Fuji GW690 II Review
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- Опубликовано: 4 окт 2024
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( / robbiemaynardcreates )
HUGE thank you to Matthew Morse for letting me borrow this beautiful camera to make this review :)
SEE ALL OF THE PHOTOS FROM THIS CAMERA IN MY FUJI GW690 II ALBUM ON FLICKR:
(www.flickr.com...)
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GEAR USED:
Camera: Fuji XT4
Lens: 16-55 f2.8 Fujinon
Audio: Zoom H5
OUR INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS:
@RobbieMaynardCreates
@Em.Amber
Knowing how clumsy I am, shooting it with the lens cap on is exactly what I would do…
Haha Fuji making a new film camera. It’s nice to have dreams. Even if they made one now, it would cost $10k prolly. It’d be very profitable considering at least 6 people would buy it 🤣
haha I lost probably 7 shots so far. I hate rangefinders for that reason but this camera.... real nice
I have the first version of this camera, and I think it has a different coating. I really like how it renders B&W. It's my go-to environmental portrait camera since the vignette at f/4 works well for focusing on a person close to center frame.
It was cool to see how you used it!
I shot some FP4 and I really liked the contrast too. I think you make a great point about the vignetting.
Just got one of these. Never knew it existed until a week ago. Haven't used it yet. Your images are wonderful. This is a great review of this camera...one of the best I've seen. Good job.
Awesome! Thank you!
Eight frames/roll makes you appreciate each shot. You need to run some E-6 thru it to really appreciate that big frame.
Having the aperture, shutter speed and focus all on the lens was a standard configuration for most cameras. It promotes attention to detail. The blank frames from forgetting the lens cap is one of the charms of using a rangefinder.
haha and that charming nuance is the reason I sold my Bessa R4A
@@RobbieMaynardCreates Should have just sold the lens cap instead.
That's the obvious solution, right? :P
Just got this camera a few months ago for a solid deal and I absolutely love it. It’s my first film camera and I’ve had a blast using it. I appreciate the 8 shots per roll, really makes you focus on your shot before pressing that shutter release. Fantastic camera
I had the Fuji gw690ii for a few months before deciding to sell it. Shot a roll in the woods along a stream and still amazed at those renders that sometimes I wish I still had that camera. The photo of the first floor interior with insulation hanging down was really nice. Also opening video footage at the abandoned property was really nice as well.
Thank you buddy! I feel like this is one of those cameras that just works incredibly well. Maybe I should shoot more 6x9 and see if its not just the format that I like.
I hardly shoot with my GW690iii but when i do I'm always amazed at the quality it produces, amazing camera.
Thx for that awesome video dude. The shoots were absolutely great. Especially the first one in the forrest and the abandoned house are fantastic. Love them.
Thank you so much!
Robbie thanks for the dope video and great insights! Sick captures... Peace, Love, and Happiness!!! 🙃
I managed to get on RUclips right when you posted this lol those photos in the abandoned house are amazing! That wallpaper is sooo cool haha
Thank you so much! Great timing!
Love both of your channels!
@@Kscorps9285 thank you! You’re a real one!👌🏼
Just scored the GSW wide version of this on eBay for $475 and I cannot wait to get it in and play around with it. Only medium format I have experience with is a Holga and Yashica-D.
Great video Robbie!!! Thanks for the honest review and the last tip!!!!!
Thank you, Sammy!
I was sold at the Sunny reference. Great Review!
I had one of those as well as the “super wide” version and used them both for many years for B&W. Back then I bought them both new for well under $1000 each. They were definitely a little strange but I got a lot of good photos.
Love this camera, wish I hade the opportunity to try one out! Loved your images in this one! The textures and the depth created by this large ass neg is amazing
haha yessss! Thank you so much :)
huh? how can you "love this camera" if you have never even used it???
@@orion7741 love the look the 6x9 neg creates, love the design of the camera, love the amazing lens, love the side lugs, love the dubble shutter buttons, should i go on?
Ps. I have held my friends one but never shot it
Another great video Robbie with great images, especially the abandoned house.
Thank you, Simon!
Slam dunk as always Robbie!
Much obliged :)
I love mine...ordered it from Japan and sweated the purchase until it got here...it is so sharp!
hell yes! Its insanely sharp!
Great video , Robbie. Yep thats a great camera any 6x9 negative is beautiful. It sure can take the place of a 4x5, minus the movements. I'm amazed , how you find these rundown structures. Keep them coming . KB
I agree, Ken! As for the old stuff - I drive around a lot of old back roads lol
Ahhh Holyoke, I lived across the river from that city for very long time, there is lots of interesting things to shoot in that city. So much history.
