Fuji GX680

The Fuji GX680 is a series of single lens reflex system cameras for medium format film produced by Fujifilm with interchangeable camera lenses and interchangeable film holders for the unusual film format 6×8 cm on 120 and 220 roll film. The distinguishing feature of the Fuji GX680 is the articulating front standard, which runs on a rail connecting lens and camera body by a bellows; each interchangeable lens is permanently mounted to a lens board.
In contrast to competing medium-format cameras, e.g. Mamiya RB67 and RZ67 and Rolleiflex SL66, for some models of the Fuji GX680 the front standard can be shifted right, left, up and down for perspective control, and the front standard can also be tilted on horizontal and vertical axes to control depth of field using the Scheimpflug principle. Therefore, the Fuji GX680 has many of the same camera movements of a large format view camera, only limited by restricted motions of the front standard and a fixed rear standard, making the camera also suitable for architectural photography. The Fuji GX680 has quite large physical dimensions for a medium-format camera, but compared to the typical monorail/studio large-format camera, the Fuji GX680 is more compact. Although the Fuji GX680 was designed for studio work due to its size and weight, a neck-strap was offered for mobile work.

Camera models

The Fuji GX680 has been built in 3 model variants :

Fuji GX680
Fuji GX680 II
Fuji GX680 III

The 3 models differ externally only by slight modifications on displays, controls and rechargeable battery versus battery. The GX680 was introduced in 1987, and shown at the Photographic Marketing Association convention with nine lenses, which was held in Chicago. The original GX680 and GX680 II are powered by a rechargeable nickel-cadmium battery, which provides sufficient power for approximately 1000 exposures and recharges in 1 hour. Alternatively, for studio use, an optional DC power supply is available. Externally, the original may be distinguished from model II by the focus locking mechanism. The focusing knob operated by the right hand has a "focus brake" lever coaxial with the focus knob on the original camera, while the same function is performed by a "focus lock lever" that is on the front standard carrier on the model II. The III/IIIS has the name prominently marked on the right side of the camera, above the shutter speed selector dial.
There is a second variant of the model III denoted with an "S" suffix which only allows linear extension of the front standard along the rails, and omits the tilt and shift movements of the standard model. In return, the IIIS is lighter than the regular model III.
The Fuji GX680 system features interchangeable camera lenses, viewfinders and focusing screens, film holders, batteries, and bellows including the standard bellows, bag bellows for wide angle lenses and extended long bellows for telephoto lenses over 150mm. Optional accessories include 50mm extension rail sets for close ups, a remote release, viewfinder correction lenses, neck strap, and bellows lens shades. Fuji produced a digital back for the GX680 but it was only available in Japan. In the US, Fuji partnered with the makers of the Luma digital back in the early 2000's.
The film holders for the GX680 and GX680 II feature a backup ER-3 lithium battery to retain data.
;Notes

Parts and controls

The listed controls and parts are available on the camera:

Controls on the right-hand side of the camera body:
* Shutter release button
* Power off & film advance mode selector
* Film wind button
* Mirror up/down switch
* Shutter speed selector dial
* Flash synchro socket
* Flash synchro test button
* Remote control shutter release socket
* Communications connector
Controls on the left-hand side of the camera body:
* Battery lock button
* Side Cover Lock Release button
* Battery interface
* Battery Holder III interface
Controls on the top of the body:
* Spirit level
* Viewfinder lock release lever
* LEDs or LCD
Controls on the bottom of the body:
* Battery compartment
Controls on the back of the body:
* Revolving film-holder lock release button
Controls on the lens:
* Aperture selector lever
* Aperture stop-down lever
Controls on the front standard:
* Focusing knobs and Focus lock lever
* Tilt, Shift, and Swing knobs and locks
* Hot shoe
* Lens lock lever
Lenses

All EBC Fujinon GX Lenses have been equipped with a Central shutter, the lenses have good reputations. Electric contacts on the lens board and the lenses are used to control the central shutter from the camera body. The shutter in all lenses is electronic and made by Seiko. Levers on the lens control the aperture.

