Overload me on the Fuji GS645 Wide

Mr Bump

Mr Bump

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I have just seen a few threads and the wanted thread for this sucker and am impressed.
I have a Kiev 60 which I am enjoying but the FUJI looks a cracker for sure.
So who has got one and whats the full deal?
 
Paul, just received mine from David. Won't be able to get out with it for a few days. I'll give my views after shooting it....feels very nice though !
 
trevorbray said:
Paul, just received mine from David. Won't be able to get out with it for a few days. I'll give my views after shooting it....feels very nice though !
Click to expand...

Get on it and report back please sir !
 
@stevelmx5 had a different, related model, sold it and I think is trying to get another one. I've been toying with the idea of a GA645zi, which has a vari-focal lens (not quite a zoom). The only concerns I have is that it works extremely well in P mode, but manual control looks a bit weird; about as non-intuitive as a modern DSLR! I usually have my Oly mju II in my pocket as a carry-anywhere camera, but it is so auto that it's very non-involving; I'm just worried I might have the same feelings with a GA after spending a few hundred squid!
 
As Chris said, I had a GA645 for a while which is basically a more automatic version of the 645 wide. As far as simple medium format shooting goes it was fantastic and the lens is very sharp. I've shot with various Medium Format cameras including Kowa 6, Yashica Mat, mamiya 645 Pro, Agfa Isolette and a Kiev 80 but the Fuji is probably the only one I've missed after I sold it. The manual focus on the GA645 is basically a stepped wheel which focuses at set distances so it's not manual like most cameras but as a street shooter it's perfect.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevelloyd/sets/72157633657525080/

I've got another Yashica MAT 124-G at the moment having had to sell a previous one a few weeks ago but I'm not sure I've made the right decision for me now I'm thinking about the Fuji again!

Cheers
Steve
 
To give an idea of the quality of the lens;

This...


Crop of Clock Face by Steve Lloyd, on Flickr

Is a crop of this shot, handheld, F11, auto-metered and scanned on a V500 with the negative taped directly to a glass plate sat on the scanner bed because I didn't have the proper neg holder at the time...


Fuji GA645 by Steve Lloyd, on Flickr

Simple medium format photography :0)

Cheers
Steve
 
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Damn you sir,

I've wanted one of these for ages but resisted. Last thing I need is a thread saying how great they are. For the sake of my wallet, can someone please post that they are awful and I dont need one.
 
They are awful and you don't need one Steve.


The GW690, on the other hand........

:exit:
 
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Up until last week I myself had a GA645.

There is no question that the Fujinon lenses on these Fuji rangefinders are awesome, unfortunately, there are some serious problems regarding their reliability (at least in my personal experience).

I purchased a near mint GA645 in June (not a mark on it along with the box, manuals, lens hood, strap, etc.) with the intention of using it primarily on holidays, particularly my honeymoon in October, and as my 'pocketable' medium format camera.

Disappointingly, the GA645 was left home for several holidays, including my honeymoon, as the electronics on the camera had a knack for failing just before the day of departure. A camera such as this isn't worth much if you can't ever take it travelling.

Ultimately, LCE allowed me to return the camera for a full refund, so heaps of credit to them, but I would think twice before picking up one of these cameras. Yes, my camera is only one case, but I'm certainly not the first person on the internet to question the reliability of the camera's electronics.

That said, the lenses on these Fuji cameras are so good that I would still consider picking another up if I saw one at either a very good price or one with a very good warranty.

ChrisR said:
@stevelmx5I've been toying with the idea of a GA645zi, which has a vari-focal lens (not quite a zoom). The only concerns I have is that it works extremely well in P mode, but manual control looks a bit weird; about as non-intuitive as a modern DSLR!
Click to expand...

When I use my film cameras, I only shoot in manual and I didn't find it much of a problem to shoot the GA645 in manual. Manual focus, however, is another story...
 
I must have got lucky with mine even though it had taken a beating at some point and the battery cover was held on with duct tape before I repaired it.

With regards to manual focus, it's definitely more aimed at snap focussing like the Ricoh cameras and zone focussing. To be fair, I think they were built as point and shoot simplicity with mahoosive 6x4.5 negatives so are perfect for lazy shooting. One of the features I thought was great is the date/settings imprinting they can do outside of the image on the negative so no need to worry about remembering when it was shot or what aperture/shutter speed was used :0)
 
Like Steve says: please stop it!!!!
 
Keep em coming !!!!!

