Sorry, this camera is crippled!

I’m on my second 680. It’s my favorite, and the best out of all of my cameras that I’ve ever owned. All the lenses a sharp, and they have an incredible focusing capability. This is not a fast camera. You have to move slow and pace yourself. But the images that you get as a result are hard to beat, unless you go to large format. You should keep it .

There are cameras for professionals and there are other cameras as well. You probably can't drive an F1 car either but that doesn't make them bad.

Tilt/shift allows absolute control of depth and field. It also squares up a subject such as a building or interior walls. Try one and you’ll never go back to an “s.”

I have a GX680II, and it seems that you have missed the point of this camera. It isn’t made to be lugged around everyday for casual photography. It’s made for portraits,product photography and landscape photography, essentially professional work. The actual GX680III has the tilt and shifting function to be able to change the plane of focus and perspective correction. Both very important features when shooting all the above genres in a serious extent. You have essentially bought a camera that doesn’t suit your use case and blame the camera for that. The lenses are all god tier on this system. They don’t have any form of aberrations and are all sharp as shit. You glance over that along with the fact that the level of detail you get out of a 6*8 negative from a GX680 is immense. You are right in saying that the RZ67 would have suited you a lot better. But you should have researched into how expensive of a system the GX680 is before actually diving into one under equipped. So I would absolutely agree with you saying that this is a horrible purchasing decision, but that’s on you and not the camera.

Not sure what you were looking for, the the GX680 I, II or III were stunning cameras. If you think it's the worst camera ever made, it must be more camera than you could handle.

Blame yourself for not doing enough research and not knowing what this camera is all about before you acquired it instead of blaming the camera. Everyone who are in the know knows how good GX680 series cameras are for their intended purpose.

Ok, I agree the "s" is the worst possible camera. But the version without the "S" is the best camera ever made. If you don't understand why tilts and shifts make it perfect portrait tool, well, yer not really qualified to review cameras.

I have twho medium format TLR-cameras, three medium format folder cameras. A Bronica SQ-system 6x6 camera (kind of like hasselblad) and also a couple of large format cameras. - My Fuji GX680 III has the clearest viewfinder of them all. None of my medium format cameras have working meters - even though you can get an AE-finder for the GX680. So the photographers job is to frame the picture, focus, meter or guess the exposure (i seldom guess). If you find this camera hard to use, I have no idea what would be easy enough for you ;) - The Fuji GX680 and my bronica are the cameras where I set the aperture and shutter most quickly. The focus is quick and the locking system a blessing. - after triggering the shutter, the GX680 winds to next frame unless you have told it not to so (set multi exposure) and is ready to shoot within a second. If i am looking for something to move quickly around mydel handheld I use my Bronica or a 35mm camera. Leaf shutters allows flash sync all the way up to 1/400th of a second. Yay The ease of changing between portrait and landscape and at the same time changing the frames in the viewfinde is ingenious. - The front movements (not the S-model) allows for focus plane wizardry - as with large format, just so so much quicker to actually take the picture. After your picture is composed and focused locked. You don't loose time having to put in the film holders (and maybe moving the camera as you do) - pull the dark slate which allows us to get more portraits in focus than with large format. The GX680 is not something I would use without a tripod. - The separation of batteries in body and back is something i find positive. The easy to trigger shutter button is an annoyance but using their proprietary cable I very seldom accidentally trip the shutter. The missing standard connector for threaded shutter release is something many of us miss for long exposures. Getting yourself an S-model is kind of missing the point of the entire system for most photographers. Luckily for people wanting proper information they'll find got competent reviews on the net. Even from seing this video - most people with some knowledge will ignore your silly conclusions and see some of the potential of the camera. Nobody can force you to fall in love with a system - but get yourself a non-S model and happy dynamic shooting!

Your hatred for this camera somehow makes me want one! Great review.

If you do not understand the use of the camera and do not take the time to learn how to use it any camera is "bad". I was selected to me one of the first USA users of the camera in the 1980s. It is a great camera for job it was designed for. For product catalog photographer it is great. We did not purchase the camera because in furniture photography we needed a larger negative. Any camera is bad if you do not know how to use it.

This is a camera that only professional photographers can appreciate ... Hey kid keep taking pictures with your iphone :) enjoy yourself

If you're reading this. This camera isn't for normal consumers. This is for professionals. It's an amazing camera, I've used it plenty of times at Milk studio.

GX680 best and most fun rewarding camera system I ever enjoyed. Used it for years, after 500cm days. Loved your review.

