Silence my Fuji GSW690II

Atom · 08-25-2007

I have heard there is a way to disable the counter on these cameras in order to get rid of the loud clank. Is this a DIY job? Has it already been posted somewhere here and I just haven't found it? Will this make future resale of this camera less? Or is it a feature!?

FrankS · 08-25-2007

My Fujica GS645W makes a loud clack when the shutter is activated. The clack does not happen when the shutter is activated using the self timer.(This camera does not have a counter (that I'm aware of). What I've read on the web makes it sound like it is not possible to prevent that from happening. unfortunately!

cmedin · 08-25-2007

At least you don't have a GA645... very very quiet shutter, but the WHIRR WHIRRRRRRRRRRRR from the AF and the GRRRRRRRAAAAAA from the power winder kind of ruins that.

furcafe · 08-25-2007

I'm not sure that the shutter sound has anything to do w/the counter, either the exposure counter or the "mileage" counter on the bottom. Where did you read that?

Atom · 08-25-2007

I heard it from other photographers who have owned the 690 cameras. I did not read it on the internet. I was told that the loud click was from the actuation of the counter. Since I have never taken this camera apart I can't be certain. I own a Mamiya 7ii and it has a leaf shutter that is whisper quite. This leads me to think that the leaf shutter in the Fuji lens would be similarly quite if I could disable whtever is making the loud noise. Am I misguided?

FrankS · 08-25-2007

Atom, like I said, my 645 Fujica makes a clack and does not have a counter.

aizan · 08-25-2007

shutter sound is less of an issue than camera size.

FrankS · 08-25-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by aizan

shutter sound is less of an issue than camera size.

With the 690, I'd say the shutter sound is commensurate with the camera size, but with my little 645, it is disproportionately loud!

aizan · 08-25-2007

at least they don't stare at you before the shutter goes off.

FrankS · 08-25-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by aizan

at least they don't stare at you before the shutter goes off.

You are correct. Wonder where the excess size comes from; my 6x9 folding Bessa isn't that big - unfolded even.

Simon Larbalestier · 08-25-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atom

I heard it from other photographers who have owned the 690 cameras. I did not read it on the internet. I was told that the loud click was from the actuation of the counter. Since I have never taken this camera apart I can't be certain. I own a Mamiya 7ii and it has a leaf shutter that is whisper quite. This leads me to think that the leaf shutter in the Fuji lens would be similarly quite if I could disable whtever is making the loud noise. Am I misguided?

I believe also that the sound comes from the actuation of the counter. I have the same camera and the GW690III which also makes the same sound. There was a thread some years ago on PNet that raised this question and mentioned disabling the counter i would imagine a good repair shop who has experience with 120 RF's might be able to explore this possibility.

Better still I have also heard that Fuji UK will still service the Fuji 690 range of cameras so they would be the ones to ask. I will be calling them myself when i'm due back in the UK to see if they will service my GSW690II.

Noise-wise the sound is less distracting than that from a Plaubel Makina.

the Mamiya 6 and 7's are virtually silent. My previous BLG690 was also very quiet and this had no shutter counter.

On another note the addition of a TA soft release greatly improves the precision feel of firing the shutter on these monsters!

Atom · 08-25-2007

Thanks for your input Frank and Simon.

Frank: I have never worked with the 645s so I have nothing to compare to. I suppose i'll just live with it. You are right about the size, its excitingly unwieldy. hehe

FrankS · 08-25-2007

There's no harm in asking Fuji Co. about it.

furcafe · 08-26-2007

This is all very interesting. I learn something new every day.

FWIW, according to a recent email I received from them, Fuji USA still services the GW's & GSW's, so I'm sure their UK counterparts should be able to take care of you.

I'll have to try the soft release on my GW670III; I've always found them to be overkill on 35mm RFs, but the Fuji RFs are different beasts.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simon Larby

I believe also that the sound comes from the actuation of the counter. I have the same camera and the GW690III which also makes the same sound. There was a thread some years ago on PNet that raised this question and mentioned disabling the counter i would imagine a good repair shop who has experience with 120 RF's might be able to explore this possibility.

Better still I have also heard that Fuji UK will still service the Fuji 690 range of cameras so they would be the ones to ask. I will be calling them myself when i'm due back in the UK to see if they will service my GSW690II.

Noise-wise the sound is less distracting than that from a Plaubel Makina.

the Mamiya 6 and 7's are virtually silent. My previous BLG690 was also very quiet and this had no shutter counter.

On another note the addition of a TA soft release greatly improves the precision feel of firing the shutter on these monsters!

Atom · 08-26-2007

Well said toyota.

Doug · 08-26-2007

Funny thing is, the bigger camera (GW) makes a smaller tinny "plink" sound, while the smaller camera (GS645) makes a horrendous "CLACK"... This latter appears to be a deliberate noise-maker connected to the shutter release, and I'd like to hear the rationale for that. Certainly not for a shot-counter. And Fuji expert Frank Marshman told me it cannot be disabled.

I wish I could muffle both cameras, but that GS645 Clack does seem unrelated to the cheap plink sound of the GW690. It makes sense that the GW shutter indexing the total shot counter one more digit could make such a sound, but I'm disappointed in Fuji allowing it to be audible.