Im never bored there. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the review.
When I need cameras that are a compromise between a 4x5 inch large format camera and a 35mm small format camera, I carry two Fuji medium format rangefinders.
I carry a 6x7cm with a fixed 90mm f/3.5 normal lens for general subjects.
I carry a 6x9cm with fixed 65mm f/5.6 wide-angle lens for landscapes and architecture.
My only complaint is that Fuji did not make a fixed telephoto lens medium format rangefinder camera that I could use for head & shoulder portraits and tight face portraits.
Hey i like the grade on your external shots, your video I mean. Pairs well with the old analogue chat.
I went through much of the same with mine. Did not like the cheap feel but it was way more sturdy than the Fuji 645 all plastic cameras. Getting used to the different textures on the shutter, focus and aperture rings takes time, especially if it is not your only camera. The dim blue tint viewfinder, the tiny round rangefinder patch as you mentioned did not give a nice, inspiring hint as to the scene before you. I eventually sold both my GW690 and GSW690 after about 9 months and had nearly a dozen takers within minutes. used the funds to buy a 500CM, a camera which I regretted selling 20 years ago.
Daaaang. Its pretty surprising how many people agree with issues I had. Every other review on this camera are so glowing that you wouldn't expect any problems.
A few years ago, my local photo shop had one of these for sale. I liked it and it was well priced. So I researched it and I found a lot of RUclips videos about it, but... almost all of them were videos praising how cool, sharp, well built (etc. etc.) it was, and how insanely big and detailed its negs are. (and the few negative reviews were mostly clearly based on pure personal preferences).
Now that I own one (yes, I bought it!) and am thinking about selling it, I'm researching it again. In the meantime, you've posted this video and you mention all the points I have for and against it. The most striking one that nobody else mentions, is the one about how dull its viewfinder is. How many times have I "seen" a good composition, only to think "that's boring" when I framed it through its viewfinder. This is unfortunately something that really puts me off. I probably need to train my eye to see past this issue , but for that I'd need to shoot it more; which I don't because of that issue. Kind of a vicious circle.
I have otherwise a lot of fun shooting with it, the few times I've done it. The camera is easy to use (I'm ok with the shutter speed / f-stop rings) and portable (for a medium format) and its 6x9 are expensive but really beautiful. It's the closest you can get to 4x5" (which I almost never shoot despite having a field 4x5 camera because - let's face it - it's really unpractical in most situations).
The only reason why I would sell the GW690ii I own is... its dull viewfinder. Should I look past that (pun just happened)?
I really appreciate this comment! I had so many people tell me that in comparison to other Rangefinders, this one is really bright... I bought the GSW690III after returning this camera to my friend - the version 3's aren't much better and is still one of the worst parts about the camera for me.
I tried shooting some environmental portraits a few months back and found myself saying, 'hold on, just trying to find you' while searching for the patch to match up.
If you ever do plan to sell, please let me know. I've been looking to pair the wide version with the standard for a while.
@@RobbieMaynardCreates I defintely understand how you feel. I'm trying to give this camera another try. But I don't plan on keeping it unless I know I will actually use it. So I will let you know how it goes!
Great camera. Didn't ue it like I would have. SOLD it to KEH
I picked up a keks em1 hotshoe meter for my gw680iii and I've been using it way more often than my Bronica. Totally agree on the stupid Texas L nickname. FYI rangefinder patch on the mk3 is much better IMO. I even burned a roll shooting my kids in full sun the other day and didn't miss focus once. I also found the patch on my mk3 to be better than the GS645. I mainly hand-hold, so I've been using HP5 at 1600 most often in mine, but Delta 3200 is also fantastic. Another great video sir!
Thats kind of funny that you mentioned the Keks meter - Matt included it when he sent me this camera. I just took it off because I knocked it off in the abandoned house. Didn't want to lose any of his gear lol
I hope the MkIII would be brighter and more contrasty than the GS645. The GS645 meter reads through the viewfinder and siphons off about a third of the viewfinder light to the meter. The MkIII has no meter. On the other hand, both cameras share Fuji's provision of lenses which are as good or better than any available from any other maker.
Love the work you do nice shots cool camera Merry Christmas 🎄
Merry Christmas, Miguel!
Hi, as for the 'issue' you mention in 9 min I heard it is designed so that once you have exposure set, you grab both rings and rotate them simultaneously to e.g. create shallow DOF as they corelate one another. f8 and 1/125, you grab both rings and rotate to f5.6 and get 1/250 'automatically'.
Very interesting! Ive learned a few things from these comments
the lack of interchangeable lens is part of what made the original camera somewhat affordable :P
Cool stuff mate, have a great Christmas bud.
Thank you! You as well :)
Got the GW690 and it’s solid.
Hell yeah!
Loved that camera when I had it. Not great for a day of shooting cause you fly through film, but I ended up using it more for Portraiture: f/3.5 on that massive 6x9 negative looks fucking amazing for portraits. Thinking back on it, I regret selling it now. 😢
haha sellers remorse is very real!
Great review bro, subbed!
Thanks for the sub!
I've forgotten how great this camera is. I haven't touched mine over the last year (other cameras got in the way haha). I didn't have a problem with the colour rendition with mine, but the "T" mode on my camera doesn't work, so I can't do any long exposures with it unfortunately. And also yes, I've had the same issue with leaving the shutter cap on and losing frames. This is why I don't shoot with rangefinders often lol
haha same here! I may make an exception for the GSW690 though...
The first thing I do with all my cameras is install a lens hood on my lenses and throw away the lens cap! Love my TEXAS LEICA 😂 and the first thing I did was take the top plate off and scrub off all the gunk/build up on the rangefinder glass, literally just 3 screws and the advance lever unscrews.
Good to know for when I buy my own :)
the GL690 was an interchangeable earlier version.
They were pretty cool but boy are they not the heaviest camera lol
@@RobbieMaynardCreates Yes, but still lighter than an RB lol
Yep, all metal, comes with 100mm lens which I prefer, and you can slap a proper filter on it and still change shutter and aperture. No silly T mode either, just B. One of the sharpest lenses I own in an amazing package.
He’s excellent work! Now I am intrigued :) did you have a chance to compare to mk3 of this camera?
😂 I’ve called it the Texas Leica in a couple of my videos. Although mine is the G690… metal version. It’s extremely solid! Great video as always 👍
haha I forgive you
Great video! The range finder's blue tint/milky-ness can be cleaned! Had it done to my GM670 (not the same camera but basically) not too long ago and it made a big difference!
That would be awesome! Though, its not mine - Id love to see the difference.
Robbie, you are the best🔥📸, thank you for inspiration and good luck 🤝👍
Awwww shucks! Thank you so much :)
Thanks Robbie
Very welcome
I have a G690 BLP, this camera's grandparent. Fully mechanical, interchangeable lenses... No hotshoe. That being said, both the 100 and 180mm lenses on that body are fantastic. You can pick it and three lenses up for less than $1000 last I checked.
If you thought "Texas Leica" was irritating, just wait until you meet someone who calls your cameras "poor man's leicas"
Hahaha I heard that a lot when I owned the Bessa R4A
6:50 - That's a really good photo.
Also, going upstairs in an abandoned house... you're a braver man than me. lol
haha some spots were sketchy. Especially the room with the cool wallpaper - the wall I was backed up against to take one of the photos was cracked so much, you could see outside lol
Well I have 2 Fuji GW680 III's, the 90mm and the 65mm ... and yes very pastic-y, but the lenses are obscenely sharp.
Let's go fuji, give us a new 6x9 film body
YES!! They have two customers here lol
so funny, yesterday I saw your video, a good one by the way, and just shot 2 frames today with the lens cap on my Mamiya.
After realizing I thought about your "moment": 😆😆
haha hopefully you have a better mullet
the first picture, what film did you use?
How difficult is it to operate the aperture and shutter dial while wearing heavy gloves? Looks like these 2 dial rings are hidden under the lens shroud and only has a tiny tab sticking out.
Oddly enough, I have had this scenario happen and its pretty hard with gloves
I got the GW680III which I got on eBay. I honestky thought I was buying the 690 :D
Kept it and love it!
dammmmmn - thats a killer! Im glad that you still love it :)
Owners of this camera call it "Texas Leica". I don't like that nickname either. People who look at you while you're shooting with it call it "Hey dude, the lens cap is on" :D
haha I wish someone would have followed me around and said that to me
I enjoyed the shots of the old wallpaper. Next time get beer instead of redbull and be mellow instead of wired. 😁
haha I think drinking beer in an abandoned house suddenly makes me go from photographer to vagrant LOL
Beautiful photos! Love the tones. What kind of film are you using?
I have GW690III, and I agree, it sounds cheap. But I love shooting with this. And I find that having just 8 shots is quite liberating. I like not "getting stuck" with one type of film in the camera.
Thank you, Henrik! I was shooting with Kodak Ektar 100 and Ilford Delta 400 :)
I shoot with the GSW690II and looove It. I paid $400 for It in early 2021 and plan to never sell It. It has its downfalls, but I love It nonetheless.
Thats a pretty good deal! Imagine if this was 2008 - a Fuji GSW would run you like $75 USD lol
@@RobbieMaynardCreates makes me wish I was more interested in photography back then, rather than playing hardcore music. Haha.
I bought one for 500usd
I don’t find this camera to be so big . I am a big man with big hands, but it’s definitely not as cumbersome as a rolleiflex sl66 or other medium format cameras
My rangefinder is big and bright, focus is easy. I don’t see any issues with it like you said in this video.
I also love printing the 6x9 in the darkroom. It’s fantastic. 8 shots isn’t a big deal if you only take pictures when your scene makes you gasp. If you’re just shooting without being amazed by what you found in front of you, don’t take a picture. Easy
Interesting take. In my work, I take a photo whenever I feel it. It doesn't have to make me say wow, or gasp. If it spoke to me at the time, I take it. I take a lot of pictures and 8 frames is a hinderance.
@@RobbieMaynardCreates sure, everyone’s different. I guess after thirty years of film use, I just tend to be more conservative with my shooting than I was back then.
@@nickfanzo I got 26 more years of reckless shooting lol
I remember when these were like 250 bucks less than 5 years ago!
thems were the days lol
two years ago I wanted to buy this camera. now prices are insane high
dammmn! You should have jumped on it
Great Vid! i'm thinking of getting one, do you only meter your exposure with your phone? the pics were great so if i get similar results i'll be happy about it
I do. I could use a better meter but it works fine
@@RobbieMaynardCreates Just got one and did a test roll yesterday, i'll see if i get the same good results using my phone. Thanks!
certainly a "dream" camera to get, if im gonna shoot medium format, I might as well go for the biggest size possible XD
i think you need to double check cause i saw a version that has interchangeable lens and it has like 3 lens total.
I have seen those. A shop in Boston had one a few years back when I was looking to get into Medium Format. I think it weighed like 85lbs? I may be exaggerating lol
@@RobbieMaynardCreates it was intriguing to me seeing it - in a "perfect" world where I could pick up this version where i can switch lens, then adapt the lens to the GFX camera haha.
use one of those shift adapters to naturally get a wider image with that large 6x9 lens XD
@@RobbieMaynardCreates The very first version had interchangeable lenses. Fuji found that almost all their lens sales were for, I think it was 100mm, so they revised the layout to ditch weight and complexity and settled on the 90mm fixed. I have a GW680 III, which I understand was only sold OEM in Japan. Quite the history in this family, and excellent performers.
When you push/pull exposure on film, do you (personally) choose to do so in developing the film, or in digital after scanning the negatives?
I always do it in development
Yeah bro, you ask for fuji to remake this with interchangeable lenses, but you wouldn't buy it let alone invest in a whole set of crazy priced lens system for what is just a novelty for you.
Thats interesting man.. I guess we will never know because Fuji isn't making a new Film Camera. Im also not sure what you mean by the novelty part of your comment.
Actually I remember looking at the 6x7 version on Fuji's japonese website in 2012. You could find it brand new for roughly 2000€ back then. Now that's the price of used ones. But yeah, I'd love to see them launch a new Fuji X but with actual film : a 35mm to piss off Leica fanboys and a cross medium format like their 6x7 who did cover 6x6, so why not a 6x4.5/6x6 version and another dedicated to 6x7/6x9. But I'm dadydreaming...
haha I was having those exact thoughts when I was writing my notes for this video. I know they had the folding 67's almost a decade ago but Fuji has come so far with their own lenses that Id love to see what they could offer in the Film Community with a 6x9 RF with some nice glass :)
@@RobbieMaynardCreates Would be nice, but potentially pricey. Though the rangefinder system has more potential, sell-wise.
Go get the Fuji G690BL or GL690, they have interchangeable lenses ;)
I actually knew a guy that found one in his attic from his grandfather. It was not a pleasure to hold, I can only image the shooting process lol
what do you think about mamiya 7II compeared a fuji in the lenses?
I've never shot one so I can't say. From what I have seen about the Mamiya 7, its pretty great.
@@RobbieMaynardCreates thks
Robbie: It makes huge ass negatives
Kodak: yes it does, but can you afford it?
haha shots fired!! @Kodak I dare you to lower your prices.
Hey nice review… I always wonder, what will happen if the arrows doesn’t perfectly align on the mark when loading the film?
