Interesting ang enjoyable video. Several years ago I wanted to buy a GW690III but then I went for the GA645 Professional, more compact to carry around and I really like it. Don't worry too much about the video schedule, I think it's better less but good than a lot of videos with less quality. Definitely subscribed.
Thank you so much for your comment, it's very encouraging! Unfortunately the GW is definitely very bulky, I ended up selling it again. I picked up a GS645 folder recently and it has wonderful quality as well in an extremely compact body! Only half the negative size of the GW of course, unfortunately, but still plenty of detail!
@@PhilKnall The 6x9 negative size was really tempting me but finally I'm happy with my 645. I think I use it more than I would have done if I'd bought the 690.
@@PhilKnall What also "pushed" me for the GA was that I could chose to have the info about the shot outside of the photo on the negative, f stop, shutter speed and so on, like the Exif. Very useful after some years :-)
@@FabrizioZago that sounds like an amazing feature! I also just learned the other day that you can set the focus distance manually - the autofocus is actually something that turned me off. I don't like motors 🤣
Hello Phil. I was looking for reviews of gw690 and then I stumbled upon your video. I really liked it. Also I am too impressed with the images that old Bessa creates. Actually I am really considering buying old bessa. The only thing that it make me not to go for the bessa would be the separate focusing and framing feature. Anyway, this was interesting comparison. Thank you for making it. Hope you make another video relate to film photography in the future. But not to hurry. Only if you have some time to spare:)
Hi HyunMin! Thank you so much for the nice comment, it means a lot! It’s true, the focusing on the Bessa is a bit of a pain... but the prism itself is really clear and easy to see. They’re not cheap considering the age, but I love using mine!
Hi Phil, great video, very relaxing and chilled. I usually shoot medium format with a Mamiya RZ67, but it can be quite a weight sometimes, especially with the prism finder over a period of time. I was so inspired by your videos and your inspirations on the image and build quality, that I purchased a Voigtlander Bessa RF Rangefinder with a Compur Rapid Shutter and a Heliar F3.5/10.5cm Lens! I can’t wait for it to come on the 18th July, very excited. Thanks for your info and inspiration 👍
Hey Conon! Thanks for the comment. Everytime I look at someone shooting the RB/RZ I get tempted, but I am not a fan of big or heavy cameras so I know ultimately they wouldn't be for me. I hope you like the Bessa, it's a pleasure to use in my eyes but you do have to meter externally!
Phil Knall - Hi, yeah, for sure, I’ve got a converted Kodak A1 Junior Autographic, so I’m hoping it will be a similar situation as far as metering is concerned! though I’m looking forward to focusing with the rangefinder principle, and can’t wait to open that beautiful mechanism, that engineering, oh my, it’s so awesome.
Phil, thank you for this vid. I have a Bessa and start considering the Fuji or Mamiya 7 to purchase, but hesitate about the higher price now... I'm surprised that you're living around Tokyo too! What lens do you have on your Bessa?
At mid-aperture settings, the Tessar derived lens in the Bessa RF is quite sharp. What gives the Fuji its apparent advantage is that the pre-War Bessa lens is not coated. That accounts for its lower contrast and saturation. The consistently lighter images of the Bessa probably indicates a slow-running shutter. If someone wants the Bessa as a user, they'd be better off with the post-War version, the Bessa II, but its collectible status makes it unreasonably high cost compared to the Fuji. The Fuji GW690IIII is unbeatable.
Thank you for your insight! Agreed, the Bessa II looks like a wonderful camera, however I find the pricing completely prohibitive. The lack of coating does lessen the contrast a little and produces more flare, but it is still very usable in my eyes. It's still amazing to me that a camera over 80 years old produces these wonderful images, and I will do my best to ensure it does so for a long time to come.
Lovely photos. May I ask.. I read somewhere, that modern colour 120 film (Kodak), has different aligning dots on the backing, therefore you can't see what frame you are on when you are winding the film. Is this true and if so, how did you overcome this issue? I have just received my Bessa and am keen to shoot it with Portra, but seeing the cost of film these days, I thought I'd ask before I took the risk. May I also ask, what adapter is needed if I want to use it on a tripod? Thank you kindly!
