Fujica GS645 how to test frame counter with no film

kingbuzzie · Oct 19, 2019

I've got a fuji gs645 off ebay. Needs new bellows but everything else works. Does anyone know how the frame counter mechanism works in this camera? I don't have any 120 film I want to sacrifice to find out. I see that there is a plastic roller on the take up side, it spins with no resistance with the camera open. Cocking the shutter and winding with the back closed doesn't move the counter.

MattKing · Oct 19, 2019

Anyone nearby who can give you a spool and some backing paper from an exposed roll?
It's good to keep one of those, for just this sort of purpose.

kingbuzzie · Oct 19, 2019

Someone suggested finding a pin to push down in the door channel. That did the trick! Works. Now all I have to do is tackle the bellows replacement...

Oren Grad · Oct 19, 2019

Yeah, that was me. I re-read your post, thought I had misunderstood something, deleted mine for a moment so I could re-think it.

Anyway, sorry for any confusion, very happy that it worked for you. Good luck with the bellows replacement, and enjoy!

xya · Oct 19, 2019

good luck with the bellows. and please remember: you should not try (never ever!!) to fold the camera before the film is advanced (and the shutter is cocked) and the focus is set to infinity. It might damage the system. it's a beautiful camera. I made a page about it here: http://www.120folder.com/fuji_gs645.htm

kingbuzzie · Oct 19, 2019

xya said:
good luck with the bellows. and please remember: you should not try (never ever!!) to fold the camera before the film is advanced (and the shutter is cocked) and the focus is set to infinity. It might damage the system. it's a beautiful camera. I made a page about it here: http://www.120folder.com/fuji_gs645.htm

That's a nice page. It is a nice looking camera. I actually bought it to be my "beater" medium format (you know, toss into a bag with no worries) so I am already starting to feel a little guilty about that... I have three old 1950's folders but as nice as they are I just don't get that super sharp look like I do with my GA645. I think I am going stick to one or two vintage folders with tessar type lenses for funzies. I wish I had the guts to pull the plug on a interchangeable lens system rangefinder like a mamiya or bronica.

Martin CF · Nov 24, 2020

A year on and I've just received my GS645 from Japan. It looks good but, I can't close the door after opening it. I've set the focus to infinity, wound the shutter on, but the Close clasp seems to not want to press down to close the door (on the bottom part of the clasp). I noticed that the T button (timer) is down and might indicate something.

So, I came to this thread to figure out how to fire the shutter without film, but I'm not entirely sure the full instructions after reading through. Can any elaborate?

Thanks!

xya · Nov 25, 2020

have you tried to fire the shutter (press twice if T is engaged)? the T button should come up again. then advance (and cock) once more and it should close. good luck!

Martin CF · Nov 25, 2020

Unfortunately, after loading film to check, the shutter isn't firing. I've pressed the shutter more than twice to get the timer button to pop back up, but to no avail. I've asked for PPP Repairs to look at repairing it here in the UK. I think it's the only sensible thing to do at this stage without making things worse. Thanks!

xya · Nov 26, 2020

have you looked at this page http://www.120folder.com/fuji_gs645_shutter.htm ? mine did not fire as well, but there was a click and you could cock it again. as on yours T was engaged and did not come up again. it was just 2 little levers disengaged, which could be engaged with the help of a long small screwdriver. done in 2 minutes...

Martin CF · Nov 26, 2020

Oh, thanks. I've already packed the camera off to a repairer. However, the difference with mine is that it refuses to fire the shutter (like there's no give), unlike the article you've posted (sounds like the shutter does something at least). Fingers crossed the repair works. I won't mind if this was the fix either )

Fujica GS645 how to test frame counter with no film

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