I Think I Want A Fuji 690

[RalphLambrecht]

I Think I Want A Fuji 690, which model I have no idea. The 6x9 format I am very interested in. I am using a Horseman 985 right now but its ponderous when carrying around. From what I have read on the internet the Mamiya Press wasn't well made. I am concerned about service and repairs. Should I be convinced "Go for it or No for it" and Why? Opinions Please....

I had one ;didn't like it and sold it.It's 90+%plastic and it shows and sounds like that too.film loading was fiddlyand film transport was so so.It's no match for a Mamiya.It's light but bulkyand has a goodresale valuebut, for a quality camera,I would look elsewhere.I'm also fond of the 6x9 formatand ended up using a 4x5 with a 6x9 back.

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

I had one ;didn't like it and sold it.It's 90+%plastic

A common misconception:

"Plastics: the urban myth of the Fuji RF: People constantly complain that the GW and later Fuji RFs (particularly the III series are "plastic." This is nonsense. The camera has a pretty hefty metal content, demonstrating that the camera has gradually evolved from the G690 rather than being a remake of it.

(1) The III series is not light. In fact, a GSW690III weighs about the same as a GW670II, which is only about a pound lighter than a G690 with a lens. The major weight savings appears to have come with the elimination of the interchangeable lens mount. If this camera had a plastic structure, you would expect it to be a lot lighter.

(2) The external parts are in fact plastic, but the frame is still die-cast and the back is stamped metal. The lens barrel is also metal (I can see that from some pinpoint finish marks...). This was the same situation with the GA645 - people think that because it has plastic covers, it must be plastic. Of course, plastic and rounded corners makes it feel "lighter..." Erwin Puts'"haptics" in action.

(3) You can see that the attachment screw locations for the covers have not changed one whit since the G690BL - telling me that this is probably the same or similar tooling for the main casting. I would tend to doubt that enough of any one model was made to justify the tooling costs for a complex body casting. These were never cheap cameras to buy new."

From: http://www.dantestella.com/technical/gw.html

 

[Texsport]

I much prefer the original G and GL690 cameras, because they are metal + offer interchangeable lens. So, I may lug around a camera and 5 lenses, but I have 5 lenses and a 6X9 negative.

People have gotten used to plastic cameras now, because digital models aren't made to last past the next year's models and new innovation.

It's the reason we have so many new offerings - but they're practically disposable.

Being a dinosaur myself, I like the old style - they're made to last.

Texsport

 

[TareqPhoto]

I have GSW690III and i love it, it is almost my favorite RF film camera i have, even i may prefer it over my Mamiya 7II.

I know, it is simple the bigger format or frame.

I have Hasselblad 501CM and Mamiya RZ/RB and Mamiya 7II and GSW69, Mamiya is not working yet, but when i compared the rolls out of the 4 out of 5 bodies i get this conclusion:

1. I always prefer films out from RZ/RB over Hasselblad 501CM no matter what

2. I always prefer the films out of GSW69 over Mamiya RZ/RB no matter what

3. So with the logic above, i will prefer and like the films out of GSW69III over Mamiya 7II, simply Mam7 film quality is almost same as Mamiya RZ/RB.

It is not about the quality of the body or lens, it is the negative itself, i have a friend who has a Leica Mx 35mm film camera, my films out of Hasselblad 501CM is always superior to that Leica, and i scanned some 35mm films from different cameras, none of them i liked over any of my MF films, so size of the film do matter with me, and also i am not talking about the artistic results, if one can do amazing from one format then he can do with all formats, not comparing bad 6x9 results films to a masterpiece amazing 35mm film, not fair.

 

[ggervais]

OK so now that you guys made me buy a GW690II, can someone recommend a good lens cap for it? I don't think Fuji makes them anymore...

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

OK so now that you guys made me buy a GW690II, can someone recommend a good lens cap for it? I don't think Fuji makes them anymore...

Haha! Our job here is done....

(Any generic cap would work...)

 

[rbultman]

The filter thread on the GW690II is 67mm. My lens cap say Tamron. Any should work.

 

[Prest_400]

As said, any generic 67mm lens cap will be fine. The original was a slip on and there is the clever reasonement that it helps you not forgetting it, as while you deploy the hood, you remove the cap as well. But some hated it once it slipped off too often.

