Fuji GX617 panoramic camera

The Fuji GX617 is an imposing machine, it’s a huge camera in both size, weight and character. Made famous by photographers such Josef Koudelka, David Noton, Colin Prior and Joe Cornish and the workhorse of many calendar image makers in the days before digital photography became de rigueur for most professional photographers and those who supplied images to agencies, the Fuji G617 and GX617 are still a greatly sought-after by photographers who prefer to use film.

One of the reasons for it’s continued popularity is it’s durability. Fuji made these cameras robust enough to withstand years of hard professional use in harsh outdoor conditions. Even after more than 25 years of regular use and 100’s of rolls of film, being carried in a backpack, travelling the globe and frequently exposed to wind, rain & sea spray, my own Fuji GX617 still functions perfectly and looks almost as good as the day I bought it. As far as I am aware, although some peripheral spare parts such as viewfinders, ground glass fresnel screens and centre neutral density filters are probably no longer available, having a fully manual Fuji medium format camera serviced by most competent camera technicians is still entirely possible.

The Fuji GX617 is an easy camera to operate, it’s fully manual and the only time battery power (supplied by 2 CR123 batteries) is needed is when shooting hand-held using the electro-magnetically operated shutter release on the top of the camera body. Everything else operationally has to be set by the photographer; film loading, focus, aperture, shutter speed and film winding are all completely manual. I rarely hand hold my Fuji GX617, 99.999% of the images I make with it are with the camera firmly secured to my Gitzo Systematic 5 carbon fibre tripod with a cable release screwed into the release on the lens.

Camera body

From the left of the top plate with the front of the camera facing away from the user, as in the taking position, There is the sliding cover battery compartment (embossed ‘6x17 PANORAMA’), a bubble level,

viewfinder lock release button, camera back door lock and release catch, viewfinder attachment shoe, film length selector (120/220), frame counter and wind-on lever with conventional threaded shutter release button.

On the body front there is a right hand shallow grip, lens throat and electrical contacts for the lens when using the body shutter release. Lens and cone assemblies are attached with two sprung retaining knobs and there is left hand a moulded ridge to aid grip when holding the body with both hands. There are two strap attachment points on the front.

The base plate has two conventional spring-loaded film spool holders and a substantial tripod socket plate.

The back of the camera has a shallow thumb grip and a film box lid holder. The back is opened by lifting the catch on the top plate and the back swings downwards on two hinges.

Fujinon EBC lenses

Four lenses are available: 90mm SWD f5.6, 105mm f5.6, 180mm f5.6 & T300mm f11. Fujinon EBC lenses are large format lenses of very high quality with high resolution and contrast. Lenses are held in cones with helicoid focusing and protective bars. Copal shutters are used with speeds from 1/500th sec-B. The shutters have proven in my experience to be very reliable and accurate.

I have the 90mm, 180mm & T300mm lenses, the 90mm and T300mm are my most used lenses, the image of Ceapabhal on the Isle of Harris was made with the T300 f11 and the image below was made with the 90mm SWD.

More of my Fuji GX617 in-depth reviews with images

If you’d like to read more about this interesting and unique camera and my experiences as a long term Fuji GX617 user, I have full reviews on emulsive.org HERE , also on my photography blog HERE

Please feel free to contact me if you need any help, advice or more information about the Fuji GX617 panoramic film camera.