Is the Fuji GF670W really worth the price?

[guangong]

The bellows on my 1950 Super Ikonta B, bought used from Olden Camera in 1970, is still in perfect condition. My BX’s bellows also shows no deterioration, and this is my bad weather 120 folder. Would like to add that the case for the B indicates that the original owner resided in the Bahamas, so it spent much of its early life in the tropics.

 

[crumpet8]

Following this thread with great interest! Would anyone like to compare the gf with a mamiya 7? I mainly use a normal lens anyway, and aren’t they about the same price then?

 

[taomeister]

The GF670W is nicer than a Mamiya 7, I'd say, for the compact form factor and sharper VF patch (although the Mamiya 7 is no slouch). The size of the 670 series lets them be more travel friendly than hauling a whole system with 2+ lenses that the Mamiya encourages one to do. If you search long enough a Mamiya 7 can be found a couple hundred under a 670W, and Mamiya 7's are easier to find repair services for I think, than the GF670 series (which have to be sent to Cosina in Japan for service).

 

[RattyMouse]

Following this thread with great interest! Would anyone like to compare the gf with a mamiya 7? I mainly use a normal lens anyway, and aren’t they about the same price then?

In retrospect, probably for me getting a Mamiya 7 would have been the smarter move. I would have loved the 43mm lens coupled with the 80mm. That package would probably be slightly smaller than the pair of GF cameras that I have instead. The viewfinder on the Fuji's simply the best imaginable for a rangefinder and the meter is absolutely flawless. I'm glad that I have both GF cameras and will never, ever sell them.

They alone insure I never shoot digital.

 

[Craig]

The viewfinder on the Fuji's simply the best imaginable for a rangefinder and the meter is absolutely flawless.

Do you only shoot B&W or do you shoot E6 as well? E6 can certainly show any meters flaws.

 

[k.hendrik]

I'm in the market for a 6x7 rangefinder so the GF670 and GF670W have been coming up a lot but honestly I'm shocked at the prices. The folding version is sold at/over what it was sold new for and the fixed lens is selling at 2,500 USD.

No doubt they are slick looking cameras. Fuji nailed the look for their last hurrah on their G series MF rangefinders.

But is there really any reason other than aesthetics that one would want to pay 2,500 for a GF when you can get a low-shutter GW670III for 1,000 or less?

I understand the perks of buying something newer for security in that it will work, but that seems like a pretty big gap to breach.

But should I be considering it? Clearly people think its worth the money.

??
With $ 2,500 you'll have a Rolleiflex sl66se and for aesthetics nobody beats you the next couple of decades & TILT on board....

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

FWIW, the 40+ year old bellows on the Mamiya C330 I've owned since new is in great shape.
And the bellows on my 50+ year old Retina IIIc is apparently original and fully functional.
Bellows are not inherently a problem.

I have a Gundlach Wizard 11x14 that still has its original bellows, and they're over a century old. Yes they're a little creaky and stiff but they don't have pinholes or leaks or failing seams.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

As to why? The only real reason someone waffles over the price of a camera (unless it's a specific example of a camera that is out of the normal range for that item) is that it's a fanciful purchase and not a serious tool. If you have a serious project for it and it is the right tool for the job, then the price is irrelevant (within reason...).

 

[Svenedin]

Do you only shoot B&W or do you shoot E6 as well? E6 can certainly show any meters flaws.

My GF670 has taken some very nice photos on slide film (E6).

??
With $ 2,500 you'll have a Rolleiflex sl66se and for aesthetics nobody beats you the next couple of decades & TILT on board....

You could but that's 6x6 not 6x7 and it's not a rangefinder either.

 

[k.hendrik]

the man doesn't know what he wants... & he still have a bellow to worry about.

 

[Svenedin]

the man doesn't know what he wants... & he still have a bellow to worry about.

The OP wants a 6x7 rangefinder.

 

[k.hendrik]

the man needs guidance not rules! you of all people should know

 

[Craig]

As to why? The only real reason someone waffles over the price of a camera (unless it's a specific example of a camera that is out of the normal range for that item) is that it's a fanciful purchase and not a serious tool. .

