Owners of Fuji GX617: Thoughts? Description? Advice? Anecdotes?

cayenne · Aug 10, 2020

Hi all,

From a suggestion on another thread, I have been looking into a photographer Koudelka....

And seeing him shoot a lot of 6x17 panos on a Fujifilm GX617. I"ve pondered these before, they are a bit $$, especially if you find them with lenses and the accompanying view finders.

I'm wondering if any members own this camera and lenses?

If so, can you describe your experience with them? Likes? Dislikes? Quirks?

What do you need to look for when buying one?

What lenses seem to work best with it? It seems there are no 3rd party alternatives to the official Fujifilm lenses that were made for these cameras? Is that true?

Looking on eBay, the going prices seems to start about $2200-$2500. Does that sound about right?

Anyway, just hoping to get some info from folks that own or have owned these....and thinking about saving my pennies for one of these *ahem*. "portable" monsters....

It would definitely be more portable than my Shen Hao 6x17,which I LOVE dearly, but would be nice to have one of these large pano cameras that can be shot hand held....

Thanks in advance,

cayenne

PS. My bad...originally I'd left out the "X" in GX617....the interchangeable lens one is the one I meant!

NortheastPhotographic · Aug 10, 2020

I've used one a few times, but I don't have extensive experience. It's a good system! The Fujinon large format lenses (around which it is based) are top notch. The wides need center filters if shooting chrome and wanting to avoid vignetting.

Those prices seem accurate.

Hand holding is probably possible but, I wouldn't do it. If I wanted an ultra portable Pano camera I'd do the X-Pan. 'Personally' I think the Shen Hao you are using now is the way to go, but if you want to just simplify your 617 shooting with little to no set up or tear down, the Fuji's are great.

Arthurwg · Aug 10, 2020

How do they compare to the Linhof 6x17?

cayenne · Aug 11, 2020

NortheastPhotographic said:
I've used one a few times, but I don't have extensive experience. It's a good system! The Fujinon large format lenses (around which it is based) are top notch. The wides need center filters if shooting chrome and wanting to avoid vignetting.

Those prices seem accurate.

Hand holding is probably possible but, I wouldn't do it. If I wanted an ultra portable Pano camera I'd do the X-Pan. 'Personally' I think the Shen Hao you are using now is the way to go, but if you want to just simplify your 617 shooting with little to no set up or tear down, the Fuji's are great.

Thank you for the reply!!

Yes, I love the Shen Hao....but it goes require a LOT of set up and break down.

I'd like the Fuji to be a bit more "run and gun"....lol...as much as it could be.

I"m wondering if they are built fairly solidly? I was thinking maybe so, since they put those guard rails around the lenses, etc.

C

Jesper · Aug 11, 2020

I have a G617 and it is possible to handhold it but it is hard to keep it level when you do. Using a monopod will help a lot if you want to travel light.
Remember that you will both have to advance the film AND cock the shutter when taking pictures (forgot that once or twice). As for lenses you can have any focal length you want as long as it is 105mm. It is not possible to change on the G617 but if you want to have this option you could go for the GX617.
A good and easy to use camera (if you remember the shutter).

cayenne · Aug 11, 2020

Jesper said:
I have a G617 and it is possible to handhold it but it is hard to keep it level when you do. Using a monopod will help a lot if you want to travel light.
Remember that you will both have to advance the film AND cock the shutter when taking pictures (forgot that once or twice). As for lenses you can have any focal length you want as long as it is 105mm. It is not possible to change on the G617 but if you want to have this option you could go for the GX617.
A good and easy to use camera (if you remember the shutter).

OH goodness!!

I'd meant the GX617.....I didn't even realize there was a version with non-interchangeable lenses!?!

My bad, I edited my original post.

I'm interested in this camera.....I've also been reading that one thing to look for is to make sure it comes with the center ND filter to help with vignetting on the edges....

My Shen Hao, is great, but there is NO way to even consider hand holding.

I've been videos on YouTube with folks hand holding the Fuji......

C

karl · Aug 11, 2020

It's an amazing system. I'm still kicking myself a bit for getting rid of mine. I had one with the 90, 105, & 180 for a few years. Shot well over 100 rolls with it. Some of my best work... But I was after bigger negatives for contact printing and I don't really do digital negatives.

I started with body + 90 (with center filter) then added the 180. At some point I decided I wanted a lens that focused closer than the 90 and picked up the 105 (then foolishly sold the 90.) The 180 was my favorite lens of the set. Every once in a while I was tempted by the 300, but never enough to buy one. Like all modern Fuji lens, the image quality was excellent. I think I only used the camera hand held for one weekend wedding. It was a landscape camera in my mind.

