GX680 family - help getting started?

I've become interested in a GX680 for landscape shooting.

Just a caveat: I know it's a beast. And an RZ probably makes more sense. But for now, let's just say that my heart is set on a Fuji.

So, what should I know? What should I avoid? Is it worth it?

Prices on ebay range from a spendy to ridiculously cheap. Any gotchas I should know about before jumping in?

Do any of you use the right-angle prism? It looks cool, but do you -actually- use it?

Thanks! Any and all advice is very appreciated...

Last model (III) takes easy to find batteries, the first two can be a problem finding batteries. If you do anything close up you will want the extension rails.

I'll echo Bob, the III uses easy to find batteries, & has updated electronics. If you get the III, then the vIII backs are preferable (easy to replace batteries). The only caveat is that the III's are less common (therefore more expensive) and the electronic cable release is more expensive and harder to find (you cannot use the vII cable release).

If you are adept at re-celling battery packs, the I & II's are very serviceable. Just make sure it comes with a battery (dead or alive) and charger.

I’m using a GX680 that came with the battery pack adapter the uses AA batteries, and so far works very well. It also came with two backs which I had to open up and solder in new batteries, not too hard and plenty of info online to show you how to do it. Very happy with the camera, using it to shoot old cars around San Francisco so I’m not far to far from the car. The ironic thing is that my GX680 kit with three lenses weighs the same as my 8x10 kit with three lenses. They’re both in backpacks and weigh 26 lbs minus the tripod.

Speaking of tripods, you will need a good sturdy tripod.
Roger

I use the first version of the GX680 with the III back and the battery pack that takes AA batteries. It all works fine.

Hi fmiller4,

I have two GX680III's and several lenses (50,65,100,115,125,150,180) four of the five viewfinders, the battery packs, long and short extension rails and all of the different bellows. I have the cable release and even a radio release.

Why the big list. a couple of reasons. First, it is a huge and comprehensive "system" that can do just about anything, depending on how you configure it. This can be very daunting at first, but don't let that put you off. It is my favourite camera to use and still makes more than half my income. My point is, you have to start somewhere, and I would advise you to start small and slowly build up a system over time. That way you can wait for bargains. I have bought all of my kit from eBay, and if you aren't in a hurry, what you want will always come along at a price you are happy with. You just have to figure out what things are worth to you. An example is the 50mm lens. This is the widest for the system and equivalent to a 19mm in 35mm terms. I wanted one for years but didn't want to pay $2000 for one, which was the going rate for a long time. There is one on eBay at the moment for $1500ish. But there is also one for $600ish. So it pays to be patient if you can.

As to your question about the angle finders, there are two, and I have both, they are definitely handy, and different. They have different angles, the v1 is a 90deg angle and the v2 is slightly angled up, and I feel is slightly better optically, but both useful if the camera position works (waist level viewfinder is obviously better for low angle shots)

As with anything, you get what you pay for. The III's are newer and "generally" (but not always) in better condition than the older Is and IIs, always look at the photos carefully and preferably buy from sellers with good feedback and who offer returns. Other than that, all I can say is enjoy, I know I do.

Kind regards,
Jason Berge.

I really like the GX680 glass so I put them into mechanical shutters (Seiko #1's). I use them them on my focal plane Plaubel Makiflexes

DSC05656 by Nokton48, on Flickr

65mm F5.6 Fuji GX680 lens on Makiflex Standard by Nokton48, on Flickr

Nokton48 said:

I really like the GX680 glass so I put them into mechanical shutters (Seiko #1's). I use them them on my focal plane Plaubel Makiflexes

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I've heard rumors of using them on 4x5 systems... do they have enough coverage for that?

texaspaul said:

I've heard rumors of using them on 4x5 systems... do they have enough coverage for that?

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I haven't used them for that purpose. The Makiflex is 9x9cm and they work very well for that.

WOW!

I'd never even heard of the Makiflex, you can really see where Fuji got the idea....

Anyway, I just wanted to thank everyone for contributing advice etc, it's been enormously helpful.

I -think- I've got a body and lens in my sights and I'll chase down a cable release...

Thanks everyone!

Good luck,

There are a couple of cable releases on ebay at the moment at $35 and $39, good prices, they are usually around $75-$100.

Cheers,
Jason.

Jason Berge said:

Good luck,

There are a couple of cable releases on ebay at the moment at $35 and $39, good prices, they are usually around $75-$100.

Cheers,
Jason.

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Make sure you get the correct cable release, the III and the I/II are not compatible, even though they both plug in.

I'm a beginner GX680IIIs shooter. Purchased it here. I'm curious about using the polaroid back. How much of the film surface is used for the image? For either color or b&w film what do you set the ISO at--if anyone has used this in their GX680. Assuming 100 for color and 3000 (?) for black and white. I have some film in the fridge I need to use.

Thanks for the heads-up on the cable release... Is there an easy way to tell which ones are compatible with the III?


f

We got the original GX680 that came with a dead battery. The local auto battery shop rebuilt it for 40 bucks.

fmiller4 said:

Thanks for the heads-up on the cable release... Is there an easy way to tell which ones are compatible with the III?


f

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The cable release for the III (left) has a "III" in the name, and is all black. The right one is for the I and II.