I found the perfect camera and it is cursed [Fuji GS645W]

[macfred]

Absolutely fantastic pictures. Shot on Ektar?

The photographs on adelorenzo's flickr are all on Portra 400 - impressive sharpness and lot of details !!

 

[Sirius Glass]

First of all any older camera should have a CLA especially before you go on a camping trip. Also since you are Canadian based you may want the CLA to use lower temperature lubricants.

Now for the APUG-Standard-I-only-recommend-what-I-use-because-I-know-better-than-you-what-you-need response and recommend Hasselblad. It is smaller than a Mamiya C330, has interchangeable film backs which a Mamiya C330 does not have and yet each lens has is own shutter like the Mamiya C330 has. Not only that a Hasselblad body has a concentrated mass which makes it a perfect defensive throwing object with which to ward of an attacking bear or wolverine and to be used as a weight to hold down the topo maps from being blown away.

 

[Sirius Glass]

If you are concerned about moose or muskox attacks then the Mamiya RB67 might be considered.

 

[Axle]

Ouch! I did a quick Google search, and from the Fuji Site: Dead Link Removed

 

[RattyMouse]

Ouch! I did a quick Google search, and from the Fuji Site: Dead Link Removed

Fujifilm is notorious for letting their web site go out of date. I tried having my GA645 serviced by Fujifilm and they stated that *none* of their film cameras were able to be serviced due to no parts being made or available. This was in China however, not the US so I would call them up and ask. I had zero luck trying to get them to fix my film camera.

 

[macfred]

What about Mr. Frank Marshman ?
A friend of mine told me, that Frank is still in business (February, 2015).
He has repaired or CLA'd numerous FUJI rangefinders over the years.

169 Pleasant Hill Road
Harrisonburg, VA 228015775 -
Phone: (540) 434-8133
Email | camerawiz@msn.com

 

[4season]

Just a thought, but these cameras are probably only minimally sealed against dust or moisture, and the shutter may be particularly exposed when the camera back is open. I did have a GS645 folder jam on me once, but the GA645 autofocus cameras (including the "zi") and GSW690 never gave me any grief.

 

[adelorenzo]

I contacted Frank Marshman and he is indeed still repairing cameras. Mine will be sent off to him tomorrow.

Thanks for the complements on the photos everyone. They are indeed all shot on Portra although I have a hard time getting the "Portra look" when I do the unmentionable things we don't talk about on this board.

 

[adelorenzo]

Fujifilm is notorious for letting their web site go out of date. I tried having my GA645 serviced by Fujifilm and they stated that *none* of their film cameras were able to be serviced due to no parts being made or available. This was in China however, not the US so I would call them up and ask. I had zero luck trying to get them to fix my film camera.

I've had a similar experience with Pentax Canada official service department. They accepted my 645N for service but then told me they couldn't fix it due to no parts.

 

[LMNOP]

I love the way these images turned out!!

 

[adelorenzo]

Hooray! Frank has managed to repair both of my cameras! This is great news.

If anyone is interested, the results from my last trip with the GS645W are posted here:

https://adelorenzo.exposure.co/mackenzie-mountains

 

[macfred]

Good news - it's a great pleasure to look at your recent work !!

 

[Sirius Glass]

Hooray! Frank has managed to repair both of my cameras! This is great news.

If anyone is interested, the results from my last trip with the GS645W are posted here:

https://adelorenzo.exposure.co/mackenzie-mountains

Great! Good things come to those that work for them.

 

[RattyMouse]

What an epic trip!!

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

Nice trip. Were the mosquitoes bad?

 

[Prest_400]

Lovely!
I like a lot the look you got there. In many there is that Medium format feel, and as of the Portra Look, I like the color you have now.

 

[adelorenzo]

Nice trip. Were the mosquitoes bad?

Not really. We had to sleep with bug nets most nights but that was it. We chose August because it's less of an issue and of course campsite selection is a factor as well.

 

[adelorenzo]

Thanks everyone for the comments! I think I'm going to be putting a lot more Portra 400 through these cameras once I get them back from Frank.

 

[RattyMouse]

Thanks everyone for the comments! I think I'm going to be putting a lot more Portra 400 through these cameras once I get them back from Frank.

Dont forget Portra 160. It is an amazing film, with blazing sharpness. Your Fujinon lens will have no problem showing off its abilities using Portra 160. I vastly prefer this film over Portra 400.

 

[adelorenzo]

Dont forget Portra 160. It is an amazing film, with blazing sharpness. Your Fujinon lens will have no problem showing off its abilities using Portra 160. I vastly prefer this film over Portra 400.

I'd like to try some. My problem is shooting on the move/in a boat on these trips is I need a high shutter speed to try to keep things as sharp as possible. One thing I really like about this camera with 400 film is I can leave it focused at 5 metres, aperture f/11, and shutter speed 1/500 (sunny) or 1/250 (cloudy). All I have to worry about is winding, framing and pressing the shutter.

 

[adelorenzo]

Me and my Fuji GS645W in action!



Edit: Sorry I have no idea how to make this not tiny. Click for bigger.

 

[smolk]

if the Pentax 645N is too bulky you probably would not want to go to the only slightly lighter Agfa Super Isolette—a folder that has the fast speed of 1/500, as does the Cero Six with Synchro-Compur of the Super Baldax—and a good lens to boot. But metering is not included and the camera is not light or fast in operation. As for weight, the same applies to a Rolleiflex TLR although I'd happily sling that one along when I travel light, more easily than the Pentax 645N I once also owned.
In your case, I'd probably try the Bronica 645RF, which is similar in ease of use, with metering, but has exchangeable lenses as a plus, or, if the budget allows, a Mamiya 7. You can also try the Texas Leica (Fuji 690) which would come in cheaper.

 

[adelorenzo]

I think the Mamiya 6 or 7 would be amazing but at 4-5 times the price of a Fuji are out of my budget. Especially for banging around the wilderness. I've taken a heavy TLR (Mamiya C330) on a wilderness trip, shooting from the waist actually works pretty well but the weight is significant.

I got two working cameras back from Frank Marshman this week so I'll get back out there and see how they do.

 

[jwicaksana]

Hi Anthony, reading about your GS645W and looking at your photos is very exciting for me. I have one GS645W, and its slow speeds are sticky it seems, 1/2/4s
I'm somehow convinced that these will not be too hard to repair, but I'm taking the queue as my repairman is busy with other clients' cameras. You should try Ektar 100 pushed to 400, they look absolutely stunning for landscapes.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Hi Anthony, reading about your GS645W and looking at your photos is very exciting for me. I have one GS645W, and its slow speeds are sticky it seems, 1/2/4s
I'm somehow convinced that these will not be too hard to repair, but I'm taking the queue as my repairman is busy with other clients' cameras. You should try Ektar 100 pushed to 400, they look absolutely stunning for landscapes.

Welcome to APUG