Garret

I'm not sure how they got my credit card number but they DID charge my credit card $29.95. Being disputed and changed account number. This pisses me off. I may have used this card to donate to photo.net some years ago. Would there still be a record of this card at photo.net? Anybody?

Some kind of MF rangefinder is probably your only option so, plan on spending $3-450 for a fixed-lens camera. There are also rangefinders with multiple lenses but they're a little more spendy; $450-thousands. MF rangefinders are not small. Probably the smallest MF camera will be a twin lens reflex. It just depends on how much money you want to spend and how versatile the camera and lenses need to be. Spend the money if it's a one-off trip in my opinion and buy a modest light meter too while you're in the mood. You're probably looking for a pre-1990 6x4.5, 6x7 or 6x9 camera so I'd prefer USA sellers if I bought one before departure. I would not buy a MF camera or lens on ebay from Japan since their camera rating 'system' is nuts, i.e. an 'excellent' camera is one that has dust in the viewfinder or lens and an inaccurate light meter. Very inconsistent so you really don't know what you're buying. Since you'll be in Japan and most MF ebay auctions are based in Japan, maybe sort out where a few of those ebay auctions originate or hunt up a few camera shops while you're there.and do some shopping. There's a lot to be said for seeing and handling camera gear before you buy it.

I'm not a professional photographer or an authority on medium format so consider the source of the following commentary. From everything I've read about the GX680's they are excellent cameras that were not very well marketed. That said, the people who've shot with them professionally love their versatility and photo quality which has been compared to a large format product. Like so many of the medium format film cameras, the 680iii hasn't been manufactured since about 2007 and the only changes made to each series (i, ii and iii) were external: they're apparently all the same camera otherwise. Will you gain much compared to what you've been shooting? By the sounds of it, the GX680 could replace both the Pentacon and Bessa by utilizing various viewfinder format masks that can create 6x4.5, 6x6, 6x9, etc. That, and the bellows can twist and turn to allow different angles from one convenient stationary position. As you already know, the big downside to the 680 is its weight so you'll NEED a stable tripod, a remote release and extra battery. The Hasselblad 500 is far more portable than the 680 and would fill the niche that the GX680 cannot. Will the 680 be impossible to sell? Probably. With so many (over-priced), medium format film cameras out there I wouldn't expect it to sell quickly or easily simply because of the unusual 6x8 size that was always the more obscure MF negative size. I've got several MF cameras and assorted lenses: Mamiya 645 1000s, Pentax 645 Nii, and a Fuji GW690iii . I'd been shopping for a Fuji GW670 when you put a gun to my head and forced me to look at the GX680 series. . .which now has me second-guessing my gas for the 670. Thanks a lot! I really need another medium format camera! (snark :-) Thing is, I'd really have to work to convince myself to buy a camera with a bellows: one little pin hole, one small tear and it's game over. . . .finding a new one might not be easy. If you're comparing the Graflex 2x3 (6x9) and the GX680? It doesn't seem like there's much to compare except that the Graflex is lots cheaper and far more portable. Here are some links I found very interesting: https://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/Fuji GX680/ `thew's reviews: Ken Kirkwood on the Fujifilm GX680 Camera Review: Fujifilm GX 680 III S Professional - Japan Camera Hunter