Interesting review of the GX680 III S, for one I understand why you got it I picked up the first iteration of this camera I like the fact of having the ability to move the front standard. As for the light leak I'm going with the bellows are not connected correctly. I found it very easy to disconnect the bellows while removing the lens, yeah very bad design system like large format cameras have the same issue. I like the fact that you shown how ticked off you are about this Gold plated brick and people seeing you with it will wonder if it's a new type of weapon... As for me I just tell people the truth it's brain scanning device that just came out... and we are looking for a few good people to try it on...

I have been using this camera since 20 years and this is my favorite camera of all time!!!

Great to see that you've found the perfect match, it's not easy but you've cracked it. :-)

Epi-tome?

Your video is silly and ironic, I got it, and hey the GX680III is easily the best medium format camera that has ever been made. But the S-version is indeed not worth its money. The non-S III, the full version I'd say, just like the I and II, have lens movements and that is great, and unique in medium format. I love the GX680III, and I hope to be using mine for many years to come! But I would never purchase the S version, it's a waste of money in my view. If you're interested in getting a GX680III remote release, contact me. I make them.

Thank you for your straight and frank review 👌🏻🙏

I’ve got a gx680ii and I think the problem a lot of people have with these is you need to work up to them… at the gym. Once you can squat 200lb, bench press a modest 175, you should be good to handhold the camera for 15m at a time. Seriously, though I do use a strap made for a heavy camera shoulder bag mounted to the front rails to support handheld use.

This is ridiculous. You bought a top end studio camera and expected it to be a Hassy 500c. This is like being annoyed at an ARRI LF, cause it’s not a Sony mirrorless and is complicated to use vs pressing a button.

it's a FANTASTIC camera but needs to be fixed permanently to a studio stand. it's NOT really a handheld camera.

I haven’t heard this much forced swearing since I watched the Angry Video Game Nerd. Trouble is, I don’t think you’re really self aware about it.

Thank you. Maybe I’ll buy one.

Awesome camera and fantastic lenses. I throughly enjoy shooting with mine.

What a shit are you telling, that's the best camera I've ever had. You just have to know how to use them.

Dude i laughed my ass off, Epic video thank you for having bought that train car ♥️

Being an experienced GX680III shooter I can't _totally_ disagree. Think of the 'IIIS' version as the _Simple_ version. It lacks the front movements typically found on the regular GX680 I/II/III bodies. It's only redeeming feature is that it's a cheaper (and possibly a stronger) alternative for attaching the longer/heavier lenses that require a support rail and therefore don't really allow for movements anyway. On the other hand, the regular GX680 I/II/III (non-S version) supports front movements with all non-rail lenses, and is the MF champion of tabletop style photography. This would include subjects like handmade goods, jewelry, and food. It can take photos that would otherwise require the movements of a 4x5 large format camera. If you want that plate of sushi art in focus front to back, you'll need movements. With either camera, you'll need a tripod or (preferably) a camera stand. I'm not sure about the I and II versions, but the IIIN film back can automatically set the ISO based on the film leader (can be overridden), and can be set to imprint the image date and time between frames. In fact, each film back on the GX680 has its own set of batteries, electronics, and configuration separate and apart from the main body. While it is possible to Frankenstein a digital back to a GX680, it's not recommended. You're far better off with this camera system to capture on film and scan for your digital results.

This video is a self ironic trolling masterpiece

this is like one of the CINCO products on Tim and Eric, and now i kinda want one... your review worked!!!!

I just bought one after watching you video hehe

Up next AUTOPLAY THE BEST MEDIUM FORMAT CAMERA EVER MADE - The Fuji GX680III

Can the regular 680 take landscape photos though?

I think you should have gone with the RB or the RZ. Both the RB/RZ and the GX680 are beast; actually the GX680 is a mega beast compared to the Mamiya. I have the mark iii. I got it for the negative and the front movement. Compared to the Hasselblad it is a very limited use camera. I understand being tired of 6x6. Did you think of finding a 645 back?

so you couldn't take any good photos with 6x6 camera and bought 6x8?

When I turn it on, there is a string ticking sound and it doesn’t work (even though it’s on). Any tips?

This video is pure Gold haha!!

The reason Fuji did not make DSLRs was that DSLRs are an oxymoron in the digital era. The SLR design (which is optically inferior to the rangefinder (mirrorless) one) only made sense as a compromise in the film era: you sacrificed a bit of quality, got extra weight, cost, noise, mirror slap, shutter delay - BUT you got through-the-lens viewing. In the digital era this point is obviously moot and SLRs should have vanished instantly. Instead, camera manufacturers kept them artificially alive for years, fleecing younger photographers by convincing them that DSLRs were superior to mirrorless. It took a smaller manufacturer like Fuji to break that scam with their excellent X-series.

This wasn't a f..g shutter sound this was a huge mirror flipping up and down numbty , electronic shutter in the lens produce literally no sound at all.

Prior to making the purchase, it would have been prudent for you to have known that the camera's only use would be for studio photography. There is no reason to trash a highly regarded camera just because it doesn't meet your needs.

