Great video! It’s nice to see someone else shooting slides in this type of review, seems most people in these vids are stuck shooting portra for everything. I’ve been looking into exploring different medium format sizes, 6x9 seems great, but a bit of a turnoff for me is that it doesn’t seem like you can get 6x9 slide mounts - even for 6x7 it seems difficult to find mounts with glass shields. Slides are dust/fingerprint magnets like no other, especially when you load them into a projector, so it’s a good thing to be able to keep them in nice shape between glass. Plus, I like to be able to set my loupe right down on the glass mount, whereas with glassless mounts, you have to hover over them and balance moving in and out of focus. I hope you don’t mind a bit of constructive criticism: I really like the personality and sense of humor that you bring to this review, it adds a lot. However, at times the humor seems a little forced. I don’t think you need to force it, you seem like you genuinely have a good sense of humor, but you don’t always need to make everything you’re saying funny. Like I said, I do like what your personality and humor adds to the video, but I think it would help if you could relax a little and let it flow more naturally. I hope this doesn’t come off the wrong way - I’m genuinely trying to get it across in a polite and supportive way. I certainly wouldn’t have nearly as good of an on-camera personality, I realize it’s something that takes some practice. Anyway, I subscribed and I look forward to seeing more videos, keep up the great work!

I picked up a 1st gen Fujica GW690 around a month ago. What an absolute beast of a camera! I love those big negatives. Some awesome shots with the camera too.

I picked up a GW90ii after my Mamiya 6 was stolen. It's a bit bulkier than the Mamiya, but I love having the 6x9 film format for landscapes. Pairing it with the Keks EM01 light meter is a killer combo. I predict these will start going up in value.

I love my OG 690, and you can pry it out of my cold dead hands. I do wish it had the exposure lock, but I've learned to deal with that. It really makes surprisingly good portraits given the focal length, and I love it for environmental portraits in particular.

Yissss. I’ve been wanting one of these and I was hoping you’d make this review!

got my gw690iii last year on a whim just for something small'er than my RZ67 to take around, turns out its way awesomer than I knew! Also didnt know they were gonna skyrocket in price, feels goood to get the hype camera pre-hype

I have a couple of 690 s, incl the BL I love them because my first ceramic back in 1962 (!) was the Zeiss Ikonta 6x9 and grew to love the format.

bought the gw690ii a couple months ago, and has been loving it for the sharp lens and huge format, being huge and a rangefinder. the only complaint I have is 8 shots goes so fast on this camera. though behold Shanghai GP3 just announced they will be making 220 films yesterday... the perfect ego booster

Dude I just got one of these last week, and I've spotted it in some of your videos so I've been patiently waiting for its inevitable video....

Oh god no please now the prices will go up again

I've got the GW680 that I got by accident, I meant to get the 690 but got too excited when saw one on eBay, and only after purchase did I notice missing 10mm haha. In the end, I have no regrets as I crop most of my work to fit the 4x3 aspect ratio. Also, I've burned through the roll I mentioned in a comment about my CLA'd M6, and it's all good

Also, perhaps it is different on the gw690ii, but you can turn the aperture ring on "time" shutter shots to close the leaf shutter. I usually wear a hat and cover the lens with it to not create motion blur

Shutter up front is by design. Once you figured out the exposure, you can move both shutter and aperture rings simultaneously to get equivalent exposure. E.g., if F8/500 is the right exposure, you can grab both rings to get to f16/125 easily.

I love your pink camera bag, great look and photos

Oooof! Hats off (in my case a cowboy hat since I live in Texas, though embarrassingly I don't actually wear a cowboy hat) for the Texas power grid slam and the Fuji "you disappoint me more than I disappoint myself" slam. Also kudos for not using a lo-fi hip hop soundtrack. Also don't tell anyone, but Fuji made some GM670 and GL690 interchangeable lens rangefinders with various affordable/unaffordable leaf shutter lenses. The downside is getting these serviced/repaired.

Great video! Your black and whites with the Pro Mist filter were my favorite. Perhaps a Pro Mist black and white series with the Mamiya 7 👍

I was in my local camera shop yesterday buying a Ricoh 500 and heard a guy talking about a "Texas Leica". I had no clue what he meant. Then BOOM. A new Bad Flashes video drops.

love the humour man keep it up, funny

Cool, thanks for this. I am searching for my first Medium format film camera. In the lead is a Pentax 67 TTL, but hard to find one (that’s not in Japan with large import duties), and it’s a long way if there is something wrong with it.

Lol I literally just bought one of these a few weeks ago to replace my 6x9 graflex. Totally underrated camera. Glad I got one before the price skyrockets lol

You and Jason's youtube channels are like ying-yang. You're upbeat and happy Jason is a bit melancholy 😂

I wanted to get one of these but went with the 645 instead. Simply because I wanted to save money. I liked that camera strap. Velvia 100, never shot that stock. Probably wont ever tbh. Wow, that lens is very sharp. Or is Jason really just a sharp guy. We will never know...lol I am excited to see the Yosemite video for sure. It's on my bucket list whenever my wife and I make the trip out west...someday. Hows that light meter work for you? Do you find it is pretty spot on? Love the black and white with the promist shots. I recently shot a roll of 800t through my 645 with a moment cinebloom and love how the shots came out! Against Me tattoo caught my eye and I know you've had it for awhile but this prompts me to ask..... what is your favorite song or what song would you suggest to a first-time listener?

Ive had this camera for a while now and contemplated selling it but now you made me realize I can't do that. So thank you.

Thanks for the video, you have made me go out an buy one. You are despicable camera pusher. You are making me use film again. I now have to dust off my Contax645 and give it a spin before the Fuji GW690 III comes in.

Great camera. I have a 4x5 enlarger so enlarging 6x9 in the dark is no problem

Ooo… those B&W, Pro mist pictures were chef’s kiss.

When I need to travel with cameras that are a compromise between a 4x5 inch large format camera and a 35mm small format camera, I carry two Fuji medium format rangefinders. I carry a 6x7cm with a fixed 90mm f/3.5 normal lens for general subjects. I carry a 6x9cm with fixed 65mm f/5.6 wide-angle lens for landscapes and architecture. Love my two Texas Leicas..

Hi! I love your videos! This video was very helpful. Can you tell me a little more about how you have the strap set up? I noticed you also have what looks like little strings on the side of the camera…what is that about, and what brand do you use? You mention that you can easily load the camera while you have it around your neck and that is exactly what I want to be able to do. Thank you!

Gotta love some big ass negatives! I'd love to give this camera a try

This camera is a beast… Dope video 🤙🏾… Peace, Love, and Happiness!!! 🙃

I just purchased it as my RZ67 is a lot to take around and just not possible for some trips. If I decide the Fuji is a favorite? Maybe I get a mamiya 7 one day to replace it.

i have been contemplating one of these for a while now… you’ve made me totally want to pull the trigger on it😖😖😖

Love this camera

Might not be your thing but 35mm panoramics on the Texas Leica are to die for… plus I tend to get 13/14 shots. 😉 might be more fun if you take a hit of that Caleb 💯

Would you recommend this as opposed to another medium format camera for someone starting medium format? I do a lot of traveling and was looking for something low profile and this camera and GS645 seem to be my options.

I have the GSW690 II. The 65mm lens just gives that extra little bit of wideness. It's fun shooting negatives that freaking huge. The only thing that's a little disappointing is the hollow "SPROING!" sound you get when you press the shutter. It's off-putting once you're used to a hearty mirror slap. Once I finish off my slide film, I'm going to shoot some 35mm Texpan in it. 16 sprocket holes of goodness.

Late comment (even though I watched this day 1, love you bro). So, what you are saying is never ever buy a Mamiya 7, or you'll never use your other medium format cameras ever again. Gotcha, thanks, I will save some money and never buy it. Banger photos! I have always been fascinated by the Texas Leica's. They seem hilarious but also awesome and fun. You can apparently even buy nice 3rd party 35mm adapters for them and get really wide panos without too much trouble. I think the oldest ones even had interchangeable lenses but maybe that ruins the brick charm of it all. Occasionally I am tempted by the 680 one which is the same thing but 6x8 which is just a really unusual aspect ratio lol I actually never realized they were all manual, no battery affairs. Neat! Love the little things Fuji did here like 2 shutter buttons, 3 strap lugs etc just to make it easier on you. It looks so easy to load with your strap layout. I do love those 6 x 9 negatives. I splurged a lot on a Voigtlander Bessa 2, so I ain't buying this or a different 6x9 any time soon but I imagine this is much better for color film given those coatings and just more durable... (shameless plug of bad images: flic.kr/s/aHsmX341Ch).

What baffles me is why there isn't any new film cameras apart from disposables and Leica MA and MP made. The prices are so sky high there should be a lot of new alternatives by now.

I've used one of these before but it was the first version which weighs more than a small car!

Great video but quick question, how do you set the ISO on the camera??

Did you try to change the speed selector from T to 1 to end the exposure? That's the way it works on other medium format cameras (like the RB 67), just an idea, maybe it does work!

Thanks I had just convinced myself not to buy one but now I’m re-thinking

I think this video has led me to pull the trigger on gettin this as my first medium format.

With such a big negative this is perfect for landscape photography. Set the lens to infinity and at the aperture to f/22 meter for shutter and mount on a tripod and you're good.

I like big cameras and I can not lie! I recently walked around with my lomo’instant wide and people stared hard 🤔 trying to figure out what it was.

Seen a bunch of videos for the Texas Leica and have a question about focusing. I have the GSW690 specifically, but all videos mention the split-focus feature and having to line up the two images to achieve focus. I'm not at all seeing this split-image. I just see a small dimly lit box in the center of the viewfinder. PLEASE HELP!

