Does Fuji Still Service GA645's?

RattyMouse

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Hello All,

I just bought a used GA645 and I notice that the mode dial is acting a bit weird. As I flip through the apertures (in Av mode) I see that sometimes, not all the times, they pass by in the wrong order.

Example: I can go from f/4, to f/5.6, to f/8, to f11 and then right to f/4.8, then f/16, f22, f5.6.

It just seems weird that the apertures flip around like crazy. I cannot select them as I desire, except by just flipping and flipping until I hit the right one.

I think the contact point on the dial might be dirty or something.

Does Fujifilm still service this camera?

I can go back to the seller and try to get them to repair it, but I'm in China and I have NO idea what their skills are. The camera is in fantastic shape and I'd rather Fujifilm fixed the camera if that is all it takes to get things right.

Or, might this be some fatal flaw?

Please let me know what you think!!

Thanks!
 

drumlin

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I think this is a common problem. Mine did that,but it was never fatal. Sometimes it would take several clicks to get from f4 to f16, but it eventually gets there.

Let us know what you hear from Fuji.
 

Richard S. (rich815)

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Awesome camera!

Don't despair!

Frank Marshman of Camera Wiz does this simple repair. In fact he just got mine yesterday for this exact fix.

Here's his info:

(540) 867-9671

1495 Needmore Lane
Harrisonburg‎ VA‎ 22802
United States
 
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RattyMouse

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Thanks very much. I live in China but visit the US (home) once a year. What is his diagnosis for this problem? Dirty contacts? Does the camera just need a cleaning or does a part need replacing?

Good to hear this is a simply issue and not something fatal.
 
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RattyMouse

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drumlin said:
I think this is a common problem. Mine did that,but it was never fatal. Sometimes it would take several clicks to get from f4 to f16, but it eventually gets there.

Let us know what you hear from Fuji.
Click to expand...


Yes, this problem seems very workable in that I can always get the aperture that I want eventually. I worry more about it getting worse and the camera stops working.
 
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RattyMouse

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CGW said:
Crikey, Ratty, take it back if possible. If a fix is doubtful locally, I'd definitely see if Fuji HK can service it:

http://www.fujifilm.com.hk/downloadandsupport/

Should've bought that GF 670...
Click to expand...

You dont understand the stores here in mainland China (not hong kong). taking things back is nearly impossible. If this is a small repair, then I am still well ahead.

The GF670 was $1200 more than what I paid for this GA645.

Other than a bad knob, this camera looks *brand new!*.
 

Richard S. (rich815)

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Dirty contacts.

Where do you live? I lived in Kunming for a couple of years and then Beijing for 3 years back in the late 90's.
 
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RattyMouse

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rich815 said:
Dirty contacts.

Where do you live? I lived in Kunming for a couple of years and then Beijing for 3 years back in the late 90's.
Click to expand...

I'm in Shanghai now. I've been here 2 and a half years.

The dial is definately flaky in that it takes more work than usual to set the aperture to what I want. However, with the GA645, I dont think shooting in Av mode is all that critical. I might just leave it on full automatic. Since wide open is only f/4, and the camera does not focus particularly close, there are not many chances I can get low depth of field. So choosing the aperture value doesnt seem all that critical to me with this camera. I can focus much more on composition.
 
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RattyMouse

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When you find out, can you let me know what the charge was to get this fixed?

Thanks,
 
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RattyMouse

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Well, I heard back from Fujifilm. Nope, they dont service any film cameras anymore. No parts available either. So this is strictly a DIY repair job for anyone who undertakes this job!

 
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RattyMouse

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rich815 said:
Left a msg for Frank on his voicemail yesterday, will let you know when we talk.
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Thanks. I am watching this thread. If the typhoon that is slamming into Shanghai is over this weekend, I am going back to the shop where I bought my camera. I'd like to hear from you first if possible.
 

Richard S. (rich815)

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Frank got my GA645 last Friday according to UPS tracking. He just emailed me this morning:

Hi Richard,

Your camera is repaired, cleaned and ready to go.

Everything looks really good on this camera and should give you many more years of great pictures. I had many professional wedding photographers tell me that these were sharper than their Hasselblads.

Total charge is $80 labor & $14 shipping.

I can take paypal or if you want a cc. If you want to use a cc call me.

Best with a handshake,

Frank
 
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RattyMouse

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That's really great that your camera is fixed and now totally healthy. But what did he do to it? What did Frank say that was wrong with your camera and how did he fix it? Replace parts or just clean parts?
 

Richard S. (rich815)

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RattyMouse said:
That's really great that your camera is fixed and now totally healthy. But what did he do to it? What did Frank say that was wrong with your camera and how did he fix it? Replace parts or just clean parts?
Click to expand...

Just cleaned the contacts. No parts.
 
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RattyMouse

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rich815 said:
Just cleaned the contacts. No parts.
Click to expand...

That's great. I suppose someone here in China could do that. But I'll be nervous until i get my camera back in my hands. On the plus side, if they do ruin it, I have a stronger case for my money back. I guess that makes it a no lose situation.

Thanks again and good luck with your re-born GA645.
 

Richard S. (rich815)

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Got it back already! Works PERFECTLY. Finally, no more of that dial fiddling. I put this off for WAY too long.
 
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RattyMouse

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rich815 said:
Got it back already! Works PERFECTLY. Finally, no more of that dial fiddling. I put this off for WAY too long.
Click to expand...

I am jealous!

I am going back to the shop this weekend. I hope this is a good idea. Here in China everything is makeshift. Someone with no training will think nothing about opening up a camera and trying to fix it. It may turn out that the guy who sold me this camera has training, but there is no way really know. I will try to talk to him long and hard before handing it over. If it is just a cleaning, perhaps it is a short job that I can just stand by and watch, to make sure nothing weird goes on.

Or maybe I'm just being paranoid.

Glad your camera is fixed!
 

Richard S. (rich815)

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I lived in Kunming and Beijing back in 1996-2001. I know what you mean. Any chance you're coming to the states any time? or have a friend who is? They can send it to Frank.
 
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RattyMouse

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rich815 said:
I lived in Kunming and Beijing back in 1996-2001. I know what you mean. Any chance you're coming to the states any time? or have a friend who is? They can send it to Frank.
Click to expand...

Yeah, that is an option but will take a month or two to all shake out. I will consider that if the trip to the shop fails to fix the problem.
 
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