Do not buy a lens without a finder unless you want to spend a long time looking for one. Did that with the 180. Was not easy to find a replacement. You can live without the center filter for the 90 if you mainly shoot black and white. But you will notice the fall off with transparency film.

Here is what I did with the GX617.

https://www.flickr.com/search/?sort...=1&tags=gx617&user_id=26027328@N00&view_all=1

etn · Aug 11, 2020

What would interest me is: what do you guys do with 6x17 slides or negatives?

In my case, I could not use them much, as
1) I don't have any possibility to print them - my enlarger only goes to 6x9,
2) no projection possible,
3) I'm not too interested in scanned 6x17 files... (and I 'm not equipped to scan them either)
So the only possibility to me would be to look at slides on a light table.

I'm even not using my Xpan that much (and hold off buying into 6x7) as I cannot project slides in that format. (Maybe I should sell my 6x6 projector and buy a 6x7... much more expensive though.)

cayenne · Aug 11, 2020

karl said:
It's an amazing system. I'm still kicking myself a bit for getting rid of mine. I had one with the 90, 105, & 180 for a few years. Shot well over 100 rolls with it. Some of my best work... But I was after bigger negatives for contact printing and I don't really do digital negatives.

I started with body + 90 (with center filter) then added the 180. At some point I decided I wanted a lens that focused closer than the 90 and picked up the 105 (then foolishly sold the 90.) The 180 was my favorite lens of the set. Every once in a while I was tempted by the 300, but never enough to buy one. Like all modern Fuji lens, the image quality was excellent. I think I only used the camera hand held for one weekend wedding. It was a landscape camera in my mind.

Do not buy a lens without a finder unless you want to spend a long time looking for one. Did that with the 180. Was not easy to find a replacement. You can live without the center filter for the 90 if you mainly shoot black and white. But you will notice the fall off with transparency film.

Here is what I did with the GX617.

https://www.flickr.com/search/?sort=date-taken-desc&safe_search=1&tags=gx617&user_id=26027328@N00&view_all=1

Oh my!!! Those are some AWESOME images!!!

While I don't have the GX617 (yet) I do have the Shen Hao 6x17 view camera.....but I'm finding at least so far...just having problems finding what I consider to be "grand" pano shots lately.....

C

cayenne · Aug 11, 2020

etn said:
What would interest me is: what do you guys do with 6x17 slides or negatives?

In my case, I could not use them much, as
1) I don't have any possibility to print them - my enlarger only goes to 6x9,
2) no projection possible,
3) I'm not too interested in scanned 6x17 files... (and I 'm not equipped to scan them either)
So the only possibility to me would be to look at slides on a light table.

I'm even not using my Xpan that much (and hold off buying into 6x7) as I cannot project slides in that format. (Maybe I should sell my 6x6 projector and buy a 6x7... much more expensive though.)

Well, I"m new to 6x17 shooting...
But I'm looking to do prints for the wall with mine.

I'm scanning mine on my home epson V600 scanner...so far, I'm happy with the quality.

I've got one right now that I plan to print for wall...will start with a 1'x3' print to make sure I like it all...and the final version will be 3'x6' print.

I've yet to learn about framing ,etc...but I'm studying on that now.

But I'd not project them, but I want to make really cool, really LARGE wall prints of mine.

Something about big panos really are generating my interest right now.

C

Jeremy Mudd · Aug 11, 2020

I own a GX617 along with all four lenses. The prices on them have skyrocketed in the past 2 years. If you can get one with a 90mm or 105mm and the center ND filter for under $2500 I'd jump on it.

It's a great system. I like being able to keep each separate viewfinder in my pack, getting it out to check composition before deciding on lens and setting up. The ground glass back that you can purchase for the system is only good for setting up before the first shot on the roll - after that you are committed to finishing the roll. Lenses can not be changed mid-roll so you have to commit to lens length.

Most of my shots are at infinity so I rarely need to use the ground glass.

If I only could have two lenses, I'd pick the 90mm and 180mm, as those are the ones I am using most of the time. The 300mm is rarely ever out of its case.

Happy to answer any questions that you may have! Here's a few images shot with mine with various lenses and film stocks.

Jeremy

destroya · Aug 11, 2020

i have the older g617. i have taken a few handheld shots for fun and printed 1, but it needs a tripod AND a bubble level. its a specialty camera. doesn't get used often, but when the right scene presents itself, it can capture magic. think grand canyon, yosemite, large vast landscapes. you can simulate results if you have a 6x9, just crop to get a feel for the format. with this camera, Im glad I still have a stash of 220 film it goes really quick.

