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

[Jeremy Mudd]

Those are nice shots!

I was actually looking for a G617 when I purchased my GX617. I think the 105mm on that is sharp and does a great job. Truthfully the only reason I ended up with the GX617 is that Roberts Camera got a shipment in of 4 or 5 of them and was selling them at an insanely low price, lower than what the G617 was going for.

Also, a contributor above mentioned something that I missed. There is no LCD on the GX617. I'm not certain where that came from, but its simply not true. The GX617 body is super simple. Its basically a housing that advances the film, with the lens doing all of the work. There's no LCD or anything like that.

Jeremy

 

[Craig]

The other option is to use an 8x10 and simply crop the centre of the sheet. Not super cost effective for chromes, but manageable for B&W.

I've used a Fuji 90 F5.6 and it will cover the width of 8x10 to give a cropped 6x20cm image. I found with a recessed lensboard on my camera it will just focus to infinity, while a Nikkor 90 F8 had the flange distance just different enough that I couldn't infinity focus with it. Anything longer will easily infinity focus.

 

[cayenne]

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
View attachment 252240

View attachment 252241

View attachment 252242

View attachment 252243

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

View attachment 252244

john

Wholly SMOKES!!!

What great images!!!

Did you get these drum scanned? The sharpness and detail is amazing!!!

I have one roll of Velvia....I've not tried to shoot it on any of my MF cameras yet....before I load it up in one of them, want to study up on best scenes to use it for (low contrast, right?)....

But wow those are awesome!!
Thanks for sharing!!!

C

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

What advantages of the 617 over a 4x5 with a 6x17 back?

 

[MattKing]

What advantages of the 617 over a 4x5 with a 6x17 back?

Don't you mean a 5x7 with a 6x17 back?

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

Isn't it 6x17 CM's. Would that fit on 4x5"? I guess I'm confused because my Chamonix 4x5 45H-1 can take a 5x7 back and a 6x17cm back with it. So what happens, You attach a 5x7 back then a 6x17cm over the 5x7? But you still use the 4x5 front?

Quote:
"The rear standard on the 45H-1 can be removed and exchanged for other format backs. We have 4x10, 5x7 (horizontal only) for the 45H-1 camera. When 5x7 back is used, a 6x17cm back can be used with it."
https://www.chamonixviewcamera.com/cameras/45h1

 

[MattKing]

When you attach a 5x7 back, your Chamonix becomes a 5x7 camera.
When you attach a 4x10 back, your Chamonix becomes a 4x10 camera.
When it comes tto format, it isn't the front part that matters. It is the back, the bellows and the lens that matters.
Relatively few 4x5 cameras offer that flexibility.

 

[cayenne]

What advantages of the 617 over a 4x5 with a 6x17 back?

Hoping someone with more knowledge can fill in the details better than I...I'm still learning about focal planes and lens circle coverage, etc.

I had read an article not long back that described the difference where even I could understand it, but I cannot for the life find it.

But basically if you use one of the MF roll film adapters on a 4x5 camera, they work by moving the focal plane back a bit, and then it works ok for lenses about 90-150 mm.

But you are limited on these (for some reason, someone that knows more please fill in the blanks).

But when you have a dedicated 6x17 camera like the Fuji GX617, or the Shen Hao 6x17 purpose build view camera (I own one of these)...then you can use large and smaller lenses on them as long as the image circle covers the film.

I'll keep trying to find that great article...but the 6x17 backs for 4x5 have limitations on lens focal lengths you can use...and I thought some other limitation, but can't remember what.

HTH,

cayenne

 

[cayenne]

What advantages of the 617 over a 4x5 with a 6x17 back?

Ok, I found the explanation about the limitations of 4x6 using a 6x17 roll film adaptor vs a dedicated 6x17 like the G617, GX617 and the Shen Hao (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07ZM5S2DF/)

Check out Nick Carver's video and skip to 28:40 for a solid explanation:


HTH,

cayenne

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

Hoping someone with more knowledge can fill in the details better than I...I'm still learning about focal planes and lens circle coverage, etc.

I had read an article not long back that described the difference where even I could understand it, but I cannot for the life find it.

But basically if you use one of the MF roll film adapters on a 4x5 camera, they work by moving the focal plane back a bit, and then it works ok for lenses about 90-150 mm.

But you are limited on these (for some reason, someone that knows more please fill in the blanks).

But when you have a dedicated 6x17 camera like the Fuji GX617, or the Shen Hao 6x17 purpose build view camera (I own one of these)...then you can use large and smaller lenses on them as long as the image circle covers the film.

I'll keep trying to find that great article...but the 6x17 backs for 4x5 have limitations on lens focal lengths you can use...and I thought some other limitation, but can't remember what.

HTH,

cayenne

OK that makes sense. I guess the 4x5 ir 5x7 add movements like tilts, etc. Is everything right side up though in the Fuji's?

