Thinking of buying a GW690...

FishyFish

FishyFish

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I've been toying with the idea of A Fuji GW690 for a few months now and wondered what people's thoughts on the camera might be?

I like the idea of the large 6x9 format, as well as the rangefinder design as it will allow me to use it for more considered shots, such as landscapes, but also for more on-the-hoof type situations (albeit not having a built in meter).

There are lots for sale on eBay, but mostly from Japanese sellers with their confusing Excellent +++++ type ratings (everything seems to be Excellent with a large number of + marks!). I expect that I would also be stung with a customs ransom if I bought from one of these sellers.

Anyway, I'd welcome thoughts on the camera, what to look out for and be aware of etc.

Ta.
 
I think the current @Andysnap had one. It's been on my to buy list. I forget why I didn't get one.

I'd probably buy from Ffordes or WY cameras rather than fleabay.
 
Well it is true that I've had a couple and it is also true that I have considered getting a third....The reason for that consideration is that they have one of (if not the best) lenses of any camera I've used, utterly superb. The reason I probably won't have one is that they just feel like a big plastic box, not engaging somehow. Just my opinion though, many will disagree with me, including me on occasion. :-)
 
Andysnap said:
Well it is true that I've had a couple and it is also true that I have considered getting a third....The reason for that consideration is that they have one of (if not the best) lenses of any camera I've used, utterly superb. The reason I probably won't have one is that they just feel like a big plastic box, not engaging somehow. Just my opinion though, many will disagree with me, including me on occasion. :)
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I have a Holga. "Big plastic box" is something I can live with. :)
 
I bought a GSW690III from Cameraworld earlier this year, it was a consignment sale and belonged to an ex-director of Cameraworld. Its in great condition, internally looks like new. There is a very useful counter on the base of the machine which shows the number of rolls of film that have been through the camera. The shutter is supposed to be serviced every 1000 rolls. Some of the Japanese cameras on eBay have very low number counts, mine was on 097 so plenty of life left in it yet. It feels surprisingly light, probably fools you with its size! The rangfinder focus is good, but the centre area is not particularly bright, so I have struggled a bit, but I need to get used to it. The lack of lightmeter has not caused me a problem - I usually have a digital camera with me, and have used that!

If you buy from Japan you will get stuck with duty and VAT
 
Bearing in mind my lack of bonding with rangefinders including Leica M3, Bronica RF645 and the humble Kiev IVa, I had the GSWIII several years ago and it was just that bit clumsy and awkward for me due to the size of it. I scratched my 6x9 itch earlier this year with a Selfix 820, which is fine for landscapes at least. I'm not sure the Fuji would be great for your street stuff Nige, but I'd strongly suggest getting your hands on one before parting with that kind of money.
 
West Yorkshire cameras had one listed a few days ago but I think it sold in one day as it was gone the next time I looked.

I sometimes think about getting one but I don’t think a rangefinder would suit my preference for tripod working - unless you want to focus in the centre of the image you’d need to focus then adjust the camera position.
 
I bought both of mine from Japan as it was considerably cheaper even with the extra tax etc, although prices have risen a fair bit even for Japanese ones.
 
I bought one earler in the year just as we went into lockdown, a GW690 (presumably the mark one) so it has only been used by me on a couple of occassions with rather parochial subject matter. The camera was a replacement for my Fuji 645, a smashing camera which I managed to destroy by total immersion into sea water. However, the lens of the 690 is an absolutely stunning performer, breathtaking in fact, which I expected because the 645 had a stunning Fujinon lens. The film counter reads 102 so no problem there and its condition suggests that the count is correct. I'm away the week after next in Seahouses and I'm going to make it my main camera I think for the week. Not much use for candid shots as it goes off with a crack, not the shutter but the frame counter by all accounts. I do agree that the rangefinder patch is a little dim, as was that of the 645, but that slight disadvantage is massively outwieghed by the quality of the results from it. This time I'll try harder not to drop it in the briny!
 