Hi! Thank you for the comment. Personally i haven't had any issues with the aligning marks, I'll have to check again to see what you mean... The tripod thread is a 3/8″-16, you should be able to find an adapter fairly easily.
With critical measurement, the Fuji lens will be much superior, but not so much in real life. Now, if you upgrade to a Bessa II and pick one with a Heliar lens, you overcome most of the negatives he finds in his Bessa, and the lens gap closes a great deal. If I was walking around Tokyo, I'd always take the Bessa for practical reasons. If I was walking around with a camera of my choice, I'd use a Fuji GS645. The outstanding lens of a Fuji mated with a modern folding design like the Bessa, adding a built-in light meter. True, it shoots 645, a negative half the size of the others, but with modern films, there is little advantage to the larger negative size.
Thanks for your comment! Great to find another folder aficionado. I agree with everything you said. My Bessa has the regular (non-Color) heliar lens. I love it, and it's a great eye-catcher/conversation starter to boot. I have just picked up a GS645 and am loving the test shots I have taken so far!
I’m actually seriously surprised by the color accuracy of the lens on the Bessa. I figured the Fuji would be the obvious winner there, but surprisingly I’m actually a little more impressed with the lower contrast you get on the Bessa here. Great comparison vid though! You’ve got me wondering if I should get a Bessa over a GW690III now.
Thank you for the kind words! I agree, I was also a little surprised (although I am of course familiar with the Bessa by now..) One thing is for sure - with the age difference you won't have to worry about the working condition when buying the Fuji. With the Bessa there's uncertainty with the lens, bellows, and shutter.
Great video Phil! I'm really surprised by the quality of the Bessa I was expecting the Fuji to beat it hands down with colour. I recently got a Fuji G960BL and wow is that thing heavy also shooting 6x9 and only getting 8 shots gives me anxiety, I feel like I can't waste any haha Keep up the good work! I found your TH-cam from your Instagram love the shots you take!
Nick Cooney Hey Nick! Thank you so much for the comment. Yeah, I also expected much more of a difference.. the GW is actually acceptable weight considering the size, due to the plastic body. My buddy has a mark one, and that one is hefty! Re: 6x9 anxiety, I actually started with the bessa so every time I shoot anything else I’m like “what do you mean I have 4 shots left??
@@PhilKnall Yesss, some day I wil own one with the gothic style "F"... some day... meanwhile I just discovered your channel and I really like it! you got a new subscriber! good job!
wait so how do you see the focus for the voigtlander? love how compact it looks but base on the video the hole where you look through looks very small? looks harder to use for the benefit of it's compactness. and if it's not for rendering colors, is it better for black and white? BUT if it isnt so contrast that doesnt sound great for black and white unless the shooter likes low contrast black and white style. lastly which is more affordable?
The rangefinder window is definitely small and not nearly as easy to use as the GW690. Bessas are generally more affordable than the Fuji's, but not by a huge margin. Since it's from 1930s, the lens on the Bessa is definitely designed for black & white, and the contrast difference is likely due to the lack of modern coating.
Hi! Do you mean developing and scans? For my 120 film, I pay about 500 yen for developing and 800-1000 for scans. For the ones in this video I just got prints which were 35 yen each.
Easy answer - because it's Japan. People usually don't mind. Especially with the Bessa people are usually happy to have their pic taken. However, I do think being sensible about taking others' images is incredibly important. In Japan, people can technically sue you for publishing their image without their consent. I do think that street photography has a place in this world, so I take that risk, and I do make sure I am not sneaking around or aggressively pushing the camera in their face like some others are. I try to be as non-threatening as possible. And if someone would ask me to delete it (it has not happened yet), I would calmly explain that it's film, and if they absolutely insist I would probably pull out the roll because ultimately they are in the right.
Hey Phil, love the comparisons, the Bessa is like something from another time era, aint it? Found you out from Instagram. Give me a shout out @thepicturefella if you will!