Jeremy posted some great examples. would post some, but i have to size them down to fit. they scan at a tiff size of over 1 gig a shot
john

Jeremy Mudd · Aug 11, 2020

FYi a quick look on eBay shows that there aren't any complete set-ups with a viewfinder/lens complete for anything less than $3400. Here's the cheapest one at the moment:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Panoramic-...967315?hash=item48eacd4893:g:csYAAOSw4stfL2c0

Jeremy

etn · Aug 11, 2020

Jeremy Mudd said:
Happy to answer any questions that you may have! Here's a few images shot with mine with various lenses and film stocks.
Jeremy

Jeremy and Karl, thanksfor sharing your pics in this thread. Very inspiring.
Jeremy, your 2nd and 7th picture in your above post reminds me a lot of Michael Kenna (one of my favorite photographers.)
May I ask you for technical details on the 4th one? film, filters, "post processing" (if that ever takes place with film photography), etc?

cayenne · Aug 11, 2020

Jeremy Mudd said:
I own a GX617 along with all four lenses. The prices on them have skyrocketed in the past 2 years. If you can get one with a 90mm or 105mm and the center ND filter for under $2500 I'd jump on it.

It's a great system. I like being able to keep each separate viewfinder in my pack, getting it out to check composition before deciding on lens and setting up. The ground glass back that you can purchase for the system is only good for setting up before the first shot on the roll - after that you are committed to finishing the roll. Lenses can not be changed mid-roll so you have to commit to lens length.

Most of my shots are at infinity so I rarely need to use the ground glass.

If I only could have two lenses, I'd pick the 90mm and 180mm, as those are the ones I am using most of the time. The 300mm is rarely ever out of its case.

Happy to answer any questions that you may have! Here's a few images shot with mine with various lenses and film stocks.

Jeremy

View attachment 252178 View attachment 252179 View attachment 252180 View attachment 252181 View attachment 252182 View attachment 252183 View attachment 252184

Those are AMAZINGLY awesome images!!!

I'm curious, for the water ones with long exposure...I'm guessing you used some sort of ND filter system....what did you use?

cayenne · Aug 11, 2020

Jeremy Mudd said:
FYi a quick look on eBay shows that there aren't any complete set-ups with a viewfinder/lens complete for anything less than $3400. Here's the cheapest one at the moment:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Panoramic-...967315?hash=item48eacd4893:g:csYAAOSw4stfL2c0

Jeremy

Yeah, I thought I had found a steal there for approx $1700...turns out it was the G617, not the GX617....my bad I didn't realize that X was there to differentiate between fixed and interchangeable lenses.

Well, I'm definitely going to keep my eye out for one...

Till then, I'll keep shooting my Shen Hao 6x17 view camera....but man, I love that fuji too!!!

C

mshchem · Aug 11, 2020

I have the older G617, 105mm f8 fixed lens. I bought the camera in nice shape for $1300. All these cameras use a roller for the exposure counter. I had a couple rolls where the negative spacing got to almost over lapping. I was able to carefully, a tiny weeny bit, bend the pressure roller, this fixed the problem. I handhold the G617 with TMY 2 , get great results. There's a bubble level in the viewfinder so you can level the camera, otherwise it looks like a funhouse mirror. Put some Provia or another chrome of your choice makes phenomenal chromes. On the 90 and 105 Fuji's center filter is only a half stop, it requires you really stop down the camera, so your into tripod only. I don't use the center filter and on the 105 see no issues even with chromes.
The newer body, GX series is electronic, LCD, electric shutter release, I have reduced my exposure to exotic electronic film cameras as these are getting old.
The G617 like the Fuji fixed lens rangefinders sounds a bit like a old toy six shooter when you click the shutter.
The pure mechanical nature of the fixed lens camera and the lower cost attracted me, and when you hold that big ol thing up and point it, people stop and wonder WTF?

5x7 enlarger with a VC head is what I use 9x24" double weight Ilford (split a 20 x24).

If you are not going to print optically I would buy a high pixel digital do hickey and stich and HDR blah blah.

But it does make amazing chromes if you are equipped to scan.

Jeremy Mudd · Aug 12, 2020

etn said:
Jeremy and Karl, thanksfor sharing your pics in this thread. Very inspiring.
Jeremy, your 2nd and 7th picture in your above post reminds me a lot of Michael Kenna (one of my favorite photographers.)
May I ask you for technical details on the 4th one? film, filters, "post processing" (if that ever takes place with film photography), etc?

Thanks so much for the compliment. Kenna is a big influence on a lot of my black and white work in medium format (including Holga work).

