact that I already have a 2.8 80mm Planar on my Rollei FX and the 80mm 2.8 Xenotar on my Rollei F and a very nice 2.4 90 on my Pentax 67, so it will be hard to justify another MF normal 80mm lens camera.

 

[Michel Hardy-Vallée]

Better eyes than I have, I thought the shutter speed is located on the lens, but you are right a focal plan shutter, a cross between a Pentex 6X7 and a Mamyia 7? I am a little concerned about possible virabations from a focal plane shutter, even without a mirror.

I thought about the 1/500 upper speed, and I think it makes sense even as a focal plane shutter. The Pentacon 6 has a top speed of 1/1000, but if they are looking for economy, with such a massive focal plane, 1/500 could be a decent compromise.

As to vibration, the absence of mirror movement could be enough to ensure decent vibration control. Just a hypothesis.

 

[Michel Hardy-Vallée]

Looks like that little window to the right of the rangefinder window is for a meter, therefore no TTL metering. Probably has a leaf shutter.

Nope. From right to left: viewfinder, frameline illumination, rangefinder mirror. So the focal plane is still a possibility. Especially with the available Aperture-priority automation.

 

[firecracker]

I found more info on this camera from a Japanese camera magazine site:

Dead Link Removed

It says it's called "GF670 Folding" (which I'm sure is a working title/name). It's a 6x7cm folding (coupled) rangefinder camera with 80mm F3.5 lens, electronic shutter (lens-shutter), film-winding dial nob , AE and manual exposure modes. In September, the almost-complete version of this prototype will be shown at Photokina, and the finished product, the actual camera will hit the market by the end of the year.

Here's a little video of it (I can't play it though for some reason) :

http://www.capacamera.net/pma08/index.php?page=1&id=24

 

[david b]

the video worked for me. I have no idea what the guy was saying but the camera kicks ass.

 

[mabman]

...

Here's a little video of it (I can't play it though for some reason) :

http://www.capacamera.net/pma08/index.php?page=1&id=24

The reporter certainly seems to have a lot to say in such a short time - I don't speak Japanese - it would be interesting to know what he had to say.

 

[firecracker]

The reporter certainly seems to have a lot to say in such a short time - I don't speak Japanese - it would be interesting to know what he had to say.

I just got be to be able to play the video and watched it (which had to do with my browser, etc). The guy in the video was saying pretty much the same thing that I wrote in the earlier post, the spec of the camera, except he mentioned about the shutter speeds from 1/500 to B, and the 1/2-step exposure compensation (+-2). That's about it.

 

[MattKing]

I just got be to be able to play the video and watched it (which had to do with my browser, etc). The guy in the video was saying pretty much the same thing that I wrote in the earlier post, the spec of the camera, except he mentioned about the shutter speeds from 1/500 to B, and the 1/2-step exposure compensation (+-2). That's about it.

One of the blogs referenced in these two related threads referred to the camera offering flash synch at all shutter speeds. That would indicate a leaf shutter. Does the commentary on the video include any reference to that?

Thanks,

Matt

 

[notmatt]

Nope. From right to left: viewfinder, frameline illumination, rangefinder mirror. So the focal plane is still a possibility. Especially with the available Aperture-priority automation.

I'm not sure - the rectangular mark on what you're calling the frameline window looks an awful lot like a rangefinder patch to me. I've got a couple of cameras kicking around that use the same combined window design. I'm betting on the leftmost window being the meter.

 

[firecracker]

One of the blogs referenced in these two related threads referred to the camera offering flash synch at all shutter speeds. That would indicate a leaf shutter. Does the commentary on the video include any reference to that?

Thanks,

Matt

No, it didn't say anything about the flash sync.

 

[Ian Grant]

No, it didn't say anything about the flash sync.

But if it has a leaf shutter it will have flash synch at all speeds.

Ian

 

[Nicole]

Wow! Nearly 5500 views in just 6 days!!