GX680 vs a 4x5

[ph.otographer.com]

Also, offhand, the GX680 has the following lenses: 50, 65, 80, 100, 125, 150, 180, 220, 300, and some elusive others like a zoom and a 500mm. Some of those area also specialized, like ones with soft focus effects designed into them. At either end however, 50 & 300+ you start to lose some of the flexibility you have in the middle range as far as camera movement.

[Ian Grant]

I thought about this 25 years ago, my then LF camreta was too heavy to use outside a studio and I looked at the Mamiya RB67 the Fuji GX680 and things like the Baby Speed Graphics but decided to buy a Wista. That's a decision I've never regretted.

Ian

[Frank Bunnik]

I had a GX680III. In my opinion, it is the best MF camera ever made. The lenses are just superb. I used it for landscapes which brings me to the weight of the camera. It is very heavy. Heavier even then the Linhof Master Technika I use now. It is also a very big camera. A field camera like the Technika can be folded to a relatively small package. With the GX you can not do that.

With the GX you can shoot formats up to 6x8. With a 4x5 you can shoot the same formats and more, including 6x12. A field camera is completely manual so no battery issues out in the field.

Although I really liked my GX, I am glad I bought a 4x5.

Good luck with your choice,
Frank
www.frankbunnik.zenfolio.com

[2F/2F]

Hi,

It is not the equipment that is the big cost with 4x5. It is the cost of film and processing. Do a little research and find out about how much you will spend for a single color shot with 4x5. Is the quality you will get worth the cost? That is for each of us to decide. I will say that IME, unless you are printing quite large, medium format will provide more than enough image quality. I'd either go for the Fuji, a medium format view camera, or use medium format backs on a 4x5 (with the proper medium format lenses). If you shoot very little, or if you are selling your stuff, I'd just go with a 4x5.

[2F/2F]

What I'm wondering is what do I miss by not having an articulating back?

I'm aware of 4x5 backs for MF film and the size of this thing.

Not a lot. Back movements are a luxury/convenience, the effects of which can be largely duplicated if there are ample front movements. The rear of my SINAR can do any movement I want it to do, but I use the front alone for movements 90 percent of the time. I used Press cameras as field cameras a lot in the past, so I guess I just got used to it.