I'm an amateur wannabe . . .so consider the source of the response. Everything I've ever read about Bronica indicates that they're bullet-proof and very nice systems. When I was looking for a modest medium format system I ended up buying Bronica's ETR competitor, Mamiya 1000s. There are many differences between these two cameras but the differences that sold me were the cost and the max shutter speed (1/1000 on the Mamiya, 1/500 on the Bronica). When you're fighting with the sun or experimenting with double exposure, you'll want the max shutter speed. As for the 120/220 film backs.... They most certainly are interchangeable. But, you'll have a hard time finding 220 film in much variety anymore. And, if you do find it you likely won't be able to get it processed. There's are several bad things that can happen if you run 120 in a 220 cartridge.. . .something to do with springs in the advance mechanism. That, and some cameras have a frame counter window smack in the middle of the back of the camera which is ok for 120 which has a paper backing with numbers but is NOT ok for 220 which doesn't have paper backing, i.e. you end up with a light leak through that little window. There's a reason 220 backs are cheaper and so available. Largely to do with film availability I think. My advice is don't bother with 220. All that said, you'd be hard put to find a cheaper way to get into a medium format with interchangeable lenses. Again, I like the Mamiya 645 1000S for its 1/1000 shutter. Just a thought. . . .have you considered the Fuji 690 series? They're affectionately called "Texas Leica's" because of their resemblance to a very large and heavy Leica. If I was just getting into medium format I might try one of those first to get my feet wet. They're a fixed lens 90mm (35mm is the 35mm equivalent of 90 at 6x9).

What's the serial number on your camera?

I had the same thought about the heavy MF kits. I really wanted a Mamiya 7II but they are way over-priced for my skill set. And, then I looked at the Fuji series 6x7's but couldn't find one in my price range newer than the 1970's (SN's vs dates). SO, i settled for a Fuji GW690III and a manual light meter.. The GW690III has a fixed 90mm f3.5 lens or a 65mm f5.6. The GF670 you're looking at has a fixed 80 mm f3.5. Both of those 90mm lenses are 35mm-equivalent of about 40mm. Seems like they're just on the border of a decent landscape lens but versatile enough to capture people. . So, at this point I'm still shopping for a 670 of some kind to have a MF rangefinder with a couple interchangeable lenses for better light manipulation (lower f stops). Most of what's available are from Japan where ebay descriptions seem rubber-stamped from one auction to another and are generally shadowy. I'd have to be convinced of trustworthiness before I'd drop that much money on something thousands of miles away with no decent way to return it. I shoot mostly landscape stuff and try double exposure when it seems tasteful. The 40mm-equivalent focal length does ok at the upper end of what I'd call 'wide-angle'. But I'd still prefer a smaller camera to deliver the same product, i.e. there's a reason the GW690 is referred to as the 'Texas Leica" - it's huge for a range finder. But, it's nowhere near as cumbersome as my Mamiya 1000s with it's 45mm lens trying to compose something without four hands and three arms. Then again, that's why there's tripods:-) So, I've decided that MF film photography is an exercise in patience and camera size & weight are sometimes just not-negotiable. I liked the idea of the small GF670 you're looking at but didn't care for the price tag on such a frail piece of technology. Seems like one pin hole in that bellows and you're really screwed. That, and buying a used folding camera with a bellows would be beyond my threshold of trust. I was looking hard at the GS645 at one time but then saw what some of them looked like after ten years or so: pretty ratty. Just two cents from an amateur. .

Have you looked at this thing on ebay: Adjustable Table-top Copy Stand for DSLR It's Chinese-made and it's probably pretty cheap but you wouldn't have much invested.

This is a want ad. I read somewhere that diopters from Nikon F series will fit these old medium format cameras. Not sure what to think about that. Any information will help Looking for a +2.5 to fit these.

Neglected to mention that the Digital Wedding Forum has apparently been taken down due to privacy violation issues. So, that leaves 14 additional photo forums besides photo.net.

