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Thread: Finally got a "Texas Leica"!

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Dec 2013
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    162

    Finally got a "Texas Leica"!

    I've been wanting one of these for many years. I finally won one on Ebay for a price I was willing to spend, and it is in exellent condition, where most are pretty worn looking.

    So, what is it? It's a Fuji G690 BL medium format rangefinder. It's been known as a Texas Leica because it's HUGE (nearly 5 lbs), almost cartoon size and it's similarity to a Leica M3. It takes 6cm x 9cm medium format negatives.


    I ran a test roll through it yesterday to make sure everything was working. It seems to work at all speeds and the rangefinder is spot on. These are nothing special, just some shots from around my shop. Because of the very large negative, I only get 8 shots per roll.

    G690BL Test 1 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

    G690BL Test 2 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

    G690BL Test 3 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

    G690BL Test 4 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr


    Since this is very similar to an M3, handling and using it is very easy. It is the fastest medium format camera I've ever used, just what I wanted! I'll probably be taking it up into the high country tomorrow for some hiking and photography.

  2. #2

    Join Date
    Aug 2001
    Location
    SF Bay Area
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    2,707

    Re: Finally got a "Texas Leica"!

    Congratulations! I think you will really like its performance. Not a view camera, of course, but it makes so many things possible that you might otherwise miss.

    I have the 6x7, and the lens is very sharp. Are you using it hand-held? Have fun!

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Dec 2014
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    Nova Scotia
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    Re: Finally got a "Texas Leica"!

    The 690 is even good for portraits:


    Helen by chrism229, on Flickr

  4. #4
    Mark Sawyer's Avatar
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    Jul 2004
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    Stuck inside of Tucson with the Neverland Blues again...
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    Re: Finally got a "Texas Leica"!

    After the past week's heat wave, you might also find a good deal on an "Arizona Leica"...

    "I love my Verito lens, but I always have to sharpen everything in Photoshop..."

  5. #5

    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Newbury, Vermont
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    Re: Finally got a "Texas Leica"!

    Well Mark...the ever ready case looks a bit far gone - but the camera and lens should buff out just fine!

  6. #6

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    Jul 2001
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    San Francisco, CA
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    Re: Finally got a "Texas Leica"!

    I've had a bunch of them myself. Great cameras. After a number of G690 and GL690 bodies I've settled on the GM670 as my favorite.

  7. #7

    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Pugetopolis
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    3,124

    Re: Finally got a "Texas Leica"!

    Congrats. I shoot a GSW690III a lot and take it all kinds of places. Did I miss what lens the camera is sporting in those nice images?

  8. #8

    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Kalamazoo, Michigan
    Posts
    156

    Re: Finally got a "Texas Leica"!

    I bought two of these, one with a 65mm and one with a 90mm. I use them when it's too windy for view cameras. Love them.

  9. #9
    Angus Parker angusparker's Avatar
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    Nov 2012
    Location
    San Francisco, USA
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    936

    Re: Finally got a "Texas Leica"!

    The GW690III and GSW690III have to be some of my most favorite cameras. Love the fact that there are no electronics involved. The lenses are sharp and the weight not bad considering the size of the negative.


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

  10. #10

    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Posts
    162

    Re: Finally got a "Texas Leica"!

    Quote Originally Posted by tuco View Post
    Congrats. I shoot a GSW690III a lot and take it all kinds of places. Did I miss what lens the camera is sporting in those nice images?
    It has the 100 mm f3.5 lens.

    It's sharp wide open.

    This is quickly becoming my favorite camera, well, second to my Zone VI 4x5 anyway!

    Here are a few more shots from it.

    G690 BL Roll 2- 2 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

    G690BL Roll 3 - 1 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

    G690BL Roll 3 - 2 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

    G690BL Roll 3 - 4 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

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