Photographers who shoot Fuji GW690 i/ii/iii

[macfred]

(image below. Fuji GSW690iii, Tri-X)

... The image below is with the Fuji 680iii

Both photographs are amazing, Greg ! Congrats from a GW670iii user.

 

[Rayt]

It's sad, but I suppose a lot of people today are shooting for online consumption like Instagram, where subtle gradations of tone and certainly high resolution are lost, which would make shooting a 35mm 2:3 format negative just as good and less hassle compared to a much larger 2:3 format negative with a bigger, heavier camera.

That‘s a good point. What turned me off to digital and kept me shooting film for a long time was the annoyingly over use of HDR for everything. Seems the appreciation for tonality is lost and has been replaced by biting contrast and edge sharpness. That said I prefer classic Zeiss and Leica glass.

 

[albireo]

6x9 is the same ratio as 135, what you get from 6x9 is smoother tonality. Print enlargements are where you'll see the difference, not necessarily w/ online scans.

I own the 6x8 version (GW680III) and I exclusively scan its negatives as I'm not interested in wet printing. The difference between the scans of its 6x8 negatives and those from my 35mm cameras is astounding and extremely visible in terms of tonal transitions. It's all a matter of learning how to scan, and how to expose and develop for scanning.

The 6x8 aspect ratio is great, and I prefer it over the 6x9/135 aspect ratio. These days however I tend to use my GA645i 6x4.5 camera more. Same aspect ratio (1:0.75) as the GW680III, more compact walkaround format, acceptable compromise between 135 and 6x8 in terms of tonal rendition.

 

[Maris]

I just couldn't abide a Fuji GW690, the format is just a tad too long and narrow, so I held out for the 6x8 format and when it came at a good price ($$$) I got a Fuji GSW680.
This is my travel camera when I have to move fast and light. The big negative allows hand holding at decently fast shutter speeds if really fast film is used. Ilford Delta 3200 for me. Sure, Delta 3200 is a grainy film but the big negative swallows that grain in a way that 35mm just can't do. Here is an example:

Queenstown Mall, Rain

Gelatin-silver photograph on Ilford Classic VC FB photographic paper, image size 21.5cm X 16.3cm,
from a 68 format Ilford Delta 3200 negative exposed in a Fuji GSW680 camera.​

 

[fpd2]

I also agree that the photographer is playing bigger role than the camera itself, however, after an affair with Mamiya Press, I'm looking for something lighter and faster to operate on long hikes. I'm waiting to catch and try the GW690II at a good price, yet still thinking about the lack of movements and its implications in landscape. OTOH, other cameras provided me with surprisingly pleasant results when exposed correctly (something I learned too late). 6x9 slides are really something. Maybe it's relatively difficult to find excellent results from GW690 online (lots of
"first rolls"), I did see some from Bessa II and that sold me to 6x9.

 

[mshchem]

If I had to only have one camera Fuji GW 690III.

 

[Alex Benjamin]

Has anybody tried a 35mm panoramic kit with the GW690 ? Been curious about it.

 

[GregY]

Has anybody tried a 35mm panoramic kit with the GW690 ? Been curious about it.

Alex, I haven't. But personally, I find it easier to crop after the fact than to buy an accessory and use a different size film....& then be on the lookout for images that would work in the panorama format.
On similar note, I always liked the concept of the Hasselblad XPan ....if only they weren't both so expensive & risk turning into a beautiful electronic brick....

 

[braxus]

I had both the GW and GSW cameras. Sold both, but only because they were more limiting in comparison to my 67 and 645 cameras. I like having a light meter in the camera for easy travels, plus the fact you can put on different lenses to suit the shot. Having a fixed lens on the GW meant I didn't take it out as often. That said I loved the results I got off the camera. The lenses were super sharp and contrast was excellent. Definately modern lenses in those things. And the scans were lovely- with really great tonal range. And I liked the 3:2 ratio as well. I'd get another GW, but honestly with prices increasing on them now, I just dont see me getting one again for a long time, if ever.

 

[DREW WILEY]

GSW is just too wide for me. I own both a GW690ii and a GW690iii, and love them both. But the older one is more a "beater" - perfectly functional with a pristine primary lens, but something I'm willing to take out in a serious storm or blizzard without getting paranoid about it, while my later iii model is basically mint, and gets pampered. Or I'll load black and white film in one, and color in the other. I really like the longer rectangle of 6x9 format. And having a camera that does well both on a tripod and handheld is an asset. But when I need interchangeable lenses, especially long focal lengths, I either use the Pentax 6X7 system or resort to roll film backs on a 4x5.

