Trey Porter , Jun 26, 2006; 10:13 a.m.
So, I've been interested in getting a Fuji 690, and have been doing the usual research on these certain
cameras, and have found a lot of helpful information here, and elsewhere.
Dante Stella's site (http://www.dantestella.com/technical/gw.html) lists the progression of these
cameras from their beginning, and I've come to the conclusion that I need not worry whether the
camera I choose is a mark II or a mark III version, but only that it have the 65mm lens (as I am used to a
28mm on a 35mm camera.) So, I'd like a GSW690 II/III.
This will be my first medium format camera. My intial thought was to go with an older Hasselbad, but I
have begun to think that a camera like this will suit my shooting style more appropriately. I've looked
around on eBay, and occassionaly on KEH, and have been stumped by what I have found at KEH.
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As far as GSW's go they have these listed:
>>GSW690 PRO 65 F5.6 (67) MEDIUM FORMAT MANUAL FOCUS FIXED LENS CAMERA (2 of these listed,
in different conditions.) $849.00 and $665.00
>>GSW690III PRO 65 F5.6 (67) WITH CAP MEDIUM FORMAT MANUAL FOCUS FIXED LENS CAMERA (2 of
these listed in different conditions as well.) $1,269 and $1,169
And for GW's they have:
>>GW690II 90 F3.5 (67) MEDIUM FORMAT MANUAL FOCUS FIXED LENS CAMERA (2 of these.) $751.00
and $299.00
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The first ones listed are the ones I'm confused by. Dante Stella's site says that the first time Fuji started
the Fixed-Lens cameras is when the name GSW came into use. I got the KEH results searching for fixed
lens Fuji's so what kind of camera would the first ones be? Mark II or mark III? The price, to me, says
that they would be GSW 690 II's, but then why wouldn't they list them like the other mark II's?
I'm sorry if this is an annoying or trivial question. I'm a college student who most likely can't afford a
mark III, and am looking for a decent/normal price on a mark II camera like this.
Thanks for any help/advice you may have.
-Trey
Andre Noble , Jun 26, 2006; 11:10 a.m.
You could call them (KEH) and seek info from them too.
Tariq Gibran , Jun 26, 2006; 02:50 p.m.
There was a version 1 of the fixed lens cameras prior to the Version 11 so I would guess
thats what they mean. For some reason though, I thougt it was not readily exported to the
US.
Beau . 
, Jun 26, 2006; 07:14 p.m.
Definitely try to use one before you buy. I borrowed a GSW III for awhile and after about 3 rolls simply couldn't stand using it anymore. The pictures looked pretty good, though.
David Kempling , Jun 26, 2006; 11:22 p.m.
Perhaps W stands for wide - 90mm, and SW for super wide - 65. I have the latest (late 70s?) interchangeable, the GL690. I really enjoy it so far, the first slide rolls I got back were awesome. Check for the differences between versions like body style, maximum aperture etc. Perhaps the first versions were metal. They look like mine. Also, there is something about long exposure issues with those. You have to do some trick. Not on the old interchangeables. Mine has B. Go on ebay and check up on Fujis in medium format. Look for different variations there too.
Peter Evans , Jun 27, 2006; 06:31 a.m.
The fixed-lens Fujis:
- Fujica GW690 Professional
- Fuji GW690II Professional
- Fuji GW670II Professional
- Fuji GSW690II Professional
- Fuji GW690III Professional
- Fuji GW680III Professional (perhaps only marketed in Japan)
- Fuji GW670III Professional (not marketed in Japan)
- Fuji GSW690III Professional
- Fuji GSW680III Professional (perhaps only marketed in Japan)
You'll know what "670", "690" and (by extrapolation!) "680" mean. "III" came after "II", which came after no-roman-number. Fetishists for detail will be fascinated to learn that only the first is a "Fujica. "S" in the name means 65mm, no "S" means 90mm; ergo there is no 65mm camera earlier than "II". This of course doesn't mean that sellers won't occasionally forget to write "II", or indeed that they won't accidentally mis-insert "S".
My source is a stunningly comprehensive Japanese-language book about Fuji cameras. (Or more strictly a special issue of a quarterly magazine.) Of course, it might have overlooked a model, and I too might have made a mistake.
Trey Porter , Jul 05, 2006; 11:49 a.m.
I got KEH to take some pictures of the camera, and this is what they sent me. I have never
seen one like this, and since it's been used kind of a lot (225 roll count) I think I'm just going
to save until I can afford a newer GSW III. Thanks for all the help and advice!
FUJI/FUJICA GSW PRO
Dante Stella , Aug 17, 2006; 11:10 p.m.
They sent you a picture of the first fixed-lens model. The two tipoffs are the lack of flash
shoe and the lack of sliding lens hood.
