Marcus, I've been in photography for about 45 years as an amateur and professional in two countries, and I've always tried to find a perfect camera for me, be it large, medium, or 35 mm formats. The cameras which have stuck to me are: 35 mm : Nikon FM2N, in medium: Mamiya rb67 and the Fuji GW690II. The Fuji is very underrated, so we can have it for less. Very lovely video! I wish you creative success!
Hey, just to remind you, fuji tells you not to cock the shutter in T mode after your finished using the lever. That damages the shutter and can result in messed up frames. you're supposed to move the shutter time back to 1 second to reset the shutter. great video man, you've inspired me to go out shooting with my GW690III
I totally forgot to mention that as an option to close the shutter. That way always scares me that I’m going to bump the camera too much. But it honestly doesn’t even matter once you put the hat over the lens. Load up a roll of film and get out there!
I had a GW690iii, then got a Mamiya 7, and was sorta disappointed with the quality of build and photos compared to the Fuji. Sold the Mamiya quickly after, stuck with the Fuji. Also had a lot of fun with the GA645. Super tack sharp imaged out of that one.
Wonderful video. I'm looking at getting this camera and your presentation helps a great deal. Super images. And I like your calm, thoughtful style. I just subscribed. Thanks.
What a great review about this oldstyle masterpiece 🙏🏼😎. I‘m a Fuji and Leica Shooter and it‘s every time a pleasure to watch your extraordinary and great videos. Especially your images are sensational.
Awesome to see this camera being used. Sometimes it’s tough to fill the 6x9 frame but I am loving so many of your photos. I have three of these now including a GSW690ii
@@MarcusLloyd nah no issues at all, I just have collected them over the years and can’t decide which one to sell if I ever was going to. I always buy them in mint condition though to try and avoid any problems
I just discovered this camera after seeing a Craigslist post. I didn't act fast enough by the time I'd learned what it was and now I totally want one. Also, shout out for the shot of the Kessler in there - I grew up 3 blocks from it!
@@MarcusLloyd Yeah, I came across a well-priced one on eBay and pulled the trigger so I should have it in a week or two. Thanks for all your videos about it - I'd been lukewarm about shooting medium format until I discovered this cam. It should be great to carry around with my X100V. #fujiforlife :)
Very nice video, I enjoyed it a lot. I like medium format, and have a couple of cameras that do 6x9, but not this one! Very appealing. By the way, like the hat collection ♥
Great video. I have got a GW690 (1st gen.) and I love it. It is a beauty and a beast in one. I am so happy that these analog cameras are affordable these days.
Your art is absolutely amazing. Thanks for handling the objection surrounding having 8 shots with an increased amount of intention. I can see the intention in each shot. I also really appreciate the way you talk. It feels like we know eachother I’m super glad to have gotten interested in this camera today because it lead to your vids!
I have the original GW and love it. shooting this camera in T mode for long exposures, to end the exposure you should change shutter speed/aperture rather than advancing the film. The manual specifically says advancing may cause damage to the camera just FYI.
Nice review Marcus, nice shots as well. I have really been loving my GW690. Such an awesome camera to use. Like you say, its tough to look at anything else after you see a 6x9 neg.
Dang great video! Also so odd that the location of the Plaza theater is in my neighborhood, I've been shooting it forever so it was crazy to see your shot.
Love your photography style , I hate coming to watch reviews and people are just taking horrible pics without good light or just their shoes on concrete
My Fuji GSW690 III rangefinder with fixed 65mm f/5.6 lens and my Fuji GW670 III rangefinder with fixed 90mm f/3.5 lens camera are lightweight when compared to my 4x5 inch view camera and my RB67 medium format SLR camera.
Great video! I’ve been thinking of picking one of these up myself! I think that limitations will make you a better artist as well! The price on them is just too good.
Any quirks or things to consider/know about focusing? I heard it’s hard to get focus. Any quirks with the rangefinder? I heard they require adjusting. Thanks!