 

[mrosenlof]

I have a gw690ii. it replaced a iii that I bought new and after a few years, dropped it onto concrete. I don't use it a whole lot these days as it's not the most flexible camera around. But when the subject matter fits its ability, it's a great choice. Remember these cameras were really designed for (mostly) one market. Tour group photos at landmark spots around Japan. I first bought one for mostly photos of my (then young) kids and it was a better (faster acting) choice than my Mamiya TLR. Despite seeing mostly in a longer focal length, I adapted to it pretty well.

 

[Huss]

I quite recently sold my gw690iii. Technically it can make beautiful images but I just did not enjoy using it. The double action film advance felt very clunky, the shutter release was springy in feel but worst of all this is the only camera that I have used that would regularly fat roll/loose roll film resulting in possible light leaks.
And yeah, I did all the things one is meant to to minimize fat rolling.

This camera seems also to be prone to having hazy viewfinders. It took me three attempts before I got a good one even though the Japanese ebayers claimed Mint+++++ zero issues etc. The good one I happened to find locally.

 

[weasel]

One thing to consider is that even though a 90mm lens may be somewhat "normal" for 6x9, its perspective is still going to be different that say a 50 in 35mm, as well as depth of field being very different. This could be a good, or bad, thing, depending on what you are trying to do.

 

[Huss]

GW690III and Velvia 50. Back when we used to have rain...

 

[DREW WILEY]

The viewfinder windows are plastic, so do get hazy over time or potential scratched. That kind of problem can be easily corrected using non-abrasive plastic polish. But getting any fog or haze off the inside of those elements requires taking the camera apart, which I have successfully done on my older GS690ii model.
If that kind of issue becomes a problem when focusing in dim light, the same Nikon eyepiece magnifier which works with their F series models threads into these too, if you unscrew the outer eyepiece. The primary taking lens itself is all multicoated glass, and easy to keep clean and pristine.

But I've never had any "fat, loose" roll film windup issue with either of my Fuji rangefinder cameras, with any type of 120 film I personally use. What can cause that, however, is neglectfully putting the camera away in a position that tugs on the film advance lever; and then when you push it back to the neutral position, getting a tad of "whiplash" in the film tension. Far less of an issue that forgetting to remove the lenscap when shooting with any kind of rangefinder camera.

And as far as needing to advance the lever twice to proceed to the next frame, and that being a hassle, heck, I'm accustomed to working with view camera film holders; and even roll film backs need two strokes of the lever. In this case, with these Fuji cameras, it's no more annoyance than just another blink of the eye.

 

[HairShirt101]

I believe Andrew Borowiec used a Fuji 6x9 as his main camera in his book "Along the Ohio", a study of cultural landscapes and America's Rust Belt.

 

[Alex Benjamin]

I believe Andrew Borowiec used a Fuji 6x9 as his main camera in his book "Along the Ohio", a study of cultural landscapes and America's Rust Belt.

He did indeed. Mentions it here:

FILM TALKS #26: ANDREW BOROWIEC (USA) - FotoFilmic

fotofilmic.com

"When I began photographing places (rather than people) I found that 35mm film wasn’t capable of describing the nuances of light that I was seeing, so I started using a 6x9cm format camera. It was a relatively easy transition, as the camera I used, the Fuji GW690, was like an overgrown Leica, with the viewfinder in the upper left corner and the shutter release in the center of the film advance lever, and with the same 2:3 aspect ratio as 35mm. I’m interested in making photos that show the world’s complexities and contradictions and I find that the elongated rectangle of the 2:3 format is better suited for that."

 

[5BucksAtThriftStore]

I have been in love with the GW690 series for years and have been patiently waiting for a good deal to come up (and convince the Mrs that I *needed* it of course). I have been to Japan 3 times and have had my eyes open for one in the shops there (and at home too) and came up empty each attempt. Almost pulled the trigger on the GSW680II on the last day of my most recent trip, but really wanted that bigger 6x9 negative and the slightly faster lens of the 690 with the 90mm f3.5. I already splurged on an FD mount 35mm f/2 concave edition that was in beautiful condition and couldn't let get away, so I didn't really have the funds for it anyway.

Fast forward to this year and I come across an immaculate GW690II on Yahoo auctions Japan and pulled the trigger for 66,666¥. Not quite the deal of the century especially when factoring in shipping, but certainly better than eBay. The glass is flawless, the viewfinder and rangefinder patch are super clean and bright, has new light seals and has been cleaned inside and out. You can imagine my excitement when it finally arrived after a couple of weeks and unboxing to try it out. And then to try to fire off a few test shots empty only to find.... that the focus mechanism is completely and absolutely jammed. To quote Tinny Tim from Futurama, "You raised my hopes and dashed them quite expertly, sir. Bravo!"