The 4th image is Fairport Harbor Breakwater Lighthouse in Fairport Harbor, Ohio - Fuji GX617 with 180mm lens, Fuji Pro 400H film @ f/16, 1/125th second. Scanned on an Epson V600 with standard dust removal in photoshop. This was a difficult image to capture as it was pouring rain sideways and the wind was at about 50mph.

Jeremy

Jeremy Mudd · Aug 12, 2020

cayenne said:
Those are AMAZINGLY awesome images!!!

I'm curious, for the water ones with long exposure...I'm guessing you used some sort of ND filter system....what did you use?

Thanks!

Due to the GX617 lenses having the "Roo Bar" on them, it makes it difficult to use any drop-in square filters like Lee, etc. I have a variety of glass 77mm round filters that I use. I use a few manufacturers ND filters. I've found that as long as they are glass I am happy with them.

Jeremy

Jeremy Mudd · Aug 12, 2020

mshchem said:
The newer body, GX series is electronic, LCD, electric shutter release, I have reduced my exposure to exotic electronic film cameras as these are getting old.

The GX617 has a simple electric shutter release IF you want to use the button on the top of the camera for hand-held images. For anything on a tripod I am using a cable release that screws directly into the Fujinon lenses - no electrics are involved. I've never shot my GX617 hand-held. I would hesitate to say there's anything "electronic" in a GX617 to go wrong. Most of the time I don't even have the batteries in mine as they aren't needed for what the camera was intended for.

The only reason I touch the shutter button on the top of the camera as it is part of the winding procedure: Shoot image with cable release on lens, hit button on camera so the frame counter knows it was shot, advance the film with the lever, repeat for each shot.

One thing I forgot to mention for the original poster that is a bit of a quirk on the GX617 - the possibility of "fat rolls". If one doesn't keep some pressure on the wind lever when shutting the back after loading the film to the start line, there might not be proper tension on the roll resulting in the dreaded "fat roll" at the end when the camera is opened.

Jeremy

cayenne · Aug 12, 2020

Jeremy Mudd said:
The GX617 has a simple electric shutter release IF you want to use the button on the top of the camera for hand-held images. For anything on a tripod I am using a cable release that screws directly into the Fujinon lenses - no electrics are involved. I've never shot my GX617 hand-held. I would hesitate to say there's anything "electronic" in a GX617 to go wrong. Most of the time I don't even have the batteries in mine as they aren't needed for what the camera was intended for.

The only reason I touch the shutter button on the top of the camera as it is part of the winding procedure: Shoot image with cable release on lens, hit button on camera so the frame counter knows it was shot, advance the film with the lever, repeat for each shot.

One thing I forgot to mention for the original poster that is a bit of a quirk on the GX617 - the possibility of "fat rolls". If one doesn't keep some pressure on the wind lever when shutting the back after loading the film to the start line, there might not be proper tension on the roll resulting in the dreaded "fat roll" at the end when the camera is opened.

Jeremy

Oh thank you....note to self on the tension quirk!!

I tend to find quirks the HARD way most of the time...haha.

Well, this certainly has given me food for thought, and I'll keep an eye out for a good deal on one....

cayenne

warden · Aug 12, 2020

I now have GAS.

etn · Aug 12, 2020

Jeremy Mudd said:
Thanks so much for the compliment. Kenna is a big influence on a lot of my black and white work in medium format (including Holga work).

The 4th image is Fairport Harbor Breakwater Lighthouse in Fairport Harbor, Ohio - Fuji GX617 with 180mm lens, Fuji Pro 400H film @ f/16, 1/125th second. Scanned on an Epson V600 with standard dust removal in photoshop. This was a difficult image to capture as it was pouring rain sideways and the wind was at about 50mph.

Jeremy

Thanks. I imagine that those clouds were particularly difficult to capture too. This is where a negative film has an advantage over slide.
Terrific images of yours

destroya · Aug 12, 2020

these are a few examples. I did a dirty job reducing the size, sorry for the poor quality. but the lens, the 105, is great. Love the way it renders especially with velvia 50 and provia

john

And this one is handheld, leaning over the railing, stupidly, to try and get a shot of the valley floor from glacier point

john

destroya · Aug 12, 2020

one more thing, dont be afraid to get the first generation body, the G617 to see if it is something you would like. its much cheaper but still gives great results. more than likely you would be able to sell it for what you paid for it. consider any small loss you might take as a rental fee. thats what I did and just kept the camera. make sure you do get the center filter. I do get vignetting with slide film if I dont use it.

john

Owners of Fuji GX617: Thoughts? Description? Advice? Anecdotes?

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