I made a decision between the Fuji GW670 III and the GA645Zi

[Graham_Martin]

About a week ago I took delivery of a Fuji GA645Zi, and started learning how to use it. I found that there is a bit of a learning curve, but nowhere near what I am used to on my DSLRs. The main thing I didn't like was that it doesn't have a separate shutter-speed dial. For my trip to Hawaii I really like how compact it is, as well as being very light. In fact it is somewhat smaller and lighter than my Nikon D3.

However, I did want to try the 670 because it is 100% mechanical. I received the GW670 a few hours ago, and it's going back to KEH. Not because it is a bad camera. The camera is simplicity itself to use. More so than the GA645Zi. I found the rangefinder focusing quite easy to use. Since I will be shooting mostly landscapes it would probably stay set on infinity. However, for my trip to Hawaii it is too bulky. The other thing is that on a 120 roll of film you only get 10 exposures compared to 16. Granted the 670 negs are a lot bigger, but I'm not planning on making huge prints. I also like the zoom feature on the Zi which gives a wider field of view than the 670. The main downside to the Zi is the slow lens especially at the long end. I don't see that as real problem because I'm not going to be using it for action shots. This is going to be primarily a landscape camera.

 

[papagene]

Even though the 670 has a much bigger neg, I think you are going to be quite pleased with the lens quality and the resultant images from it. I love lugging my GW670 II around, but I did have an opportunity to shoot several rolls through a Fuji 645 and the negs and photos were very nice.
I think you made the right decision... have fun!!

 

[Graham_Martin]

Thanks Gene. I shot a roll of film on the 670 tonight, and so it will be interesting to compare them to the 645 prints.

 

[MattPC]

Hi Graham,
could you mpost your opinion again once you process the 670 film. I'm very interested in both of those camera's.

Thanks,

MattPC.

 

[ChuckP]

The added versatility of that zoom lens makes the 645Zi a great travel camera. You could use the single focal length 670 as an exercise in disciple but that gets old fast. My Fuji makes nice 11x14's. I've used it for several years now for landscapes when using a bigger "system" camera would be difficult.

 

[mathomas]

I have a GW690III and a GA645Zi. If I were forced to give one up, it would be the 690. The 645Zi is just so compact and it's nice to get 16 shots out of a roll (only 8 with the 690). I took it on a trip in the spring and got a lot of shots I'm very happy with.