Honestly, I have no idea and Im not going to find out when it costs $13 a roll lol
if you dont align the arrows when loading the film, nothing is going to happen unless you are way way off. there is enough extra film stock on both ends of the film that if you dont get your arrows perfectly aligned you will still get all your images, but they just will be closer to one end of the film instead of being equal distance from each end.
@@orion7741 thanks
@@orion7741 thanks…
Great work man. How’d u meter?
It varied for each scene
@@RobbieMaynardCreates Cool I understand that...but what did you use as a meter?
@@RocketinExile Just an app on my phone lol
@@RobbieMaynardCreates LOL..cool thanks man
A nice camera, and it is not expensive. It just too wast the films😂😂😂bty, thank you for sharing!
Thank you for stopping by! Ill glady burn film with this beauty :)
@@RobbieMaynardCreates Yep, you got some nice photos! I am happy to see you again! Thanks bro!
I wanna like the video, but it's at 69. I, in good standing cannot mess that up.
I respect the hell outta that.
I just imagine a dude in the full getup with chaps and a 10 gallon hat out on the prarie shootin this thing "YEEEEEEHOOOOO KEEP YER MITTS OFF MA TEXAS LEICA YA VARMINT!!"
LOLOLOL
One of the mistakes that people with cameras make is accessing properties without permission of the owners.
I can assure you that an abandoned house or building belongs to someone and assuming it's ok to walk on to property without consent makes the rest of us look bad.
If you don't own it and if you didn't ask and get written permission from the property owner or his agent you are guilty of criminal trespass.
Where I live it's nothing for people with cameras to jump a fence, open a gate or just walk on to an unfenced property to take photos of wildflowers.
Then they're angry at the property owner for asking them to leave and more angry when the property owner calls the police.
Please respect the rights of property owners and think about the intended and unintended consequences before scamper on property that isn't yours.
The one mistake that people make that comment on RUclips videos that they dont know the details on really look foolish.
The property has been abandoned since the owner died in the 90s.
The property is owned by a company that bought the land its on and is tearing it down to put up new houses.
I asked permission a few years back, they granted me permission and said I can come back and take pictures whenever I want.
Thanks for your long comment about being angry for no reason.
@@RobbieMaynardCreates No one is angry. You're just a person with a camera. That's all.
No one gives a verbal to access propery. In just about all states you must have written permission.
In many cases old homes and buildings are a danger to everyone including people with cameras.
With all those old and crumbly property that's being torn down you expect your viewers to believe the company is going to accept total responsibility for your health and safety by letting you go into that type of environment anytime you like.
I doubt the company lawyers would every agree to permitting you a free hand to enter and leave what is visibly condemned properly so you can get a few more clicks?
BS.
@@dps6198 haha you're nuts man.
@@RobbieMaynardCreates And you're an irresponsible content provider.
Fuji produce digital GFX cameras (50r, 50s, 100s) - maybe it is your wish)
Definitely considered it but I like to work with Film. I would be open to trying one out though lol
All the negatives you're talking about are detracting for entry-level buyers, which I think is worth noting considering that entry-level aren't looking for the highest quality as much as easiest usage. None of the negatives you listed are negative to me.
I think I spent a little too much time on the negatives too. I thought about changing it mid-edit but I think its important to look at both sides. A lot of reviews that I saw never mentioned the vignetting or the odd color rendering with the lens and I wanted to give everyone my opinion in it. I appreciate your comment though
@@RobbieMaynardCreates I don't think it's problematic necessarily, it's just considerations I bring up before getting into pros and cons when telling someone about a particular camera. I think anyone watching a video about a GW690 probably already knows what they're getting into, but in case not it's helpful to start the video clarifying what level photographer is suited for this camera. I'm just nitpicking though, so take my words with a heavy grain.
Everything is bigger in Texas bro. Texas Leica 4Lyfe!! hahahaha!
The camera isn't heavy and it isn't huge.
Then tell me why the GW stands for Gargantuan Weight? Lol
@@RobbieMaynardCreates GW= Good Workout
It’s a tank but it a buuy it for life camera.
Very true!
Don't like the nickname either
haha cheers to that!
I don't get the nickname either. Leica doesn't exclusively make rangefinders either lol. Why not the Texas Minolta or Olympus....so pretentious.
And Texas isnt even the biggest thing on the planet? Lets get crazy here. The Continent of Asia Konica.
Doesn't seem like that one will get legs.. lol
And Texas is only the size of an Australian sheep station
Way too much fluff in these videos… not everyone can pull off the “cool guy” shtick
Are you implying that I am not cool?