Text and images by Michael G Dougan for Japan Exposures
Let me start by saying that I like folding cameras. In fact, I like them so much that between the 59 cameras I own, there are quite a few folders. When I got curious about film photography one of the first serious cameras I bought was an Agfa Super Isolette, then a Balda and a Certo Six and to round it off a Zeiss Super Ikonta. There is just something about these old mechanical cameras that I love.
So, when Fujifilm/Cosina Voigtländer announced the Bessa 667/GF670 Professional I wanted one badly. I’ve long preferred the square format but have recently been looking for a camera with a different aspect ratio and this camera satisfied my love of all things square while offering an alternative by being able to switch to 6×7 when desired.
We have the Fujifilm GF670 in black in stock for immediate shipping in the Japan Exposures Shop. Limited to 5000 cameras, BLACK Fujifilm version only available in Japan and equipped with the Fuji EBC (Electron Beam Coated) Fujinon lens.
As advertised the camera weighs in at 1kg but in operation it feels quite a lot less. Though when the camera is folded up it certainly feels like a lump, just not a 1kg lump. Once the lens has been extended the impression is of a very light camera.
In operation I immediately felt very comfortable with this camera, to me it feels very like a Leica to use, the focus is smooth and the aperture ring is easily and quickly adjusted. The built in light meter also takes the guesswork out of the exposures as with the old folders.
Since acquiring the camera I’ve shot it exclusively in 6 by 7 format and I like the opportunities it gives for framing over a square format. The shutter is extremely quiet, quiet enough to use in covertly but carrying a camera like this does attract a lot of inquisitive looks and questions from people.
I’m also extremely pleased with the camera’s image quality. I find it hard to say what it is but the images from the camera have a certain signature from the 80mm Fujinon EBC lens but maybe people more familiar with other Fuji lenses might say that is the signature of such lenses. It’s sharp, contrasty and the fuzzy bits just melt into the background beautifully.
You can see some samples of the type of photos I enjoy taking, which is out on the streets. I am living in the Philippines and it’s currently the monsoon season, which means it’s stinking hot and raining a lot! I was walking for less than an hour in the afternoon sun and the camera never felt heavy or a pain to carry. Here under these tropical conditions even a Leica can become irritating as you soon fatigue in the sun. The camera got extremely hot in the one hour I was out but the focus still had the same feeling of operation. With some my cameras they get a bit sloppy when they overheat, but this GF670 camera has been super smooth all the time, quick and easy to nail the focus, and the viewfinder’s clarity is excellent!
With the GF670 in my hands and several rolls of Neopan 120 in my pocket, it’s a perfect setup for me.
Michael Dougan is a 40 years old Scotsman who has been living in the Philippines for over 6 years. He is married to a beautiful Filipina and father to a son. He is currently working on the scientific drillship Chikyu in Japan, but has been in the offshore oil and gas drilling industry for 20 years. He is heavily involved as one of the organizers of Rangefinder Filipinas, keeping the passion for film photography burning in the Philippines.
We have the Fujifilm GF670 in black in stock for immediate shipping in the Japan Exposures Shop. Limited to 5000 cameras, BLACK Fujifilm version only available in Japan and equipped with the Fuji EBC (Electron Beam Coated) Fujinon lens.
Mike, good to see you’re enjoying the camera and getting some good results. You may want to try the Fuji Acros if you can get it: D-76 1:3 @16.5 mins. Excellent for bright clear days. I also enjoyed the Polaroid of you.
Thanks Clive, I’ve never tried Arcos, I fell in love with the Presto 400 and despite trying just about every other film I keep coming back to this one.
I’m not a big fan of D76 though I find it excellent for the Eastman 5222 movie stock. I has been a long time since I tried it with any other films though, maybe time to revisit that.
Nice images! Makes me want to drag out my Mamiya M7 and go out and make some new images… What do you use to scan the negatives???
Dan, I use an Epson V700 scanner set to 3,200dpi.
Hi. Nice pics from my home country. It’s refreshing to come across someone online who is not a parachute journalist documenting a third world country like the Philippines.
Just one correction on a caption title, “Tambay.” It should be “Tanod” if you mean to say watchman. “Tambay” is pidgin from the English “stand by” and refers to people, usually young men, just being lazy or hanging around a certain location, like a “sari-sari” store front.
Best,
Max
Tambay as in watchers, watching the world go by.
Tanod as in Barangay Security.
Here it was noticed that when the BDS was introduced (Barangay security) the number off robbery’s and burglaries rose dramatically.
Hence the local play on words with Tambay being the Watchman, in other words they were watching for the opportunity’s to make easy money.
I’ve met a lot of foreigners who come here to get those heart breaking/tear jerking photo’s of poverty for there portfolio. I however live here, all these photo’s were taken in the next street to my house and I speak to everybody I meet and photography. I’m interested in capturing the rural life and the personality of the people.