I wish the music wasn’t so loud

Go for the Bronica 67 it’s a very portable and easy to use medium format it even has a leaf shutter system

Seems like he failed to do his homework before buying the camera, and then blamed the GX680 for not doing what he wanted. Weight and size are easy to look up for and user manuals are available online. By the way, the RZ67 was also designed for studio work. If you want to learn about the GX680 check Todd Eckelman videos, he is an actual photographer.

Pretty well done video, I love the swearing! But I think it‘s a pretty nice camera, I shot quite a few commercials on it, with either film or a digital back, the bellows system is sooo good for packshots and portraits! The real downside of the whole system is that it‘s electronic only and yeah the button placement is shit. But overall a nice camera and for my kinda work the right tool. Guten Tag, adiós!

great video man keep it up!

You want challenging buy a russian camera and dont break it lol!

Good review. I agree that too much electronics in an old piece of hardware can get in the way, it's more defect-prone, and that's an added risk when you buy gear on ebay. The back with the fancy display and separate batteries would be an annoyance to me as well. The shutter/advance sound is very nasty indeed! I think I'm happier with my RZ67 Pro II :) The fuji has the advantage of 6x8 format (and t/s, wow that's great), but that comes at a price (in size, weight and $) especially if it uses the revolving back. Mamiya 6x7 format is less attractive to me, it makes the camera bigger then Hassy or bronica but it's better than 6x6 and hell, it's smaller than this elephant :) By the way, have you considered to go to an older 680 model?

Nah, still going for it whenever there's the opportunity. I know it is a very stupid idea, and that's I want to do it.

@ 7:54 is that Louisville, Ky?

I have one. The last model with movements. It’s a camera that takes a lot work but can produce excellent images.

You should buy Fuji gw690, portable, good for mobility, this for studio, maybe lanskap

The worst type of review video that time can buy. Being cocky doesn’t make you cool.

I have the exact camera but with a 6x7 film mask and 6x7 screen and that remote and 45° finder

You sold a 500C for the GX680? That's crazy! On the other hand the GX680 is an excellent film camera in the studio and outdoors when mounted on a tripod.

Is the camera capable of metering automatically without an AE-finder?

where can I see your work?

"Epi-tome?" That's a bad sign for the rest of the video. Try "eh-PIT-oh-mee.")

It's mainly for stills, portraits and products however i think for your purpose a DSLR or mirrorles would suit better. I've seen these setups mostly in studios and very cumbersome to lug around for outdoor shoots. Medium format are different breeds of camera. I grew up processing films on dark rooms and shoots in studio and this camera is one of the best portraits camera. Looks like you're not used to the intricacies of an classic equipment, go for a modern full frame camera, the weight will be next to nothing. Camera has come a long way since its inception , do the research before you purchase a camera for 400 dollars thats a reasonable price considering a full frame or medium format goes for 6k. The camera comes in all sorts to suit different needs and requirements. This will not be for everyone

I like your sense of humor 🤣 thanks for eliminating my interest in this monstrosity. I have a history of buying huge and difficult to use cameras including the V-Pan 617 Mark III also referred to by yours truly as the V-Pain. 😂

I saw a picture of this camera somewhere online and it looked so damn sophisiticated I decided to learn more about it. I never knew Fuji made a medium format camera althoughIi don't know much about Fuji cameras period. I'm sorry you feel so bad about this camera, but I can't blame you. I felt the same about my POS Canon EOS-3 which I have recently sold. looks like to much Engineering went into this too many bells and whistles. This is a good case against manufacturers trying to lull consumers to sleep by burrying them with the kitchen sink, instead of focusing on the essentials. Another KZfaq video claims that this is the best MF ever built, but I haven't had the chance to view it yet. By the sound of the shutter button on the Fuji GX680 I need not look any further YIKES !

Did you figure out the light leak? could be the billows?

While with Fujifilm for 13 years, I sold the gx680 packages to some of the most elite photographers in the world. Another example of garbage on KZfaq

Very funny and entertaining, thank you doe sharing the info!

You have convinced me to buy one, (I am a masochist) eventually (i am also a procrastinator).

It was hilarious to see you venting, but I understand your anger. I bought the version II of this camera from Japan and returned it before the week was out. I use large format and medium format cameras and I thought I could have the best of both worlds with this one. But the weight and finicky electronics dampened my enthusiasm. I bought a Rolleiflex instead. A complete opposite of this cinder block in weight and shutter sound, and still use a 4x5 for tilt and shift. Anyway, the video was thoroughly entertaining!

Looks like a great camera

this was fun

It is a studio camera first and foremost. Watch Todd Eckleman doing his review of the GFXIII. A poor workman always blames his tools. Get a 645 format, you wont get tired.