So, it's been about three years since the posting of this video and I'm wondering if your opinion on the Fugica has shifted any. If you still own it are you putting it to good use ?Thanks, in advance, for your time. Best wishes,...
i’ve watched a bunch of videos on this and yours was by far the most helpful to me! thank you! i am getting one 😅 i always wanted a pentax 67 but they are far too heavy and clunky for me
Thank you for filming yourself holding this up to your eye. That really helps put a perspective on the size. This reminds me a lot of the Fujifilm X-Pro series. But definitely much bigger. I wish their 645 cameras were in this style. I find it absolutely beautiful.
great channel! subscribed. I have the mamiya rz but im looking for something more mobile for travelling. The only thing that concerns me is the 8 shots per roll but you made a great point!
This was a great presentation of your camera. Your delivery and style makes it enjoyable to watch. I’m new to your channel, why do you call your camera the Texas Leica?
Not for this camera, sweetheart. The original camera from which the GW690 was adapted used an interchangeable lens mount for which Fuji made a number of lenses from 50mm out to medium telephoto. The camera and lenses were expensive, the lenses were slow and very expensive, and the camera mechanisms were a constant source of trouble for users and income for repair shops. Fuji never marketed them significantly outside of Japan, and discontinued the whole system after some years. What they learned from that experience poured over into the development of these cameras, which have much more reliable mechanisms.
Greetings! I have a question about the technical part of this camera. Does the shutter of this camera work in the absence of a film with the back cover closed? I will be grateful for the answer.
Hello, thank you for making this video. I recently purchased one of these and am curious if you had any suggestions for bags to transport it, it's bigger than I thought it would be and I don't have a bag to properly carry it with me when traveling.
I'm think about getting the GL690 but what I am concerned about is that the lenses are much older. Do you know how the gl690 compare to the gw690? What I like the Gl690 more is the possibility to use longer focal length lenses for portraiture.
Thank You For The Video Brother! Ive shot digital and 35mm for Over a decade and want to dip into Medium Format. My question is: How do you Meter and Gauge Exposure With No Internal Meter and No ISO Setting. What if you want to Push/Pull film. But there is no ISO to Set. The metering and Exposure aspect is the only thing holding me back from pulling the trigger. THANKS!
@@MarcusLloyd Thanks!! I just had the revelation that I could carry my Canon AE1 and use it to accurately Meter as well as Have Some Extra Frames Just in Case!!
You kind of lead me down to picking up a Fuji GW690 and I ended up buying a GW690II. I keep reading that it's challenge to get shots in focus with the camera. Any tricks or suggestions for this?
I’m happy to hear it! Honestly it’s no different than any other rangefinder with lining up the patches. Quick tip: I always look for a sharp point or edge of a building, even letters on a sign that I can nail the focus on then I re compose my frame. Don’t move though
@@MarcusLloyd True, you really need something with a hard edge or line to really nail focus. Soft or rounded edge objects are tough with any rangefinder focus.
I have the GW690 first version, I sold the version II as I didn’t like the integrated hood, this was a deal breaker for me, you can’t mount any filters apart from the 67mm, because the hood when contracted block access access to the aperture and shutter dials! So if you want to use 77mm or any square glass filters/Gradient glass filters from Lee etc you can’t! The first version had a slip on hood and you can easily adapt any filter system via step up rings. The version III is the worst in my opinion, not only because of the hood, but it’s made from a cheaper, thinner plastic shell. Anyway great camera otherwise!
Great tips my man! I hope others see this comment when they are looking for their own Texas Leica. I totally agree with version 3. I didn’t like the plastic look
I had a Hasselblad in the old film days (1978 to 1993) And i try out the Fuji range,but even i love there films rolls,but in the medium range cameras on Fuji Cameras i feel like the pictures was bleeding or was washed out,the pictures was bleach out and the color was not there in the dynamic punch of it.Sorry.That is just Me.
