Fuji GW690iii Medium Format Film Camera | Thoughts on Shooting Film in the Digital Age

[@tdawg719]

Btw if you use bulb mode the shutter stays open until you start to wind the camera. It doesn’t close if you press the shutter. This quirk can ruin your exposer and cause exposer streaks. So you have to basically cover the front of the lens to stop the exposure then start to wind the shutter

[@GaryIrving-x5o]

Digital is for fun 🎉 Film is forever 🌿

[@LifeandTimesPhotography]

Film was never dead. It was always more alive than digital. It just took us 20 years to realise. Digital can never replace the character and soul that film has. Despite how many sims we create to try and replicate it. Which is ironic when you think about it. Why spend thousands on digital gear and editing software just to simulate a film look? Just shoot film. Develop, scan and viola.

[@petrub27]

Viola what? Digital is for productivity for sure

[@austinhyer]

This is true for so many of my passions. Guitar gear and cars are also best in their most analog form.

[@Fernsehenpfanger]

Yeah, mostly the medium format - big of half-tones, deep and reach shadows, and all character of picture is great. I like the MF, that's wonderfull... Only the biggest formats is greater, but and price for is cosmic...

[@xavierfumat7567]

I can not believe how good these cameras are! I have a Fujica GW690 and a Fujifilm GA645W! They create amazing images!

[@GizmoMaxx]

Great Review Jeff ! Straight to the point... The Camera and 6x9 its the perfect combo or portability ( easy to carry ) and Format size combined with a drum scanner its Gorg 🤩

[@nelsonclub7722]

A 690 neg resolves equiv to a 250MP digi and I can confirm this - we use Fujifilm GFX100II and Hass 907x100c and an X2D - and having used a HassH6D 100c and also a Phase One - we often use the 690 (and a GX680) and have to re-adjust the res down for clients - one thing we sometimes do is print from the 690 - and create a digi file for printing using the 907x to copy - it the difference is staggering

[@tdawg719]

Oddly I’ve been looking into Pentax but I’ve absolutely fallen in love with the look of this beast! And it seems to have many upsides

[@JujuBerry]

Great video! Probably going to pick one up very soon for all-around travel!

[@onseteducation921]

They are fun! Focusing is slower than with other cameras so be ready to slow down a bit when using it. Enjoy and thanks for watching the vid!

[@AlejandroGonzalez-AGS]

Very nice…I purchased one today! Looking forward…thanks for sharing. Cheers..

[@onseteducation921]

Thanks for watching!!

[@aarontharris]

Dude. I totally empathize on the glasses thing. As a 40-something year old man, I've been fighting that glasses battle for a few years now (I have them, but I refuse to wear them). I actually made the switch (for my digital setup) to Mirrorless a few years ago thinking the larger screen would help -- kind of like my waist-level-finder medium format cameras, but no -- I still have to hold the screen arms-length to see it. Dag Nabbit! So I have found a new love with my GW690 and (the new) Mamiya 6 because they are portable medium format cameras that have a rangefinder that is friendly for us "old" folks ;)

[@onseteducation921]

I can’t even see my phone or the lcd on the back of a camera. What started at 1.25x is now 2.5x readers! Love my film cameras even though I have to interact with digital screens for work. Glasses on/glasses off back and forth all day. Finally got some croakies for my readers and I feel like a librarian! Ha! Best wishes to you on this aging journey!

[@ghw7192]

I have the Fuji GSW690iii and the GSW670iii that I carry in a backpack, along with a Sekonic light meter and a few filters. The backpack is reasonably light and easy to carry. I mostly shoot b&w film in both. I have had the 690 since 2002 and love it!, Sadly, it doesn't see much use these days, but it is a joy to use when I do. Thanks for your review!

[@onseteducation921]

Thanks for watching! Yeah there’s just something fun about the bare-bones nature of these cameras. Back to basics and high image quality. Not for all shooting scenarios but does great with what it’s best for. Cheers!

[@Narsuitus]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. My Fuji GSW690 medium format rangefinder with fixed 65mm wide-angle lens is my favorite landscape film camera. I love to pair it with my Fuji GW670 medium format rangefinder with fixed 90mm normal lens.

[@onseteducation921]

I’d love to take a 65mm out for a spin! Thanks for checking out the video!

[@andresgsur]

im with you Bro

[@seantomlinson3320]

Neat. I love my GSW690 II! Such neat cameras and so much fun to use. With my viewfinder app for exposure, that is.

[@onseteducation921]

Totally agree! Haha good thinking with the app. I use a small spot meter. Use what you got!

[@CalumetVideo]

Love your video! I’m subscribing. I have the Fuji GW690 and can say it’s a nice camera and the negatives are full of detail. The lens is sharp! I recommend this type of camera for landscape and some portraits.

[@onseteducation921]

Thanks for the sub! Appreciated!

[@JadenWhite]

great video! Very informative on a camera ill pick up soon!

[@onseteducation921]

Thanks for checking it out Jaden!

[@andrewinaustintx]

An excellent presentation on a very unique film camera. 👍👍👍

[@onseteducation921]

Thanks for watching Andrew!

[@ThomasAMorgan]

Yeah, I’ve been shooting digital for years but kept all my analog cameras (6!)… got this one on my list…

[@onseteducation921]

Awesome! Six is a good collection.

[@georgesealy4706]

I have a couple of 35mm film cameras. It's fun to shoot with them. The big thing for me is exploring different film stocks. Each of them is unique. They create different style images.

[@onseteducation921]

Absolutely! Fun stuff

[@ventourisphotography5499]

Very well said!! Wish you a great time!

[@onseteducation921]

Thanks for watching!

