| Camera Name: | Fujifilm GX680 |
| Image Alt: | Fuji GX680, a medium format camera with a bellows focusing mechanism |
| Maker: | Fujifilm |
| Type: | Interchangeable-lens SLR medium-format studio/field camera |
| Sensor Type: | Film |
| Sensor Size: | 56× |
| Filmformat: | 120/220 |
| Filmgauge: | --> |
| Fadvance: | Motor |
| Frewind: | Motor |
| Focus Type: | Manual |
| Exposure: | Manual; aperture-priority automatic |
| Shutterrange: | –8s + B |
| Viewfinder: | waist-level |
| Ovf: | eye-level, autoexposure, and angle |
| Coverage: | 100% |
| Made In: | Japan |
| Successor: | GX680 II, GX680 III |
| References: | [1] |
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; the 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.
The Fuji GX680 has been built in 3 model variants (numbers in parentheses are the production periods):
The 3 models differ externally only by slight modifications on displays, controls and rechargeable battery versus battery. The GX680 was introduced in 1987,[2] [3] and shown at the Photographic Marketing Association convention with nine lenses, which was held in Chicago.[4] 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.[5] 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 12oz lighter than the regular model III.[6]
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.[5]
| GX680[7] | GX680 II[8] | GX680 III & IIIS[9] | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 187× | III: 188× | IIIS: 188× | ||
The listed controls and parts are available on the camera:
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.
| EBC Fujinon Lens | 35mm-equiv. FL & aperture | Aperture range | Filter (mm) | Mass (g) | Dimensions (mm) | Elements/ groups | MSRP (×1000)[10] | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50mm 5.6 GX (M) | 23mm 2.6 | 5.6–45 | 112 | 1250 | 115 × 115× 125 | 12/9 | 267 | cannot be used with full movements due to smaller image circle | |
| 65mm 5.6 GX (M) | 30mm 2.6 | 5.6–45 | 95 | 1190 | 107 × 107 × 116 | 10/9 | 225 | ||
| 80mm 5.6 GX (M) | 37mm 2.6 | 5.6–45 | 95 | 1100 | 101 × 107 × 113 | 8/8 | 190 | ||
| 100mm 4.0 GX (M) | 46mm 1.8 | 4–45 | 82 | 910 | 101 × 107 × 101 | 8/8 | 147 | ||
| 115mm 3.2 GX MD | 53mm 1.5 | 3.2–32 | 95 | 870 | 101 × 107 × 95 | 8/6 | 183 | ||
| 125mm 3.2 GX MD | 57mm 1.5 | 3.2–32 | 95 | 895 | 101 × 107 × 96 | 8/6 | 178 | ||
| 125mm 5.6 GX (M) | 57mm 2.6 | 5.6–45 | 82 | 545 | 101 × 107 × 80 | 6/5 | 142 | ||
| 135mm 5.6 GX (M) | 62mm 2.6 | 5.6–45 | 82 | 565 | 101 × 107 × 79 | 6/6 | 122 | the most common "kit lens" for this system | |
| 150mm 4.5 GX (M) | 69mm 2.1 | 4.5–45 | 82 | 705 | 101 × 107 × 91 | 6/4 | 153 | ||
| 180mm 3.2 GX MD | 82mm 1.5 | 3.2–32 | 95 | 1030 | 101 × 107 × 105 | 7/5 | 160 | ||
| 180mm 5.6 GX (M) | 82mm 2.6 | 5.6–45 | 82 | 800 | 101 × 107 × 104 | 6/6 | 195 | ||
| 190mm 8.0 GX SF | 87mm 3.7 | 8–64 | 82 | 690 | 101 × 107 × 104 | 3/3 | 156 | unique aperture design for soft out-of-focus regions | |
| 210mm 5.6 GX (M) | 96mm 2.6 | 5.6–64 | 82 | 835 | 101 × 107 × 103 | 5/5 | 160 | ||
| 250mm 5.6 GX (M) | 115mm 2.6 | 5.6–64 | 82 | 925 | 101 × 107 × 105 | 5/4 | 164 | ||
| 300mm 6.3 GX (M) | 137mm 2.9 | 6.3–64 | 82 | 1100 | 101 × 107 × 139 | 5/5 | 229 | ||
| 500mm 8.0 GX (M) | 229mm 3.7 | 8–64 | 82 | 1660 | 101 × 107 × 245 | 6/6 | 395 | Supplied with an optional mounting rail, which stabilises the lens but prevents camera movements entirely. Tilt functions not usable. Introduced in 1999. | |
| 100–200mm 5.6 GX (M) | 46–92mm 2.6 | 5.6–64 | 105 | 2150 | 118 × 118.5 × 176 | 14/11 | 398 | optional (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.[5]
As the Fuji GX680 series are system cameras there is a wide range of accessories: