A detailed look at the features and specs of the Fuji GSW690.

[@robertyoung1777]

Butkus offers manuals for these cameras for download free with a donation request. The Fuji manual includes a chart showing depth of field ranges. The chart indicates that at any given focus/aperture setting a greater distance behind the focus setting will be sharp than the distance in front of the focus point. Thanks for posting this clear and uncluttered video.

[@Raf_9000]

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!

[@richardmasseyphotography]

Congratulations! I'm sure you will love it. The quality of the images is second to none.

[@jackthompson8377]

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.

[@richardmasseyphotography]

Great information! Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to comment...much appreciated.

[@patriciawise7061]

Great to see you Rich! I skimmed the video --- intriguing camera!

[@richardmasseyphotography]

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 KZbin videos along the way.

[@12TimmyProductions43]

Thank you Richard! Got the first model recently. Looking forward to experimenting with it!

[@richardmasseyphotography]

Congratulations! You will love it. That huge 6x9 negative combined with that superb lens is an awesome combination.

[@herbertwebb7215]

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.

[@richardmasseyphotography]

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.

[@southernsoundpulse]

Excellent review!

[@richardmasseyphotography]

Thank you...much appreciated.

[@irishmaninflorida1608]

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!😂

[@richardmasseyphotography]

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.

[@Nvananon]

There is even a comparatively rare 6x8 version. Super cool.

[@haimtoeg]

There was a G690 with interchangeable lenses. I am not sure there was a Fuji 6, but there was a Mamiya 6 that is 6x6.

[@richardmasseyphotography]

Thanks for you comment. Those are all great cameras. The Mamiya 7 (6x7) lenses are legendary. I have the Mamiya 7 ll and love it. I picked up the 7 & because of their 43mm ultra-wide lens. It is equal to, if not better than, the Hasselblad 38mm Biogon.

[@aarontharris]

I just checked the manual. The shutter actuation counter counts 1 per 10 shutter actuations. So if your camera says 94, then the shutter has been actuated 940 times. That is about 117 rolls. The manual says the shutter should be serviced every 5000 actuations (or when the counter reads 500).

[@richardmasseyphotography]

Excellent points. Thanks for sharing. What films are you using and what are you photographing?

[@aarontharris]

@@richardmasseyphotography For color I was using Portra 160 or Portra 400 a lot, though, now that they make Kodak Gold 200 for 120 I have started using that quite a bit more, the colors are a bit more retro and it's cheaper. For B&W (which I mostly shoot) I like Ilford HP5 when I need more speed, but when I have a lot of light (or can use a tripod) I like to shoot Arista EDU 100 (cheaper). I stopped being picky with B&W when I started digitizing my film. I then got even less picky when prices shot through the roof -- I'm now just happy to be shooting any film ;) Most of my photos are of random objects that exhibit interesting compositional elements through shadows. Leading lines, repetition, framing, contrast via juxtaposition and balance (usual stuff) -- any uninteresting object that is suddenly interesting due to shadows, I shoot it. Of course, when you go out before 8am or after 5pm (natural lighting), the world is full of these interesting things.

[@aarontharris]

Hyperfocal Distance ! No one talks about these important skills anymore now that most just use Auto Focus, but Hyperfocal Distance is still a valuable tool !

[@richardmasseyphotography]

Thanks for your comment. I couldn't agree more. I use it all the time, especially when photographing the Milky Way. I've noticed that the least experienced tend to over complicate things.

[@robertyoung1777]

Check out the manual that came with the camera for information on depth of field - it is interesting.

[@GarrettWare]

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🙏🏼

[@richardmasseyphotography]

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.

[@benbunch4159]

Does the viewfinder of this mk1 version have Parallax correcting frame lines?

[@richardmasseyphotography]

No but it isn't a factor unless you are quite close to the subject. With a little practice you won't have a problem.

[@benbunch4159]

@@richardmasseyphotography so I did actually get a MK1 and it does have parallax correction. The frame lines move when you focus.

[@richardmasseyphotography]

@@benbunch4159 Thanks for that. I'll need to check mine again.

[@gotja]

I love my gf670 and i want to try this! The texas leica

[@richardmasseyphotography]

I'm sure you will be impressed by the quality. Let me know how you like it.

[@eliteprofashion]

Thanks!

[@tompoynton]

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!

[@richardmasseyphotography]

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.

[@jackthehatphoto]

And don't forget the GW680 (6x8cm version of this camera). They are all fantastic cameras 🙂

[@richardmasseyphotography]

Thanks for your comment. The 6x8 is so rare...I had completely forgotten about it. That is probably the perfect format.

[@cjogocarmel]

Welcome to You Tube -- RICH ~!!!

[@richardmasseyphotography]

Thank you. You inspired me to get going!