A Christmas Miracle

I am a big fan of the the Fuji medium format rangefinders. The GS645 has been may favorite travel camera for a few years now since I first got it - simple, great lens, very compact. The GA645Wi seemed like it would be a fun MF, wider, point-and-shoot companion camera. I had read about the dangers of its old electronics failing, but about a year ago I bought one in seemingly pristine condition. I used it a couple times over the next few months and all was well. Then, a few months ago, I decided to take it on a national park road trip to Shenandoah, New River Gorge, Mammoth Cave and Great Smoky Mountains NPs. Before I left I checked it out and discovered that it wouldn't turn on. The lens didn't extend, the LCD didn't light up ... nothing! I was so disappointed.

Fast forward to a week or so ago. I did some more Googling about the camera and its various issues. I came across a number of suggestions for reviving a dead Fuji GA camera. They included taking the batteries out for a few days, cleaning the battery contacts, shorting the +/- contacts. I figured what the heck and tried them all. I don't know which did the trick, but I now have a working GA645Wi again!! I was overjoyed - it is always nice to get a camera for Christmas. Now I am wondering if I can trust this camera going forward. Does anyone have any experience with a resurrected Fuji GA camera? Am I likely to have it die again? Is it likely to die again soon? I am headed to Hawaii next month. The GS645 will be coming with me. I'm wondering whether the GA645Wi should come too.

Happy holidays to all!

mshchem said:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1013911-REG/zts_mbt_1_mbt1_multi_battery_tester.html

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Ha ha … not being a complete dolt, checking the batteries was the first thing I tried. They tested fine and are still in the camera now that it is working again.

Mine had the same problem about 10 years ago. I took the batteries out, cleaned the contacts and let it sit without battery for 2 or 3 weeks. With fresh batteries it came back and works ever since. Since then I take the batteries out when storing it and I try to switch it on eevery 3 month or so.

drg3rd said:

Ha ha … not being a complete dolt, checking the batteries was the first thing I tried. They tested fine and are still in the camera now that it is working again.

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You need to put a load on batteries to really test. Voltage can be fine and still not do the job. I found out about this machine from a friend who owned a camera store for 40 years.

mshchem said:

You need to put a load on batteries to really test. Voltage can be fine and still not do the job. I found out about this machine from a friend who owned a camera store for 40 years.

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I did not know about that tool, it looks very useful especially if one depends on a lot of rechargeable batteries. When I was in the car fixing trade tools like this one were essential because a battery might easily pass a voltage test and fail the load capacity test.
Also the shorting of + and - cables with the battery removed was sometimes called for with weird auto computer network problems, a “hard reset” would sometimes work miracles.