Fujica GL690

<p>I just bought a Fujica GL690 with 100mm F/3.5 lens from Keh Camera on ebay and the 180mm f/5.6 Lens (chrome) from B&H. They will be arriving next week. I am very excited but I have no experience with this camera at all.<br>

I have 2 questions. <br>

First, I recently read about the Auto-Up attachment for the 100mm lens for portraiture. I know they are extremely hard to find but does anyone know where I can start searching for one?</p>

 

Also, is there a way I can attach a polaroid back to the GL690? If so, which model?

Thank you so much for your help in advance and I am very excited to be shooting film again.

 

Really sounds like you chose the wrong type of camera for your needs. One of the various SLRs out there would

have offered close focussing and interchangeable backs as standard.

 

Even if you're dead set on a rangefinder, a Mamiya Press or similar would have been a better choice.

<p>The auto-up was meant for "macro" photography. Basically it's a plus diopter lens with a parallax correction device for the rangefinder. It's not a good choice, even if you find one, for portraiture as you'll be shooting from a very close distance from your subject. Distortions will be very obvious and objectionable. No Polaroid backs for the Fuji rangefinders, but instant film is practically non-existant anyway so it's kind of a moot point.<br>

You've bought a great camera but not the best tool for portraiture.<br>

JD</p>

<p>Thank you Jean-Yves and Joseph. Your input was very helpful.</p>

<p>NPC used to manufacture Polaroid backs for the Fuji 6x9 cameras (MF-23 Fuji), but the company is no longer on the market, and the Polaroid backs are hard to find these days. I'd say they pop up at ebay once per year.<br>

http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/NPC<br>

The instant film packs are still available: Fujifilm FP-100 C, glossy and silk, 10 exp. in Europe around 11 Euro per pack.</p>

<p>Hi Jens,<br>

Your link was very useful. Thanks. I'm so glad that instant film packs are still available. I have been buying them by the bucket full from B&H which is close to where I live.</p>

The earlier advice that the Auto Up attachment is not good for portraiture is incorrect! I don't believe the advisor has ever

used one. They are quite rare.

 

The Auto Up is a superior device for portraits on the 100/3.5 lens. I often use it with a 100/3.5 AE lens.

 

I use one all the time, and shoot outside the focus minimum of 1.5 meters - not exactly macro range. They are great for

6X9 environmental portraits, depicting the subject's shoulders and head easily. You can also get in closer if desired.

 

There is no distortion, as suggested and the image quality is wonderful, supporting substantial enlargements - my most

frequent size off 6X9 negatives is 12" X 18".

 

Finding an Auto Up is another story!

 

I speak from experience with Fujica medium format cameras, as I have all the 670, 680, and 690 cameras, as well as all the lenses - and yes, 2 Auto Up devices, which I searched world wide to secure. Much of my Fujica equipment came from Australia and Japan.

 

BTW - the Auto Up could be used for macro work on one of the Fujica tele lenses, but was intended originally as a studio portrait lens on the 100/3.5 AE, according to the original manuals and literature I have.

 

I will also mention the Rittreck/Warner/ Norita/Graflex Norita 66 cameras as excellent for portraits using the 80/2 lens. My first equipment from this group originally came from Spain some years ago, and I collect it at this point. The rarest parts of these are the late, and very limited production, Multi- Coated lenses - even rarer than the Fujica Auto Up.

 

JK

I have an additional comment.

 

For medium format portraiture photography, the Fujica 690/Auto Up and Norita 66/80/2 lens are practically the only

medium format cameras with which you can comfortably take head shot portraits with.

 

Other MF cameras normal portrait length lenses cannot focus close enough - see Mamiya 6 and 7, which has wonderful optics but can't focus close enough.

 

Or you must use telephoto lenses which are difficult to focus finely.

 

You have purchased one of the few, and best, MF cameras for portraiture.

 

Texsport

I have an additional comment.

 

For medium format portraiture photography, the Fujica 690/100/3.5 + Auto Up and Norita 66/80/2 lens are practically the only

medium format cameras with which you can comfortably take head shot portraits with.

 

Other MF cameras normal portrait length lenses cannot focus close enough - see Mamiya 6 and 7, which has wonderful optics but can't focus close enough.

 

Or you must use telephoto lenses which are difficult to focus finely.

 

You have purchased one of the few, and best, MF cameras for portraiture.

 

Texsport

<p>Hi John,<br>

I am very happy with my Fujica GL690. I am on the quest to find the Auto Up. It is my holy grail.</p>

I've seen 2 Auto Up accessory lenses on eBay in the last 3 years.

 

The other best source is camera dealers in Japan.

 

Good luck!

 

JK

<p>Thanks again.</p>

<p>John Kendall, "Fujica 690/100/3.5 + Auto Up and Norita 66/80/2 lens are practically the only medium format cameras with which you can comfortably take head shot portraits with" applies only to rangefinders, I suppose. </p>

Yes, thanks! Speaking mostly of the largest negative, the 6X9.

 

Of course Fujica 670,680,and 690, plus Norita 66, and Pentax 67 with 105/2.4 lens are great.

 

A studio box camera like a Hasselbladt is possible.

 

I don't consider 4.5X6 in the same class because of the smaller negative, as I aim for large enlargements.

 

JK