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The Fuji GX680 is a single lens reflex system camera for medium format film produced by Fujifilm with interchangeable camera lenses and interchangeable film holders for the unusual film format 6x8cm on 60mm roll film type 120 and 220. One highlight is the mounting of the lens on a lens board running on a rail connecting lens and camera body by a bellows like a view camera. In contrast to related medium-format-cameras of other makers, e.g. Mamiya RB67 and RZ67 and Rolleiflex SL66, the lens board can be shifted right, left, up and down for perspective control, the lens board can also be tilted on horizontal and vertical axis for control of depth of field using the Scheimpflug principle. Therefore the Fuji GX680 has the optical skills of a large format camera, only limited by restricted movability of the lens board, enabling the camera also for architectural photography. The Fuji GX680 has quite large physical dimensions for a medium-format-camera, but compared to studio-large-format-cameras the Fuji GX680 is a somewhat more compact model. Although the Fuji GX680 was designed for studio-work due to its size and weight, a neck-strap was offered for mobile work.
Contents
The Fuji GX 680 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.
There is a second variant of the model III called GX 680 III S, missing the tilt- and shift-movements of the lens board (but movement of the lens board for focusing is possible).
About 18 interchangeable camera lenses, some viewfinders and focusing screens, film holders (also for instant film), different bellows and extension rail sets for close ups were offered.
Comparison of model specifications
1The GXM-Lenses were introduced with GX680 III. An electronic Picture-Counter was included in the lenses, allowing the Fuji GX680 III together with film-holder III to show the counter for the film-holder, the camera and the lens for maintenance purposes. GXM-Lenses can be used on models GX680 and GX680 II, but show no counter there.
2Counter for lens only with GXM-Lenses and film-holder III
3120 and 220 type roll-film used different film-holders on models GX680 and GX680 II; model GX680 III used different replaceable film-cassettes in the same film-holder
4only viewable with 6x8 and 6x7 focusing screens on model GX680 III
5needs adequate format-mask for film-holder III, adapt viewer by matching focusing screen with imprinted format border, changing of film-mask in the middle of a roll is not possible.
6effective movement can be reduced by 50mm Lens or 100-200mm Zoom-Lens, also by combining different movements with any lens; model GX 680 III S has no Lens-Shift or -Tilt
7enables mounting of Fujifilm DBP Digital Back
8OTF=Off The Film, during the exposure a Silicium-Diode inside the camera-body measures the light reflected by the film in a central 25mm diameter circle, displays: over-/under- or correct-exposure after taking the picture; no Flash Control via OTF possible
9Camera-Body with Lens 135mm/1:5.6, filmh-holder and rechargeable battery
10Camera-Body with Lens 135mm/1:5.6 and film-hoöder, without (rechargeable) batteries
11only Camera-Body, without batteries
Parts and controls
The listed controls and parts are available on the camera:
Lenses
All EBC Fujinon GX(M) Lenses have been equipped with a Central shutter (Flash synchronization is possible at all shutter-speeds), the lenses have good reputations. Electric contacts on the lens board and the lenses have been used to control the central shutter. The shutter in all lenses is electronic and made by Seiko.
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 only Bulb-Speed can be used.
Accessories
As the Fuji GX680 series are system cameras there is a wide range of accessories: