Tell me more about the Fuji GW690?

Roger Cole

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Jan 20, 2011
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The RB is almost certainly way heavier, assuming a 4x5 flat bed. They're monsters compared to a flatbed 4x5 which can be quite small and compact. Really.

Not dissing the RB at all, in fact I've often been tempted to get one and sidestep the hassles of sheet film, but one reason not to is that my 4x5 kit even with darkcloth etc. can be a lot lighter than any comparable RB kit.
 

Roger Cole

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I use a RF holder sometimes with my 4x5, mainly for color, but it has its limits. I find the smaller area makes using movements more difficult (but not impossible, which they would be on an RB barring a shift or tilt/shift lens!) and, more importantly, there are problems with lenses. My shortest lens for my 4x5 is a 90mm, which is wide on 4x5 but normal on 6x7. To use anything shorter I'd have to buy the lens and then deal with a very compacted bellows. Of course some cameras can take a bag bellows but that's another thing to buy and then to swap.

I find the RF back useful, but not a substitute for a MF camera. YMMV though.
 

scapevision

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Revisited by Scapevision, on Flickr

The GW690 is brilliant for hiking and taking landscape shots without major filter use (polariser gets a bit tricky, but doable, grads are even worse).
I love having it hanging on my shoulder (wouldn't do the same with RB, but I never had one). The results you can get from 6x9 + modern lens coatings is simply making it all worth it. I think you'll love it due to its small weight and well ruggedized body.
 
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