Hello,
I’d like to offer my Fuji GW690III, 6x9 Professional, for sale here today for €1,030, as I believe it will find a new home with a fellow photography enthusiast.
I know some of you will immediately say it’s too expensive, but it isn’t if you properly appreciate the quality of this camera. The original retail price was last around €2,480. I’m selling the camera for one reason only: my eyesight—what with my short-sightedness and age-related long-sightedness (a devilish combination for a photographer)—has deteriorated to such an extent that I can no longer cope properly with viewfinder cameras, split-image focusing and the like. All that remains for me at the moment is my large-format camera and the Pentax 6x7 system; those still work reasonably well. I’d like the Fuji to continue to be used, but on the other hand, as a freelance artist and photographer, I’m not ‘rich’ enough to give it away.
So here are a few details for those who aren’t yet familiar with the Fuji:
It is a viewfinder camera in 6 x 9 roll film format. Colour: black. A perfect travel and reportage camera. Imagine the feel and quality of a Leica M6, but larger and without interchangeable lenses, and you’ll be roughly on the mark. The lens is an EBC Fujinon 1:3.5 – f=90mm (fixed, no interchangeable system) with an integrated, extendable focusing screen. This lens is among the best available in this format class; sharp, high-contrast, simply superb. Apertures 3.5 to 32. Shutter speeds: T as well as 1 second to 1/500. The camera has a shutter release lock and two shutter release buttons. A cable release can also be connected. A hot shoe (X) and an additional X-sync connection for flash systems are provided. A built-in ‘level’ is also part of the standard equipment. Flash can be used at all shutter speeds. The film format/frame count can be set to 4 exposures for 120 film, or 8 exposures for 120 film (this is the default setting), and 16 exposures for 220 film. A shutter release/exposure counter (Total of shoots) is also present (on the underside of the camera). It displays the total number of exposures. Since the last service at Fuji, I have released the shutter 2,750 times (as of 27 November 2006). This means that around 345 rolls of 120 film have been exposed. I keep a Hoya Super HMC Pro 1 UV filter on it to protect the lens. A lens cap and carrying strap are also included. Unfortunately, the instruction manual and original packaging are no longer available. I’ve lost them. You don’t need a manual anyway, as you ‘get’ the camera straight away.
Oh yes, the camera is, of course, a purely mechanical affair. So no batteries are required. Exposure metering is external, so a spot or other handheld light meter is necessary. The GW690III was the last model in this 6x9 series from Fuji. Fuji, like many others, unfortunately no longer produces analogue medium-format cameras. Production ceased in 2004, if I’m not mistaken. However, servicing is still available. There is hardly anything more reliable and robust than this Fuji. It performs just as well and accurately in both cold and hot conditions.
I’m not saying this to sell it better or to suck up, but because it’s genuinely true; the result of daily, practical experience. Anyone wishing to see a picture of a Fuji GW690III can have a look on this external website:
http://www.pbase.com/ac/fuji6x9.
Naturally, my camera is in perfect working order and also in good cosmetic condition. Anyone seriously interested in the camera should get in touch as soon as possible.
Best regards,
Lothar
