Is it impossible to find a Fujica GS645 with good "not sticky" shutter

OAPOli · Nov 29, 2023

I have the GS645W with the 45mm lens. The shutter wouldn't properly release until after you pressed the "T" button. I managed to fix it. The linkage arrangement for cocking and releasing is quite complex!

guangong · Nov 30, 2023

Radost said:
I have perked 1 2 E. Other folders. I crave a modern one. The voigtlander/Fuji 67 is too big and too expansive.

I agree with you about Fuji GF67. I was able to buy mine at a good price at B&H closeout sale some years ago. I wouldn’t buy one at today’s prices. Comparatively easy to carry for a 67 negative, although requires some experience to hold steady.
I originally bought Fuji 645 folder for negative larger than 35mm, while easy to carry around. Disappointed with its quality of construction and rather bulky size. My Super Ikonta A is very small by comparison. Also more robust construction. A post-war Super Ikonta B (6x6) is also a good choice for a folder.
Of course, camera choice is very personal. Also depends upon one’s subject matter. That’s why so many varieties of cameras were produced.
Good luck!

Radost · Nov 30, 2023

guangong said:
I agree with you about Fuji GF67. I was able to buy mine at a good price at B&H closeout sale some years ago. I wouldn’t buy one at today’s prices. Comparatively easy to carry for a 67 negative, although requires some experience to hold steady.
I originally bought Fuji 645 folder for negative larger than 35mm, while easy to carry around. Disappointed with its quality of construction and rather bulky size. My Super Ikonta A is very small by comparison. Also more robust construction. A post-war Super Ikonta B (6x6) is also a good choice for a folder.
Of course, camera choice is very personal. Also depends upon one’s subject matter. That’s why so many varieties of cameras were produced.
Good luck!

I have the 6x6 covered by my perkeos
To be honest the main reason is I have the wide Texas Leica 6x9 and really love the lens.

Radost · Mar 26, 2024

So the Saga continues.
Purchased another camera.
This time from the USA.
It was described perfect.
The camera comes without a working meter. Sticky shutter. Every shutter opens different times or does not open at all.Hard winding. Flash socket does not work. Lens had some hard dots on the front that I was able to clean.
Run a film through it and only one exposure the shutter opened.
I was pretty mad and contacted the EBAY seller.
He refunded me the money and when I asked for a return address he said to not even bother.
So now I have a camera that does not work which I am forced to bring back to life.
Who can still work on those cameras? Dont care about the meter but would love the flash socket,

OrientPoint · Mar 26, 2024

Frank Marshman works on these. His email is camerawiz@msn.com.

He fixed up my GS645W a couple of years ago and works on the other models in the line as well. At least two years ago, he still had parts for these camera.

Radost · Mar 26, 2024

OrientPoint said:
Frank Marshman works on these. His email is camerawiz@msn.com.

He fixed up my GS645W a couple of years ago and works on the other models in the line as well. At least two years ago, he still had parts for these camera.

What was wrong with your GS645W?

Radost · Mar 26, 2024

I figured out that the shutter does not open if it is focused bellow 2 meters. It fires but it does not open.

Radost · Mar 26, 2024

I should just learn how to repair it and be done with it!!!

OAPOli · Mar 26, 2024

Radost said:
I figured out that the shutter does not open if it is focused bellow 2 meters. It fires but it does not open.

Mine had a similar issue but at all focusing distances. It did fire when I pressed the "T" button.

I can't remember what the issue was because I messed up a bunch of other things when trying to fix the first issue. It's a complicated camera with many linkages. It did work out in the end but the shutter cocking remains iffy. Since you got it for free sending it out would be recommended.

OrientPoint · Mar 26, 2024

Radost said:
What was wrong with your GS645W?

After several years of reliable use the film transport jammed. Previously a small roller in the film compartment had broken off (the thin metal holder snapped - metal fatigue I guess). The roller could be ignored for a while, but the jam made it a paperweight.

Mr. Marshman replaced the broken roller and got it all working again at a reasonable price. Turnaround time was pretty quick, 2 or 3 weeks as I remember.

Radost said:
I should just learn how to repair it and be done with it!!!

They're pretty complicated cameras. I did open mine up and probe around, but quickly came to the conclusion that I'd probably be able to do a decent job fixing the second or third one I worked on. Considering the value of these cameras and that I only have one I decided to go with a professional repair.

Prest_400 · Mar 26, 2024

I handled a GS645 recently from a fellow camera club member, was surprised about its lightweightness and the haptics were fine. The owner recognised that it was a delicate camera and the RF appeared slow.

"Texas Leica" GW690 owner for 10 years here, no issues. Paraphrasing someone out on the net, the 645 series do not share that Spartan reliability of the 6x9. Side topic that the AF cameras, despite some electronics, have a Shop in Poland that can replace some flex cable issues. Not economic as well, but fixable.

guangong said:
I originally bought Fuji 645 folder for negative larger than 35mm, while easy to carry around. Disappointed with its quality of construction and rather bulky size. My Super Ikonta A is very small by comparison. Also more robust construction. A post-war Super Ikonta B (6x6) is also a good choice for a folder.
Of course, camera choice is very personal. Also depends upon one’s subject matter. That’s why so many varieties of cameras were produced.
Good luck!

I went that way, with a Super Ikonta IV. Some age hiccups but these are compact and reliable. However, there are some shotcomings such as no framelines, the Tessar has a much more vintage rendering (Spoiled myself with the Fujinons) and it's a 6x6. The Super Ikonta A seems interesting and wouldn't say no to one falling into my lap to adopt, but also never updated to an integrated VF-RF.

Is it impossible to find a Fujica GS645 with good "not sticky" shutter

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