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

Ok, I found the explanation about the limitations of 4x6 using a 6x17 roll film adaptor vs a dedicated 6x17 like the G617, GX617 and the Shen Hao (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07ZM5S2DF/)

Check out Nick Carver's video and skip to 28:40 for a solid explanation:


HTH,

cayenne

Thanks fir that. I thought he used a 6x17 on a 4x5. That's where I got the info originally. Do you know his setup?

 

[cayenne]

Thanks fir that. I thought he used a 6x17 on a 4x5. That's where I got the info originally. Do you know his setup?

Actually yes. He's using the Shen Hao dedicated 6x17 (Shen Hao TFC 617-A camera) , I got one just like it. I put a link to one on Amazon.com above earlier in the thread.

His set up is explained here:

I've used his recommendations and am started to get the lenses he has. I figure he's already done the work to know that the image circle will cover the 6x17 MF film, so why not get the same things?

I currently have the Nikkor SW 90mm lens he speaks about.

I'm hoping to get a filter system for the front that works, but not wanting to have to cobble together a special Lee holder for the 90mm or wider lenses.

I was shocked to see how much the center ND filters are....whew...I doubt I'll be getting one of those any time soon. Over $2K...I can't imagine why those are so darned expensive.

I like his videos. The one he did that inspired me to get into 6x17 was this one. (the meat of it starts roughly about 3:20 with his iPhone app that lets you scout out places and see what lenses will cover): .

He has lots of other videos for film shooting, give them a look.

Anyway, I have that camera and love it, but I watched a video on an artist Kouldeka...and saw him hand holding a GX617...and that piqued my interest in maybe getting one at some point.

Anyway, hope this gives you some good info and do give Nick's channel a watch. Most of them are him shooting MF and LF film shots, out in the desert, etc...I've gothen some interesting info on scanning and printing and all too.

HTH,

cayenne

 

[grat]

The 6x17 adapter for 4x5's have their own ground glass assembly since 5" is only about 125mm. So to get the full 170mm coverage, it extends the film plane back about 35mm-- to compensate, the bellows draw has to be compressed by 35mm more than normal, so a 90mm lens is now focusing for infinity at 65mm. End result, you're limited to about 100mm at the wide end, depending on your camera, bellows and lens board-- and even then, you're not going to have much in the way of movements.

At the wide end, anything larger than about 210mm (I've used a 210 f/5.6 successfully) is going to vignette because of the horizontal limits of the bellows. The 45H1 is designed with a wider set of bellows, so that should be less of an issue.

Personally, I'm in the middle of building a 6x12 3D printed camera (The "Kraken" -- http://frozenphoton.com). My plan is to learn enough from that to rework the design into a 6x17 version, although my printer is just a bit too small.

 

[grat]

Yeah, Nick Carver has cost me some money as well.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

Actually yes. He's using the Shen Hao dedicated 6x17 (Shen Hao TFC 617-A camera) , I got one just like it. I put a link to one on Amazon.com above earlier in the thread.

His set up is explained here:

I've used his recommendations and am started to get the lenses he has. I figure he's already done the work to know that the image circle will cover the 6x17 MF film, so why not get the same things?

I currently have the Nikkor SW 90mm lens he speaks about.

I'm hoping to get a filter system for the front that works, but not wanting to have to cobble together a special Lee holder for the 90mm or wider lenses.

I was shocked to see how much the center ND filters are....whew...I doubt I'll be getting one of those any time soon. Over $2K...I can't imagine why those are so darned expensive.

I like his videos. The one he did that inspired me to get into 6x17 was this one. (the meat of it starts roughly about 3:20 with his iPhone app that lets you scout out places and see what lenses will cover): .

He has lots of other videos for film shooting, give them a look.

Anyway, I have that camera and love it, but I watched a video on an artist Kouldeka...and saw him hand holding a GX617...and that piqued my interest in maybe getting one at some point.

Anyway, hope this gives you some good info and do give Nick's channel a watch. Most of them are him shooting MF and LF film shots, out in the desert, etc...I've gothen some interesting info on scanning and printing and all too.

HTH,

cayenne

Thant's for that video. I also have the Nikkor 90mm f4.5 lens Nick and you have with a Schneider center filter. Both are in perfect shape. I paid $650 for both the lens and center filter from another forum member on another forum. The big issue for me is the filter requirement. The front screw of the CF is around 105mm so I can't use my existing 77mm filters. I really don't want to buy filter setup for just this one lens. In retrospect, I should have gotten one that accepted smaller filter sizes which my other three lenses take. Nick shows how he modified a Lee filter holder to squeeze and hold around the outside of the CF so he could use his 100mm Lee filters. I would think he gets vignetting because the CF takes a 105mm filter. It probably works since he didn't mention it. In any case, it's something to think about as I go forward; you too.

 

[grat]

I was shocked to see how much the center ND filters are....whew...I doubt I'll be getting one of those any time soon. Over $2K...I can't imagine why those are so darned expensive.