Wonderful review, I do love the images you shared. I can tell this camera holds a special place in your heart. I’ve been searching far and wide for a solid MF camera that won’t break the bank and I’m narrowing my sights to this system. Thanks for the insights, sub’d and followed on IG :)
Marcus, I've been in photography for about 45 years as an amateur and professional in two countries, and I've always tried to find a perfect camera for me, be it large, medium, or 35 mm formats. The cameras which have stuck to me are: 35 mm : Nikon FM2N, in medium: Mamiya rb67 and the Fuji GW690II. The Fuji is very underrated, so we can have it for less. Very lovely video! I wish you creative success!
Thanks Gene! I’ve been thinking about getting back into 35. I enjoy the Mamiya just so heavy for my taste
What a lovely review , a considered relaxed style with the right amount of images which were superb by the way .
I always prefer reviews that give you photos not just a ton of chatting. so i tried to achieve the same thing.
Love seeing how excited you are about this camera.
Lol i love it
"...how much intention I would have to have when I clicked the shutter button...." And that, my friend, is the essence of your art.
Hey, just to remind you, fuji tells you not to cock the shutter in T mode after your finished using the lever. That damages the shutter and can result in messed up frames. you're supposed to move the shutter time back to 1 second to reset the shutter. great video man, you've inspired me to go out shooting with my GW690III
I totally forgot to mention that as an option to close the shutter. That way always scares me that I’m going to bump the camera too much. But it honestly doesn’t even matter once you put the hat over the lens.
Load up a roll of film and get out there!
Thanks for that info. I've just started night shots on my GSW690ii. I used the shutter cock but will now use that shutting speed back to 1.
Yeah fuji tells you not to wind to reset the shutter, harms the shutter mechanism.
I had a GW690iii, then got a Mamiya 7, and was sorta disappointed with the quality of build and photos compared to the Fuji. Sold the Mamiya quickly after, stuck with the Fuji. Also had a lot of fun with the GA645. Super tack sharp imaged out of that one.
your work is what convinced me to get a FujiGW690 over any of the Mamiya RB-RZ / Pentax systems, love your stuff
Love to hear that bro. It’s a great camera that has been slept on for far too long
Out of all the videos I found on this camera yours made me more confident to finally pull the trigger on getting one of these.
Yo tidus, I love to hear that. Hope you enjoy the camera.
I just bought one of these from KEH. I'm so excited. Your images are so good. Thank You for this video.
Hello Marcus, Your video on this gem, is spot on, I owned it, I loved it..just bought its older brother the Fujica G690...peace from NYC
Isn’t it the best! Maybe ill see you around these nyc streets
I love this camera for portraits and landscapes...the focal length has been great and the negatives retain so much info
Gorgeous pictures worth to have a princess in front of this camera!!!
it always helps
Superb images from a superb photographer using a superb camera. Nice relaxing review. Well done.👍🌿📷☕
Wonderful video. I'm looking at getting this camera and your presentation helps a great deal. Super images. And I like your calm, thoughtful style. I just subscribed. Thanks.
This is the first video of your channel I’ve ever seen . Great style, info and thanks for being true to yourself!
I really appreciate that bro
@@MarcusLloyd yeah bro 🤜🏿🤛🏿 no problem. Let me know if you ever want some music from r your channel too… like a beat. Be blessed
Hey Marcus just bought one of these today can't wait to start shooting!
Enjoy it
great review, love your style and visual aesthetic - the shots were killer!
Thanks Josiah!
Great photos and nice review, thanks a lot Marcus
My pleasure brother!
Great vid! Made me think about buying this camera❤
Your photography is really nice. Thanks for the video.
thanks so much Jaime!
Beautiful review and stunning work. Thank you!
Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it
Any significant difference between the 2 and 3? Trying to determine which to purchase…
What a great review about this oldstyle masterpiece 🙏🏼😎. I‘m a Fuji and Leica Shooter and it‘s every time a pleasure to watch your extraordinary and great videos. Especially your images are sensational.
Mike it means a lot that you always check out and support the channel. Tons more videos to come
Thous shots are gorgeous, excellent work bro!
Glad you vibe with them bro!
super lovely shots
Thank you
Thanks for dropping jewels. Beautiful work, especially the female model shots.
