A look at two uniquely different medium format Fujifilm cameras: The Fuji GA645Zi Professional and Fuji GW690III Professional

From the fully automatic point and shoot Fujifilm GA645Zi to the totally manual Fujifilm GW690III, Fujifilm’s medium format cameras encompass a wide range of types and functions and formats. I purchased both of these cameras based on recommendations from very different sources and as different as they are, I enjoy them both.

I first learned about the GA645Zi from Camera Obscura and I was immediately interested. I was impressed by the compact nature and its full automation. Sometimes you just need autofocus and auto exposure, especially for street photography and festivals. It’s been a great fit and a camera I use for very specific situations. It helps that it is easily transported in standard 35mm camera bags.

The much larger Fuji GW690III Professional came into my life after reading a Japan Camera Hunter article. I wanted a panorama negative that I could print in my 4X5 enlarger. So the typical wide-angle panorama cameras weren’t a good match being 6×12 or larger. Despite the suggestion of JCH (and others) that this is a carry-around-on-the-neck-strap camera, I prefer transporting the GW690III in a camera case (see below), and mostly use it for road trips.

So, that’s how these two cameras came into my life. But, what’s up with these quirky Fujifilm Cameras that seem like they came from different universes?

The Fuji GA645Zi Professional

I use this camera primarily for festivals and general street photography. It is also great for self-portraits if you have a long cable release (which I do). It produces 6×4.5cm images in a portrait orientation on 120 or 220 film, which is ideal for people pictures. I had read a scathing review of this camera here on EMULSIVE and had to wonder what the author was expecting.

I added this camera to my collection precisely because I wanted a medium format point and shoot camera. That’s what it is with no pretensions. An article by Anil Mistry review the GA645i, a slightly different model with no zoom feature, contains some interesting details. He really understands what the camera’s purpose is.

The GA645i (introduced in 1997) was the immediate precursor of the GA645Zi which first appeared in 1998.  The camera has a comfortable ergonomic feel and the shutter release is well placed. The lens retracts into the body when turned off and the image quality at all zoom ranges is excellent.

Additionally, I have some street photography from an immigration rally in Denver and more GA645Zi images posted here, which brings up my primary use for this camera: medium format street photography. The one-touch zoom and autofocus make it ideal for this. Of the two cameras discussed here, my GA645Zi is the only one that I typically carry on a neck strap.

I do carry it to locations in an F-Stop Backpack, usually with a back-up camera option inside, too. The GA645Zi gives me 16 portrait orientation 645 images that are perfect for people shots. Included in the examples below is an in-motion self-portrait taken using a very long cable release. I’ve experienced excellent battery life with the GA645Zi, having covered all-day events with it and never had the battery run out. Some additional sample photos below include interior spaces, generally without using the built-in flash. I was surprised by the results: the GA645Zi also works well in tight spaces.

The Fuji GW690III Professional

I bought my GW690III boxed like new and delivered from Japan in a timely manner. Unlike the GA645Zi, the GW690III is a completely manual camera with no light meter or electronic aids whatsoever. I’ve generally been shooting “Sunny 16” and bracketing +1 because I’ve been too lazy to take out my very functional Pentax Digital Spotmeter. Maybe next time, but my results have been pretty good without it.

The GW690III is a leaf-shutter, fixed-lens rangefinder. It, along with its predecessors, the GL690, GM670 and two prior GW690 versions have been dubbed “Texas Leicas” due to their resemblance to the Leica M series on steroids. The very earl “GL” and “GM” models featured interchangeable lenses but due to their size and weight, these models never directly competed with Leicas. The removal of the lens mount in the design of the GW690-series reduced the weight of the cameras and improved reliability. The first generation Fujica Professional GW690 first appeared in 1978.

Much to the consternation of long exposure lovers, the GW-series has a T-shutter setting rather than a Bulb setting. The difference is that the “T” requires a two-action long exposure — one push to open and a second to close — where “B” requires just one — push to open and release to close. In other words, with the Fuji’s T mode, you must press the shutter button/cable once to open the shutter, time the exposure and press the shutter button/cable a second time to close the shutter.

The lens for the GW690III is known for its high contrast. I had never thought about lenses affecting the contrast. But one can see the difference between my Mamiya 7 and this camera at the Canyon Lake Overlook, Superstition Wilderness, Arizona:

The Mamiya-7 image has a dark sky due to a dark yellow filter. The GW690-III has no filter. The perspectives are also different given the lenses being used: Mamiya 43 mm lens vs. Fuji 90 mm lens. But you can see that the Fuji lens has more contrast.