High quality from both cameras. That Voightlander looks tempting. I am reminded of how ugly Tokyo appears to be. It seems filled with children's colors, awful primitive architecture. Japan's past is so rich yet the Japanese people seem to be content with living in a child's playroom. Sad to see.
Thank you for the comment. Well, I suppose that's subjective, I quite like the "children's colors." But like any large city, Tokyo is not all like this one neighbourhood. Just like New York does not all look like Times Square.
I just got a Bessa RF today, your videos are helpful, thanks for making them!
Glad to hear! Enjoy your Bessa :)
Enjoyed watching this. Thanks for taking the time to make this comparison and for sharing your thoughts about these two cameras.
Thank you for the comment! I really appreciate it. I'm planning to make a solo video about the Bessa at some point :)
thank you for this video, I really enjoy it. I´m thinking about Fujica and this video give me a another piece puzzle of knowledge. Thank you.
Glad to hear you got something out of it! :)
Fantastic. That Bessa is beautiful, quality of the images were great. Might have to buy one :)
Thank you so much! I love shooting with it, would recommend!
Awesome video, loved the comparability between the cameras that are 40 years apart, that voigtlander lens must be excellent!
Thanks for the comment! I agree the Voigtländer lens is wonderful 😊
There are still Tower Records in Japan?? They have been gone in the States for a long time.
Yeah! Crazy right. Japan tends to hold on to older technology and physical things. I think it's beautiful.
Interesting ang enjoyable video. Several years ago I wanted to buy a GW690III but then I went for the GA645 Professional, more compact to carry around and I really like it.
Don't worry too much about the video schedule, I think it's better less but good than a lot of videos with less quality. Definitely subscribed.
Thank you so much for your comment, it's very encouraging!
Unfortunately the GW is definitely very bulky, I ended up selling it again. I picked up a GS645 folder recently and it has wonderful quality as well in an extremely compact body! Only half the negative size of the GW of course, unfortunately, but still plenty of detail!
@@PhilKnall The 6x9 negative size was really tempting me but finally I'm happy with my 645. I think I use it more than I would have done if I'd bought the 690.
Definitely! Glad you're happy with the GA, and no use in owning a camera you're not gonna use!
@@PhilKnall What also "pushed" me for the GA was that I could chose to have the info about the shot outside of the photo on the negative, f stop, shutter speed and so on, like the Exif. Very useful after some years :-)
@@FabrizioZago that sounds like an amazing feature! I also just learned the other day that you can set the focus distance manually - the autofocus is actually something that turned me off. I don't like motors 🤣
Excelent video. I am considering exactly one of these cameras. Thanks a lot !
Awesome to hear! Hope it was insightful. Both are great cameras.
Hello Phil. I was looking for reviews of gw690 and then I stumbled upon your video. I really liked it. Also I am too impressed with the images that old Bessa creates. Actually I am really considering buying old bessa. The only thing that it make me not to go for the bessa would be the separate focusing and framing feature. Anyway, this was interesting comparison. Thank you for making it. Hope you make another video relate to film photography in the future. But not to hurry. Only if you have some time to spare:)
Hi HyunMin! Thank you so much for the nice comment, it means a lot! It’s true, the focusing on the Bessa is a bit of a pain... but the prism itself is really clear and easy to see. They’re not cheap considering the age, but I love using mine!
Hi Phil, great video, very relaxing and chilled. I usually shoot medium format with a Mamiya RZ67, but it can be quite a weight sometimes, especially with the prism finder over a period of time. I was so inspired by your videos and your inspirations on the image and build quality, that I purchased a Voigtlander Bessa RF Rangefinder with a Compur Rapid Shutter and a Heliar F3.5/10.5cm Lens! I can’t wait for it to come on the 18th July, very excited. Thanks for your info and inspiration 👍
Hey Conon! Thanks for the comment. Everytime I look at someone shooting the RB/RZ I get tempted, but I am not a fan of big or heavy cameras so I know ultimately they wouldn't be for me. I hope you like the Bessa, it's a pleasure to use in my eyes but you do have to meter externally!
