And from Fuji Film themselves their January press release (translated by me, so excuse errors).
Fuji Film - "GF670 Professional" - Press Release.The new Fuji Photo Film Ltd. "GF670 Professional" is a light and compact camera of the folding bellows type. It allows you to enjoy the charm of medium format silver halide photography, in an easy to take anywhere shape, with overwhelming power and high resolution.
Inside the camera, both 6x6cm and 6x7cm image size switch functions are installed. It will be available on the Japanese market in the middle of March, with a limited production run of 5000 units.
Compared to 35mm film, the "GF670 Professional" is a camera that is capable of taking a photograph about 3.6 times larger (in 6x6 mode), or 4.5 times larger (in 6x7 mode). Because the film used is larger, it allows high image quality with extreme detail to be captured, and then to be enlarged (to newspaper size as an example) without any degradation of image quality.
It is the first medium format folding bellows type camera to be installed with a 6x6 / 6x7 function switch. In parallel with the format switch operation, both the bright framelines and film frame-counter are synchronized with the appropriate format size selection automatically.
The newly designed EBC Fuji lens is a six element in four groups configuration. It has a focal length of 80mm, and a maximum aperture of
f3.5. Accurate and quick focusing is available because of the classic rangefinder configuration. Both manual and automatic shutter speed selections are available (aperture priority in normal automatic mode).
Because of the folding bellows type configuration, it allows medium format benefits to be realized walking in the mountains, for street photography, and anywhere you can carry a camera. The ground-breaking folding design achieves a light, compact body at only 64mm thick, and 1000g in weight. Additionally, the die-cast aluminum body and magnesium covers result in a united, solid design. The controls are also designed for a solid, secure feel.
While recently there has been widespread use of digital cameras, film cameras have been noted to have a 'richness and sense of depth and tone' that is only available through the use of film. Additionally, people have expressed the desire to 'feel and enjoy the operation of a film camera'. A medium format camera with extra performance has been requested from many shutter-bugs, including professional photographers, and advanced amateur photographers.
This new camera allows many people to experience the charm, power of expression, and control only a silver halide film camera allows. Options include a soft case and a lens hood.
Fuji Film will continue to contribute to the development of film photograph culture, as a leading company in the field of future imaging.
Camera: JPY218,000. Case: JPY7,000. Hood: JPY7,000. Probably available too from
www.japanexposures.com at some stage. Not sure I will buy one, though I will certainly have a play. See ya! Skj.