So what are some common reservations about this camera?

For me, the GW690III is not an easy camera to carry around. I have seen reviews that recommend GW690’s as being the largest medium format camera that is relatively easy to carry. However, that’s not what I bought it for. My Mamiya-7 satisfies that option. I keep mine in the camera case and only shoot it when mounted on a tripod. Being a fully manual camera, you have to consider that this means carrying a meter with you.

Another complaint that you will find is regarding the loud shutter noise. That’s just not something that bothers me.

So the GW690III only goes on short walks, say from the parking lot to an overlook site. I have loaded film ‘in the field’ no problem, but again I’m never far from the car.

Summary

How should one use these cameras? What conditions are they best suited for? The GA645Zi is obviously my medium format street photography camera. I’m not usually a fan of the portrait orientation 6×4.5 format, but for some people it’s perfect. The GA645Zi’s full automation makes it ideal for street photography. I set it on ‘A’ for auto, and go. I also did get some fine results with the Daniels and Fisher Tower that suggest I should do more interior studies too.

The GW690III came into my life after reading an article. I just found it fascinating. But I am still figuring out precisely when and where it fits into my photographic life. However, after some experimenting with Pinhole 6×9 cameras, there were times when I wanted a different, more precise image from a negative that size. I do prefer the GW690III to pinholes for road trips when you don’t always have minutes to spend on an exposure.

Ultimately, the camera you choose depends on what you intend to do with it.

~ Kate

Fuji GA645Zi Professional technical specifications

Manufacturer	Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd (Japan)
Camera name	Fuji GA645zi Professional
Camera type	6×4.5cm format autofocus zoom camera
Format	6×4.5cm (56x41mm), portrait orientation 120 roll film – 16 exposures 220 roll film – 32 exposures
Manufacture dates	1998-2003
Viewfinder	Illuminating window bright frame finder with automatic parallax correction 90% coverage at 3m 88% coverage at infinity 0.40-0.58x magnification Lens cap on warning
Shutter	Electronic, programmed autoexposure interlens shutter B, 2-1/700 sec Self-timer with 10 second delay
Lens	Super EBC Fujinon 55-90mm f/4.5-6.9 lens (equivalent to 34-56mm on full-frame 35mm film) 1m closest focus 52mm filter thread
Autofocus	Hybrid active and passive autofocus system. 1m to infinity focus range plus manual focusing mode.
Metering	Center-weighted SPD photocell with programmed auto-exposure, aperture priority and manual modes. EV 3-19
Flash	Built-in pop-up flash (GN12) plus hot-shoe
Accessories	Soft case Neck strap Lens hood Lens cap
Power	2x CR123A/DL123A (appx 1600 frames without flash)
Other	Film reminder slot PC-Sync socket Data print (in rebate)
Weight	885g (without batteries)
Dimensions (appx)	161×108.5x74mm (WxHxD)
User manual link	Download from butkus.org

Fuji GW690III Professional technical specifications

Manufacturer	Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd (Japan)
Camera name	Fuji GW690III Professional
Camera type	Medium format rangefinder camera
Format	6x9cm (56x83mm) 120 half length roll film – 4 exposures 120 roll film – 8 exposures 220 roll film – 16 exposures
Manufacture dates	Fujica GW690 Professional (1978-1985) Fuji GW690II Professional (1985-1992) Fuji GW690III Professional (1992-2003)
Viewfinder	Double image rangefinder patch (parallax corrected) 95% coverage at 1m 92% coverage at infinity 0.75x magnification
Rangefinder	59mm base line length (44.3mm effective)
Shutter	Copal #0 interlens shutter T, 1-1/500 sec + release lock
Lens	EBC Fujinon 90mm f/3.5 lens (5 elements in 5 groups) f/32 minimum aperture 1m closest focus Integrated lens hood 67mm filter thread
Accessories	Soft case Shoulder strap
Flash	X-Sync (hotshoe and sync contact)
Other	Shutter actuation count (underside) Spirit level (top plate)
Weight	1,460g
Dimensions (appx)	201mm x 119mm x 129mm (WxHxD)
User manual link	Download from butkus.org