GSW690III: recommendations? also re: pola back 4 it

[DanielStone]

hey all,

I've been looking to trade up my GW670III R/F fuji camera to get the larger(film-wise) and wider(lens-wise) GSW690III. I really like the rangefinder, although kind of lacking in terms of no lens-interchangeability. But for my rz, I like using the 65mm the most, and I like the format of 35mm. ya, i know, the rz isn't 35mm format.

but on to main topic. I've seen that NPC make instant backs for the GSW690III cameras, supposedly to take 2 1/4 Pola film. I've been able to find the item # as MF23.

but my googling hasn't been able to turn up anything else though.

Has anyone had experience with this camera before? I'd be looking to trade my 670III with cash for the 690III, but I've survived without the pola back on the 670, so I'm kind of wondering if I'd need it on the 690.

opinions welcome.


thanks

Dan

 

[rufuskeet]

I've got a GSW690III, but have never used the instant back for it.

I would think its pretty similar to your GW670III, infact I think it is the same body and same lens construction, so the GW670 and GW690 have the same lens and the GSW680(6x8) and GSW690 have the same.

Did you have any particular questions?

 

[DanielStone]

hey rufus,

I've never used a 6x9 format camera, but being that I've used a 6x7(RZ and the GW670III) for some time now, I'd like to go a little wider.

I would imagine that Fuji did put the same 90mm and 65mm lenses in the 6x7/8/9 cameras, rather than separate ones, etc...

my other thought was to get a Mamiya 7II(sell the GW670III first) and get the 50mm, or 65mm lens for it in addition to the 80mm.

more money though in the long run. And as stated before, I prefer the slightly longer, wider format of the 6x9. especially for what I'm shooting lately. I can always crop out from that to 6x6/7/8, etc... to get the desired image I want.

I'm also considering selling my Nikons and Pentax K1000 kit to fund a Fuji TX-1 or XPAN II kit. This will take some more time and money though .

I don't shoot much 35mm as it is, but wide angle has got its hooks deeeeeeeeep into my flesh right now . and I'm soaking it right in .

just out of curiosity RUFUS, are you doing the hybrid thingy, or optically printing in the darkroom?

-Dan

 

[Peter De Smidt]

I have a GSW690III. It's a good camera with a great lens.

 

[rufuskeet]

Dan -

First off, I'm doing both forms of printing. If I'm doing color, it's getting scanned and printed on my inkjet. If its B&W its all darkroom.

The 6x9 has so much room that you can easily crop and never know it. I have a RB67 that I've been using for a while an got used to the 6x7 frame size. When I went to 6x9 I didn't really know what to do with the extra since I was still framing 6x7 in my mind. So it takes little getting used to. What doesn't take long to get used to is the sharpness and overall awesomeness of the lens. I got used to that pretty quick.

I understand the flexibility of the Mamiya 7, but just couldn't justify the price for myself. I would rather have two cameras for cheaper even though they will be heavier. Although not an exact comparison, the Fuji GA645zi would be my choice instead of the Mamiya 7. With that in addition to the GW690 and GSW690 I feel like I would have a pretty comparable system.

 

[papagene]

I use the Fuji GW670 II and the GSW690 III, it is a great combo. With the 670's normal (90mm) lens I like the 6x7 format and with the 690's 65mm wide angle lens I prefer the 6x9 format. To me it the best of both worlds.
Great lenses on both cameras.

As far as the NPC Pola back goes, It is my impression that if you put one on one of these cameras it is a permanent adaptation. I don't think the backs are removable. Of course, I may be wrong.

gene

 

[narsuitus]

I own a Fuji GSWiii 690 (6x9cm) with a 65mm lens that I use primarily for shooting scenics and a Fuji GWiii (6x7cm) with a 90mm lens that I primarily use for shooting people. Both are great cameras and they work well together.

I have never used a Polaroid back for the cameras but instead use a small digital camera to perform test shots.