I use a generic eBay chinese center pinch lens cap. Toe me it seems that pinch caps are better as the hood doesn't get in the way while removing it.

Tomorrow I'll bring my GW over for a day trip, looking forward to shoot some frames.

 

[ggervais]

Yep got a very nice pinch cap for 0.99 [including shipping!] from that bay thing. Thx!

 

[damonff]

I had a horseman VHR, sold it for a fuji gw690III. I have not looked back once! MY fuji is great. I love it. However, for some people, it does not deliver(in terms of complete package). All cameras have their good and bad qualities. for me, this plays out as: I like the lens, nice rendition, nice contrast. I like 6x9 over 6x7, If I need 1:20 ratio, I crop. I do not like 6x7 sleeves,neg holders. petty but. . . something to consider. Fully manual. has two shutter release front(face) and top plate. I like the slightly wide 90mm. a.k.a 40 mm in 135. I do mostly cityscape landscape. I like to not worry about changing lenses. the camera also allows a strap to be used sideways, I prefer that.
o.k.not so nice part: 5 elements in four groups, not bad, but 6/4 is better, a nice lens, but. . . non interchangeable. I ping or loudish click is heard when pressing the shutter release. rangefinder is not 1:1, but .75, or .72, I can not remember. some people have a hard time loading film, keeping it tight, for as to have even spacing through the roll. ???? i do not understand that? I have not had problems, so go figure.. . . . . no double exposure option? the camera is kind of heavy. you do see the lens in the rangefinder, it does cover some portion of the frame. some people do not like that.
over all, its a very easy camera to use, user friendly, a good lens, and good negatives, for the price. but thats where the rub is. For some they want more, and are willing to pay more for the design, say a mamiya 6x7 or a blad,! just sayin' for about 500 USD, you can get a medium format rangefinder, which will do about 70-90% of your photographic needs, maybe more, maybe less. however, I thinks a good deal. for what it is.

The GW690III is the best camera I have ever used, and I have used a lot of cameras. The only problem is the lack of a meter but just buy one. Photographers need meters. Those TMAX 100 and 160NC negatives are so beautiful. Don't even get me started on the Velvias. The lens is magnificent.

 

[klop]

Thanks everyone I am convinced.... Put a bid on one and watching many others....

 

[Prest_400]

The GW690III is the best camera I have ever used, and I have used a lot of cameras. The only problem is the lack of a meter but just buy one. Photographers need meters. Those TMAX 100 and 160NC negatives are so beautiful. Don't even get me started on the Velvias. The lens is magnificent.

+1 on the meter. After all it is a quasi LF camera, and even if one can shoot street with it, a thoughful approach works best.
I have messed with smartphone meter apps and haven't quite felt comfortable with them. Guesstimation is hit or miss on some light conditions and the lack of precision leaves a weak link on the chain. This and with the bad bad weather I had this week doesn't encourage me to go shooting.
I've got a Minolta IIIF on the way with its incident + 10º spot and that will help me to do proper readings for exposure. 75$ can bring a decent used meter in the bag.

On complaints, some put to notice the lack of meter in the camera... It is a MF RF where electronic aids are more the exception than the norm, and many classic cameras such as Leicas are unmetered as well.

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

Thanks everyone I am convinced.... Put a bid on one and watching many others....

Unless you get one for a LOT cheaper and from a 100% positive feedback eBayer I'd buy from KEH.com (6 mo warranty and 14-day return policy), watch here:

Dead Link Removed

 

[narsuitus]

Pro

Medium format is a compromise between small format film and large format film
Wide selections of films are available
Very durable and dependable manual/mechanical camera
Does not need batteries to operate
Easy to make big enlargements from medium size negative image
Negatives can be retouched
Quieter operation than comparable SLR camera
Bright viewfinder image
Easy to focus with dark filter on lens
Electronic flash sync at all shutter speeds
Minimal vibrations during exposure
Subject visible in viewfinder at moment of exposure
Camera is about the same size, weight, and feel as a Nikon F2 with a motor drive
Available with normal lens or wide angle lens
Good for scenic shots
Good for group shots
Good for full-length portraits
Good for aerial shots
Polycarbonate (plastic) body wears well
Molded polycarbonate body feels good in hands
Built-in spirit level for horizontal (landscape orientation) shots
Has hot shoe and standard PC flash connection
Shot counter keeps track of camera usage
Tripod socket centrally located on underside of body
Accepts standard shutter release cable
Film reminder holder on camera back

https://flic.kr/p/92o73R

 

[narsuitus]

Con

Medium format is a compromise between small format film and large format film
Must wait until film is processed in order to see and evaluate image
Cost of film processing
Does not have automatic/electronic features
Digital cameras have just about made film cameras obsolete
Parallax problem when using close-up supplemental lens
Not good for macrophotography
Not good for extreme wide-angle shots
Not good for telephoto shots
Not good for head & shoulders or head shot portraits.
Depth of field not visible in viewfinder
Filter effect not visible in viewfinder
Hard to change film in the middle of a roll
Multiple exposures are not possible (except with interrupted timed exposures)
Lens is not interchangeable.
Not available in telephoto version
Possible to forget to remove lens cap
No built-in light meter
No provision for motor drive
It is hard to read exposure settings when the camera is mounted on a tall tripod.
Slow to operate
Requires tripod for best results
No built-in spirit level for vertical (portrait orientation) shots
If you use the 690 to take photographs that include the sky, at f/5.6 you will definitely notice vignetting
Super-imposed image rangefinder makes focusing difficult for me
Focusing is difficult due to small size of rangefinder
Lens and lens hood block one corner of the viewfinder
No self-timer
Shot counter influences shooter to shot conservatively
Shutter release cable attaches to top but not front shutter release button
Airport security usually wants to see what is inside this “over-sized” camera.

https://flic.kr/p/doX6jQ

 

[narsuitus]

Quirks

It is difficult to adjust shutter speed and f/stop because controls are so close together.
Retractable lens hood covers shutter and f/stop controls when filter is attached.
It is easy to waste a shot when picking up camera and accidentally pressing the shutter release on front of camera.
The shutter release lock on the front of the camera locks both shutter releases.
There is no “B” shutter speed.
The “T” setting is used for long exposures, however, to get shutter to close, you must turn the shutter speed ring or move the film advance lever.
There is only an “X” sync (no sync for flash bulbs)
Camera focuses in the opposite direction of my Nikon lenses.
Focus scale only in meters.
The f/stop ring rotates in the opposite direction of the Nikon lenses.
The right side camera strap sometimes gets caught when closing the camera back resulting in light-struck film.
Shutter speed cannot be set between click stops. Must set only at click stops.
It is easy to forget to focus camera.
Film door for the 690 is a little tight

https://flic.kr/p/agMby4

 

[narsuitus]

Tips

Slide film pressure plate in the direction of the arrow to remove it.
Advance film slowly and carefully in order to avoid image overlap.
Use Nikon 10x eyepiece magnification for critical focusing.
Use Nikon right angle attachment for low-level shots
Best to not advance film until just before shooting. This way there is no chance of accidentally pressing shutter release when handling camera. This also relieves tension on the shutter between shots.
Tape door when film is loaded so that you don’t open loaded camera accidentally.

https://flic.kr/p/8XWNiw

 

[RattyMouse]

Con


Digital cameras have just about made film cameras obsolete


https://flic.kr/p/doX6jQ

Sheer idiocy......

 

[nbagno]

690III is one of my favorite cameras. My bessa iiiw might give it a run but I haven't been able to shoot with it yet.

I really don't like the integrated hood, gets in the way of filters and sometimes snags when retracting. I always keep the lock switch locked. When holding the camera to my eye I think "in like flynn" which helps me remember that moving the switch in towards the lens unlocks the shutter.

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

 

[klop]

It came in the mail Tuesday, Fujica GW690....

 

[pbromaghin]

Have a lot of fun with it and post some shots!

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

I love my GW690III. It's a very light camera for the format. The lens is razor sharp. No meter though.

 

[Texsport]

It came in the mail Tuesday, Fujica GW690....

Congratulations!

The first time you look at those 6X9 negatives, you'll know you made a good decision!

Texsport