Thanks man
great review. Yes photo talks.
Awesome to see this camera being used. Sometimes it’s tough to fill the 6x9 frame but I am loving so many of your photos. I have three of these now including a GSW690ii
Have you had any issues with any of them? Mine is as sturdy as a tank
@@MarcusLloyd nah no issues at all, I just have collected them over the years and can’t decide which one to sell if I ever was going to. I always buy them in mint condition though to try and avoid any problems
Love your leaning towards slighlty high key, muted colour palette. Very nice
Thank you so much 😊
Awesome review.....Camera looks like a Beast
thats the perfect way to describe it
This is such a dope video man! Keep making more stuff!
More to come brother!
got one coming in saturday, mad excited and with this vid, made me more excited!!
enjoy it! its a beast
Well articulated video, i appreciate your chilled vibe!
I appreciate the love Warwick!
Great presentation. Thanks. I have the older model and love it, but save it for times when I do deliberate shooting, as in architecture.
Awesome shots man!
Thanks a ton!
I just discovered this camera after seeing a Craigslist post. I didn't act fast enough by the time I'd learned what it was and now I totally want one. Also, shout out for the shot of the Kessler in there - I grew up 3 blocks from it!
Oh that’s dope bro! You will have it soon enough
@@MarcusLloyd Yeah, I came across a well-priced one on eBay and pulled the trigger so I should have it in a week or two. Thanks for all your videos about it - I'd been lukewarm about shooting medium format until I discovered this cam. It should be great to carry around with my X100V. #fujiforlife :)
Very nice video, I enjoyed it a lot. I like medium format, and have a couple of cameras that do 6x9, but not this one! Very appealing. By the way, like the hat collection ♥
Nice overview, covered all the bases!
Thanks bro
Great video. I have got a GW690 (1st gen.) and I love it. It is a beauty and a beast in one. I am so happy that these analog cameras are affordable these days.
Couldn't agree more! I will be shooting with this camera for a very long time.
Your art is absolutely amazing.
Thanks for handling the objection surrounding having 8 shots with an increased amount of intention. I can see the intention in each shot.
I also really appreciate the way you talk. It feels like we know eachother
I’m super glad to have gotten interested in this camera today because it lead to your vids!
I truly appreciate the kind words! It inspires me to keep going
@@MarcusLloyd Keep going! I ordered this camera after watching
I have the original GW and love it. shooting this camera in T mode for long exposures, to end the exposure you should change shutter speed/aperture rather than advancing the film. The manual specifically says advancing may cause damage to the camera just FYI.
That’s definitely the best way to go about it. I
Yeah man a legendary camera ✌️
all time
Nice review Marcus, nice shots as well. I have really been loving my GW690. Such an awesome camera to use. Like you say, its tough to look at anything else after you see a 6x9 neg.
Its just so hard to turn your back on all that detail. Thats why we shoot medium format to begin with, right? lol
@@MarcusLloyd haha. Certainly is!
Awesome! I always overlooked those a bit too fast, but they look more and more appealing. Great work, too.
Thanks a lot! Its a great camera
Dang great video! Also so odd that the location of the Plaza theater is in my neighborhood, I've been shooting it forever so it was crazy to see your shot.
Lol that’s awesome
Love your photography style , I hate coming to watch reviews and people are just taking horrible pics without good light or just their shoes on concrete
Lol thanks Lexi
You do amazing photography.
i really appreciate that
Lovely photos man!
Thanks brother
Hey Marcus! Just discovered your channel and really enjoy your attitude and your images! Got a new subscriber, keep it up! :)
Thanks brother! Welcome to the channel.
At the camera store I work at a girl brought one of these in and handling it was so nice, but I was definitely curious about it. Maybe one day!
Take it for a spin.
would love to see your scanning process. your photos always look so damn clean and from a lab!
i plan on doing an episode about my scanning process...stay tuned
My Fuji GSW690 III rangefinder with fixed 65mm f/5.6 lens and my Fuji GW670 III rangefinder with fixed 90mm f/3.5 lens camera are lightweight when compared to my 4x5 inch view camera and my RB67 medium format SLR camera.
