Well did it again - love the GW699 III

sixby45 · May 31, 2019

Hi everyone - so I've had a roundabout love affair with various mf camera systems but have upgraded my Fuji GW690II to a Fuji GW690III and have to say I love the latest version of this fantastic classic!

I've been shooting a variety of things and am working on a model studio set specifically with this giant negative producing rig.

Having used Rolleiflex and hasselblad systems recently as my primary shooters it's a lot of fun to just use the single attached lens the EBC 90mm f3.5 for the gorgeous sharpness and flat field for everything from landscapes and beyond.

I'll be putting some up on my Instagram - @filmplease as time goes on but wanted to share my love for the upgraded VF and spool removal system of the version 3.

Anyone else love their GW series and want to link to images or just extoll the virtues of their Fuji machine? Happy shooting! And loving the giant negatives

Theo Sulphate · May 31, 2019

Interesting that you prefer the III to the II. I have the III and think the II is better built, especially the latches.

pentaxuser · May 31, 2019

Just out of curiosity as I have neither what does the III offer that the II does not? Thanks

pentaxuser

mshchem · May 31, 2019

pentaxuser said:
Just out of curiosity as I have neither what does the III offer that the II does not? Thanks

pentaxuser

The III has DRAMATICALLY improved loading characteristics. The II has the tabs that you need to pull out, turn to lock. These little buggers tend to flick back on their own. The III has a little red button on each side. One little push and the spool is released, you still need to retrieve the film from the camera but it's much easier.
I have two series III cameras, a 690 GSWIII and a GW690III. Love them. My first love is still in my arsenal. The first of these cameras I bought GW690II the two does have more exterior metal. The 3 is lighter. I also have a FUJI G617, similar to the 2 series. If the 617 had a rangefinder I would leave my wife for it either way she tolerates my love for these cameras. I have other beautiful medium format cameras, but if I could only have ONE camera, on a desert island, it would be these FOUR

campy51 · May 31, 2019

I have been wanting to try one of these for a long time, but I don't want to give up any cameras I have now to fund one.

Theo Sulphate · May 31, 2019

One consequence of 6x9 is that you get 8 shots on 120-format - which is perfect since I tend to go out on an "assignment" and 8 shots is about right for me most of the time for a given situation and film.

Although I'm the third owner of this camera, the guy who sold it to me put only a few rolls through it and he had originally sold it new to the first owner before getting it back. It's had only 50 rolls through it (the counter reads 050 and did not roll over). Having a roll counter is pretty cool. Actually, the history of these cameras as tourist-group cameras is pretty cool.

mshchem · May 31, 2019

Theo Sulphate said:
One consequence of 6x9 is that you get 8 shots on 120-format - which is perfect since I tend to go out on an "assignment" and 8 shots is about right for me most of the time for a given situation and film.

Although I'm the third owner of this camera, the guy who sold it to me put only a few rolls through it and he had originally sold it new to the first owner before getting it back. It's had only 50 rolls through it (the counter reads 050 and did not roll over). Having a roll counter is pretty cool. Actually, the history of these cameras as tourist-group cameras is pretty cool.

If the "toy cap gun" sound when trip the shutter annoys you, it's the shutter counter. These counters can be rolled back, but my cameras have low counts, the condition of the camera tells the tale. I would like to have the darn counter disabled on my newest nicest cameras. It's distracting for subjects. The G617, takes some getting used to when you press the shutter release you hear the loud snap of the counter, then you keep pushing and you hear the gentle click of the Copal shutter.

sixby45 · May 31, 2019

Thanks everyone for the responses - and I agree the film spool pop out buttons are way faster for me than fiddling with the pull out locks on the version II. Also I find that the rangefinder patch which was switched to a Leica type vernier system in the III (per Dante Stella's awesome site) is easier to grab focus with as the rangefinder itself is brighter to my eyes than the first two versions of the GW/GSW.

pentaxuser · Jun 1, 2019

Thanks for the replies on the differences between the II and III. To summarise:
1.The buttons on the III make film loading easier
2. The vernier system on the III make focusing easier
3. The rangefinder on the III is brighter
4. The III is lighter but has less metal than the II so may be weaker?

The common "problem" with both, depending on how much its noise annoys you, is the shutter counter which cannot be "silenced"

Is the above a fair summary?