Bro got me cryin in the club with what he said at the ending. 😂😭

I'm considering between the gw690 and the gw670 which i guess the main difference is the size of the negatives.... right?

Hi mate. I hope you are doing well. Do you have any tips on how to fit the filter without breaking the lens hood on Fuji GSW 690iii? Thanks

Which Pro Mist filter did you use for the B&W shots? I see there are Pro Mist 3, Black pro Mist 3 and Warm Black pro Mist 3. I want one specifically for B&W, not color.

been there, done that. years back. Sold it after like 3 rolls Too big and too costy to use (8 frames..). Also 6x7 is enough for me.

I love texas leica (I sold a year ago- fully regret). Thanks for reminding my loved camera. By the way… where is the link for moroco….?

2:28 - Duracell by Jontha Links. Good video, Made me want to get one.

From now on, I will be measuring distances in LR44 battery lengths.

Damn, those negatives are crispy AF!

Cheaper than Mamiya 7s and about the same as RB67s (but not as heavy.) What's not to love? I might have to save up and pick one up, finally get into medium format after I start developing my own stuff. Considering the fact that I'll be broke because of the camera and medium format film, I'll have to develop my own just to save money. I'd probably be better off getting a Pentax 645N though (because they're about the same price point and), I'm worthless when it comes to manual features. Of course, I wouldn't want it to turn into a brick like yours did.

FINALLY

Is there any reasons you could pinpoint for liking the mamiya 7 more? Im a mamiya 7 curious gsw owner, but the gsw seems like a good alternative

It’s a pretty ballsy move to take your camera out to the beach. Last time I did that I got sand grains inside the lens motor components and it was hopelessly screwed up. It was a canon powershot p&s and I ended up throwing it away. I was trying to attach it to a kite and take some aerial shots but I should’ve been more careful.

I really want a "Texas Leica", but I also want to shop camera gear locally to support my local stores, and there are no Fuji GW690 cameras for sale around here. Oh well, I guess I'll just stick to my 35mm Leica cameras for the range finder shooting experiences and shoot medium format on other types of cameras ;-)

Caleb out here with lo-fi thumpers

What are your thoughts on this vs a Pentax 67? if you had to pick

Have you done a review on the Mamiya Press Super 23 with the 100mm F2.8 lens and 6x9 back? Another Texas Leica.

This video was something and makes me want a fuji so bad.

What do you record your videos with?

Shoot an 8x10 Deardorff then tell me the Fuji 6x9 is too big and film too expensive. Grow a pair folks.

We call it the Australian Leica because Australia is almost 12 times the size of Texas.

don't worry, I'm sure it did love you.

my iPhone has a 6 x 9.8 cm screen. I intend to print off it in the darkroom, putting it straight in the enlarger.

What's that little gizmo mounted on your camera?

Nice breakdown! Ok, Mamiya 7 wins, but GW/M6? If you could only have one…..?

I used this camera before, about 2 years ago, but I sold it and changer MAMIYA7II. Fujifilm cameras are good, but not good enough for me.

I feel ‘affordable’ is a relative term (seeing as how it’s about $1000 on eBay)

Great vid! Now whats the song at the 4 min mark 😩

Omg I love your emotional typing hahahhaha

Previous msg correction ... " my first camera " ( predictive ).

also a 6X17 version!

this looks much better then the mamiya 654 super, carrying the 645 around all day is just.... clonky

Real tho I slept next to my Canon F-1. It's so pretty

Been thinking of buying one of these monsters… they seem to be built like tanks

How many cameras is for having to me hello?

Great video, what's the music at 6:53?? Tune!

fuji should really make a digital version of this, a chonky x100 camera.

Caleb, I want a GW690 but I also think I should just jump to 4x5. Help Me Camera Daddi.

You guys are in sync

I keep hemming and hawing between the texas leicas and a mamiya 7.

The 6x8 isn't the same body style, it's a rail-mounted studio camera with movements like a view camera.

The floating 3D text was the highlight of the video. The rest was ok I guess.

Want

I love mine. It's heavy, old and cumbersome..... but so am I.

Wow, I can't believe how much these cameras are going up. I bought mine a few years ago for less than $500 with a 135 count. Ebay is showing many now north of $1000, yikes! Get while you can boys and girls. They aren't making any more.

You have to try my Mississippi Hasselblad

sold mine. with current film prices, 8 frames per roll is only for Jeff, Bill and Elon.

looks like all around the world call it“bigger leica” in different ways

the price shot up 😭😭😭😭

You have the GW690III.

It's not a rangefinder "style" camera. It IS a rangefinder camera.

1:57

6x9 and 6x6 are the only regular Medium formats I own and would ever own. I had a Pentax 6x7, it failed me mid book project and switched to the Fujica GW 690. 6x7 feels wrong. Too boxy. Too middle of the road. 6x6 makes a statement. It's a declaration. 6x7 is a rhetorical question.

The gw690iii isn't plastic, it's rubber and plastic coated aluminium