So much lighter and easier to take around
Loved this review! I want the image at 4:55 printed on my wall!
Let’s make it happen bro! Shoot me a email or dm
there is several different versions of this camera 6.5 6x7 6x9 and different focal lengths. Now I just need to decide where to jump in
Great video! I’ve been thinking of picking one of these up myself! I think that limitations will make you a better artist as well! The price on them is just too good.
Totally agree plus the negatives you get back are the best.
New to the channel loving the content on here 🧡 great review too
Welcome to the channel homie!
Any quirks or things to consider/know about focusing? I heard it’s hard to get focus. Any quirks with the rangefinder? I heard they require adjusting. Thanks!
So, it's been about three years since the posting of this video and I'm wondering if your opinion on the Fugica has shifted any. If you still own it are you putting it to good use ?Thanks, in advance, for your time. Best wishes,...
i’ve watched a bunch of videos on this and yours was by far the most helpful to me! thank you! i am getting one 😅 i always wanted a pentax 67 but they are far too heavy and clunky for me
Thanks Amy! This is for sure a great traveling medium format camera
I've been debating if I should buy this for a few months now.
Did you decide? Lol
Thank you for filming yourself holding this up to your eye. That really helps put a perspective on the size. This reminds me a lot of the Fujifilm X-Pro series. But definitely much bigger. I wish their 645 cameras were in this style. I find it absolutely beautiful.
Haha yea much bigger than the x pro series but its still not so bad in the hands
Jamestown babbbbbbby!
Really want one. I have the GSW690ii. LOVE IT but want that 90mm 3.5 now. Haha
cant beat it man
great channel! subscribed. I have the mamiya rz but im looking for something more mobile for travelling. The only thing that concerns me is the 8 shots per roll but you made a great point!
Thank you ☺️! Yea I hear ya on the 8 shots but just forces me to slow down even more
The images are so creamy! What 120 film are you using?
This is a mix of films but usually portra 400
Marcus, is know this camera has no light meter. What is your go to light meter? Thanks for your hard work.
Hey Jack, I always use the sekonic l308
Debating between this or the Pentax 6x7 you definitely made me think about it first.
Both are dope bro. Really depends on what you enjoy shooting more and comfortability with lugging equipment around
@@MarcusLloyd would you say this is good for portraits? Which is what I am to do.
@@khalilhenderson4082 go for the Pentax bro. This will hold you down but rangefinders can’t focus super close
@@MarcusLloyd nice I appreciate you responding man. I definitely look forward to more videos. Keep killing it
Oh man thanks for this. Been contemplating on getting a mf and I wasnt sure which to get on a budget
yea i feel you bro. This is a keeper for me
This was a great presentation of your camera. Your delivery and style makes it enjoyable to watch. I’m new to your channel, why do you call your camera the Texas Leica?
Thanks John! It’s actually the nickname it’s been given for it’s huge form factor in a rangefinder body. I can’t take credit for the name. Lol
Great video! Marcus, have you tried those short telephoto lenses on that camera? Fuji made 150mm and 180mm lenses for that camera?
No i had no idea they had longer focal lengths. I had only seen the wide version
Not for this camera, sweetheart. The original camera from which the GW690 was adapted used an interchangeable lens mount for which Fuji made a number of lenses from 50mm out to medium telephoto. The camera and lenses were expensive, the lenses were slow and very expensive, and the camera mechanisms were a constant source of trouble for users and income for repair shops. Fuji never marketed them significantly outside of Japan, and discontinued the whole system after some years. What they learned from that experience poured over into the development of these cameras, which have much more reliable mechanisms.
That shot at 9:24 .....papi! So delicious.
Greetings!
I have a question about the technical part of this camera.
Does the shutter of this camera work in the absence of a film with the back cover closed?
I will be grateful for the answer.
no it doesnt work in that case. you have to open the back to press down on the shutter. neat feature because it has a very accurate shutter count
Thank you!@@MarcusLloyd
Hello, thank you for making this video. I recently purchased one of these and am curious if you had any suggestions for bags to transport it, it's bigger than I thought it would be and I don't have a bag to properly carry it with me when traveling.
I honestly bring it in a backpack all the time
@@MarcusLloyd Thank you, I managed to find a peak design cube that fit it snug and just put it in a medium sized backpack. Thanks again
damn wish my original 690 had that lock button like the 690ii! So far haven't gotten any blanks but only a matter of time lol
We wont put those bad vibes out there. Lol
I'm think about getting the GL690 but what I am concerned about is that the lenses are much older. Do you know how the gl690 compare to the gw690? What I like the Gl690 more is the possibility to use longer focal length lenses for portraiture.
I don’t know much on the GL690 but it seems like it would be great if you can grab a few lenses.
Great, please make a new portrait video with your Leica Q
Done
verry cool
Thank You For The Video Brother! Ive shot digital and 35mm for Over a decade and want to dip into Medium Format. My question is: How do you Meter and Gauge Exposure With No Internal Meter and No ISO Setting. What if you want to Push/Pull film. But there is no ISO to Set. The metering and Exposure aspect is the only thing holding me back from pulling the trigger. THANKS!
I keep a external light meter on hand and you set the iso in the meter to whatever the speed of film. Hope this helps bro
@@MarcusLloyd Thanks!! I just had the revelation that I could carry my Canon AE1 and use it to accurately Meter as well as Have Some Extra Frames Just in Case!!
@@HazeAnatomy yep that’s definitely workaround until you want to grab a light meter
You kind of lead me down to picking up a Fuji GW690 and I ended up buying a GW690II. I keep reading that it's challenge to get shots in focus with the camera. Any tricks or suggestions for this?
I’m happy to hear it! Honestly it’s no different than any other rangefinder with lining up the patches. Quick tip: I always look for a sharp point or edge of a building, even letters on a sign that I can nail the focus on then I re compose my frame. Don’t move though
@@MarcusLloyd True, you really need something with a hard edge or line to really nail focus. Soft or rounded edge objects are tough with any rangefinder focus.
@@anthonymiller8979 that’s how I know I nailed it
Lens is tough!
too tough!
I have the GW690 first version, I sold the version II as I didn’t like the integrated hood, this was a deal breaker for me, you can’t mount any filters apart from the 67mm, because the hood when contracted block access access to the aperture and shutter dials! So if you want to use 77mm or any square glass filters/Gradient glass filters from Lee etc you can’t! The first version had a slip on hood and you can easily adapt any filter system via step up rings. The version III is the worst in my opinion, not only because of the hood, but it’s made from a cheaper, thinner plastic shell. Anyway great camera otherwise!
Great tips my man! I hope others see this comment when they are looking for their own Texas Leica. I totally agree with version 3. I didn’t like the plastic look
Great work man. How did you meter?
I typically use the incident and reflective meter
@@MarcusLloyd Any particular meter? Did you tweak these in post?
@@RocketinExile yes the sekonic l308xu meter
great shit
I had a Hasselblad in the old film days (1978 to 1993) And i try out the Fuji range,but even i love there films rolls,but in the medium range cameras on Fuji Cameras i feel like the pictures was bleeding or was washed out,the pictures was bleach out and the color was not there in the dynamic punch of it.Sorry.That is just Me.
Much difference between the original gw and the ii and iii ?
The only difference is the iii is lighter and more plastic material. I’m more of a fan the ii build quality
What light meter do you use?
A sekonic l308xu
Film photographers often bracket exposures so you cut your frame count in half
What do you scan on?
Epson v500
Why it called Texas Leica?
Because it’s basically a huge rangefinder
Wonderful review, I do love the images you shared. I can tell this camera holds a special place in your heart. I’ve been searching far and wide for a solid MF camera that won’t break the bank and I’m narrowing my sights to this system. Thanks for the insights, sub’d and followed on IG :)
Appreciate that Julius