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

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sixby45

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Hi all - just wanted to say for any admirers of the Fujifilm GW / GSW series, that I've scored a nice version of the 690 II which I will be posting a review for, and pics from recent shoots in various places :smile:

For any folks who are using this rig currently, what are some of your favorite types of photos to make? I find portraits are my favorite so far :smile:

-Rich

http://mylenslife.com
 

images39

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I'm seriously considering buying a GW690, so will be very interested in any reviews and posted photos. I've never held one of them in hand, but the thought of printing from a 6x9 negative has me hankering for one of these.

Dale
 

trendland

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Hi all - just wanted to say for any admirers of the Fujifilm GW / GSW series, that I've scored a nice version of the 690 II which I will be posting a review for, and pics from recent shoots in various places :smile:

For any folks who are using this rig currently, what are some of your favorite types of photos to make? I find portraits are my favorite so far :smile:

-Rich

http://mylenslife.com

Beside 6 x 8 the 6 x 9 is a real ideal format. Why to use with portaits ?
From my point it is more related to landscape/architecture. Your profit is resolution then.
4x5 is much nicer to portrait - but this may differ in the eyes of each observer.

with regards

PS : I remember some winter shots I made in a Forrest with snow and great sunlight.
Those shots I made are not spectacular enough for me to rank them as "good shots".

But from the experience to hold that 6x9 (slides) in own hands - they are excellent!:wink:!!!
 

trendland

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Hi all - just wanted to say for any admirers of the Fujifilm GW / GSW series, that I've scored a nice version of the 690 II which I will be posting a review for, and pics from recent shoots in various places :smile:

For any folks who are using this rig currently, what are some of your favorite types of photos to make? I find portraits are my favorite so far :smile:

-Rich

http://mylenslife.com

Aha I see : You are shooting fashion (I never noticed before - so pls. forgive me sixby45)
that would make it more clear (from resolution) - you will have also a profit.

I tryed Fashion in 2012 - 2016 but it is indeed a hard business - for some photographers (others have an easy live from shooting fashion) perhaps I will find the difference.....:redface::sad:

What is your meaning of extreme resoluted digital fashion today ? Looking at the extreme finest structure of the clothing (for example)?

with greetings to you in Chicago
 
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sixby45

sixby45

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I'm seriously considering buying a GW690, so will be very interested in any reviews and posted photos. I've never held one of them in hand, but the thought of printing from a 6x9 negative has me hankering for one of these.

Dale

Hi Dale - just scanning some Fuji Pro400h now and its got gorgeous tonality and creamy transitions for days! I highly encourage you to try one out, even one of the more reasonable version 1 (gw690)'s - totally worth it!

-Rich

http://mylenslife.com
 

narsuitus

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For any folks who are using this rig currently, what are some of your favorite types of photos to make? I find portraits are my favorite so far :smile:

I use my 6x9 primarily for landscapes, panoramas, and group portraits.

I also use it for architectural shots that do not require the perspective and depth-of-field adjustments provided by my large format view camera.



Fuji Medium Format Rangefinders by Narsuitus, on Flickr
 

mshchem

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I've been using these lovely cameras for years. I've got a RZ67 II a Hassleblad. I still find if I'm going out I grab the Fujis most of the time. I started with the version 2, like you have. I have graduated to using the last version, main reason, getting the film in and out. I still use the version 2, it's got a bit of secret magic for me.

I have 4 690s 1 type 2 GW, 2 type 3 GW AND 1 TYPE 3 GSW. My newest love is an old Fujica G617, 105mm fixed lens. OMG, it's so great.

The best part of these cameras are they are pro cameras, easy to maintain by a technician, rugged, very decent glass (not quite Zeiss Hasselblad ) huge negatives. No stupid battery etc. The exposure counter is so loud. I'm seriously considering having it "fixed"
 

papagene

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I have a GW670 II and a GSW690 III. For me they are a great landscape duo. They are my cameras of choice when hiking up at Rocky Mtn Nat'l Park.
 

Deleted member 88956

... very decent glass (not quite Zeiss Hasselblad ) huge negatives.

