Backbreaker | Fujifilm GX680iii Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 พ.ค. 2024
- Revisiting an old friend, the Fujifilm GX680iii an interesting addition to the Fujifilm Medium Format lineup that is more at home than in the field. But then again I'm crazy for lugging this beast around in the field.
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Read the Full Review: www.alexluyckx.com/blog/index....
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0:00 - Introduction
1:58 - Camera History
5:50 - Camera Tour
10:28 - Camera Experience
12:10 - Film Loading
13:70 - Camera Optics
14:25 - Closing - วิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยี
Having still been made so recently, it is interesting to see how modern features were being included in medium format cameras. And also of course disappointing that we may never get back to that point, or at least certainly not anytime soon.
Indeed. But like anything, the more features included the more reliant on electronics the more that can go wrong and cannot be repaired easily without a source of spare parts.
Yes, Alex, had many catalog shoots with it. You wouldn't recognize it though. It allowed numerous digital backs to attach. My back was nicknamed the "Brick" because that was it's size and weight. Many like myself chose this instead of a 4x5 for 90's digital. It's big but smaller than the other options. I recently pulled it from storage and found along with it a film back from the '90s that has never seen film. It's a great camera.
Nice! Great to hear from a pro that used this in the studio! Thanks for watching 🍻
Good to see you on YT Alex. I have stumbled many times on your website articles and always appreciated their quality.
Cheers and thank you for the kind words!
That is a big honking beast of a camera! I was pleasantly surprised at the cost - I would have guessed it to be more.
The cost surprised me also! But it probably doesn’t carry as much of a cult following because of the size!
I only seen that camera via pictures on a online sales site and that was enough for me to realise that if I was to get one it wouldn't be used much as I prefer handheld cameras!
Have a good week!
Even I have to be in the right mood to work with a tripod. And having a 4x5 makes this camera that I'm glad to borrow!
Cool! Fun video, Alex. I used to lust after one of these and then I realized that a 4x5 field camera was a better fit for me and in a smaller package!
Yup! The Crown is definitely a better fit for my work!
The collector part of me really wanted one and the user part of me thinks it would be fun to shoot so I just pulled the trigger and bought a GX680III with a 125mm and 180mm lens. My wife is going to kill me and I'm sure my back will hate me but I'm hoping to have lots of fun with this beast come tulip time in the Skagit Valley of Washington state. Yes, I'm going to take it into the field, literally the tulip fields.
Oh that’s awesome! I hope you’re also going to spluge on some slide film! Happy Shooting and thanks for watching 🍻
On the field I prefer my Olympus 35mm. In my experience from the large format to the small format I can tell that bigger is the camera and worst was the images because I was so tired that usually I've done a lot of mistake on composition, on exposure, on film etc. etc. So at the end is better shot more photos on a good 35mm because in one roll there are always some good photos to print. It's not the same with the larger cameras.
It’s so true! I usually will only shoot at most eight sheets when I’m out to avoid those mistakes. Or if I’m just not feeling it, it’s an automatic or semi auto camera. Thanks for watching 🍻
I already have a Pentax 6x7 and an RB67 and I still want one just because it looks so cool and I like how it's much newer (and cheap)
The GAS is strong! But at least you have lenses already! Thanks for watching 🍻
Mine has a split prism. Actually the best split prism I've seen as it is horizontally split with two hemispheres (as usual) but then also has a circular split around that which helps for odd angles, and then a circular diamond glass around that.
Nice!!
I have thought about getting one of these beasts myself but my wife gives me the total stink eye when I talk about it. I do have two Hasselblad's, 2 RB67's and Yashica Mat124G and a Fuji GW690. I use a wagon to move my heavier gear when in the field. Also there is another GX680III and that is the GX680III S. It lacks the movements on the front standard that all the other models have.
I would like to try this camera. For some reason I like dit when I first saw it on another youtube channel. Currently shooting with GFX50s and GXF100s.
