The Fuji GW690ii vs GW690iii

Profdaydreamer · Apr 18, 2020

Hi.

Recently been contemplating purchasing a medium format film rangefinder. I really love the panoramic type look in the 6x9 negatives of the Fujis and have narrowed down my choices to the GW690ii and GW690iii. Was wondering if anybody here has any experience with either camera and could share. I have heard that the GW690ii has a clearer rangefinder, but is harder to load film into. Anything would help.

Thanks all,
Tyler

Oren Grad · Apr 18, 2020

https://dantestella.com/technical/gw.html

Profdaydreamer · Apr 18, 2020

Really helpful...thanks alot

Karte · Apr 18, 2020

I've had all three versions of the camera, so can opine if it helps...

III was my least favorite version, due to the plastic exterior. Otherwise it is fine, being the latest version.

II was probably the sweet spot. Metal exterior, shutter lock button. I didnt feel film loading was that difficult in II compared to III. Actually prefer the loading on the II compared to the pop out release buttons in III.

Currently have the first version. Much prefer it because I found a one with B setting on the shutter. So much better for longer exposures compared to T mode.

Profdaydreamer · Apr 18, 2020

Great...thanks so much. I think im gonna go for the 1 or two then.

Dan Daniel · Apr 18, 2020

Condition is the real issue. All three models are basically the same camera with a different skin.

I'd ignore the shutter counter. It take about three minutes to remove the bottom plate and change it to whatever you'd like it to say. Look at wear on the body and lens rings for a better indicator of use.

Also watch for any signs of moisture or poor storage. Bubbling paint (very very small scale), any whiteness in the leatherette grain or around screw heads, tarnish on the film rails, etc. I've had a couple that looked ok but I could never even get the top off to clean and adjust the rangefinder. They were basically sealed up because the screws would not come out.

macfred · Apr 18, 2020

Dan Daniel said:
Condition is the real issue. All three models are basically the same camera with a different skin ...

This !
--
I have a GW670 III and a GW690 II - great and reliable tools - those Fujinon EBC lenses are outstanding.

GLS · Apr 18, 2020

Karte said:
Currently have the first version. Much prefer it because I found a one with B setting on the shutter. So much better for longer exposures compared to T mode.

Could you elaborate on this? Did only certain copies of the first model feature a B mode?

I have been interested in the GW690 for a while, but the idiotic implementation of the T mode on these cameras is one of the main things which holds me back from buying one.

Karte · Apr 18, 2020

GLS said:
Could you elaborate on this? Did only certain copies of the first model feature a B mode?

I have been interested in the GW690 for a while, but the idiotic implementation of the T mode on these cameras is one of the main things which holds me back from buying one.

Yes, my understanding is initial production of the first model have the B mode shutter, but then it was switched over to T mode due to some linkage issue or weakness in the B shutter. So later models all had only T shutter.

Another vote for model one is the lack of the annoying built in hood. But as others have said all three modes are functionally almost the same, and condition should be the main factor.

Dan Daniel · Apr 18, 2020

GLS said:
Could you elaborate on this? Did only certain copies of the first model feature a B mode?

I have been interested in the GW690 for a while, but the idiotic implementation of the T mode on these cameras is one of the main things which holds me back from buying one.

I'll pop in here to second what Karte said- some of the first versions have a B setting on the shutter. I guess the only way to know is to see the actual shutter speed dial or ask the seller? When I received one with the B on the dial I thought maybe it was a mistake in engraving, but nope, it had a typical B action, not a T action (closes on releasing the button, not on second push or on moving dial off of T). No idea if the second or third models had some B shutters- keep your eyes open to photos?

itsdoable · Apr 18, 2020

I believe that all the Fuji G_690's, from the original interchangeable lens version, had a "T" setting only - they were labelled "B" at the begining, before they changed it to match international convention.

GLS · Apr 18, 2020

itsdoable said:
I believe that all the Fuji G_690's, from the original interchangeable lens version, had a "T" setting only - they were labelled "B" at the begining, before they changed it to match international convention.

Are you sure about this? @Karte can you confirm that the B mode on your GW690 does in fact behave like B, i.e. hold release to open shutter/letting go of release closes it?

Karte · Apr 18, 2020

GLS said:
Are you sure about this? @Karte can you confirm that the B mode on your GW690 does in fact behave like B, i.e. hold release to open shutter/letting go of release closes it?

I can 100% confirm the B shutter on my GW690i model works just like regular B mode, and not T mode. I've had the T mode models as well before.

GLS · Apr 18, 2020

Karte said:
I can 100% confirm the B shutter on my GW690i model works just like regular B mode, and not T mode. I've had the T mode models as well before.

