Just returned to the 6x9 CM format - via Fuji GW690 V2

[John51]

For those who have owned both, is there any advantage to the Texas Leica over the Kodak Medalist? Apart from taking 120 film of course, that's no big deal to me.

 

[CropDusterMan]

For any folks who are using this rig currently, what are some of your favorite types of photos to make?

I used mine for double page spreads. I often inserted a plastic screen over the viewfinder to remind me where the gutter
would be. One of the best cameras out there.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

For those who have owned both, is there any advantage to the Texas Leica over the Kodak Medalist? Apart from taking 120 film of course, that's no big deal to me.

I don't have Medalist but I don't refer to my Fujica by Texas Leica either. I've tried to understand the reference and have found none. And I am not trying to be politically correct saying that. Perhaps another thread on this topic would be interesting? How did it start? Was Mr. Leica visiting Texas, found a Fujica and liked it so much so called it Texas Leica?

 

[mrosenlof]

For those who have owned both, is there any advantage to the Texas Leica over the Kodak Medalist? Apart from taking 120 film of course, that's no big deal to me.

first of all, I have never touched a Medalist, but have owned a GW690 for over 25 years. So here's what I would *expect* to be different in use.

I would expect the Fuji to have a larger and brighter viewfinder.
Integrated vs, separate RF viewfinder.
I would expect the Medalist to be quieter. The infamous ping.
I would expect the Medalist to be more durable. I've killed one fuji, bought another.
Body shapes are different, will fit differently in the hand.
Series VI filters on the Medalist 67mm on the Fuji. Lots of both around.
620 vs. 120 is a big deal to me.
Focal length differences.

 

[MattKing]

I don't have Medalist but I don't refer to my Fujica by Texas Leica either. I've tried to understand the reference and have found none. And I am not trying to be politically correct saying that. Perhaps another thread on this topic would be interesting? How did it start? Was Mr. Leica visiting Texas, found a Fujica and liked it so much so called it Texas Leica?

This comes from the fact that it is fairly common for people to say something like "everything is bigger in Texas".
So if a Leica is normal sized, then the Fuji 6x9 cameras (which look slightly similar) are Texas sized.
Historically, when Texas was the "frontier" this made more sense.
If you were a fan of mid 20th century Hollywood cowboy movies - think John Wayne - you would probably see where this was coming from.

 

[Dan Daniel]

For those who have owned both, is there any advantage to the Texas Leica over the Kodak Medalist? Apart from taking 120 film of course, that's no big deal to me.

First, texas Leica- it's a good-hearted joke that might not travel well outside of the US. The state of Texas is HUGE for a the US, and about twice the size of Poland. They do EVERYTHING big in Texas- big cars, big houses, big sports stadiums, big cows, big men and big women with big hair, etc.
https://www.mylifeelsewhere.com/country-size-comparison/poland/texas-usa

Fuji GW690 vs Medalist- The Fuji handles like a Leica except bigger. Big Integrated viewfinder with crisp rangefinder spot, viewfinder on left end, etc.
Medalist- the lens is better.
I would never try using the Medalist as a street camera. I think the Medalist lens is sharper, smoother, less clinical than the Fuji lens (yep, lens babble talk). If you like a Leica for candid work, the Fuji will feel similar in many ways and handle well.

 

[Kodachromeguy]

I have used a Fuji GW690II since I bought it new in 1992. Nice camera, spectacular 90mm lens, but certainly a rather bulky package. But if you are driving around by car, the bulk is not a major problem. I like to use mine with my remaining rolls of Panatomic-X film for urbanscapes in Mississippi. I almost always tripod-mount my 690. The photograph below is from Grace, Mississippi, a small community just west of Rolling Fork. Cheers, have fun!!


View attachment 219153

 

[Deleted member 88956]

This comes from the fact that it is fairly common for people to say something like "everything is bigger in Texas".
So if a Leica is normal sized, then the Fuji 6x9 cameras (which look slightly similar) are Texas sized.
Historically, when Texas was the "frontier" this made more sense.
If you were a fan of mid 20th century Hollywood cowboy movies - think John Wayne - you would probably see where this was coming from.

