I just bought an original GW690 with the bulb setting. The explanation of the focusing range and what’s in focus in what f stop was nice and well explained! I never knew how to utilize that information and never thought about it but after hearing how it works i’m excited to try it and see how different my photos are going to be! Great video and I cannot wait to get my GW690!
Very well presented. I have owned the 6x7 for 20 years and it’s image quality is second to none. Notice the R marker on the lens to correct for infrared focusing. You can use the opaque infrared filter without interfering focusing through the viewfinder window. (Just remember to remove the lens cap). Great on tripod or handheld. Like all leaf shutters, this one is very quiet. That ping you hear when firing it is actually the shot counter.
Richard, nice video. I have the same camera except version iii. Images are second to none. The only thing I would add is that one must be careful in loading the film to keep it tight on the reel to minimize light leaks. Of course that is true with all medium format cameras.
Good point. I'll be sure to add that to future videos. That version three is such a beautiful camera. I like those built-in spirit-levels. Thanks for the comment.
Thanks Patty. Our next outing will be Death Valley and the Owens Valley. May swing down to Trona to visit the pinnacles. Will be making RUclips videos along the way.
Excellent review Sir. I have ordered the 1st gen GSW690 from Japan and hoping it will be here tomorrow before Thanksgiving. I'm going to pair it with Ektar 100 for now. You are also the second person to mention Velvia 50. This will be my second MF. I have a Pentax 645 and absolutely love it. But unlike the Fuji is semi mechanical. Tbh I rather fully mechanical, like my Nikon f2, except this doesn't require any batteries!😂
Thanks for your comment. You will love the GSW. That wider lens is outstanding by any measure! A good quality color negative film is an excellent choice for general photography. Unlike slide film, it has great latitude and can render several different looks. Unless I have a special project requiring no grain/noise I use Portra 400 for the majority of my work. I hope you will send a few sample images from your new camera.
I have a very strong case of GAS for this camera! Personally I like the 90mm focal length. I have a 65mm lens for my RB67 and I find it much to side for a lot of the subjects I like to shoot (whilst obviously being great for landscapes and some architecture as you say), and replaced it it with a 127mm, but it is just so heavy, a good whole kilogram more than the Fuji!
Hi, Tom. Thanks for your comment. Both are great cameras but as you mention, while the RB is a true system, it is heavy and bulky. Because the Fuji is very straight forward, it is easy and fast to operate. I think you will love the GW690. The lens is very sharp, has great contrast and renders colors beautifully. Let me know how you like it.
Thanks for this overview Richard! Would you recommend the 690 as a first medium format film camera? I primarily shoot commercial digital work as well as 35mm film. Would love to incorporate MF. Much love from East Tennessee🙏🏼
Hi Garrett. Thanks for reaching out. I'm pleased to learn of your interest in moving into medium format...my favorite. I hesitate to recommend any camera without first knowing the intended use. What do you plan to photograph? What is most important, portability (light weight and ease of use), or versatility (interchangeable lenses and film backs)? Will it be used just for fun or would you like to have something with commercial potential? If you can answer these questions, we can start narrowing the options. I highly recommend the GSW690 (65mm lens) over the GW690 (90mm lens). Try to find the mark 3 version. The downside of this camera is that it is big, fairly heavy and doesn't have interchangeable lenses or film backs...but it delivers unbeatable quality. I look forward to hearing from you.
I just bought an original GW690 with the bulb setting. The explanation of the focusing range and what’s in focus in what f stop was nice and well explained! I never knew how to utilize that information and never thought about it but after hearing how it works i’m excited to try it and see how different my photos are going to be! Great video and I cannot wait to get my GW690!
Thank you Richard! Got the first model recently. Looking forward to experimenting with it!
Very well presented. I have owned the 6x7 for 20 years and it’s image quality is second to none. Notice the R marker on the lens to correct for infrared focusing. You can use the opaque infrared filter without interfering focusing through the viewfinder window. (Just remember to remove the lens cap). Great on tripod or handheld. Like all leaf shutters, this one is very quiet. That ping you hear when firing it is actually the shot counter.
Great information! Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to comment...much appreciated.
Richard, nice video. I have the same camera except version iii. Images are second to none. The only thing I would add is that one must be careful in loading the film to keep it tight on the reel to minimize light leaks. Of course that is true with all medium format cameras.
Good point. I'll be sure to add that to future videos. That version three is such a beautiful camera. I like those built-in spirit-levels. Thanks for the comment.
Great to see you Rich! I skimmed the video --- intriguing camera!
Thanks Patty. Our next outing will be Death Valley and the Owens Valley. May swing down to Trona to visit the pinnacles. Will be making RUclips videos along the way.
Excellent review Sir. I have ordered the 1st gen GSW690 from Japan and hoping it will be here tomorrow before Thanksgiving. I'm going to pair it with Ektar 100 for now. You are also the second person to mention Velvia 50. This will be my second MF. I have a Pentax 645 and absolutely love it. But unlike the Fuji is semi mechanical. Tbh I rather fully mechanical, like my Nikon f2, except this doesn't require any batteries!😂
Thanks for your comment. You will love the GSW. That wider lens is outstanding by any measure! A good quality color negative film is an excellent choice for general photography. Unlike slide film, it has great latitude and can render several different looks. Unless I have a special project requiring no grain/noise I use Portra 400 for the majority of my work. I hope you will send a few sample images from your new camera.
I love my gf670 and i want to try this! The texas leica
I'm sure you will be impressed by the quality. Let me know how you like it.
Does the viewfinder of this mk1 version have Parallax correcting frame lines?
Excellent review!
Thank you...much appreciated.
I have a very strong case of GAS for this camera! Personally I like the 90mm focal length. I have a 65mm lens for my RB67 and I find it much to side for a lot of the subjects I like to shoot (whilst obviously being great for landscapes and some architecture as you say), and replaced it it with a 127mm, but it is just so heavy, a good whole kilogram more than the Fuji!
Hi, Tom. Thanks for your comment. Both are great cameras but as you mention, while the RB is a true system, it is heavy and bulky. Because the Fuji is very straight forward, it is easy and fast to operate. I think you will love the GW690. The lens is very sharp, has great contrast and renders colors beautifully. Let me know how you like it.
Thanks!
And don't forget the GW680 (6x8cm version of this camera). They are all fantastic cameras 🙂
Thanks for your comment. The 6x8 is so rare...I had completely forgotten about it. That is probably the perfect format.
Thanks for this overview Richard! Would you recommend the 690 as a first medium format film camera? I primarily shoot commercial digital work as well as 35mm film. Would love to incorporate MF. Much love from East Tennessee🙏🏼
Hi Garrett. Thanks for reaching out. I'm pleased to learn of your interest in moving into medium format...my favorite. I hesitate to recommend any camera without first knowing the intended use. What do you plan to photograph? What is most important, portability (light weight and ease of use), or versatility (interchangeable lenses and film backs)? Will it be used just for fun or would you like to have something with commercial potential? If you can answer these questions, we can start narrowing the options. I highly recommend the GSW690 (65mm lens) over the GW690 (90mm lens). Try to find the mark 3 version. The downside of this camera is that it is big, fairly heavy and doesn't have interchangeable lenses or film backs...but it delivers unbeatable quality. I look forward to hearing from you.
Welcome to You Tube -- RICH ~!!!
Thank you. You inspired me to get going!