Thanks

pentaxuser

moto-uno · Jun 1, 2019

Not completely sure about the can't be silenced remark . I know one owner ( maybe rangefinderforum ) did an extensive tear down
of one of these cameras and dispensed with one of the folklore remarks on the net about the cause of this noise . I'm sure a search would turn
up the process he went through . Peter

Theo Sulphate · Jun 1, 2019

The summary above seems accurate. My preference for the II is probably wholly subjective, but I liked the latches on the II and I like its exterior appearance. I know the rubberized III has metal underneath ... but I prefer the II. Because aesthetics.

I don't mind the sound when the shutter is released - heh - I have a 553 ELX...

The GW680II, if I could ever find one = best of all worlds.

macfred · Jun 1, 2019

Theo Sulphate said:
The GW680II, if I could ever find one = best of all worlds.

I always thought there never was a GW680II or a GSW680II - I was quite sure the GW- and GSW680III came up in 1992 with no predecessors.
Any thoughts about this?
On camerapedia.fandom for the Fuji GW series cameras I can only find the GW- and GSW680III.
https://camerapedia.fandom.com/wiki/Fujica_GW690

--
I have a GW670III and a GSW690II - for me a perfect couple.

narsuitus · Jun 1, 2019

sixby45 said:
Anyone else love their GW series and want to link to images or just extoll the virtues of their Fuji machine?

When shooting general photography, I love to use my 6x7 Fuji rangefinder with the 90mm f/3.5 normal lens (left).

When shooting landscapes, architecture, and group portraits, I love to use my 6x9 Fuji rangefinder with the 65mm f/5.6 wide-angle lens (right).

Since there is no telephoto version in the GWIII series, when shooting individual portraits, I use the 6x7 Mamiya SLR with a 150mm f/4 telephoto lens (center).

Medium Format Kit by Narsuitus, on Flickr

Theo Sulphate · Jun 1, 2019

macfred said:
I always thought there never was a GW680II or a GSW680II - I was quite sure the GW- and GSW680III came up in 1992 with no predecessors.
...

Hmmm, yes. That would explain it's relative scarcity.

narsuitus · Jun 1, 2019

"Well did it again - love the GW699 III"

When I first saw the title of this thread, I got excited because I thought a new camera had just been released.

Deleted member 88956 · Jun 1, 2019

mshchem said:
The III has DRAMATICALLY improved loading characteristics. The II has the tabs that you need to pull out, turn to lock. These little buggers tend to flick back on their own. The III has a little red button on each side. One little push and the spool is released, you still need to retrieve the film from the camera but it's much easier.
I have two series III cameras, a 690 GSWIII and a GW690III. Love them. My first love is still in my arsenal. The first of these cameras I bought GW690II the two does have more exterior metal. The 3 is lighter. I also have a FUJI G617, similar to the 2 series. If the 617 had a rangefinder I would leave my wife for it either way she tolerates my love for these cameras. I have other beautiful medium format cameras, but if I could only have ONE camera, on a desert island, it would be these FOUR

DRAMATICALLY ? I know that my tabs will NOT flip open unless I tell them too. Possibly some worn out abused body may be experiencing not as tight set up, but on something like mine that was purchased clearly well looked after with about 3k shutter count, will in no way affect security of them. Besides, I find the II to be slicker looking, well (better) put together and imparting on user a lot of confidence. I'm not really trying to knock III below the II, but after a lot of trial and comparisons when going for one, it became a no brainer to me. I'm sure getting the mint condition model II for rather good price helped the decision.

Theo Sulphate · Jun 1, 2019

narsuitus said:
...
When I first saw the title of this thread, I got excited because I thought a new camera had just been released.

Well, Fuji did release a new medium format camera. It even says "Fujifilm" on it, but that's the only film associated with it:

https://www.dpreview.com/news/11793...hase-detect-af-and-4k-video-for-10000-dollars

Yep: $10,000.

Deleted member 88956 · Jun 1, 2019

pentaxuser said:
Thanks for the replies on the differences between the II and III. To summarise:
1.The buttons on the III make film loading easier
2. The vernier system on the III make focusing easier
3. The rangefinder on the III is brighter
4. The III is lighter but has less metal than the II so may be weaker?

The common "problem" with both, depending on how much its noise annoys you, is the shutter counter which cannot be "silenced"

Is the above a fair summary?