(I'm sorry for the bold font...the preview font was too faint to see clearly.) I recall when this site was the definitive online source of photographic information: some more difficult to find than others but man, the information from experienced photographers and camera nerds was tremendously helpful. It used to be a photography encyclopedia and I didn't mind paying to use it. Not sure what happened but it's currently just a shadow of its former self. The search feature, for example, is an important part of any forum. When THAT doesn't work as it should the forum has lost a huge portion of its effective knowledge transfer. Even finding "how-to" directions is a chore here. . .and inconsistent. That said, it's impossible to please everybody. Likely there were complaints about the previous format that prompted a change as well. Certainly NOT an easy thing to ditch one format for another. People who have the knowledge-base and skill-set to perform such a task are a mystery to me: in my mind they're up there with rocket scientists and brain surgeons. Much respect for what those folks have done up until now. So, I was moved to look into the value of other photography forums. (Shoulda' been doing it earlier). As usual, YouTube provided some helpful stuff. I found 'this link' most helpful but I'm an amateur wannabe: pros might not appreciate the basic nature of some of these forums. None of the 15 forums reviewed would ever replace the old PN site but it's a start. There's also a ; (the music becomes obnoxious after about thirty seconds)..

I'm a wannabe amateur. I shoot 645 and 690 primarily because of the enlargement quality potential: 'hard to beat those huge negatives for resolution. Canvas/gallery-mounted wall art (24x36 or so) is what I aim for in using medium format. Also, I like shooting double and triple exposures. That said, I'm relatively new to MF having sold a lot of nice digital Canon gear a few years ago. Digital had gotten sterile to me and I simply no longer enjoyed screwing around with menu-driven cameras that didn't deliver the detail or color saturation/resolution I wanted without post processing.. That, and the quality of my gear was WAY beyond what little talent I had for using it. It's easy to out-run your headlights buying stuff. . .and I did. Lots happier now shooting MF. & 35mm. It's a hobby, after all.. Mamiya 645 1000S, Pentax 645 Nii and Fuji GW690iii (Texas Leica), Sekonic L398 meter and a Canon A-1.. I don't think I've got $2000 invested in all my film gear. But still, I'd really love a Mamiya 7ii but they're just way too much money. So, I've been looking at the Pentax 6x7 monsters.

My two cents. I had my heart set on a Mamiya 7ii for years. Why? It's double exposure feature AND the glass. (I have nothing but good things to say about the Mamiya 645 series: wonderful cameras). BUT, I came to the conclusion that the Mamiya 7ii and its glass are simply inexplicably over-priced. If I were into professional photography for my living, I'd probably have purchased one long ago and wrote it off. But, this is a hobby. I shoot landscape and structures (bridges, buildings, etc). I can NOT justify $1800-2500 for a camera body and another $2500 for a couple decent lenses and accessories. So, I did what I could afford. And, being a little creative, I can still create double exposures with the camera I eventually bought in its place. I recently purchased a Fuji GW690iii from a US seller. $450 shipped. (I will not buy film cameras off-shore anymore - descriptions are often questionable/lies; language barrier is often a problem). My next camera will likely be either a Pentax 6x7 OR a Fuji GW670 of some model. Except for its 645, Mamiya is entirely out of the picture. Can't afford them and Fuji & Pentax are much more affordable.

I can't help you directly but I CAN commiserate about ebay sellers advertising that 'everything works' and a camera is in 'excellent++++ condition", i.e. most any camera from Japan. All's it takes is one disappointment and the very sight of those claims is a red flag. There is this thread from 2015 that might provide something to use?

Really? There's absolutely zero information on photo.net about Fuji medium format rangefinder serial numbers?

Several years ago I sold my expensive Canon dslr gear and willingly stepped through a time portal. I bought a Mamiya 645 1000s and a few lenses and fell in love with medium format. It didn't make me a better wannabe photographer but it has been substantially more personally rewarding. This pasts year I've been looking at the MF rangefinders. Ideally, I'd love to buy a Mamiya 7ii system. But to what's left of my mind, those cameras are inexplicably expensive. So, I've concentrated on the Pentax 67 and the Fuji MF fixed-lens rangefinders. The Pentax 67 serial numbers were difficult to find but Sasha helped me out ( Portrait portfolio by photographer Sasha Krasnov ). But, I simply can NOT find the Fuji MF serial numbers that correlate to years of manufacture. Searches on this forum didn't produce anything. Can anyone help?