A Tale of Two Fuji Rangefinders

[chop61]

I have a GS 645, 60mm the one with the rollbar. The lens is super sharp, no complaints there, but I have a lot of trouble using the rangefinder. I can't seem to tell when I'm focused without doing a back and forth thing. I'm wondering if the GA645 in all it's autofocus, auto exposure glory would be a good choice. I want to stick with 6x4.5, and at least a 60mm. I'd sure appreciate an opinion from anyone with the GA 645.

 

[david b]

I can only comment on the GA645W, as that is what I have.

The focus works just fine for me. It's a giant point and shoot. Having the built in pop up flash is also a plus.

Basically, I just put the film in and go.

 

[David William White]

I have a GS 645, 60mm the one with the rollbar. The lens is super sharp, no complaints there, but I have a lot of trouble using the rangefinder. I can't seem to tell when I'm focused without doing a back and forth thing. I'm wondering if the GA645 in all it's autofocus, auto exposure glory would be a good choice. I want to stick with 6x4.5, and at least a 60mm. I'd sure appreciate an opinion from anyone with the GA 645.

Hi, Chop61:

I've been thinking about this camera for a while. I was thinking mostly for landscapes and normal horizontal shooting. Is it comfortable to hold and shoot when rotated? Is it heavy? Tell me more about the viewfinder problem you are having.

Thanks,

David.

 

[chop61]

David,
It's a good comfortable camera. There is a tripod mount on the handle too, for horizontal shooting. Comfortable to hand hold rotated as well. It's not heavy at all, just a little bigger than a SLR.

The rangefinder is the real issue. It's like there's not enough contrast, so it's not very quick. I have an old Olympus RC and that rangefinder is easy to use. Good for architecture or landscapes, not so good for moving subjects. But that lens is sharp as a tack.

 

[Jon King]

I had a GA645i - It is in many ways a perfect travel P&S camera. I found it very comfortable to shoot vertical or horizontally. The lens retracts, so it is very comfortable to carry while traveling. The autofocus and exposure seemed as capable as a good quality 35mm point and shoot. The data recording ability is a great thing. The camera is awkward to use in manual exposure or manual focus though.

For my use, frustration the autofocus was what made me sell it. Much of what I shoot is either relatively close (10-20 feet) or I want a sharp foreground. After ending up with enough fuzzy foregrounds because I couldn't tell what the range of sharp focus would be, I saved up for a Bronica RF645 and sold the Fuji. The Bronica suits my style of shooting better, but the Fuji is a fine camera, and a bit easier to carry around than the Bronica. If the money from the Fuji didn't go toward the RF645, I would have kept and used both.

 

[Tom Hoskinson]

I have a GS 645, 60mm the one with the rollbar. The lens is super sharp, no complaints there, but I have a lot of trouble using the rangefinder. I can't seem to tell when I'm focused without doing a back and forth thing. I'm wondering if the GA645 in all it's autofocus, auto exposure glory would be a good choice. I want to stick with 6x4.5, and at least a 60mm. I'd sure appreciate an opinion from anyone with the GA 645.

I have the GS645 Professional (no rollbar) with the 75mm Fujinon S. Never have any problems focusing it - the rangefinder patch is bright and contrasty.

I like the results I get with the Fuji 75mm lens better than those that I get of the same subjects with my 80mm Zeiss Planar (Hassy).

Maybe yours needs a CLA?

I also have a Fuji 645W with 45mm lens (no rangefinder - scale focused). Excellent camera.

 

[Krockmitaine]

I have a Fuji GS645 Professional with the 60mm and the rollbar.
I must say that when I bought it, the rangefinder was sticky and after a roll, I sended it for a CLA.
Oh boy, the difference! Money well spent.

I like the camera, it's light, medium format, can be used horizontal and vertical. But I find it hard to get used to the small focusing target in the rangefinder and there only one fixed lens.
I exposed two rolls, hand held, developped them this past week (my firsts ) and they look super sharp. This week, I will check them with my new loupe and will make a few scans.

 

[chop61]

Where did you send it for the CLA? Does Fuji still work on these? Anybody else have any ideas for a good place?

 

[Bandicoot]

I have a Fuji GS645 Professional with the 60mm and the rollbar.

[...]

I exposed two rolls, hand held, developped them this past week (my firsts ) and they look super sharp.

Same here, and have always found mine fairly bright and easy to focus - I'd suggest the OP checks whether the rangefinder just needs a clean before buying a whole new camera.

This is the camera, more than any other, where the guy who does my drum-scans is likely to whistle through his teeth and say "Mmmm, sharp" when looking at the slides through his little microscope.


Peter

 

[Krockmitaine]

Where did you send it for the CLA? Does Fuji still work on these? Anybody else have any ideas for a good place?

I sended this one to AFC in Montreal on Saint-Laurent street.
I just looked the negs with my new loupe and it's money well invested in both the Rodenstock and the Fuji.
The negs are tack sharp.

 

[Will S]

CameraWiz in Virgina. Do a search here and you can find them. They fixed the shutter on my 645 folder and did a great job.

Will

Where did you send it for the CLA? Does Fuji still work on these? Anybody else have any ideas for a good place?

 

[Krockmitaine]

Same here, and have always found mine fairly bright and easy to focus - I'd suggest the OP checks whether the rangefinder just needs a clean before buying a whole new camera.

This is the camera, more than any other, where the guy who does my drum-scans is likely to whistle through his teeth and say "Mmmm, sharp" when looking at the slides through his little microscope.


Peter

Yup, I've put up a few shots from that camera in the gallery

 

[thuggins]

CameraWiz in Virgina. Do a search here and you can find them. They fixed the shutter on my 645 folder and did a great job.

Will

Frank Marshman --> camerawiz@msn.com

I second the endorsement on his work.