I’ve been trying to find a medium format camera that suits my needs and style of shooting for a while now. I have a Pentax 67 that I’m using mainly for a project that I am working on, but I wanted something a little smaller and compact. That was when I saw the Fujifilm GF670 on KEH.
Why the GF670?
There are several different compact medium format cameras in this Fuji line that offer different features. I think there is even the GW690 that has interchangeable lenses. What I liked about the GF670 was that it has the ability to change between 6×6 format and 6×7.
The camera is also very quiet and it folds up to fit in a small bag which I like. I am always carrying a 35mm camera when I go out, and now I love that I can also have medium format in my bag. Did I mention it also has a built in light meter?
The downsides to this camera, for me, are the price tag, electronics, and the fixed lens. All medium format cameras are pretty expensive these days, so that isn’t too surprising, but I will need to spend more time with the camera before I can deem it worth it for my needs.
Being an all electronic camera makes me very nervous as well because one day it could just die and all that money would die with it. I am not sure if there are any comparable 6×7 cameras out there that are mechanical. Maybe you can let me know in the comments.
Some of the Specs on the Fujifilm GF670
The lens on this camera is a Fujinon EBC 80mm f3.5. That is equal to 44mm in the 6×6 format and a little wider than that in 6×7. For me this is great for portrait and everyday shots of family life. I have found that it is a little bit too short for landscapes in some instances, but otherwise pretty universal.
The Fujifilm GF670 is actually a rangefinder. This is probably my favorite feature of the camera because I find that I am better with rangefinder focus than I am with an SLR.
That being said, I have also found that I missed focus several times when the lens was wide open.
The GF670 allows manual exposure as well as aperture priority. That is a really nice feature that I have taken advantage of many times, and overall it has allowed me to have fun. For me that is a big deal since film photography has been such a help with my health and healing.
Final Thoughts
Overall, this camera has been a joy to shoot with. It was so nice to shoot medium format without hurting myself. I’m not exaggerating, my back is so messed up I have actually hurt myself shooting with my RB67 and the Pentax 67. Feel free to laugh lol.
In the long run, I don’t see myself keeping the RB67, Pentax 67 and this camera all in my collection. It is going to be an extremely hard decision but I know I will eventually have to sell at least one of them because they’re just too expensive to have all the same format.
However, I do like having a 6×7 camera that has interchangeable lenses. I have cameras that are for fun and I have cameras that I consider investments for my photography and for meeting my goals. Each one of the cameras in my collection serves a purpose, and I think the GF670 has been and will continue to be very useful for me.
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I’ve had this camera for a bit over a year. Yep it’s expensive and very, very hard to have repairs done.
Mine is front focusing about 6cm and I’m about to ship it to Japan for repairs. I’m working with JCH who will broker the job. He will bring the camera to Fuji for repairs, for a small fee.
Love the camera, but I’ve been trying for over 6 months to find anyone in the US who can fix the front focus issue. I called Fuji in New Jersey and they won’t touch it.
If my experience with JCH and shipping to Japan is successful I’ll come back here and let you know.
Thank you and good luck
Many moons ago, I shot competitive sailboat racing for some of my freelance income. I worked the America’s Cup in Newport in the 1980s, shooting from the (rolling and tossing) bridge of a charter deep-sea fishing boat, using a Pentax 67 and a Nikon F2, both equipped with long lenses. (My wife nicknamed those cameras “Moose” and “Papoose”!) You talk about getting physically hurt by toting a medium format SLR around … After a week with that P67 and its 300mm lens, I could hardly lift a glass of beer at the end of the day!
Oh my goodness I can’t imagine that lol. You must’ve had arms of steel by the end of that.
Finally changed my ancient WordPress login. I’m iqbono aka Edward Iglesias
Oh ok lol
Great review. Recently I traveled with my Yashica Mat for just that reason, weight. It’s a great little camera and I love the square format.
Thanks!
I hear a lot of great things about the Yashica mat.
Fuji GSW690III Professional– that 6×9 image is so amazing! I may have got my model numbers mixed, but the one I like is the late, ‘plasticky’ version. Very little vibration- you can successfully hand hold at surprisingly low speeds.
I agree 6×9 is amazing. I actually have only shot that format in an old Kodak Premo folder but when I developed the negatives I remember being blown away by them.
The Fuji 690W is big, but not too heavy- was one of my favorites -especially with reversal film. One of those cameras where every roll turns out better than you expect..
That was one I had on my radar for a while but in the end I went for the 670 because I shoot 6×6 and 6×7 more than I would 6×9.