I am in fact a fan of John Wayne era, but good to know how bigger just goes with Texas as a saying. Lived in the States for close to a quarter century, but up in NE (with short stint in MW) so perhaps never got to know the reference in this way.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

First, texas Leica- it's a good-hearted joke that might not travel well outside of the US. The state of Texas is HUGE for a the US, and about twice the size of Poland. They do EVERYTHING big in Texas- big cars, big houses, big sports stadiums, big cows, big men and big women with big hair, etc.
https://www.mylifeelsewhere.com/country-size-comparison/poland/texas-usa

Fuji GW690 vs Medalist- The Fuji handles like a Leica except bigger. Big Integrated viewfinder with crisp rangefinder spot, viewfinder on left end, etc.
Medalist- the lens is better.
I would never try using the Medalist as a street camera. I think the Medalist lens is sharper, smoother, less clinical than the Fuji lens (yep, lens babble talk). If you like a Leica for candid work, the Fuji will feel similar in many ways and handle well.

I got the joke, but thought there was more to it than the mere size of the State of Texas.

 

[Dan Daniel]

I got the joke, but thought there was more to it than the mere size of the State of Texas.

Nah... best not to look for much depth in American humor! We are a simple people who deal in simple concepts- bigger! better! greater! more! more! more! That's about the extent of it- Texas is big, Texans like everything to be big, Fuji is big, Fuji is somewhat similar to a Leica- Texas Leica!

 

[Deleted member 88956]

Nah... best not to look for much depth in American humor! We are a simple people who deal in simple concepts- bigger! better! greater! more! more! more! That's about the extent of it- Texas is big, Texans like everything to be big, Fuji is big, Fuji is somewhat similar to a Leica- Texas Leica!

So I have to assume porterhouse originated in Texas as well then? Did't all steaks though?

 

[narsuitus]

I got the joke, but thought there was more to it than the mere size of the State of Texas.

Sometimes, mere size is all that matters.

Rangefinders by Narsuitus, on Flickr

 

[DREW WILEY]

It's a first rate modern lens. Period. But it's not interchangeable. And if things seem out of focus, it's probably because you mistakenly took it to Texas, where the cigarette smoke is even thicker than the BBQ smoke!

 

[Huss]

Sometimes, mere size is all that matters.

Rangefinders by Narsuitus, on Flickr

Yep yep:

 

[Black Dog]

Nah... best not to look for much depth in American humor! We are a simple people who deal in simple concepts- bigger! better! greater! more! more! more! That's about the extent of it- Texas is big, Texans like everything to be big, Fuji is big, Fuji is somewhat similar to a Leica- Texas Leica!

Hahaha I got it too; appreciate a nice bit of simples humour. I'm also thinking about getting a GW/GSW 690-luckily I have nice big hands to match the camera.

 

[sixby45]

Hi everyone - I'm going to try and post some pics I got back from the developer recently shot on the 690ii

 

[sixby45]

 

[sixby45]

 

[sixby45]

Oops guess the thumbnail works

 

[lpt10]

Hi
I was considering getting a GW690 but was wondering about using filters. Can one remove the retractable lens hood? How do you normally use filters with it? (i.e, orange, red filter for BW).

 

[tbransco]

Hi
I was considering getting a GW690 but was wondering about using filters. Can one remove the retractable lens hood? How do you normally use filters with it? (i.e, orange, red filter for BW).

One approach is to remove the glass/plastic from two cheap filters of the appropriate thread size and screw them onto the lens, then add your filter of choice to that stack.

 

[Prest_400]

Hi
I was considering getting a GW690 but was wondering about using filters. Can one remove the retractable lens hood? How do you normally use filters with it? (i.e, orange, red filter for BW).

67mm filters fit just fine, I do have a couple 77mm which also fit by using two step up rings following 67-72-77mm and clear the side barrel.
The difficulty is in square filters, never tried.

 

[lpt10]

Thanks for the feedback. Regards

 

[Theo Sulphate]

I have the GW690III which I use mostly for landscapes. It does provide a contrast to my 6x6 Hasselblad's and 6x7 RB67's. Although I'm not fond of the 6x6 (or any square format), 6x9 isn't my favorite for medium format either (even if it's the same aspect ratio as 35mm).

That said, I think the GW6x0 II cameras are better than the III. The III seems cheapened - the spool latches compared to the II, for example.

The GW cameras are convenient to carry and quick to use, though I find it awkward to change settings on the lens due to the way the rings are tucked in.

I do love the counter. Good concept. The sound doesn't bother me, though I can see how using such a camera in social settings would attract attention. Somehow the motorized Hasselblad, while much louder, lends an air of celebrity to the occasion.

 

[macfred]

I have a GSW690II and a GW670III - use them primarily for travelling (when weight is negligible - for 'lightweight' the FUJI GA645Wi and my Rolleiflex 3.5F).
I use my GW670III more often - really like the format.
Like Theo said above - the sound doesn't bother me to much.

FUJI GW670III - Provia 100F

FUJI GW670III - T-MAX 100