Camera Geekery: Fuji GF670 / Voigtlander Bessa III
Like a 1930’s gangster, this box of metal and glass is known by many names: The Fuji GF670 aka the Voigtlander Bessa III aka The Poor Man’s Makina aka The Real Texas Leica. Though it may look like it’s from far removed times, it was actually introduced this century in 2008. Unfortunately discontinued in 2014 and hard to find now, the Fuji GF670 has become a bit of a cult classic and many consider it among the very best medium format chemical sensor cameras ever produced by any manufacturer. Wanna learn more about it?
Tech Specs
Camera Type | 6 x 7 type rangefinder |
Film Type | 120 or 220 |
Film Format | 6 x 7 and 6 x 6 by selector switch 6 x 7 size: 56 x 69 mm 6 x 6 size: 56 x 56 mm |
Frames | 6 x 7 size: 120 – 10 shots, 220 – 20 shots 6 x 6 size: 120 – 12 shots, 220 – 24 shots |
Lens Mount | N/A |
Lens | EBC Fujinon |
Focal Length | 80 mm |
Aperture | f/3.5 |
Finder | Coincidence-type rangefinder with bright frame and automatic parallax correction
Field Coverage – 88% Magnification – 0.70x |
Diopter Correction | Screw on eyepiece diopter (19 mm tread) |
Focusing System | Manually-controlled helicoid |
Focusing Range | 0.9 m-infinity |
Shutter | Electronically-controlled lens shutter 4-1/500 sec., B |
Exposure Control | +/- 2 by 1/3 steps |
ISO | 25-3200 (by 1/3 steps) |
LED | Aperture priority auto mode and properly set shutter speed indicator lit Manual exposure mode Battery consumption warning |
Custom Functions | Film winding: By film advance dial Film counter: Additive type with auto reset, automatically switched to 120 or 220 type synchronized with film type selector switch on film pressure-plate |
Power Source | 1 CR2 lithium battery |
Dimensions | 7 x 4.29 X 5.43″ (17.8 x 10.9 x 13.8cm) 7 x 4.29 X 2.52″ (17.8 x 10.9 x 6.4cm) when folded |
Weight | 2.2 lb (1 kg) |
A Closer Look
There are actually 3 versions of the same identical camera which has lead to some confusion: The Fujifilm GF670 Professional in black for the Japanese market and the Voigtländer Bessa III in black and Fujifilm GF670 in silver for export. All are made in the same factory in Japan by Cosina. Why the perplexing discrepancies? Because they can?





The overall shape of the camera is very close to that of the Voigtländer Bessa II of the 1950s from which it is derived from. A decades later sequel is no stranger to us these days and I’d say the Fuji GW670/ Voigtlander Bessa III is more Bladerunner 2049 than Dumb and Dumber To.


If you thought that legendary “kiss” shutter sound of Leica Ms were quiet, you’ve never shot a Fuji GF670. You don’t hear it unless it’s virtually silent in your surroundings; out on any street with normal activity you don’t even know if the leaf shutter lens took the shot it’s so quiet. Kind of an unnerving feeling till you realize that you can advance the film. I don’t have any empirical evidence but I’d say it’s even quieter than the leaf shutter in my Yashica Mat 124G.

Speaking of the red dot, many a reviewer have also noted the more advanced rangefinder/viewfinder than any Leica, as it not only corrects for parallax, but also corrects for frame size as the focus distance changes. Loads of people swear it’s the best finder in any rangefinder camera but I’m hesitant to make that claim. No doubt it’s up there but I can’t say it’s significantly brighter/more contrasty/ clearer than the Leica MP or Plaubel Makina.

That being said, the numbers on the aperture dial are large enough to be seen through the viewfinder. This enables the shooter to keep their eye on the subject without removing it from the viewfinder to check aperture and shutter settings. And with a viewfinder magnification of 0.7x it is enough to keep both eyes open without much disorientation. It is also adjustable for two different film formats with a switch on the pressure plate as shown below.

