Fujica GL690 Professional (1974)

Name: Fujica GL690
Brand: Fujica

A medium format rangefinder camera using 120 rollfilm, released in January 1974.

Overview

The Fujica GL690 Professional is an interchangeable lens medium format rangefinder made by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. It came out in January 1974 as a minor update to the Fujica G690 BL. It shares its instruction manual and eyepiece with the Fujica GM670 Professional, so the two are closely related. The body is large and all metal. It is sometimes called "the original Texas Leica" for that heavy build and its appeal among medium format shooters. It is heavy, especially with lenses and accessories on it, and it is not a good choice for long stretches of handheld shooting.

Specifications

Image format	6×9 cm on 120 rollfilm
Shutter speeds	1 s to 1/500 s
Dimensions	182 x 120 x 74mm
Weight	1162g (body only); 1894g with 50mm lens and aux viewfinder

Design

The Fujica GL690 Professional has an all-metal body. Its lenses have built-in shutters, so each lens carries its own self-contained exposure system and works independently of the others. There is a shutter release on the top deck and a second shutter button on the front, for shooting in different positions. The focusing grips on the lenses are rubber, which helps with grip and handling.

Context

The Fujica GL690 Professional was introduced as a minor update to the Fujica G690 BL. It belongs to the G-series rangefinders nicknamed "Texas Leica" for their size and professional build. It shares design elements and service documentation with the GM670, which suggests a shared platform. Bulk aside, the GL690 was positioned as a professional tool. It makes 6×9 cm exposures and suits studio and portrait work.

Market

A Fujica GL690 body was listed for $360 in May 2023, which points to active collector interest. Third-party adapters are now available for using its lenses on modern mirrorless systems. It has also been noted as out of stock at kamerastore.com.