Phil Knall - Hi, yeah, for sure, I’ve got a converted Kodak A1 Junior Autographic, so I’m hoping it will be a similar situation as far as metering is concerned! though I’m looking forward to focusing with the rangefinder principle, and can’t wait to open that beautiful mechanism, that engineering, oh my, it’s so awesome.
Thanks for the photo walk comparison!
Thanks for the comment! You are very welcome :)
Phil, thank you for this vid. I have a Bessa and start considering the Fuji or Mamiya 7 to purchase, but hesitate about the higher price now...
I'm surprised that you're living around Tokyo too!
What lens do you have on your Bessa?
Glad you enjoyed it! Both the Fuji and Mamiya7 are amazing cameras but the Bessa can hold it's own! I have the Heliar lens on mine :)
At mid-aperture settings, the Tessar derived lens in the Bessa RF is quite sharp. What gives the Fuji its apparent advantage is that the pre-War Bessa lens is not coated. That accounts for its lower contrast and saturation. The consistently lighter images of the Bessa probably indicates a slow-running shutter. If someone wants the Bessa as a user, they'd be better off with the post-War version, the Bessa II, but its collectible status makes it unreasonably high cost compared to the Fuji. The Fuji GW690IIII is unbeatable.
Thank you for your insight!
Agreed, the Bessa II looks like a wonderful camera, however I find the pricing completely prohibitive. The lack of coating does lessen the contrast a little and produces more flare, but it is still very usable in my eyes.
It's still amazing to me that a camera over 80 years old produces these wonderful images, and I will do my best to ensure it does so for a long time to come.
Lovely photos. May I ask.. I read somewhere, that modern colour 120 film (Kodak), has different aligning dots on the backing, therefore you can't see what frame you are on when you are winding the film. Is this true and if so, how did you overcome this issue? I have just received my Bessa and am keen to shoot it with Portra, but seeing the cost of film these days, I thought I'd ask before I took the risk. May I also ask, what adapter is needed if I want to use it on a tripod? Thank you kindly!
Hi! Thank you for the comment. Personally i haven't had any issues with the aligning marks, I'll have to check again to see what you mean... The tripod thread is a 3/8″-16, you should be able to find an adapter fairly easily.
The Bessa doesn't give up anything in terms of sharpness. However, the Fuji has better color saturation.
Agreed, I'm assuming this is mostly due to the modern coated lens.
@@PhilKnall Yep, Fuji coatings
Really appreciate fuji lenses. My gs645 also renders beautifully.
With critical measurement, the Fuji lens will be much superior, but not so much in real life. Now, if you upgrade to a Bessa II and pick one with a Heliar lens, you overcome most of the negatives he finds in his Bessa, and the lens gap closes a great deal. If I was walking around Tokyo, I'd always take the Bessa for practical reasons. If I was walking around with a camera of my choice, I'd use a Fuji GS645. The outstanding lens of a Fuji mated with a modern folding design like the Bessa, adding a built-in light meter. True, it shoots 645, a negative half the size of the others, but with modern films, there is little advantage to the larger negative size.
Thanks for your comment! Great to find another folder aficionado.
I agree with everything you said. My Bessa has the regular (non-Color) heliar lens. I love it, and it's a great eye-catcher/conversation starter to boot.
I have just picked up a GS645 and am loving the test shots I have taken so far!
I’m actually seriously surprised by the color accuracy of the lens on the Bessa. I figured the Fuji would be the obvious winner there, but surprisingly I’m actually a little more impressed with the lower contrast you get on the Bessa here. Great comparison vid though! You’ve got me wondering if I should get a Bessa over a GW690III now.
Thank you for the kind words! I agree, I was also a little surprised (although I am of course familiar with the Bessa by now..)
One thing is for sure - with the age difference you won't have to worry about the working condition when buying the Fuji. With the Bessa there's uncertainty with the lens, bellows, and shutter.
I brought my GW690iii to Japan last year and having only 8 shots per roll made me sad and man Japan is so photogenic. I wanted to shoot more on film.