Thanks

pentaxuser

1. maybe
2. pick yours, I can't see how focusing could be better than the II
3. as per 2, I can't see a much brighter rangefinder than on the II, possibly age difference (longer abusive storage) might play part in some differences between the two
4. may be lighter, may be weaker, or ... may be stronger?
5. II is a LOT sexier (after all we're taking this down the personal preferences path, right?)

mshchem · Jun 1, 2019

Witold said:
DRAMATICALLY ? I know that my tabs will NOT flip open unless I tell them too. Possibly some worn out abused body may be experiencing not as tight set up, but on something like mine that was purchased clearly well looked after with about 3k shutter count, will in no way affect security of them. Besides, I find the II to be slicker looking, well (better) put together and imparting on user a lot of confidence. I'm not really trying to knock III below the II, but after a lot of trial and comparisons when going for one, it became a no brainer to me. I'm sure getting the mint condition model II for rather good price helped the decision.

They don't flip open, they flip or snap shut. I've been using these cameras for 25 years. The newer bodies are easier for me. Clearly Fuji made the model 3 to please marketing but primarily to take cost out of the camera. The model 2 is a very well made not plasticy camera. I still think that the rangefinder is better built on the 2 but it's just my feeling. Comparing my M6ttl finder to any Fuji ever made will leave the Fuji in the dust.

Deleted member 88956 · Jun 2, 2019

mshchem said:
They don't flip open, they flip or snap shut. I've been using these cameras for 25 years. The newer bodies are easier for me. Clearly Fuji made the model 3 to please marketing but primarily to take cost out of the camera. The model 2 is a very well made not plasticy camera. I still think that the rangefinder is better built on the 2 but it's just my feeling. Comparing my M6ttl finder to any Fuji ever made will leave the Fuji in the dust.

I was only saying that the II is fine all around and I see no reason to make it look like inferior to III in ANY part of its design and function. Once I had a chance to handle each it was a no decision for me, just straight one sided pick for the II.

mshchem · Jun 2, 2019

Witold said:
I was only saying that the II is fine all around and I see no reason to make it look like inferior to III in ANY part of its design and function. Once I had a chance to handle each it was a no decision for me, just straight one sided pick for the II.

You have picked a great camera. That's what I started with as well. I still have it, it's one of my favourite cameras.

StepheKoontz · Jun 2, 2019

mshchem said:
If the "toy cap gun" sound when trip the shutter annoys you, it's the shutter counter.

It's actually the way the camera shutter release, that then trips the shutter, operates. I've done some research, it seems it can't be "disabled" and the noise isn't the counter. It's a designed in "feature".

macfred · Jun 2, 2019

Not the shutter, not the counter but the winding mechanism ...

mshchem · Jun 2, 2019

Well, so much for that brilliant idea.

My G617 will fool me. It requires winding and then manual cocking of the shutter. First time I used it I shot a blank frame. I pushed the shutter release and heard the ping. I advanced to the next frame and found the shutter "already cocked " I'm easily confused, next time I pushed the button heard the ping. Before I advanced the film in a stroke of genius I checked the lens, shutter still cocked! Ah, light bulb came on in my head. Pushed and nice quiet shutter.

I need a muffler

Thanks for the real story. Another Internet myth debunked!!!
Best Regards Mike

sixby45 · Jun 3, 2019

mshchem said:
The III has DRAMATICALLY improved loading characteristics. The II has the tabs that you need to pull out, turn to lock. These little buggers tend to flick back on their own. The III has a little red button on each side. One little push and the spool is released, you still need to retrieve the film from the camera but it's much easier.
I have two series III cameras, a 690 GSWIII and a GW690III. Love them. My first love is still in my arsenal. The first of these cameras I bought GW690II the two does have more exterior metal. The 3 is lighter. I also have a FUJI G617, similar to the 2 series. If the 617 had a rangefinder I would leave my wife for it either way she tolerates my love for these cameras. I have other beautiful medium format cameras, but if I could only have ONE camera, on a desert island, it would be these FOUR

I agree with this - for whatever reason trying to speed load the GW690 II was always a struggle for me when doing portrait sittings since I would inevitably have a pull out tab not stay out or foul up the roll while trying to insert it quicjlq. The version III is much easier to load and unload in my experience and I do find the updated rangefinder easy to grab focus with. It is definitely closer to the Leica design.

Well did it again - love the GW699 III

Deleted member 88956

Deleted member 88956

Deleted member 88956

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