Manual Focus Lenses Forum

Colorado CJ · Joined: 29 Jul 2012 Posts: 210 Location: Northern Colorado

I've been wanting one of these for many years. I finally won one on Ebay for a price I was willing to spend, and it is in exellent condition, where most are pretty worn looking.

So, what is it? It's a Fuji G690 BL medium format rangefinder. It's been known as a Texas Leica because it's HUGE (nearly 5 lbs), almost cartoon size and it's similarity to a Leica M3. It takes 6cm x 9cm medium format negatives.

Here's a shot of it next to my Canon L2 Rangefinder

Fuji G690 BL by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

I also ran a test roll through it yesterday to make sure everything was working. It seems to work at all sped and the rangefinder is spot on. These are nothing special, just some shots from around my shop. Because of the very large negative, I only get 8 shots per roll.

G690BL Test 1 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

G690BL Test 2 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

G690BL Test 3 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

G690BL Test 4 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

Since this is very similar to an M3, handling and using it is very easy. It is the fastest medium format camera I've ever used, just what I wanted! I'll probably be taking it up into the high country tomorrow for some hiking and photography.

visualopsins · Expire: 2027-07-11

To see what a camera! look at these results:

http://forum.mflenses.com/first-roll-of-ektar-through-my-fuji-6x9-t77832.html

http://forum.mflenses.com/devils-tower-g690bl-fuji-100-mm-f3-5-t77659.html