“I’ve met a lot of foreigners who come here to get those heart breaking/tear jerking photo’s of poverty for there portfolio. I however live here, all these photo’s were taken in the next street to my house and I speak to everybody I meet and photography. I’m interested in capturing the rural life and the personality of the people.”
That make a huge difference! Beautiful pictures with full tonal range.
Great compositions of a nice people.
Helcio
Bauru – Br
Very interested to read your review. I’m not sure I would favour the camera over the rangefinder Mamiya 7 though, especially as it doesn’t have interchangeable lenses, but appears to weigh about the same.
1. I like the discipline that having a single lens produces, you have to learn to zoom and frame with your feet and consequently interact with your subject.
2. I don’t have a Mamiya 7 but do have a Mamiya 6. The GF670 feels a lot lighter than the 6 though they are probably about the same weight. (Body only)
Very good review Mike.
I think that Fuji is initially testing the purchase response from the niche market, the same case when the first release the Voigtlander Bessa, I hope they release a cheaper version of this Fuji camera.
Well, the price isn’t that much relevant if the owner can produce such beautiful street portraits as yours and has the money of course.
Cheers,
Reynan
Nice photos! I’ve been longing to see some GF670 samples and yours did not disappoint.
Beautiful photos with a camera Fujifilm GF670 Professional, but the photograph of the photographer Michael Dougan is decadent to display a firearm.
Hi,
excuse my bad English, but I have one technical question.
In differenco to a Leica rangefinder the frame lines on the right side and the below side of the Voigtländer finder are fixed. What does this mean for the pcactice and the accuracy of the finder?
Thanks Elmar
The world is flat! I am from Taiwan, searching GF670 information to see if I should buy it when I go to Japan. And you are from GB, living in Philippines and using a camera from Japan.
I like the way you take the pictures. All the people look so comfortable before your lens. Some are shy and most of them smiling. You are their companion.
Thanks Luke.
I hope you find one for sale in Japan. The camera is fantastic and I’m enjoying it more than ever.
I’d love to own and shoot one. Kind of expensive for me right now, but I’m saving up. Like everybody else, I enjoyed the photos, and the stories behind them…and everybody’s kind comments, which I’m right there with. A pleasant few moments, reading this review, seeing the photos, and reading other people’s kind and thoughtful comments. Thanks to all.
Sorry for my English – I have a few questions:
1. It doesn’t have a build-in hood, right? Is it posible to attach a generic hood?
2. How does it hold the harsh light? ( is is possible to shot against the sun, like with some Zeiss-Leica lenses?)
Thank you
Mikhail
Correct, there is a special hood available for it. It should be no problem to add a generic hood ia the filter thread.
I suggest you research around the web for sample photos to judge lens performance, e.g.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rapidwinder/tags/bessaiii/
There is one on hand for handling at the Yodobashi Camera in Akihabara- The sales clerk explained that filters have to be removed before closing the camera back up lest they damage something.
John, thats fairly normal for folding cameras. There is very little room between the lens and door/lens board.
I happened on your site while looking for info about the GF670.
I notice you also use a Mamiya 6. Can you tell me how the viewfinders compare in use, as far as clarity, ease of focusing and general feel?
I love the Mamiya 6, but really want a compact 67, and now that Fuji is coming out with the wide version of the GF670 I’m looking into the possibility of using a pair of GF670s instead of a Mamiya 7 with a couple of lenses.
Wonderful images of everyday life in your neighborhood. Do you know about the work of Inta Ruka?
http://www.baukunst-galerie.de/kuenstler/intaruka_en.php
(There’s also a link on the top of this web page with more info about her.)
Best for the new year.
Arne,
There is really no comparison between the Mamiya 6 VF and the GF670. The Mamiya 6’s vf is not as bright and clear as the GF670’s. I wear glasses and the ‘standard’ 75mm frame-lines are just visible if I squash my face up to the camera, in contrast the GF’s frame-lines are clearly visible at the 6×7 setting. The view finder on the GF670 is far superior which is why my Mamiya 6 gets left at home a lot now.
I have not used the GF670W and at the moment I don’t plan on buying one.
The GF670 is about 1kg in weight but compared to the Mamiya 6 it feels a lot lighter and much more compact.
I think a pair off GF670’s (1 wide, 1 normal) would be a great lightweight combination with selectable 6×6 and 6×7.
Surprisingly I do know off Inta Ruka, she was featured in the now defunct Quadrant magazine (Rolleiflex). She really manages to capture people’s personality.
Have a very Happy New year when it comes.
Can you tell me what flash to use with GF670?
Cheers.
The camera has a standard hotshoe, so you can use the usual equipment. Note that since it has a leaf shutter, there are no restrictions as to usable shutter speeds with flash.