Fuji GX680

The Fuji GX680 is a series of single lens reflex system cameras for medium format film produced by Fujifilm with interchangeable camera lenses and interchangeable film holders for the unusual film format 6×8 cm on 120 and 220 roll film. The distinguishing feature of the Fuji GX680 is the articulating front standard, which runs on a rail connecting lens and camera body by a bellows; each interchangeable lens is permanently mounted to a lens board.

In contrast to competing medium-format cameras, e.g. Mamiya RB67 and RZ67 and Rolleiflex SL66, for some models of the Fuji GX680 the front standard can be shifted right, left, up and down for perspective control, and the front standard can also be tilted on horizontal and vertical axes to control depth of field using the Scheimpflug principle. Therefore, the Fuji GX680 has many of the same camera movements of a large format view camera, only limited by restricted motions of the front standard and a fixed rear standard, making the camera also suitable for architectural photography. The Fuji GX680 has quite large physical dimensions for a medium-format camera, but compared to the typical monorail/studio large-format camera, the Fuji GX680 is more compact. Although the Fuji GX680 was designed for studio work due to its size and weight, a neck-strap was offered for mobile work.

Camera models The Fuji GX680 has been built in 3 model variants (numbers in parentheses are the production periods): Fuji GX680 (1987–1995) Fuji GX680 II (1995–1998) Fuji GX680 III (1998–2007) The 3 models differ externally only by slight modifications on displays, controls and rechargeable battery versus battery. The GX680 was introduced in 1987, and shown at the Photographic Marketing Association convention with nine lenses, which was held in Chicago. The original GX680 and GX680 II are powered by a rechargeable nickel-cadmium battery, which provides sufficient power for approximately 1000 exposures and recharges in 1 hour. Alternatively, for studio use, an optional DC power supply is available. Externally, the original may be distinguished from model II by the focus locking mechanism. The focusing knob operated by the right hand has a "focus brake" lever coaxial with the focus knob on the original camera, while the same function is performed by a "focus lock lever" that is on the front standard carrier on the model II. The III/IIIS has the name prominently marked on the right side of the camera, above the shutter speed selector dial.

There is a second (Simplified) variant of the model III denoted with an "S" suffix (e.g., GX680 IIIS) which only allows linear extension of the front standard along the rails, and omits the tilt and shift movements of the standard model. In return, the IIIS is lighter than the regular model III.

The Fuji GX680 system features interchangeable camera lenses, viewfinders and focusing screens, film holders (also for instant film), batteries, and bellows including the standard bellows, bag bellows for wide angle lenses and extended long bellows for telephoto lenses over 150mm. Optional accessories include 50mm extension rail sets for close ups, a remote release, viewfinder correction lenses, neck strap, and bellows lens shades. Fuji produced a digital back for the GX680 but it was only available in Japan. In the US, Fuji partnered with the makers of the Luma digital back in the early 2000's.

The film holders for the GX680 and GX680 II feature a backup ER-3 lithium battery to retain data.

+Comparison of key specifications GX680 GX680 II GX680 III & IIIS Power Source rechargeable battery (7.2V) 3× CR123A batteries (9V), optional battery holder Display LEDs LCD Error warnings Yes, audible and visual Lenses EBC Fujinon GX or EBC Fujinon GX M Display Filmcounter Counter for camera & filmholder Counter for camera, filmholder & lens Film advance Yes, automatic to first frame & after last frame; motor-driven between each exposure via discrete film wind button Data recording No Yes, with film holder III Film 120/220 type 6 cm roll film Formats Portrait/Landscape by revolving the film holder, viewfinder mask coupled to the revolving film holder shows the actual orientation 6×8 cm (56×76mm) Lens-Shift, max. 15mm right, left, up; 13mm down IIIS: No motions Lens-Tilt, max. ±12° on horizontal and vertical axis Communications connector No Yes Shutter Speed –8s, Bulb Exposure Frequency ca. 1 frame/s ISO 25-1600 25-3200 Mounting for neck-strap No, extra neck-strap-set available Yes Flash Yes, synchro-socket & test button provided on camera body; hotshoe on front standard Exposure-Programs Manual (set Exposure-Time and Aperture manually), Auto Exposure AE (Aperture priority, set Aperture manually, automatic setting of Shutter Speed depending on ISO-setting on film-holder in combination with Exposuremeter in AE-Finder) OTF-Exposure-Warning, -Display Yes, displayed via LEDs Yes, displayed via LCD OTF-Sensitivity LW 4–18 at ISO 100 LW 5–19 at ISO 100 TTL-Light- & -Flashlight-Measure No, only via AE-Finder Weight 4146g 4256g III: 4070g, 2690g IIIS: 3720g, 2350g Dimensions III: IIIS:

Notes

Parts and controls

The listed controls and parts are available on the camera: Controls on the right-hand side of the camera body: Shutter release button Power off & film advance (Single/Continuous/Multi) mode selector Film wind button (following a multi-exposure) Mirror up/down switch Shutter speed selector dial (including Bulb and Auto Exposure) Flash synchro socket Flash synchro test button Remote control shutter release socket Communications connector (only on model III)

Controls on the left-hand side of the camera body: Battery lock button (model I/II only) Side Cover Lock Release button (model III only) Battery interface (model I/II only) Battery Holder III interface (model III only)

Controls on the top of the body: Spirit level Viewfinder lock release lever LEDs or LCD (post-exposure monitoring)

Controls on the bottom of the body: Battery compartment (model III only)

Controls on the back of the body: Revolving film-holder lock release button

Controls on the lens: Aperture selector lever Aperture stop-down (depth-of-field preview) lever

Controls on the front standard: Focusing knobs and Focus lock lever Tilt, Shift, and Swing knobs and locks Hot shoe (on front standard) Lens lock lever

Lenses All EBC Fujinon GX(M) Lenses have been equipped with a Central shutter (Flash synchronisation is possible at all shutter-speeds), the lenses have good reputations. Electric contacts on the lens board and the lenses are used to control the central shutter from the camera body. The shutter in all lenses is electronic and made by Seiko. Levers on the lens control the aperture.

+Fujinon GX(M) lenses for GX680 camerasEBC Fujinon Lens 35mm-equiv. FL & aperture Aperture range Filter (mm) Mass Dimensions (mm) Elements/ groups MSRP (×1000 ) Notes Wide-angle lenses 50mm 5.6 GX (M) 23mm 2.65.6–4511212/9267cannot be used with full movements due to smaller image circle 65mm 5.6 GX (M)30mm 2.65.6–459510/9225 80mm 5.6 GX (M)37mm 2.65.6–45958/8190 Normal lenses 100mm 4.0 GX (M)46mm 1.84–45828/8147 115mm 3.2 GX MD53mm 1.53.2–32958/6183 125mm 3.2 GX MD57mm 1.53.2–32958/6178 125mm 5.6 GX (M)57mm 2.65.6–45826/5142 135mm 5.6 GX (M)62mm 2.65.6–45826/6122the most common "kit lens" for this system 150mm 4.5 GX (M)69mm 2.14.5–45826/4153 Portrait lenses 180mm 3.2 GX MD82mm 1.53.2–32957/5160 180mm 5.6 GX (M)82mm 2.65.6–45826/6195 190mm 8.0 GX SF87mm 3.78–64823/3156unique aperture design for soft focus effect 210mm 5.6 GX (M)96mm 2.65.6–64825/5160 250mm 5.6 GX (M)115mm 2.65.6–64825/4164 300mm 6.3 GX (M)137mm 2.96.3–64825/5229 Telephoto lenses 500mm 8.0 GX (M)229mm 3.78–64826/6395Supplied with an optional mounting rail, which stabilises the lens but prevents camera movements entirely. Tilt functions not usable. Introduced in 1999. Zoom lenses 100–200mm 5.6 GX (M)46–92mm 2.65.6–6410514/11398optional (not supplied) mount of support rail under the camera and a support ring on the lens is necessary, tilt functions not usable, 80mm rail extension cannot be used

A Lens Board Adapter accessory permits the use of large-format camera lenses fitting Linhof Technika type lens boards, but the shutter of these lenses is not controlled by the Fuji GX680, so they must be pre-focussed and then manually triggered after the mirror is locked up. The adapter is intended for use with Fujinon-W 180, 210, 250mm; Fujinon-SF 180mm; Fujinon-A 180, 240; and Fujinon-T 300mm lenses.

Accessories As the Fuji GX680 series are system cameras there is a wide range of accessories: Viewfinders: Folding waist level viewfinder (default), including a pop-up 2.5× magnifier with -1 diopter lens Alternative 2.5× magnifier lenses were available for the waist level finder with different diopter powers: -4, -3, 0, +1, +2, +3 "Magnifying Hood" (waist level, equipped with a 4× loupe that can be moved over the focusing screen area) Angle Finder (eye-level viewing, adjustable diopter) AE viewfinders - each equipped with centre-weighted Exposure Meter (including flash), enabling aperture priority autoexposure: "AE Finder FL" (waist level, view from above) "AE Finder III" (eye-level, adjustable diopter) Focusing Screens (especially for different formats on model III) Carrying: Neck-strap (model III default accessory) & Neck-strap-set Carrying Case Backs/Image capture: Instant film-holder 120/220 Roll Film Holder Film Holder III (introduced with GX680 III) adds interchangeable masks for 6×4.5, 6×6, and 6×7 formats (along with default 6×8 format with no mask) and adjusts the film advance accordingly; the masks must be installed prior to mounting the back on the body, and the format cannot be changed mid-roll. Single model of film holder used with two different interchangeable film-cassettes for 120 and 220 type film. Digital Back Fujifilm DBP for GX680 Mosaic Engineering Luma / Luma II (digital backs with a sensor; resolution is 3072×2048 (Luma) or 4008×2672 (Luma II); requires host computer) Film-Holder Adaptors for Hasselblad 6×6, Contax 645 and Mamiya 645 backs (other makers digital backs can also be mounted to Fuji GX680 by interchangeable mounts, most digital backs have smaller formats than 6×4.5 format) Miscellaneous: Extension Rail Sets to extend the standard (65mm) Focus-Rail 40mm 80mm (introduced with GX680 II) Bellows for long focus-movement or wide angle-lenses 1m and 5m Remote Release Bellows-Lens-Shades, Lens-Hoods Rechargeable Battery, Charger, Battery Holder

Gallery

Fuji GX680

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