Is 1/30th sec too slow for GA645?

RattyMouse · Jan 5, 2013

Mark Fisher said:
I just take the shot with the lens wide open when I need to. With my GA645zi (great camera), I can hand hold 1/15 pretty regularly. Here is one example that I know was at about 1/15 (maybe 1/8) by looking at the page turning. Technique coupled with a soft release can allow you to get pretty low with this camera. Now, if I could quiet it down, it would be perfect!

I think my technique is pretty good, yet I'm not getting much focus. It is disappointing. I need to do the test described above.

fotch · Jan 5, 2013

I can usually feel how steady I am holding the camera. If it needs to be sharp, either set a higher shutter speed or find a way to brace the camera. Only my digital has auto focus and I find it far from fool proof so usually shut if off & focus manually.

perkeleellinen · Jan 5, 2013

I think the issue is a narrow depth of field caused by shooting ASA100 films perhaps coupled with low shutter speeds.

I'd try two things - firstly set the data read out to print exposure information for each frame, then you'll see if low speeds/big apertures are correlating with poor shots. Secondly, I'd shoot a roll of something faster like ASA400 or 800 to see if that helps make the shots more acceptable.

summicron1 · Jan 5, 2013

RattyMouse said:
No mirror in the GA645, it's a rangefinder. A monopod would suck the life out of a GA645. It's built to be a p & s.

i stand corrected -- work on technique then -- squeezing the shutter button, breath control, rest your head against the wall and the camera against your head, and so forth -- hand-held 1/10th with a leica is possible doing this, a fuji rangefinder even in 120 should be the same. I've handheld a rollei down to 1/30th no problem.

RattyMouse · Jan 5, 2013

summicron1 said:
i stand corrected -- work on technique then -- squeezing the shutter button, breath control, rest your head against the wall and the camera against your head, and so forth -- hand-held 1/10th with a leica is possible doing this, a fuji rangefinder even in 120 should be the same. I've handheld a rollei down to 1/30th no problem.

Just remember, a GA645 has a 65mm lens on it. 1/10 sec is waaay lower than the 1/focal length rule of thumb.

RattyMouse · Jan 14, 2013

RattyMouse said:
I'm wondering what would be a good minimum shutter speed for the GA645 Fuji camera. I recently got back some film and found many super soft images, with nothing much in good focus. I think I might be too liberal with what shutter speeds I can get away with, with this camera. It's got a 65 mm lens and I go well under 1/60 sec in shutter speeds. At what speed should I try to maintain to make certain that camera shake is not really probable?

Thanks!

The answer is YES, 1/30th is mostly too slow for my GA645. I have not been able to do any of the testing described in this thread to check my camera's focus. But I got back from the lab 6 rolls of film today with 4 of the rolls being high speed 400 or 1600 film. MUCH better sharpness. It has to be due to the higher shutter speeds. 1/45 and higher speeds lost almost 100% better. Only a few throw aways.

I guess I have to shoot a lot less 100 speed film. Makes me sad as I LOVE Acros film.

Mustafa Umut Sarac · Jan 14, 2013

If you have a camera repair shop , you can have a test for 1/30 speed. And I am more nervous than yesteryears and I was taking 1/8 damn sharp with my Leica IIF and IIIC , 20 years ago. Now its too hard. I think you will have more success with your camera after a long holiday.

Leighgion · Jan 15, 2013

Your color shots look well-enough focused to me at these sizes too.

This is conjecture, but I'd guess your problem is less shutter speed and more a combination of missed focus (your B&W marketplace) and a simple unrealistic estimation of how much depth of field you're going to get out of a 65mm lens when shooting 645.

Is 1/30th sec too slow for GA645?

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