Whatever you decide to do, be careful with the Japanese sellers. It can either go smoothly, as it does with some people, and you get a camera that is better than described; or it can go really badly, and you get a camera that is riddled with issues. I had a couple of very bad experiences personally when trying to buy a Fuji GA645. I had to send 2 back as they both had non-described issues. One had lens fungus which was invisible in the listing pictures; the other had serious electronic issues. With both attempted purchases, I ended up paying for incoming VAT+customs. It took a few emails and the involvement of Ebay in order to have my return shipping refunded in one of the two cases - the seller was extremely reluctant to say the least, and communication with them was rather difficult.

Pay attention to the listing descriptions - many times they are just cut&paste templates; if you're lucky, you'll be able to spot immediately discrepancies between the description and the actual condition via the listing photos; other times it's a coin toss.
 
FishyFish said:
I have a Holga. "Big plastic box" is something I can live with. :)
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yeah, I think that helps tbh
I was quite disappointed, well mebbe not disappointed exactly, more fearful for the 670 I bought after spending half my life on a mamiya 6.
The 645 was the same, kinda lightly built and feels a bit fragile in operation.
The idea you're going to drop it and its not survive the fall is not really a consideration, if I dropped the 6 chances are that would be busted too despite being far sturdier.
So this is about mechanical longevity, but there's a lot of them still out there, well used and still working fine so they must be made of something.
Expect a holga, and call it a win when it isn't..:)

I'd buy a GSW680 tomorrow if they weren't all in Japan
 
I had one of the MK1 versions a good number of years ago, purchased without issue from Japan and, even taking into account duty and Parcelforce etc still much cheaper at the time than UK prices.
Echoing a number of previous posters, it's a no frills unit with a high quality lens. However I found it just too awkward, in that when I had my eye to the viewfinder I really felt that I had a big plastic box hanging off the side of my head. Both strap lugs on that version are on one end of the body - I never could get used to the way it hung.
Taking into account being a rangefinder and landscape filter use challenges I moved it on accordingly.
And even after all of that, I'd probably buy another, you know, just 'because'!.
 
trypdal said:
Whatever you decide to do, be careful with the Japanese sellers. It can either go smoothly, as it does with some people, and you get a camera that is better than described; or it can go really badly, and you get a camera that is riddled with issues. I had a couple of very bad experiences personally when trying to buy a Fuji GA645. I had to send 2 back as they both had non-described issues. One had lens fungus which was invisible in the listing pictures; the other had serious electronic issues. With both attempted purchases, I ended up paying for incoming VAT+customs. It took a few emails and the involvement of Ebay in order to have my return shipping refunded in one of the two cases - the seller was extremely reluctant to say the least, and communication with them was rather difficult.

Pay attention to the listing descriptions - many times they are just cut&paste templates; if you're lucky, you'll be able to spot immediately discrepancies between the description and the actual condition via the listing photos; other times it's a coin toss.
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And there's still a lot to recommend asking lots of open questions before bidding. But yes I realise that wantititis is still infectious.
 
I brought my 690 on holiday this week. It's a fabulous camera but quite a lump to carry around. I walked the dog down from Seahouses to Bamburgh, and back, with the camera. Still, I know the results will make it worthwhile.
 
tikkathreebarrel said:
And there's still a lot to recommend asking lots of open questions before bidding. But yes I realise that wantititis is still infectious.
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As stated, communication in English was really difficult in my experience. My attempts at asking questions resulted in generic 'all works, all is fine' type of answers. YMMV.
 
So, my savings have been dented somewhat...

20201128_133738.jpg

I shot a couple of frames this morning (it came with a part used roll of Velvia already loaded), but the weather is a bit carp - especially for Velvia - so the remaining frames may have to wait a little.
 
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FishyFish said:
So, my savings have been dented somewhat...

View attachment 300281

I shot a couple of frames this morning (it came with a part used roll of Velvia already loaded), but the weather is a bit carp - especially for Velvia - so the remaining frames may have to wait a little.
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I was going to bid on that one myself!

Have fun. I'm excited to put mine through its paces in the new year.
 
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