GF670 Viewfinder Question

[mfmike]

Hi, all - the specs for my GF670 say the viewfinder gives 88% view at 3 meters. Is that as good as it gets, or do I get closer to full view as the focus point shifts further away?
Cheers,
Mike

 

[Karl A]

Yes, the frame lines adjust as you move the focus ring, if that is what you mean? Also different frame lines for 6x6 and 6x7, which adjust automatically. There is a blind spot caused by the lens, which prevents 100% view in the lower right corner.

 

[mfmike]

Sorry, guess I wasn't clear. After the frame lines move open as far as possible, will I still only get 88% of the actual shot in the viewfinder?
Thanks.
Mike

 

[Ken Nadvornick]

I own that camera. I can't give a quantitative answer because I have not tested it, but I can give an experience-based qualitative one.

I have learned to place the essential elements of a scene in the frame such that they always touch or even slightly exceed the visible frame lines of the viewfinder. Doing this results in a comfortably populated final composition. Essentially the remaining 12% becomes a comfortable border enclosing the final photograph. (Qualitatively) this seems to hold true at all distances for me.

This was hard for me to get used to after coming from a Nikon F2 (100% viewfinders) on the miniature side, and from a direct-view 8x10 ground glass on the large side. But after a few frames with tiny main subjects painted into the middle of overly-spacious empty frames, I got the hang of it and it became second nature.

For a more quantitative answer you might try emailing Fujifilm USA. They have been quick to respond, and with good quality responses, every time I've had to ask a question. I went around and around with them regarding USA warranties before finally purchasing, and they were very patient. They might be able to get you the exact answer you need.

Ken

 

[RattyMouse]

I am not sure I understand how this viewfinder works. Does the 88% view indicate the inaccuracy of the viewfinder lines? Since you can see outside of the lines, I always assume that you have a 100% view (everything inside the box and beyond). So I assume that the 88% figure is some sort of measure of how inaccurate the lines are.

Correct?

 

[Ken Nadvornick]

You do have a 100% view, just not within the frame lines. In fact, you have more than 100% of the film frame visible. The trick is to learn intuitively just how much of that unmarked area beyond the frame lines is also going to be included on the film frame. I find that by severely crowding the frame lines with the main subject, the resulting negative is... comfortable... for lack of a better term.

Did you ever finally get yourself a GF670?

Ken

 

[alexbeare]

Yes, the frame lines adjust as you move the focus ring, if that is what you mean? Also different frame lines for 6x6 and 6x7, which adjust automatically. There is a blind spot caused by the lens, which prevents 100% view in the lower right corner.

Pro tip: this also lets you read the aperture ring through the viewfinder

 

[Karl A]

Pro tip: this also lets you read the aperture ring through the viewfinder

Ha ha, that's a good suggestion

I think the 88% refers to the fact that there is a blind spot, other than the fact that the lens is in the way, you can see way beyond the frame lines

Since the frame lines move, that % may change, but there is always some blockage, no big deal really, you can always crop if there is something you don't want in that part of the image

There is an image of the viewfinder Dead Link Removed which shows how you can see outside the frame lines (no blockage shown though…)

 

[RattyMouse]

You do have a 100% view, just not within the frame lines. In fact, you have more than 100% of the film frame visible. The trick is to learn intuitively just how much of that unmarked area beyond the frame lines is also going to be included on the film frame. I find that by severely crowding the frame lines with the main subject, the resulting negative is... comfortable... for lack of a better term.

Did you ever finally get yourself a GF670?

Ken

Heh heh....not yet. I'm on the edge right now, with my window of opportunity opening up next month. I may end up with one yet. There are tons of GF670W's here in Shanghai, and I sometimes think about that instead as I like to shoot wider.

Hopefully one of these days.

 

[David Nardi]

I know they are expensive but they are great cameras. Easy to use and quite the accurate exposure system. I'm crazy so I own both the GF670 and GF670W. Since these cameras are rangefinders, they have opened up a whole different world of shooting possibilities compared to my LF and SLR work that I've grown accustomed to over the years.

 

[Karl A]

I would have preferred the wide version, if they had released it in North America, but I bought the regular one since B&H has a pretty good price on it. I might look to buy a wide one in Asia and perhaps let the regular one go. I find I prefer either shorter or longer than normal lenses. Having said that, it is a great camera.

Nothing wrong with having both, at the end of the day you are paying for the lens and the image quality that comes with that. A good medium format lens ain't cheap if you buy it new, even if your body can take different lenses, e.g. Mamiya 7.

 

[mfmike]

Thanks for the feedback, all. I'll run some shots to check how much of the scene is included beyond the frame lines.
Cheers,
Mike

 

[Rolfe Tessem]

The Bessa III 667 looks very similar, but not identical. Do they share the same lineage? Since Bessa is Cosina, that seems unlikely but I'm still struck by the fact that these cameras look virtually the same...