I just did 5 hours of overtime and seriously looking at another MF camera and this looks so sweet !!!
 
trevorbray said:
Paul, just received mine from David. Won't be able to get out with it for a few days. I'll give my views after shooting it....feels very nice though !
Click to expand...

Anything yet?
 
Mr Bump said:
Anything yet?
Click to expand...

Sorry Paul. I've been working since I got it. It's loaded with a roll of Acros.
Hoping to use it tomorrow.
 
ChrisR said:
@stevelmx5 had a different, related model, sold it and I think is trying to get another one. I've been toying with the idea of a GA645zi, which has a vari-focal lens (not quite a zoom). The only concerns I have is that it works extremely well in P mode, but manual control looks a bit weird; about as non-intuitive as a modern DSLR! I usually have my Oly mju II in my pocket as a carry-anywhere camera, but it is so auto that it's very non-involving; I'm just worried I might have the same feelings with a GA after spending a few hundred squid!
Click to expand...

I have also seen the Zi version with the zoom lens and it looks a very interesting model.
 
Paul. Took it for a walk today.
It's not too heavy or uncomfortable for a long walk. I found the rangefinder patch fairly bright, but you have to get your eye correctly lined up in the viewfinder to make it easy to focus. To my surprise its got a meter. And after setting the aperture and shutter I found it quite easy to operate the focus control while framing. It shoots in portrait mode when the camera is used normally, meaning it needs to be oriented sideways for landscape. No problem though. It's got two tripod mounts so easy to set up either way. I like the fixed lens, I find it liberating to shoot primes. Fully mechanical apart from the meter (which i like). Overall a positive experience.
 
trevorbray said:
Paul. Took it for a walk today.
It's not too heavy or uncomfortable for a long walk. I found the rangefinder patch fairly bright, but you have to get your eye correctly lined up in the viewfinder to make it easy to focus. To my surprise its got a meter. And after setting the aperture and shutter I found it quite easy to operate the focus control while framing. It shoots in portrait mode when the camera is used normally, meaning it needs to be oriented sideways for landscape. No problem though. It's got two tripod mounts so easy to set up either way. I like the fixed lens, I find it liberating to shoot primes. Fully mechanical apart from the meter (which i like). Overall a positive experience.
Click to expand...


Ooooh sounds nice is it easy to hold sideways to shoot landscape?
How does the meter show itself is it a + / - arrangement?
 
Mr Bump said:
Ooooh sounds nice is it easy to hold sideways to shoot landscape?
How does the meter show itself is it a + / - arrangement?
Click to expand...
It's to the right of the viewfinder in this arrangement
+
o
-
Really easy to use, surprisingly light and the the shutter isn't too sensitive so it's easy to get the meter to activate without firing the shutter.
 
Got me one !!!

Sat on my desk at home.
Initial thoughts feels nice in the hand lovely bright viewfinder.
looks very easy to focus.
I finish my 7xnights shift run tonight so tomorrow yippee !

going to run some rolls!
 
:thumbs:
 
So whats the Hyperfocul distances then?
 
If you've got a smart phone. Get the Photocalc app. Works out hyperfocal for almost any camera.
 
trevorbray said:
If you've got a smart phone. Get the Photocalc app. Works out hyperfocal for almost any camera.
Click to expand...

wow cool looking now

sat on night shift in Doncaster
 
Cant wait just one more hour then I am done a whole week off.
Got a few Kasteel Donker 11% beers in the fridge for a little later as well.
Also going to load the Fuji 645 up with a role and go for a wander with the wife.
 
It was a rather spiffy looking camera, It's made me want the folding version even more :love:

@PMN Here's my playlist Classic oldies :thumbs:
 
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It arrived - got a present from the postman today - a GA645i. Put a roll of Acros through it at lunchtime and the negs are drying at the moment. First impressions are good - it's lighter and smaller than I was expecting, the i has less focus noise and first glance at the negs makes me impatient to scan them. Can't wait to see what it can do :)
 
I keep telling myself I don't want one of these but that naughty little chimp who lives at the back of my mind thinks otherwise......:thinking:
 
I love mine its such an easy to use piece of kit !

Also wide open the lens is F4 so DOF is never an issue.

only thing i struggle with is in low light or complex scenes lining up to rangefinder spot.
 
I'm very impressed with the build quality on the GA. I think the "plasticness" of it is overrated - it feels solid and light, rather than creaky or with give in components. Really looking forward to scanning the negs tonight and seeing what it can do.
 
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