It is totally worth a try! I have never shot with Fuji’s medium format digital cameras! Thanks for watching 🍻
I used to shoot with a Sinar F1, which, funny enough, was actually lighter than this beastie. I loved the movements I had with the 4x5, but had to sell it. I wanted a camera that could use that had similar features but a bit more compact. I had actually seen the gx while out shooting at Mt Rainier. I didn't mark the model name, but remember being impressed by it. So many years later I had gotten the first gen. While it's not the mark iii, it's def fun to shoot with. It also blows my mind that no-one uses this camera. It has so many things it can do that make the Mamiya 6x7 look like a toy. One day, I will get the mark iii. I don't have the lenses you mentioned, but I will keep them in mind. I have the 100mm f/4 and 150mm/f4.5.thry came w the camera as well. The whole setup cost me about 800$. I would recommend anyone serious about photography to consider this system. Something I love bout this as I did about large format, it forces you to slow down and consider what your subject is. If you're the type that just takes pictures a lot like you're holding 35mm or digital camera, this is not the camera for you. Two things will happen: first you go broke and the second you will just sell it as fast as you got it. However, if you shoot like you're an artist painting a masterpiece, then I strongly recommend this camera five times over any fancy digital camera. You will not regret it. But research it before you buy it, as there is a model 'S' that is no different than a mamiya 67. Meaning it has no tilt and shift/rise and fall movements. That's just my two cents.
Cheers! Thanks for watching 🍻
the lenses are hard to adapt to other mirrorless systems, but it can be done and have huge 120mm image circles great for stitching several shots together
Oh man I can see the power of that, but the integral shutters and mounting would make it a pain! Thanks for watching 🍻
wow that is indeed a beast! well, if I ever wanted to develop massive biceps I know where to go! haha great video and review!
So true! It's a full-body workout lugging that thing around! Thanks for Watching!
Hi Alex, Thanks a lot for posting this super informative video, including some of your nice shots, you took with it. I do have one question for you: Did you ever attach a digital back to this beast? If yes, tell me a little bit about your experiences, thoughts, feelings ? Cheers, Peter
Thank you! No I never attached a digital back as the owner of the camera doesn’t have one! Thanks for watching 🍻
@@AlexLuyckxPhoto Thanks for your fast response. I guess I will have to get my hands on a GX680iii and then start my own R&D. I do have a GFX 100 here, that could be attached via a (custom) adapter or I have to look for a PhaseOne back and give it a go like that .... I will keep all of you posted ... :-)
@@fauland_photography Did you do it?
@@anderskristensen8871 Not yet. As it is harder than I thought to find a decent GX680iii here. But I am not giving up ...
I actually have one these. But in the past years, it sits more or less unused in its corner. For studio work I changed to large format, and outside, when I want to shoot rectangular medium format (I mostly shoot 6x6), I either take a Moskva-5 (6x9) or an old Kodak 3-A (6x14cm) or sometimes a Fuji GS645. All three together are smaller and less weight than the GX.
The one thing the GX has, what occasionally brings it out, is the movable front. I don't know of any other medium format camera which can do that. But usually, if I need that function, I again rather take one of my large format cameras.
Yup! I’m totally with you! I would take my Crown Graphic out before a GX680! Also nice on the Moskva 5! I have a review of the Super Ikonta 531/2 coming out soon! Thanks for watching 🍻
I love mine (gx680iii). Surprised, it didn't catch on like the RZ67 YET. So people, get them while they're still cheap!
Totally! Especially with the rise in price of the RB and RZ! Thanks for watching 🍻
@@AlexLuyckxPhoto Yup, I was able to grab the 180/3.2 (hard to find) and the 115/3.2 lenses. The others are farely easy to get.
Hoping to get one of these in 2024.
It will be lighter than my wildlife kit 😂
Nice! Wishing you all the creative luck! Thanks for watching 🍻
After watching this video, I just knew this is the camera for me. any suggestion for a camera bag that can hold it?
Look at the ThinkTank Retrospective line! Thanks for watching 🍻
@@AlexLuyckxPhoto Tnx, the size of them look right but the price... Looks like I"ll pad a backpack
If you change the aspect ratio will you get more photos per roll? Or is it just a mask? Thanks!
Yes you will! It is all back dependent.
I almost got one of these then I came to my senses. 🤣 They were so affordable compared to the RZ's of the world. I think every time I see one now it looks larger and larger. If I had a studio perhaps.
Makes total sense! Thanks for watching 🍻
Looks like something a TV station might use--in the 1960s.
🤣 it does, doesn’t it!
What a monster!! Watching this video makes my back hurt lol.
🤣 hopefully it doesn’t hurt for long!
damn i thought my mamiya c330 is big
Oh the C-Series Mamyia’s are monsters but in a different way! Thanks for watching 🍻
They always interested me. But no, too big, too heavy, too electronic.
I’ll stick with may 4x5, lighter, smaller package, bigger negative, but probably a slower process
Yeah, I’m sticking with my 4x5 also! Thanks for watching 🍻
Ain-cha never heard of a wheelbarrow?
🤣