Differences between marques of Fuji GX680

Discussion in 'Medium Format' started by mark_brown|2, Jan 6, 2005.

1. 

   mark_brown|2

   I have a Pentax 67 system which I am very pleased with, but I am 
   starting to do interior/architectural work and find the lack of
   Polariod back on the P67 to be a serious limitation, and don't fancy
   the expense of working with the 5x4" kit, not to mention the longer
   exposure times. The fact that the Fuji GX680 system enables shift and
   tilt for all lenses, plus accepts a Polaroid back, appeals to me as
   an alternative system for interiors and architecture.
   
   However, I am confused between the marques of GX680 body - the
   original GX680, the GX680II and the GX680III. Can anyone comment on
   the differences and relative merits/demerits? (Used GX680 bodies can
   be had with a kit from US$700 - US$1400 depending on condition here
   (Tokyo). while GX680II equipment is in the US$2000+ bracket and
   GX680III is out of my reach. I'd be looking for used GX680 unless the
   later marques have overreaching advantages.)
   
   (I suspect an alterative stopgap might be a 6x9 back for my 5x4"
   camera and a wider lens...)

   mark_brown|2, Jan 6, 2005

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2. 

   shiver_me_timbrrrre

   The Achilles Heel of the GX680 and GX680II lies in their need for proprietary Fuji rechargeable NICAD batteries which are as scarce as hen's teeth now. The latest one uses standard battery sizes (lithium CR123 and an optional external battery pack which uses AAs) 
   
   If you can find a way of re-celling the proprietary Fuji battery packs, you are in business.

   shiver_me_timbrrrre, Jan 7, 2005

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3. 

   l_a_k_h_i_n_d_e_r

   There is a AA battery pack available for 680-I,II. I use it. You can find differences on www.gx680.com: Look at the details for its different Backs (multiformat vs fixed), lenses( gx vs gxm) and of course the Bodies (I,II,III, and also version S). It is not very hard to find the 8-cell AA pack. I can not offer you any comparison of its performance with the NiCad counterpart -- I would like to know it too.
   
   Basic relative merits are price. There is nothing substantially
   different between the different models.

   l_a_k_h_i_n_d_e_r, Jan 8, 2005

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4. 

   mark_brown|2

   Thanks for the information. The GX680 site is a great source of information.
   
   From what I can gather, lenses are basically compatible betweeen all systems, so getting a GX680 used is probably a cheap way into the system to start building a collection of glass. The AA battery pack will probably do as a stopgap to overcome the NiCd problem.
   
   Cheers,
   Mark.

   mark_brown|2, Jan 8, 2005

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5. 

   mab

   I use the AA pack on my GX680 with NiMH batteries, with no ill effect and get reasonable life out of a charge. I strongly prefer AA batteries to proprietary batteries in any case.
   
   -matt

   mab, Mar 18, 2005

   #1
6. 

   adrian_wilson|9

   Hi,
   Go for the Fuji GX680 III it is the most sophisticated of all the cameras Fuji manufactured, but please take note if you are looking at the Fuji GX680 IIIs because it has a letter "s" on the end of the model number does not make it a slightly better model, sadly just the opposite the "s" model does not feature the rise n' fall, tilt and swing functions that " Standard" models have. Having said that if you have a 500mm or 100 / 200 zoom then fine because these lenses demand the use of a support rail and as a consequence you cannot make use of tilt and shift functions. If you really wish to be a hero you can use these lenses without the support rail, however expect a cracked frame and a scrap body.

   adrian_wilson|9, May 13, 2009

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7. 

   dennis_ng

   Great pointer! But the web site is gone.