Having the option to switch up formats is something that Fuji nails. To toggle between shooting 6×6 or 6×7 there is a switch to the right of the lens when you open the back. This of course doesn’t allow the format to be changed once you’ve started a roll. But you’ll be amazed to see that that the frame lines change from 6×6 to 6×7 and are also parallax corrected!

Loading film is quite easy peasy and can be done quickly thanks to some innovations borrowed from the GW series of the 90’s. I love the pegs that pop out, making loading and removing spools a cinch and not having to worry about misalignment of the film.

Another very elegant design choice is the construction of the shutter speed dial on the left of the top plate. It is nicely integrated with the exposure compensation and the film ISO setting. By default, the dial is locked to the red “A” for aperture priority. To set the shutter speed you push the silver button while turning the dial to the desired value. To set the exposure compensation you do the same thing except this time you line up the red “A” marker (instead of the white marker) with the -2 to +2 scale. As for the ISO, you lift up the dial to move the internal wheel and release the dial when you are on the desired ISO.

Quirks
You have to remove any filters you have on before closing, and the focus has to be set to infinity for it to close. Kind of a PITA when you’re on the move in the streets. There is no self timer, and the film advance is a knob, not a lever. The knob advances the film with ease yet somehow feels a bit flimsy in use and your thumbs will get sore if you’re feeling prolific and burning through consecutive rolls.
There is also of course the care required with handling any camera involving bellows. TLC is required even for a relatively newish camera like the Fuji GF670. The tradeoff is portability; with the bellows collapsed the camera can fit in any large coat pocket or side pocket of your bag for easy access. It is quite secure so no worries about it opening or closing accidentally.

Sample Images
The following images were taken over the weekend on Kodak Ektar 100.










MN
Comments are welcome and encouraged. Don’t be a dick.
Fuji GF670 is my dream camera for traveling.
Now I´m hauling Yashica Mat to satisfy ma medium format needs. Also I´m extremely intrigued by 6×7 format. But the price is too much for me now.
Well, maybe one day…
I’ve always wanted this camera but been swayed by the Plaubel Makinas 2.8 aperture. But then I get reminded of its fragility and move my eyes back on the GF670 but eventually close them until the opportunity disappears and I’m yet again regretful. This would be the perfect camera for flash work. Sigh. One day..
Just due to curiosity want to know how is the lens in camparission to Mamiya 80 mmf/4 lens.
Am I the only medium format shooter who is not in love with 6×7? Owned a Pentax 6×7 briefly and was lukewarm to the aspect ratio. My Fuji GW690 keeps me very, very happy and I don’t have to reset my perception when switching from a 35mm camera. That said, the inclusion of a meter and square format shooting capabilities (love 6×6!) make the GF670 very tempting…
There should be an Academy award for camera companies and Fuji should just get a lifetime award for all the wonderful crazy cameras it has made (and still does).
Well- my weapon of choice in medium format.
If you want a to-go MF for travelling, street or landscape its just wonderful! Of course, its not cheap, but you’ll get a lot for the money. The lens is razor sharp and the light meter very precise.
I really wanted to love this camera, especially since I learned to take photos with my father’s Vito II. But the GF670/Bessa III suffers from some ergonomic issues (those strap lugs are only on the one (wrong) side) & sketchy support from Fujifilm here in the states. After several tries I concluded I just couldn’t keep it. Unless your primary use-case is for travel, there are less expensive & more robust medium-format film solutions, imo.
Streetshooters MF camera is and will be Fuji GF670 wide.
I wish that they were still making these and the wider angle version also. I would love to have one of each and perhaps I will some time. My only misgiving is having it serviced in the future.
I own it for more than 10 years now and love it. Yet, the build quality is so so. All the rubber covers have already fallen, the bellow had its first tiny hole last year (which I managed to put some black paint to seal it) etc. Nevertheless, it is versatile and produces great photos.
Yoram, Which rubber covers are you referring to? The grips? Did you replace the grips?
I just today received my copy of this camera. I’m trying to age-date it. I’ve read the first digit of the serial indicates the year, and the 2nd digit is the quarter of the year; so mine would be a 2011 and the 3rd quarter of that year.
I do worry about the bellows, and hope there are parts if I ever need one.