GAS Attack: Fuji GW670II

sooner · 08-08-2008

Hi Friends,

Well I got lucky on the Bay last night and scored a Fuji GW670II in great shape for $338. Seems about half what they usually go for, but two things worked in my favor; one was a new seller without much history, and another was the counter at 690. Yikes. Should I expect to send this baby in for a cla soon? Did I pay too much for a camera with so many actuations? If any of you want to comment on experiences with your 670, don't hold back. You know how it is, you just want to talk about the goodness coming in the mail. Thanks.....John.

sooner · 08-11-2008

Wow, 92 people have viewed this thread and no one responded...not sure what to make of that. Why don't we ask it this way: when you got your GW670, what was the counter at, and how many photos have you added to it? Or what's the highest you've known the counter on one of these to get without an overhaul?

FrankS · 08-11-2008

Sooner, both of the Fuji 670IIs I got have counters below 80, but I paid much more for them. You'll be surprized at the size of the camera. It reminded me of a clown prop. The shutter sound has the same effect. You will however enjoy the results on film!

Doug · 08-11-2008

When I bought my GW670III a couple years ago the shot counter said 593. Shortly afterward, I contacted Frank Marshman at Camera Wiz, an expert with Fuji rangefinders. He said the shutter lasts hundreds of thousands of rounds, so the suggestion for service every 500 on the shot counter is flexible depending on level of future use... and these cameras are well-known for irregular frame spacing... he said to check if the roller at the right of the film gate spins freely.

It's normal also for these shutters to make a cheap tinny "plink" sound when released. That's the shot counter being indexed. At least this is preferable to the toy-camera "CLACK" the GS645S makes when the shutter is tripped!

sooner · 08-12-2008

Thanks Doug, that's encouraging to me. I'll check the roller when the camera arrives, supposedly in Thursday's mail. --John

kuzano · 08-12-2008

In fact I just got my fuji GA645Zi back from service and a new back door LCD from Frank and he said that except for the back door LCD being bad (common on high count Zi's) my camera passed service with flying colors. By high count, I mean my Zi has 32,000 actuations. I've had this talk with Frank regarding the big Rangefinders as well. I've had discussions with Fuji and they say they currently don't recommend sending the camera in for service unless you are having shutter problems.

Good catch on the price. Certainly room for some service if it does need some.

gofriller · 08-20-2008

i have a fuji gw 670ii and i must say, that this is a wonderful camera.
the lens is great and the body is very robust. i had climbed with the fuji...
you can use 120er and 220er film and so you have all what you need.

my counter is at 679 and i have no problems.
the camera was from a profi, and so i know, that the counter is right.
if you buy you must know, thats verry easy to back the counter. only the bottom cover must be reduce and now you can do this.
if you buy an over 20 years old camera its not credible with a small counter