Not necessary. I had a quick look at ebay prices and I can buy a Fuji GW670 for ~1/5 the price of a Fuji GF670. Both are excellent cameras, both range finders, and I think both could be considered "serious tools". I think it's a valid question to ask if one is worth 5 times the price of the other.

 

[Svenedin]

the man needs guidance not rules! you of all people should know

If you say so but the OP did say in post #1 "I'm in the market for a 6x7 rangefinder...."

 

[johnha]

I have a reasonable P67 outfit but was looking for something lighter & more compact when I didn't need the whole system. I was looking for.a 6x7 (or 6x9) rangefinder and thought the GF670 would be perfect until I saw the prices. I then thought about the GSW670 and similar, the problem being they're very rare in the UK/Europe, shipping from Japan/USA adds a whole bunch of postage/taxes to the cost. The Mamiya 7 is out because the lenses are hugely expensive in the UK and while I have the P67 I don't need another system camera.

 

[mshchem]

I have a Gundlach Wizard 11x14 that still has its original bellows, and they're over a century old. Yes they're a little creaky and stiff but they don't have pinholes or leaks or failing seams.

Same is true for my 1917 Folmer and Schwing 11 x 14. Probably bought their bellows from the same guy

 

[RattyMouse]

Do you only shoot B&W or do you shoot E6 as well? E6 can certainly show any meters flaws.

I've put a lot of E6 through both my GF's. Astia, Velvia, and Provia. I dont shoot anymore as I lost my lab but back in the day, I shot E6 fairly often. No issues at all with these cameras. Of course, you still have to use your skills to meter reasonably well.

 

[RattyMouse]

I just looked at Ebay....wow, GF670 prices have gone up indeed. For once I'm not on the short end of that transaction. Now that GF670's cost more used than new, that shows how wonderful a camera they are.

 

[Scott Micciche]

I just looked at Ebay....wow, GF670 prices have gone up indeed. For once I'm not on the short end of that transaction. Now that GF670's cost more used than new, that shows how wonderful a camera they are.

I really enjoy using mine. The rangefinder is so easy to check and adjust, film stays nice and flat and overall, very reliable.

I use the Fuji patagonia type case when traveling.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Not necessary. I had a quick look at ebay prices and I can buy a Fuji GW670 for ~1/5 the price of a Fuji GF670. Both are excellent cameras, both range finders, and I think both could be considered "serious tools". I think it's a valid question to ask if one is worth 5 times the price of the other.

They're two very different cameras in style and construction. The GW 670 has that tinny ping shutter, it's HUGE, it has that fixed lens projecting out the front. A GF can be carried in a (large) coat pocket. The GW cannot. The GF is much more compact, can switch aspect ratios, and IIRC has a built-in meter. Ergo, not the same tool - there are projects that the GF can be used for that the GW cannot.

Perhaps a better way to phrase it is if you are a working professional making money with the tool, then the price of the tool is less of a concern when you know you will more than recoup the cost.

 

[RattyMouse]

They're two very different cameras in style and construction. The GW 670 has that tinny ping shutter, it's HUGE, it has that fixed lens projecting out the front. A GF can be carried in a (large) coat pocket. The GW cannot. The GF is much more compact, can switch aspect ratios, and IIRC has a built-in meter. Ergo, not the same tool - there are projects that the GF can be used for that the GW cannot.

Perhaps a better way to phrase it is if you are a working professional making money with the tool, then the price of the tool is less of a concern when you know you will more than recoup the cost.

Even the non folding GF670W is significantly smaller than the GW670. No one would call the GF670W a Texas Leica. Of course, the GF670W offers a 55mm lens, rather than a 80mm.

 

[Sirius Glass]

For those kind of prices you could out fit yourself with a very nice Hasselblad and a good selection of lenses and film backs, and still have money for coffee at $tarbucks.

 

[djhopscotch]

For those kind of prices you could out fit yourself with a very nice Hasselblad and a good selection of lenses and film backs, and still have money for coffee at $tarbucks.

And you still wouldn't have a 6x7 range finder.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Yes, but you would be much better served and much better off.

 

[RattyMouse]

Yes, bu you would be much better served and much better off.

LOL. That's hilarious.

I'll take these Fuji rangefinders over a Hasselblad any day. Those make so much noise I'd never be able to shoot in many if the situations I find myself in.