To say I am displeased with the current situation is a massive understatement. I took it to the local repair tech near me who held on to it for a couple weeks to work through his backlog and then got the call the other day to tell me that it looks to be completely screwed. He doesn't think he can get the lens apart to get to the helicoids and try and clean them up and get some new lubrication without damage to the lens itself.

A shot in the dark, but has anyone else had this issue too? I have no experience trying to even begin disassembling a GW690II so I don't know how difficult it really is trying to get to the focus mechanism in one of these. The shutter speed and aperture rings turn just fine and there is zero evidence of it being dropped or anything like that since there is hardly a mark on it other than some super minor scuffs around the tripod socket and a little tiny bit of wear around the shutter buttons. They're at least letting me return it for a refund (with me still on the hook for shipping), but I'm debating trying to get a second opinion to have it looked at it just because I've come so far and haven't been able to find such a clean example for a decent price in months/years of trying, not to mention I'm sure it will just go right back up for auction for someone else to get scammed on it as well.

 

[chuckroast]

Check with CameraWiz - he services a lot of these for local schools:

Phone: 540-867-9671

Email: camerawiz@msn.com

Frank Marshman
1495 Needmore Lane
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22802

P.S. This is why I rarely buy from Japan, and when I do, only on eBay with highly rated dealers (>99% positive) and only with full return privileges at their expense.

 

[GregY]

I have had a stack of them including the original GL690 with interchangeable lenses that took a 20m fall and kept on working albeit a bit dented. I've had 670,680,690 some ii, some iii and both 65 & 90 lenses. I've never had a single problem with them. I hope you can sort out your focusing problem.
Albireo if you think the difference between scans of 35mm & 6x9 is something, the difference on a 20x24" print is absolutely night & day.
I've never felt the least bit limited by the camera.

 

[bags27]

I have the 690iii with the wider lens (landscape photographer). It's a great camera that I bought maybe 5 or 6 years ago. Probably paid $100 or so more than I needed to, but I've enjoyed it a lot, though it's really my 3rd MF camera.

My advice: return it, and buy the first one you see that looks good, even if it's a bit more expensive. Look at all the time you've lost (and aggravation gained) by waiting this long. You only get 8 shots/roll. The cost of using it is a much greater consideration than the additional cost of a better version of the camera.

 

[5BucksAtThriftStore]

I have the 690iii with the wider lens (landscape photographer). It's a great camera that I bought maybe 5 or 6 years ago. Probably paid $100 or so more than I needed to, but I've enjoyed it a lot, though it's really my 3rd MF camera.

My advice: return it, and buy the first one you see that looks good, even if it's a bit more expensive. Look at all the time you've lost (and aggravation gained) by waiting this long. You only get 8 shots/roll. The cost of using it is a much greater consideration than the additional cost of a better version of the camera.

That is probably what I'm going to end up doing. I've been fighting with the 3rd party forwarding company on refunding the purchase price and the shipping and it looks like they are going to cough up the shipping cost at least for the shipping to me in the US, but have been dragging their feet on committing to covering the return shipping as well. I'm not not too keen to lose $75-100 to ship a broken camera back and get nothing in return so I've been looking around for anyone who has ever had this kind of issue and/or had to disassemble the lens one of these before try and gauge if it is worth a second look by someone else.

I figure I'm still under the threshold of getting another minty one at the going rate on eBay if someone is able to repair it for a decent price, which is why I've been at a crossroads and using the time the forwarding company is giving me trying to figure out if they are going to refund the return shipping to see if it is worth it. Worst case scenario, I get the credit card company involved and they negotiate it with the forwarding company and Yahoo auctions I guess. Just sucks to have this kind of thing work out great for me in the past only to get bitten in the rear when it comes to the biggest sale I've done.

 

[brian steinberger]

Take a look at KEH or usedphotopro. Both currently have models and both offer return window with no questions ask and also warranty. You pay more IMO it’s worth it for piece of mind.

 

[OAPOli]

@5BucksAtThriftStore sorry about your ordeal. The best scenario would be to get a full refund including shipping back.

It's likely fixable but you'd have to remove the lens board, separate the lens and shutter from the helicoid, then let naptha seep in the helicoid threads to dissolve whatever is in there. Try to get some other quotes?

 

[Radost]

Has anybody tried a 35mm panoramic kit with the GW690 ? Been curious about it.

I have. It is amazing. Worth the money. I have the wide 690III