[@brianweight9087]

I have got the 690 lI they are very good cameras. You mentioned about diopters I got a Nikon one for mine off eBay I have also got a Pentax 67 and I done the same for that it makes life easier for me

[@onseteducation921]

Thanks for watching!

[@macbookdieter]

Nice video, just pick one up. What is the 4 exp mode for, really just 4 exp?

[@onseteducation921]

My understanding is that the reason this camera was made was for tour groups where a guide could take a group photo and each person in a large group would resolve in high fidelity because of the large negative. But, it would be silly to shoot 8 frames of a group shot so they made 4exp rolls specifically for this purpose, they take 4 shots, less money spent and 4 chances to catch everyone smiling for the shot. More economical. That’s what I’ve read anyhow.

[@melaniezette886]

Love 6x9

[@Colin.gallagher]

Would love to see some street photography from this thing! Enjoyed the video

[@onseteducation921]

There’s definitely some other reviews out there with some street photo uses! Thanks for watching!

[@georgesealy4706]

Some good news for you. When you get old enough you might get cataracts. This is a good thing because the eye surgeon will fit you out with new lens inserts. And they can fix reading problems too, which means no more glasses. It is the most amazing thing ever.

[@GreggObst]

The idea of being restricted the to film type and ISO that you have loaded is a huge advantage for anyone who is shooting with the intention of narrowing in on their best creative work. I like to think of it like a gymnast who is on the balance beam. From the time they jump up on that beam until they dismount they know what their limitations are and they raise their level of performance to meat the challenges of those limitations. They are not concerned about their performance on the uneven bars or the floor exercises. No, they concentrate on the beam and they do their absolute best on that beam. Digital only shooters should really try restricted their ISO to one setting and turning off their nack screen and seeing how that might elevate their skills as an exercise.

[@onseteducation921]

Limitations can be a good thing!

[@harvarinder_singh]

Loved the video ❤

[@onseteducation921]

Thanks for watching!!

[@atlruo1876]

Hello, I have also à Fuji 690 III and I was wondering if your viewfinder was also a bit blueish. Like a white wall would appear like a very light blue. Tanks for your vidéo !

[@onseteducation921]

I never noticed one way or the other!

[@Fernsehenpfanger]

Beautiful Camera, like a dream from childhood... I thinking in my young years, that design and dimensions is best for cameras. But this price...

[@onseteducation921]

I just wish it had interchangeable lenses! But otherwise it’s fun to get back to basics with no bells or whistles and still make great images.

[@Fernsehenpfanger]

@@onseteducation921 Yes, interchangeable lenses for such a wonderful device would be really cool! But its cost would also increase by 2-3 times. The result would be an expensive 6x9 system with lenses. By the way, a month ago I joined the medium format first. And wanting to return to a simple analogue, I bought Kiev 6C, but it is 6x6. Of course, I dreamed of a Fuji camera like yours, or a Fuji 6x7 SLR. But everything has its time, for now it’s a high cost for me. I wish you great pictures and pleasure in your work!

[@robdixon5016]

I have picked up a GSW690 and love it. Also own digital, 35mm and a Pentax 645N. Great to have options and it makes me a better photographer I think. Love the video.

[@onseteducation921]

Great to hear! Thanks for checking out the video!

[@Sniffyboy]

Sorry if this has already been answered, but why is 4exp/120 an option? I can't seem to find a practical use for this.

[@onseteducation921]

There used to be a film in Japan w 4exp. The reason, I speculate: this camera was real popular with tour group organizers because they could take a group pic of everyone and the large neg allowed them to see peoples faces with clarity. But having 8exp was overkill for what would be 1 image of the group. So 4exp could be bracketed and process that roll per tour group.

[@KathyEyster]

A "Light Meter" aaaaaahhhhh! hahahaha! 😄

[@onseteducation921]

Haha!!

[@mikejankowski6321]

Nice review. So true, not much to it. I picked up a 680 III, so I get 9 exposures. Great glass! I occasionally think about getting a GSW690 since I lean more toward a 28 mm sensibility in landscapes.

[@onseteducation921]

680iii is a monster! But fun to use.

[@mikejankowski6321]

@@onseteducation921 Exactly the same monster as a 690, just slightly shorter aspect ratio. Cool to have, since they are so rare here.

[@letmebereal]

Great review, how large do you think you enlarge a negative?

[@onseteducation921]

Depends on the scan and intended viewing distance. I use my Canon 5DsR to scan which gives me an appx 27” long edge at 300ppi. I could go bigger but rarely do.

[@drwatsonismine]

I would like to know how you convert your scans in PS. I don’t Negative Lab Pro for it like i see most people use.

[@onseteducation921]

Hello! I have a whole class on Developing and Scanning film at OnSetEd.com

[@drwatsonismine]

Thanks@@onseteducation921

[@KathyEyster]

My challenge was always keeping the exposed film tightly wound after shooting.

[@onseteducation921]

After it comes out of the can, I’ll use my fingers and pressure to roll it tighter - like tightening up seamless paper. I’m always surprised by how gingerly I want to treat the film and even in my dark bag I’m paranoid I’m wrecking it when rolling it on the develop reel - then surprised later with how tough the film actually is to my fingerings. It holds up pretty well to manual manipulation. When in doubt, get it out of the camera and into a dark bag immediately til develop time.

[@ThePhotofit]

You can store two rolls of 120 film in an empty Barocca canister! I reinforce the exposed rolls with sticky tape and then place it in the canister and it’s safe until you develop it!

[@gmv92]

I been trying to find this camera smhhh

[@onseteducation921]

There’s a bunch on eBay!

[@feliperoucollompart6885]

YOU CAN PUT MORE LENSES WITH DIFFERENT FOCALS

[@onseteducation921]

It’s a fixed lens camera.