We can differ in opinions but calling Fuji glass DECENT vs. Zeiss Hasselblad is like saying BMW 5-series is decent compared to ... BMW 5-series with a possible nudge towards 7-series for Zeiss in some applications (but most certainly not all). I guess one must justify the price paid. I often skip these kind of Zeiss comments, but when there is gross overstating of its purported qualities I can't. Still a matter of personal opinion.
 

eddie

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I have both the GWII and the GSWII. The GW is probably my most used camera, over the past few years. I like the tack sharp negatives, and the 6x9 ratio. I have very few complaints about them, though a B setting would have been nice for night work.
 

mshchem

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We can differ in opinions but calling Fuji glass DECENT vs. Zeiss Hasselblad is like saying BMW 5-series is decent compared to ... BMW 5-series with a possible nudge towards 7-series for Zeiss in some applications (but most certainly not all). I guess one must justify the price paid. I often skip these kind of Zeiss comments, but when there is gross overstating of its purported qualities I can't. Still a matter of personal opinion.
I agree with you. Fuji glass is amazing. Most of my large format lenses are Fuji and Nikon. I own 4 Fuji 690 cameras, and a Fuji G617 . I love Fuji glass. .
However, if you look at the resolving power of a Hassleblad lens that cost 3 times what an entire Fuji 690 cost new. You will find that the Zeiss lenses have an edge. I agree with you.
I don't know about the BMW thing. 7 series is too big. I saw a couple of rich college kids here in Iowa City. Daddy bought this 19-20 year old a brand new M5 ,retractable hard top. Holy cow, what a car. The kid put stickers on the gas cap door! :cry:
Best Mike
 

Deleted member 88956

I agree with you. Fuji glass is amazing. Most of my large format lenses are Fuji and Nikon. I own 4 Fuji 690 cameras, and a Fuji G617 . I love Fuji glass. .
However, if you look at the resolving power of a Hassleblad lens that cost 3 times what an entire Fuji 690 cost new. You will find that the Zeiss lenses have an edge. I agree with you.
I don't know about the BMW thing. 7 series is too big. I saw a couple of rich college kids here in Iowa City. Daddy bought this 19-20 year old a brand new M5 ,retractable hard top. Holy cow, what a car. The kid put stickers on the gas cap door! :cry:
Best Mike
I guess my point was about that resolving power, which in digital age was translated to pixel peeping. I have no doubts that Zeiss makes excellent optics and at least some of that comes at a price. But there are very few applications where it actually makes any difference (outside of higher social status that is, that's a given). BMW reference was of course just to highlight the distinction without a difference.
 

trendland

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I agree with you. Fuji glass is amazing. Most of my large format lenses are Fuji and Nikon. I own 4 Fuji 690 cameras, and a Fuji G617 . I love Fuji glass. .
However, if you look at the resolving power of a Hassleblad lens that cost 3 times what an entire Fuji 690 cost new. You will find that the Zeiss lenses have an edge. I agree with you.
I don't know about the BMW thing. 7 series is too big. I saw a couple of rich college kids here in Iowa City. Daddy bought this 19-20 year old a brand new M5 ,retractable hard top. Holy cow, what a car. The kid put stickers on the gas cap door! :cry:
Best Mike
May be I am not up to date, perhaps I am also not right - but the issue with characteristics/optical
quality of lenses from different manufacturers is very clear to me!
At first you should not forget : There are phisicaly restictions with each optical system.
The task today is to come in the near oft that critical border (with high tech. production/manufacturing) Sometimes the results "shine" to break that phisically restrictions.
NASA made exact this experience with "Hubble" (after lens correction).
But in reality you can't break the pysics. So what is Zeiss trying today with lenses?
To come to a maximum from Lens quality.
So as all other manufacturers today. And were is the difference between Zeiss, Leitz, Nikon a.s.o.?
To be faire : There is a difference ! But in relation to pricing the differences are real small.
Perhaps the best Zeiss may reach 91,7% oft what is the today optimum?
Next Leitz have to top that amazing quality with less than a half percentage!
And Nikon came along and reached "just" 88,9% oft those results wich is the todays
technical maximum with human technology. (Alliens may shot with better lenses but they also
fail to the phisicaly border (in this universe).
What does this mean to us if we want to buy a good lens ?
The key is the following : the last single percentages of quality will make a lens extreme expensive.
So Leica, Zeiss and some others go this way and let you pay for.
You want to have advantages in some parameters of your lens system at around 8,5 % - 11,7 %
NO PROBLEM - THEN YOU HAVE TO PAY USD 3800,- for your lens instead of USD. 899,-:sick:?

Notice some posts of Ian Grand pls. then you will soon and easily come to the idea that lenses produced during the period 1930 - 1950 also had very fine characteristics.

So my conclusion is : How would it be to change the focus in direction of "photographical intention":wink:

with regards

PS : What you need is an optical (darkrom) made enlargement at about 70 x 100 (in cm)....as a
minimum. The more size the better. 6 x 9 is quite predestined for a big size print.
Below this size it does make no sence to look at differences between some lens manufacturers.
I can't know - but let me ask : " Do you made this formats in printing ?"
(some do the scanning workflow and have to look on their sreens).
Don't forget : With a modern big sized 4k monitor you are actually just looking to ~ 8MP..:surprised:
(Full High Definition will show you 2 MP...:pinch:)
I am printig big size - because I began with 100x140 cm years ago ~ 1979 :whistling:..

