FujiGW645Zi

[Grim Tuesday]

I was blown away the first time I saw my negatives from a 645 camera. Astonishing quality and resolution after many years of seeing 35mm prints.

I agree that 645 is good in comparison to an average consumer 35mm, especially 90s zooms and point and shoots, but compared to superb 35mm (i.e. using modern autofocus Nikon glass on a film camera) I am less convinced.

True of almost every MF lens. Fuji doesn't make any MF lens faster than f/3.5

When comparing to the other medium format cameras in this space, most were f2.8 or f3.5 at "normal" focal length. The GA645zi has a minimum aperture of 6.2 at 75mm which is more than two stops slower than comparable cameras. With respect to max aperture the only place it is even close to others is in comparison to other wide cameras, at the wide end of this camera where it is f4.5. I think it's crazy to argue that the the Fuji GA645zi doesn't have a slow lens. It definitely does. The quality of the images are superb, but if you're searching for low light performance or blown out backgrounds look elsewhere.

The camera reports the distance that you are focusing on. From that one can judge if it has picked up the right subject. It's not hard.

The camera reports a distance range like "1.5-2m." With that information, how am I supposed to know if the camera has focused on the subject's eyes or 8 inches behind them?

Mine has lasted 14 years and has shot more film than I could ever remember.

I'm glad yours has lasted so long and served you so well, but the ribbon cable is an issue that affects lots of people's cameras, and reliability is definitely a concern with this model, and should be considered for someone thinking about spending $700 on one.

Shoot more, worry less.

On this I agree!