Fuji G617 GX617 105mm center filter

[AYC Nee]

Hi CS seniors

I am interested to find out if the center filter for the Fuji 105 mm lens is absolutely important as I am planning to purchase a used G617 without a center filter (cheaper by USD300+). I feel that paying an additoinal USD$300+ for a filter sounds ludicrous. I mainly shoot negative film and seldom use transparency.

Can the corner light falloff and center hot spot, etc be pp using Photoshop? Any sharing of experience much appreciated.

AYC

 

[inckurei]

I personally think that the center filter is necessary for pano cameras, the corners can get really dark without the aid of the center filter

Perhaps you can look at the price for the center filters and see if have saved on any $$$.

Btw, congrads on the buy!

 

[bluepowder]

Just get the filter

Congrats on the buy, 617!!! SEXCITING TIMES!

 

[AYC Nee]

Hi

I did a thorough search. It appears that this filter is very hard to come by. There is suggestion that a Murami ND center filter may do the job, not sure of the effect though. Any advice much appreciated.

Strange that I received congratulation remarks. Is there something to be congratulated upon?

AYC

 

[bluepowder]

From what I've heard the Fuji 617 is a much coveted pano camera, hence congrats!

I've been wanting one so bad as well.

 

[AYC Nee]

Hi Bluepowder

Many thanks for the remarks. For me, it was a slow migration path to the Fuji 617. I started with Horizon, then a Noblex, next an XPan with 3 lenses (the 30mm was biting the bullet, but worth every cent), the ultimate for me is the 617. Eyeing at Linhof but can't afford it.

AYC

 

[bluepowder]

I love the pano aspect ratio, it's simply beautiful and the compositional possibilities are really interesting.

I use a Mamiya 7ii and recently tried out the 35mm Pano Adapter, it's nice but after shooting medium format, going back to 35mm is tough! Nothing beats looking at a 120 pano transparency!

The Linhof is supposedly the ultimate but there are a couple of top landscapers out there who use the Fuji instead. I've been interested in the other alternatives like the Gaoersi, Fotoman, etc.

 

[zk-diq]

I love the pano aspect ratio, it's simply beautiful and the compositional possibilities are really interesting.

I use a Mamiya 7ii and recently tried out the 35mm Pano Adapter, it's nice but after shooting medium format, going back to 35mm is tough! Nothing beats looking at a 120 pano transparency!

The Linhof is supposedly the ultimate but there are a couple of top landscapers out there who use the Fuji instead. I've been interested in the other alternatives like the Gaoersi, Fotoman, etc.

Yes. The lens is the heart of the system. Buy things that affordable will do.

 

[AYC Nee]

Hi Bluepowder

Fully agreed. Nothing beats a 120 pano transparency. Lee Frost is my favourite pano photographer. His book is worth buying. Other investment needs to be in place: a good scanner: I use Epson V700 and a decent printer: I use Epson 7880. XPan is very handy but not quite enough resolution for the 7880.

AYC

 

[insanne]

Actually, I beg to differ on the G617. It may sounds nice in the beginning, something to start off the 617 format but I think get at least the GX if you can find and afford it.

The G617 is fixed lens camera and may not be so flexible after a while.....

In fact, the Chinese copies like fotoman, Gaoersi, etc are better if you already have LF lens. But you need to mount them on cones to use them on the bodies. Otherwise, they are much more flexible in terms of lens choices. Widepan also does a good copy of the Horseman SW617

Otherwise, Chinese copies of horseman/Linhof/Ebony like ShenHao are good and also more flexible since they can be mounted on the LF plates. It slower too but no issue if you are familiar with the LF setups.

Fuji G617/GX are much lighter compared to the Linhof, but a Linhof is a Linhof
Otherwise, can look out for a Horseman.

I suppose the Fuji will be nice to carry around because of the weight compared to the rest, so it could be what you will be comfortable with. Unfortunately, almost all of them are not readily available in SGP, so it's rather difficult to get a sense.