EBC Fujinon Lens	35mm-equiv. FL & aperture	Aperture range	Filter	Mass	Dimensions	Elements/ groups	MSRP	Notes
50mm 5.6 GX	23mm 2.6	5.6–45	112	1250	115 × 115× 125	12/9	267	cannot be used with full movements due to smaller image circle
65mm 5.6 GX	30mm 2.6	5.6–45	95	1190	107 × 107 × 116	10/9	225
80mm 5.6 GX	37mm 2.6	5.6–45	95	1100	101 × 107 × 113	8/8	190
100mm 4.0 GX	46mm 1.8	4–45	82	910	101 × 107 × 101	8/8	147
115mm 3.2 GX MD	53mm 1.5	3.2–32	95	870	101 × 107 × 95	8/6	183
125mm 3.2 GX MD	57mm 1.5	3.2–32	95	895	101 × 107 × 96	8/6	178
125mm 5.6 GX	57mm 2.6	5.6–45	82	545	101 × 107 × 80	6/5	142
135mm 5.6 GX	62mm 2.6	5.6–45	82	565	101 × 107 × 79	6/6	122	the most common "kit lens" for this system
150mm 4.5 GX	69mm 2.1	4.5–45	82	705	101 × 107 × 91	6/4	153
180mm 3.2 GX MD	82mm 1.5	3.2–32	95	1030	101 × 107 × 105	7/5	160
180mm 5.6 GX	82mm 2.6	5.6–45	82	800	101 × 107 × 104	6/6	195
190mm 8.0 GX SF	87mm 3.7	8–64	82	690	101 × 107 × 104	3/3	156	unique aperture design for soft out-of-focus regions
210mm 5.6 GX	96mm 2.6	5.6–64	82	835	101 × 107 × 103	5/5	160
250mm 5.6 GX	115mm 2.6	5.6–64	82	925	101 × 107 × 105	5/4	164
300mm 6.3 GX	137mm 2.9	6.3–64	82	1100	101 × 107 × 139	5/5	229

500mm 8.0 GX	229mm 3.7	8–64	82	1660	101 × 107 × 245	6/6	395	Supplied with an optional mounting rail, which stabilises the lens but prevents camera movements entirely. Tilt functions not usable. Introduced in 1999.
100–200mm 5.6 GX	46–92mm 2.6	5.6–64	105	2150	118 × 118.5 × 176	14/11	398	optional mount of support rail under the camera and a support ring on the lens is necessary, tilt functions not usable, 80mm rail extension cannot be used

A Lens Board Adapter accessory permits the use of large-format camera lenses fitting Linhof Technika type lens boards, but the shutter of these lenses is not controlled by the Fuji GX680, so they must be pre-focussed and then manually triggered after the mirror is locked up. The adapter is intended for use with Fujinon-W 180, 210, 250mm; Fujinon-SF 180mm; Fujinon-A 180, 240; and Fujinon-T 300mm lenses.

Accessories

As the Fuji GX680 series are system cameras there is a wide range of accessories:

Viewfinders:
* Folding waist level viewfinder, including a pop-up 2.5× magnifier with -1 diopter lens
** Alternative 2.5× magnifier lenses were available for the waist level finder with different diopter powers: -4, -3, 0, +1, +2, +3
* "Magnifying Hood"
* Angle Finder
* AE viewfinders - each equipped with centre-weighted Exposure Meter, enabling aperture priority autoexposure:
** "AE Finder FL"
** "AE Finder III"
* Focusing Screens
Carrying:
* Neck-strap & Neck-strap-set
* Carrying Case
Backs/Image capture:
* Instant film-holder
* 120/220 Roll Film Holder
* Film Holder III adds interchangeable masks for 6×4.5, 6×6, and 6×7 formats and adjusts the film advance accordingly; the masks must be installed prior to mounting the back on the body, and the format cannot be changed mid-roll. Single model of film holder used with two different interchangeable film-cassettes for 120 and 220 type film.
* Digital Back Fujifilm DBP for GX680
* Mosaic Engineering Luma / Luma II or 4008×2672
* Film-Holder Adaptors for Hasselblad 6×6, Contax 645 and Mamiya 645 backs
Miscellaneous:
* Extension Rail Sets to extend the standard Focus-Rail
** 40mm
** 80mm
* Bellows for long focus-movement or wide angle-lenses
* 1m and 5m Remote Release
* Bellows-Lens-Shades, Lens-Hoods
* Rechargeable Battery, Charger, Battery Holder