 

[erikg]

Same camera, built by Fuji.

 

[Karl A]

Same camera, built by Fuji.

True, exact same camera, but I believe both are actually built by Cosina

 

[Pioneer]

I know they are expensive but they are great cameras. Easy to use and quite the accurate exposure system. I'm crazy so I own both the GF670 and GF670W. Since these cameras are rangefinders, they have opened up a whole different world of shooting possibilities compared to my LF and SLR work that I've grown accustomed to over the years.

I also find this to be a great camera but I don't agree it is expensive considering what you get. A folding camera with a modern lens and framelines with parallax correction. Rangefinder focusing with great metering and aperture priority exposure with exposure compensation. A shutter that for all intents and purposes is silent. The build quality is very good. All this and 6x6 or 6x7 medium format pictures to boot. You will pay a whole lot more than this for a digital camera to even come close to providing similar image quality. We have all become a bit spoiled with the prices for great used film cameras that originally cost a lot of money when new. But this one comes with a warranty from a very reputable company.

No, I actually think it is very fairly priced. Have you priced a new Leica MP recently?

 

[David Nardi]

I also find this to be a great camera but I don't agree it is expensive considering what you get. A folding camera with a modern lens and framelines with parallax correction. Rangefinder focusing with great metering and aperture priority exposure with exposure compensation. A shutter that for all intents and purposes is silent. The build quality is very good. All this and 6x6 or 6x7 medium format pictures to boot. You will pay a whole lot more than this for a digital camera to even come close to providing similar image quality. We have all become a bit spoiled with the prices for great used film cameras that originally cost a lot of money when new. But this one comes with a warranty from a very reputable company.

No, I actually think it is very fairly priced. Have you priced a new Leica MP recently?

Didn't think I had to elaborate. I was speaking for the general populace. I don't think they are expensive considering what they provide, like you described. But I know for many people they can be. I have invested quite heavily in a fully analog workflow so for me this is a great price for these cameras. Fuji has always had my vote. I even picked up a Fuji Klasse 35mm point and shoot from Japan. It's an incredible little machine that I paid $500 for. A great pocket companion for those candid moments that pairs up quite nicely next to my GF's.

 

[RattyMouse]

I would have preferred the wide version, if they had released it in North America, but I bought the regular one since B&H has a pretty good price on it. I might look to buy a wide one in Asia and perhaps let the regular one go. I find I prefer either shorter or longer than normal lenses. Having said that, it is a great camera.

Nothing wrong with having both, at the end of the day you are paying for the lens and the image quality that comes with that. A good medium format lens ain't cheap if you buy it new, even if your body can take different lenses, e.g. Mamiya 7.

A Fuji GSW690 will set you back around $600 or so while the GF670W costs almost $3000. That's a HUGE difference. The two arent equal, but are they $2400 worth of difference?

I see the GF670W's all the time here in China in the shops. They just dont sell at this obscene price. Not many anyways. I have been haunting the stores, looking to see if they will deal. Nope, not even despite the fact that they have had the same camera for sale for TWO years!

 

[RattyMouse]

I know they are expensive but they are great cameras. Easy to use and quite the accurate exposure system. I'm crazy so I own both the GF670 and GF670W. Since these cameras are rangefinders, they have opened up a whole different world of shooting possibilities compared to my LF and SLR work that I've grown accustomed to over the years.

That is a SERIOUS amount of coin!

Which do you shoot the most? Which camera do you find the most fun to use?

I dont see you mentioning any of these Fuji's on your web site.

 

[David Nardi]

That is a SERIOUS amount of coin!

Which do you shoot the most? Which camera do you find the most fun to use?

I dont see you mentioning any of these Fuji's on your web site.

My website is awfully out of date. Need to get on making a new one soon. I mostly use my 4x5 and 8x10 cameras for my landscape work but I find when I travel with my girlfriend the GF's make quite the lovely pair. I shoot more street stuff when the goal isn't just about photography and more about seeing the sights. Otherwise, if I went on a landscape expedition I would bring along the 4x5 and/or the Mamiya 645.

 

[revdocjim]

I love the GF670 and got it used for about $1,200 here in Tokyo. The GF670W is usually about 20% more. I really enjoy the compactness of the GF670 and that would be the main reason why I might hesitate getting the W version. Besides, my Mamiya 6 with the 50mm lens does the job very well for wide angle shooting!

 

[RattyMouse]

I love the GF670 and got it used for about $1,200 here in Tokyo. The GF670W is usually about 20% more. I really enjoy the compactness of the GF670 and that would be the main reason why I might hesitate getting the W version. Besides, my Mamiya 6 with the 50mm lens does the job very well for wide angle shooting!

I was in Japan (Kyoto) earlier this year. I wanted to buy a GF670W but the price was $2800. Too rich for my blood.