I left a particularly rude comment after watching just over a minute of this yesterday, for which I apologise profusely. I’m not the biggest fan of this camera, but it does have some redeeming features; or at least they usually do - but you bought a model which doesn’t have front movements???? Ok, yup, I now tend to agree; u did by the “worst” medium format camera possible for non-studio use… It’s a pity you didn’t get the “normal”; it’s a great platform to play around with technical functions. It’s about the cheapest possible “modern” technical camera, and it’s got a cheap diet of 120 rather than 4x5, and the glass available for it is right up there. Apart from the weight, the thing that kills it for me is it’s total reliance on electronics. I’m like a damn walking super capacitor or EMP gun that fries any device more than 2yrs out of warranty, or brand new kit if I’m on holiday or touring… Again, apologies for lashing in prior comment - having actually watched the whole vid, it’s one of the more informative and drily amusing reviews I’ve seen for some time. ☮️

This was great and it’s sad how many people don’t understand that lmao

These cameras thrive in studio. It’s not an outdoor cat.

I own the Mark I ver and I have zero issues with it. It's def heavier than a Hassy, but it has more options. Having come from a 4x5 w front and rear tilt and shift, this is pretty damn close to that. You can go from 6x8 down to a 6x4.5 in negative size which gives you more exposures. It has the tilt and shift, as well as the rear Horizontal/Vertical twist like the Mamiya 67RB/Z as well. I would say prob the only thing I do not like about it is the trigger release cable is not like the trad camera. I have heard there are ways around this though. So would research it. The lens system is sharp as a razor, mine came w a side pack w AA batteries, so using the rechargeable works great. I love wlf personally over the fancy other ones...plus they are lighter. This baby is a def brick shithouse to carry, but you get used to it after awhile. I strongly advise using a tripod. The S model I heard sucked anyway, so stayed away from it. Maybe see if can sell it on ebay and go w a Mamiya RB/Z 67. It might be more to your liking, or perhaps a Bronica etrs-i. Good luck and sorry ended up w a dud.

How well does it render T O N E S tho?

I owned two of gx iii and one of gx iiis , they are big and heavy, but they are most useful cameras for studio!!!

It's a nice camera, but after my experience with the RZ I have trust issues with cameras that rely on electronics.

This reminds me of that man who wanted to impress an actress who was obviously very beautiful. So he walks up to her and says: -You're the worst looking actress I've ever seen! According to legend - it worked. He got his woman.

tilt and shift is useful and for architectural photography. they make specity lenses with it for full frame. but yea that's a lot of camera and light leaks not a great experience

you should check out Fuji GW690 easy to use very sharp and smaller

The film Gods part was great. LMAO

that’s a Great camera for professional use

I'm pretty sure it's irony here and you in fact love the camera (except for the tilt and shift S version lacks). Currently looking to buy one from Japan, that's how I run into your video. I hope you didn't sell it, image quality it's unbeatable, they say

The perfect camera for hiking!!! Hahahaha

cool vid. get a pentax bro

Amazing FU@%!NG Camera!

"Everything is automated" Like how there is no silly metering system inside the camera? Like how exposure must be dialed in manually? Like how focus is manual? I'm not sure what is automated besides winding? I think you must mean everything is electronic as opposed to gears and springs. My Hasselblad 500 lenses are powered via gears and I love it but the shutter speed is sometimes off and I need to have them tuned which sux.

So you bought a camera which you don‘t like (while all the information is out there) - and now it‘s the fault of the camera?

Hilarious

I made my RZ PRO IID, the most powerfull 6x7, 330MB camera in the world, with my hand made sliding adaptor. Make that big boy a full 6x8 Digital camera!

Hey dude what’s your Instagram! I also live in Oklahoma and have a question for you!

A worst craftsmen blamed his tools. We had 3 of them in the studio.learn to use it

Do you even own a tripod bro?

i feel bad for you... fucking hasselblad escaped you. buy a pentax 6x7, i enjoy the RB67 but i wouldnt recommend it since it's so heavy. maybe the RZ is lighter.

It is very cheap on ebay though... 1500 USD for a full set with 6 lenses and two backs

So, basically, stick with 8x10". Got it

epitome also awesome video

This is not a camera for you video.

best ever made Fujifilm GX680 III .. IMHo. Somebody dont know how to use it and purposes to use it for.

You mentioned the RZ67 in your review as being a much better camera. You are most likely right about that. I have the RB67 and love it. You can also get 6x6 and 6x8 back for the Mamiya RB and RZ 67. That along with the native 6x7 backs would pretty much cover all your medium format needs.

I've had two of them mark 1 then the mark 3 yes your right they are a electronic mess never again and I'm s pro of 30 years up to 4x5