No manufacturer is selling real bad lenses today.

I personally remember a Pentax SMC 2.0 50mm I used in the 80th. It was a real cheap one.
It has had a little poor quality (with open aperature 2.0) - so what ?
Just as I noticed that shortcomming I decided to a 5.6 :wink:!
 

Edward Romero

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While I shoot mostley 6x7 with a Mamiya RB
or 6x6 with a Mamiya 330 and a Bronica SQ I recently just acquired a Soviet made Moskva 5 6x9 folder. Just shot one roll with it so far and the results were pretty impressive. The 6x9 is a pretty neat negative to work with the enlarger. I had the negative carrier already from using a Kodak Tourist. The Moskva made in 1960 is a fun one and picked it up on EBay for $75.00 in beautiful shape from the Russian Federation.The shutter is on the left you focus thru a middle window via split screen and a window on the right to take your shot. A lot of fun and different one to work with. The 6x9 is great for a panorama shot but for a 8x10 print you will have to crop it. The Fugi sounds like a fun camera to use but for me I have almost 30 in my display case and out of room. Just keep shooting and have fun
 

voceumana

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I've appreciated Fuji lenses for a long time--since I had the 645 rangefinder. The 6x9's are big cameras but not too heavy and can be hand-held. Nice performers.
 

mshchem

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Is that what makes all the racket? I was always thinking "OK this is a leaf shutter camera with no mirror, why does it go "Klerchunk!"
Yep, that's it. I have a G617, it has a standard SW 105mm f8 view camera lens. I missed a couple shots when I first used the camera. When you push the button the counter goes off first, then if you keep pushing a reasonably quiet leaf shutter trips.
These counters were intended for working pros to know when to service. I was shooting some street pictures, some fellow heard it from half a block away. He wasn't sure what I was doing, maybe thought I was a terrorist :cry:.
 

StepheKoontz

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Yep, that's it. I have a G617, it has a standard SW 105mm f8 view camera lens. I missed a couple shots when I first used the camera. When you push the button the counter goes off first, then if you keep pushing a reasonably quiet leaf shutter trips.
These counters were intended for working pros to know when to service. I was shooting some street pictures, some fellow heard it from half a block away. He wasn't sure what I was doing, maybe thought I was a terrorist :cry:.
Yeah, if I ever own another one of those, that counter will get disabled lol
 

warden

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Hi all - just wanted to say for any admirers of the Fujifilm GW / GSW series, that I've scored a nice version of the 690 II which I will be posting a review for, and pics from recent shoots in various places :smile:
For any folks who are using this rig currently, what are some of your favorite types of photos to make? I find portraits are my favorite so far :smile:
-Rich

I'll look for your review. I've wanted to try this camera for ages!
 

Deleted member 88956

Right. More here:

https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=144759

See especially post #15 in that thread.
Ha Ha, just went through this linked thread. Amazing, astonishing, mesmerizing what some people would go through trying to alter a camera form a top manufacturer, a top camera in its field, and top performer for what it was made for. Shutter noise never bothered me a bit, although I can surely understand there are situations where it would not be welcomed. Solutions is to fit gear to the shooting not meaning: reengineering camera to same. Plain silly to go to such lengths.
 

Prest_400

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For any folks who are using this rig currently, what are some of your favorite types of photos to make? I find portraits are my favorite so far :smile:

-Rich
Had one since 2014 and was my intro to Medium Format, why 6x9? "Go big or don't go". Anyhow, I see the prices of these cameras have increased, and back then they were some of the best bang for the buck. I saw the link about the "ping" investigation and see that the number on the winder when removing the top plate might be the manufacture date. I have a mkIII, which could be made anytime between 1992 and 2004.

A curiosity is that the lens is a double gauss type 5 elements in 5 groups (?) but I only saw its scheme one at a brochure scan I lost track of. No complains about it. The ping I call "railgun noise" and does not bother landscape subjects.

You mention portraits and I have to do more of those. I think it's specially suited for horizontal environmental type portraits rather than up close. Crop a bit for a more panoramic format and it will seem cinematic. Found out that IMAX is rather close to 6x9. A resolution of mine is using it more for people. Swung it around the photo club and it has an "oh" factor given its presence.
I tend to do a lot of scenery. The GW gets a bad rap for size because (it must be) the large 35mm like factor, like the P67. Otherwise an RB67 is much more beastly and heavy.

I started to work in the darkroom and the negs are a pleasure to handle.
 
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