Sometimes called the Texas Leica for its similarity to an outsized version of the famous German-made rangefinder, the GW690 was the last six-by-nine 120 film rangefinder to bear the Fujica name. The camera has much more in common with a Leica than a six-by-nine rangefinder, as it lacks the interchangeable lens and film backs common to its predecessors and competitors. However, the camera does boast an impressive flash compatibility range, as it works with nearly any manual flash available.
Vivitar 285 and 285HV
A workhorse flash that's still popular with digital photographers requiring full manual control, the Vivitar 285 series is a throwback to the days of transparency film and darkrooms. The flashes have remained popular throughout the years because of reliability, extremely high output power and compatibility with a wide range of cameras, of which the the Fujica GW690 is one. When using this flash, you'll lack any automatic options, apart from the colored adjustments meant to guide the user, but you will be able to use the flash in full manual mode very easily.
Metz Flashes
Metz is another famous name in film flashes, known for huge flashes made to be held next to the camera or with a bracket, colloquially referred to as potato-masher flashes for their distinctive shape. Rather than connecting to the hot shoe of your Fujica GW690, these flashes plug into the PC jack on the side of the lens and come along for the ride next to the camera. With huge output power and legendary reliability, this flash is a beast to hold but was a popular choice among those who needed a working, powerful flash at any cost.
Older Flashes
In fact, any flash that was originally produced to work with a film camera and has a manual adjustment mode will work with the Fujica GW690. The camera, introduced in 1978, largely predates the age of automatically adjust cameras and through-the-lens (TTL) flash metering systems. As a result, the flash is compatible with a huge range of flashes made for film cameras, from makers like those above as well as Canon, Nikon, Suntour and dozens of others. As long as you can connect it to the camera, you can use it.
Newer Flashes
Newer, digital flashes also work with the Fujica GW690, although to a more limited extent. These flashes are designed for much more complicated lighting systems, employing computers to help calculate appropriate flash values when paired with TTL metering systems. However, as long as the flash can be set manually, the Fujica GW690 can be used with it. A single pin on the hot-shoe of the GW90 fires the flash, and all camera flashes have this pin, allowing the camera to be compatible with virtually any flash ever made.
Tags: Fujica GW690, work with, compatible with, flash that, flashes have, flashes made, full manual