Thanks. I will keep an eye out for a B mode model in decent condition then.

The T mode of the others really is a terrible design.

pentaxuser · Apr 18, 2020

Karte said:
Another vote for model one is the lack of the annoying built in hood.

Just out of curiosity what problems does a built-in hood give? On the surface this would seem to be a benefit

Thanks

pentaxuser

Oren Grad · Apr 18, 2020

pentaxuser said:
Just out of curiosity what problems does a built-in hood give? On the surface this would seem to be a benefit

The way it's implemented results in the shutter speed and aperture controls being recessed and awkward to manipulate. Beside being a nuisance generally, this also makes the workings of the T setting even more clumsy, because one of the ways of ending a T exposure - changing to a different shutter speed setting - is even harder to do without jarring the camera.

GLS · Apr 18, 2020

Oren Grad said:
The way it's implemented results in the shutter speed and aperture controls being recessed and awkward to manipulate. Beside being a nuisance generally, this also makes the workings of the T setting even more clumsy, because one of the ways of ending a T exposure - changing to a different shutter speed setting - is even harder to do without jarring the camera.

It also means a filter holder for grads cant be fitted without retracting the hood and thereby making the exposure controls inaccessible. It's just not a very good design. I've read that some people even go so far as to cut the built in hood off the lens entirely.

Oren Grad · Apr 18, 2020

It's been a while since I last had one, so I also forgot to mention that because the hood doesn't lock into place when it's extended, in the heat of battle it's all too easy to brush against the hood and dislodge it so that it slides back and covers the shutter and aperture rings and you find yourself fumbling to get it out again and stuff your fingers into the recess to get at the controls before your picture goes away.

pentaxuser · Apr 18, 2020

Thanks all for the replies. I hadn't thought of it being a design fault. You'd think that when designing it, such things were taken into account in advance

pentaxuser

reddesert · Apr 18, 2020

itsdoable said:
I believe that all the Fuji G_690's, from the original interchangeable lens version, had a "T" setting only - they were labelled "B" at the begining, before they changed it to match international convention.

The B setting on the interchangeable lens versions operates like a regular B setting (shutter closes on release).

Fuji might have changed something about the shutter-to-lens linkage along the way that motivated the change. One thing I never knew about these Fujis until recently is that they were originally designed for a specific market (travel group photos). Maybe that is related to design decisions that were not of great importance to that market but now seem odd to us.

mrosenlof · Apr 18, 2020

I've had both the ii and iii. No real preference of one over the other for me. Pick whichever seems in better condition. Or price, or something else. The odometer on the bottom is easily altered. Not sure if anybody does that, but I would go more on overall condition than the odometer.

mrosenlof · Apr 18, 2020

I like the built in hood. I would pick 2 or 3 over 1 because of the hood. But yeah, some people don't like it.

I see complaints about the T setting for the shutter. It's never bothered me very much either. I think I usually shut it by advancing film. Haven't seen evidence of a problem. If I think about it, I might hold the lenscap in front of the lens before advancing. I'm sure I don't always think of it.

itsdoable · Apr 18, 2020

Karte said:
I can 100% confirm the B shutter on my GW690i model works just like regular B mode, and not T mode. I've had the T mode models as well before.

reddesert said:
The B setting on the interchangeable lens versions operates like a regular B setting....

Thanks for correcting me, my memory must be faulty. I seem to recall my 100mm/3.5AE said B but worked like T, and reading that was normal. I currently only have the GSW690II.

I don't have any issues with "T", it takes time exposures just as well as "B". You can take long exposures without a cable release, you just have to block the lens before you open and close the shutter. Sometimes that cable release hanging off the camera can cause shake.

GLS · Apr 19, 2020

itsdoable said:
I don't have any issues with "T", it takes time exposures just as well as "B". You can take long exposures without a cable release, you just have to block the lens before you open and close the shutter. Sometimes that cable release hanging off the camera can cause shake.

If I may be frank, it seems like you're rationalising poor design here. Having to fudge imprecise and error-prone workarounds to a lack of hands-free shutter closure is crazy in such modern cameras IMO, especially ones which are otherwise so geared towards high quality results. The blocking the lens thing is all well and good if you have a very long exposure, but what if it's say 2 seconds long? Then I doubt very much one could reliably block the end of the lens with an object quickly and smoothly enough to not induce noticeable ghosting or shake in the final image.

Tom Kershaw · Apr 19, 2020

There is a Fuji GW690III for sale on eBay UK at the moment.

The Fuji GW690ii vs GW690iii

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