I had the same shock. They're difficult to make, the market is very small, and they pretty much have to be made for a specific lens.

I've wondered about the viability of using a high quality inkjet to print one on a transparency mounted into a square filter frame, but I don't have the printer-- and at the moment, I don't have a lens that needs one anyway, so it's purely speculation right now.

 

[destroya]

Wholly SMOKES!!!

What great images!!!

Did you get these drum scanned? The sharpness and detail is amazing!!!

I have one roll of Velvia....I've not tried to shoot it on any of my MF cameras yet....before I load it up in one of them, want to study up on best scenes to use it for (low contrast, right?)....

But wow those are awesome!!
Thanks for sharing!!!

C

drum scan, no. some were don on my nikon cs9000. becuase of the size of the unit, you have to scan as 2 6x9 shots and stitch them in PS. then I found a flextight II scanner for a throw away price (happy that I had a lot of OLD tech) and can now do them in 1 shot. makes life easy.

the amount of detail in a 6x17 shot is quite a lot. the largest I have printed, via a scan, is 18x51 and the detail is amazing. once my epson 4900 print head died, I gave up on epson and went to canon. but I didnt get a roll feeder printer, so 8x24 is the largest I can print as I do not have a 5x7 enlarger. one of these days though.....

just get the camera and make sure to add somthing to clean up the drool when you look at a velvia 50 shot on the light table

john.

 

[Jeremy Mudd]

I like Nick Carver a lot, been watching his stuff for a long time. I like that he's not so dry and the entertainment value is just about right. He doesn't take himself too seriously which is really endearing.

<QUOTE>What advantages of the 617 over a 4x5 with a 6x17 back?</QUOTE>

All of the other things posted above aside, for me its about having a dedicated MF panoramic rig that doesn't involve the hassle of a LF rig with adapters and other complexities. I don't have any desire to do any LF photography so a rig that could do both wouldn't have any extra value for me and be more trouble than its worth.

Jeremy

 

[Jeremy Mudd]

FYI there is a GX617 on eBay at the moment at $1800 with a BIN of $2500. It has the 180mm lens though. Ideally it would have the 105mm but the 180mm is still a good lens, just a little long at times depending on the application and distance to subject.

Jeremy

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

FYI there is a GX617 on eBay at the moment at $1800 with a BIN of $2500. It has the 180mm lens though. Ideally it would have the 105mm but the 180mm is still a good lens, just a little long at times depending on the application and distance to subject.

Jeremy

What's BIN mean?

 

[Jeremy Mudd]

What's BIN mean?

"Buy It Now"

Jeremy

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

I've offered lower prices on eBay and got them sometimes. Depends.

 

[cayenne]

FYI there is a GX617 on eBay at the moment at $1800 with a BIN of $2500. It has the 180mm lens though. Ideally it would have the 105mm but the 180mm is still a good lens, just a little long at times depending on the application and distance to subject.

Jeremy

Ok, about how much do the lenses with the accompanying view finders go for usually, in case I wanted to get the 105 and/or 90 for it?

Do the lenses usually come with the center ND filter...or at least did they when new?

Thanks in advance,

C

 

[Jeremy Mudd]

Ok, about how much do the lenses with the accompanying view finders go for usually, in case I wanted to get the 105 and/or 90 for it?

Do the lenses usually come with the center ND filter...or at least did they when new?

Thanks in advance,

C

I picked up my 90mm with viewfinder and center ND for around $650 if I recall correctly, which to me was a good deal at the time 2 years ago. As a reality check, Roberts Camera (usedphotopro.com) has a 180mm with viewfinder for $750. Generally the 90/105 lenses are more desirable so they may run a little more than that now when they come up for sale, which isn't often.

Both the 90 and 105 came from Fuji with the viewfinder and the center ND filter. However now on the used market many of them don't have the center ND - I think it's been lost, or many of the people selling them now don't realize that the ND is needed.

Regarding that, I think you can get away with the 105 with no ND on negative films. The vignetting at the outer edges isn't very bad and is easily brought up in post-processing. The 90mm does show it more, to where I wouldn't recommend shooting it without the ND.

Occasionally you will see a lens without a viewfinder - I'd shy away from that. Viewfinders are hard to find separately and the last one that was up for sale was around $350 for the 180mm viewfinder on its own. I remember when I was looking for the 90mm I found one at a shop in Colorado and asked the guy if he had the viewfinder laying around somewhere as I'd gladly pay extra to get it - he nearly bit my head off and told me he never needed a viewfinder for it and just used the ground glass to compose and focus. That's fine, I guess, if you are planning on shooting all 4 shots of your 120 roll on one image or composition. That's not the way I'd like to operate. Needless to say I passed on that one.

Hope that helps!

Jeremy

 

[Jeremy Mudd]

FYI, one just popped up on eBay with the 180mm lens and viewfinder for $2000 BIN. Pretty good deal given what they've been selling for lately.

Jeremy