Thanks for the comment! I agree - there is always a nice scene just around the corner...
Great video Phil! I'm really surprised by the quality of the Bessa I was expecting the Fuji to beat it hands down with colour. I recently got a Fuji G960BL and wow is that thing heavy also shooting 6x9 and only getting 8 shots gives me anxiety, I feel like I can't waste any haha
Keep up the good work! I found your TH-cam from your Instagram love the shots you take!
Nick Cooney Hey Nick! Thank you so much for the comment. Yeah, I also expected much more of a difference.. the GW is actually acceptable weight considering the size, due to the plastic body. My buddy has a mark one, and that one is hefty! Re: 6x9 anxiety, I actually started with the bessa so every time I shoot anything else I’m like “what do you mean I have 4 shots left??
Thanks for making this video. Very informative!
Thank you!
Sorry I can't take my eye out of the Olympus Pen F, back on the right!
Good eye! The pen f is a wonderful camera as well. Unbelievable that it is a slr at that size!
@@PhilKnall Yesss, some day I wil own one with the gothic style "F"... some day... meanwhile I just discovered your channel and I really like it! you got a new subscriber! good job!
@@nunca_te_acostaras thank you so much! I really appreciate it. That gothic F is the coolest thing about the design :)
wait so how do you see the focus for the voigtlander? love how compact it looks but base on the video the hole where you look through looks very small? looks harder to use for the benefit of it's compactness. and if it's not for rendering colors, is it better for black and white? BUT if it isnt so contrast that doesnt sound great for black and white unless the shooter likes low contrast black and white style.
lastly which is more affordable?
The rangefinder window is definitely small and not nearly as easy to use as the GW690. Bessas are generally more affordable than the Fuji's, but not by a huge margin.
Since it's from 1930s, the lens on the Bessa is definitely designed for black & white, and the contrast difference is likely due to the lack of modern coating.
@@PhilKnall thank you :)
I own the Fuji 690 in the 90mm and the 65mm lenses and they are the best landscape and the 90mm is an awesome portrait lens as well. Excellent video!
I agree, they are amazing cameras. Thank you for the kind comment!
Where in Tokyo did you develop that, what the name of the place?
Hi! Thanks for the comment. I develop most of my medium format film at Yellow jacket in Sendagi. They do 120 same or next day!
how much is film develop with raw file??
Hi! Do you mean developing and scans? For my 120 film, I pay about 500 yen for developing and 800-1000 for scans. For the ones in this video I just got prints which were 35 yen each.
Phil Knall thanks! Shoot Zeiss ikon someday!
@@birdcage6288 yeah, those look great too! Some day.
how come you take photos of people then everyone is ok with it instead of getting upset and asking you to delete the photo
Easy answer - because it's Japan. People usually don't mind. Especially with the Bessa people are usually happy to have their pic taken.
However, I do think being sensible about taking others' images is incredibly important. In Japan, people can technically sue you for publishing their image without their consent. I do think that street photography has a place in this world, so I take that risk, and I do make sure I am not sneaking around or aggressively pushing the camera in their face like some others are. I try to be as non-threatening as possible. And if someone would ask me to delete it (it has not happened yet), I would calmly explain that it's film, and if they absolutely insist I would probably pull out the roll because ultimately they are in the right.
Thank you for the video these cameras sure don't get the attention they should.
Hey thanks so much! I do love both of these cameras. Gonna have to do more shooting with the Fuji!
Hey Phil, love the comparisons, the Bessa is like something from another time era, aint it? Found you out from Instagram. Give me a shout out @thepicturefella if you will!
High quality from both cameras. That Voightlander looks tempting.
I am reminded of how ugly Tokyo appears to be. It seems filled with children's colors, awful primitive architecture. Japan's past is so rich yet the Japanese people seem to be content with living in a child's playroom. Sad to see.
Thank you for the comment.
Well, I suppose that's subjective, I quite like the "children's colors." But like any large city, Tokyo is not all like this one neighbourhood. Just like New York does not all look like Times Square.
That is extremely subjective and quite honestly says more about your lack of aesthetic.