Lightweight Medium Format for travel--Fuji GA645/Pentax???

[munz6869]

I have just returned from Iceland, where I took my Ga645zi, Rolleiflex, and 4x5" Field camera(!!), partly because I didn't know which I'd use more, and partly because I'm clearly CRAZY. Turns out, I struggled to (find good weather to) use the 4x5" as much as I'd liked, but found the Fuji really easy, especially when doing a tour with a group, or a guide (quick and not annoying to anyone). Back home, every neg that I didn't have the lens cap on for is bitingly sharp and perfectly exposed. It almost feels too easy. On the continent, I exposed more rolls through the Rolleiflex, I think because it's just such a nice camera to wander through urban areas with.
All in all an interesting self-test, but this doesn't really help me in my ongoing struggle to pack less weight on travels...

Marc!

 

[bwcolor]

I'm off to Hawaii in two weeks and was debating as to which camera to take. I've not had any experience with the Fuji Rangefinder. Have Mamiya 7II, Bronica RF645 and ETRSI. The Bronica rangefinder is a wonderful mix of small and negative size. I've more lenses for the Mamiya 7ii, but it is larger. The SLR is larger, bulkier and exactly what I don't want to take. I'll also take the Fujifilm X100. BTW.. you can't beat the Mamiya 7 lenses. They start out sharp and then get better. The RF645 is a better point and shoot. I'll probably take the RF645.

 

[keithwms]

I have a ~1956 Zeiss Ikon Ercona 6x9 folder on loan to me from Richard Pippin. Apparently it is only worth ~$200, which is ridiculously low in cost if it is in good condition. This thing would be absolutely great for travel. If you are okay with scale focusing, it would be really ideal for b&w.

The old folders are very quiet too. That is one other thing, if you are interested in churches and such: the ga645zi is rather noisy.

But yeah, I sometimes wish I had my ga645zi back, it is a lot of fun. Really good travel and walkaround camera!

The fuji lenses have exceptional contrast.. you get 645 negs that enlarge very well and will really surprise you with fine detail. For portrait subjects you probably wouldn't want so much edge contrast, but for travel / landscape... pow! shazam! Enjoy.

 

[olleorama]

My travel camera(s) is a tlr (and a 35mm rangefinder).

 

[Mark Fisher]

Great choice. I thought that the slow lens would be a problem, but it really isn't because it is so easy to shoot this camera at very low shutter speeds and still get sharp images. If it shot square, it would be perfect

 

[mathomas]

I think you literally can't go wrong with the Fuji GA645Zi as a vacation camera. I brought back some of my favorite photos ever on a recent trip back home to KY -- all taken with the Fuji. It's super-convenient, super-packable and no-worries. I can't recommend it highly enough.


roots & rocks, boonesborough state park by mike thomas, on Flickr



clark county, kentucky by mike thomas, on Flickr



clark county, kentucky by mike thomas, on Flickr

 

[2F/2F]

I think you literally can't go wrong with the Fuji GA645Zi as a vacation camera. I brought back some of my favorite photos ever on a recent trip back home to KY -- all taken with the Fuji. It's super-convenient, super-packable and no-worries. I can't recommend it highly enough.

Eastern Kentucky sure is beautiful, isn't it? On the way back home from Detroit a few years ago, I made my way through western WV and eastern KY on smaller roads before dropping down to Nashville to stay with a friend. (I generally avoid the Interstate system, as it is far less desirable to me when traveling by car; IMHO it's not the most interesting way to see the country, in general.) I stayed overnight in Breaks Interstate Park, on the KY/VA border, and your pictures remind me of it. Gorgeous part of the world! I definitely want to go back. There are all sorts of beautiful "hollers" to explore in the region.

 

[keithwms]

Eastern Kentucky sure is beautiful, isn't it?

I have a very nice, big cabin there, come on over!

 

[mathomas]

Eastern Kentucky sure is beautiful, isn't it? On the way back home from Detroit a few years ago, I made my way through western WV and eastern KY on smaller roads before dropping down to Nashville to stay with a friend. (I generally avoid the Interstate system, as it is far less desirable to me when traveling by car; IMHO it's not the most interesting way to see the country, in general.) I stayed overnight in Breaks Interstate Park, on the KY/VA border, and your pictures remind me of it. Gorgeous part of the world! I definitely want to go back. There are all sorts of beautiful "hollers" to explore in the region.

It is indeed a beautiful state. I had to move away to truly appreciate it. Of course, I live in CO now, so I'm not exactly suffering . Your drive sounds amazing. I lived near Nashville for a while and it was very pretty, too.

 

[ContaxRTSFundus]

Of all the many MF cameras I've ever used, the one that always gets packed when I'm travelling is the Fuji GA645Zi and a load of 220 film. I also bought the GA flash unit to give me more punch than the in-built one can muster. It's all so light, you can forget you're carrying it. I have both the champagne and black versions of the Fuji - the black comes out when I need to avoid attention as it looks like 'any other brick-like camera' but the standard finish does get you noticed. Have to say, it's a great ice-breaker as people get very curious about it.

 

[emjo]

Lightweight? Then go for a GA645Zi. Used it this summer in Romania and it was a joy to use. The only drawback is that the largest aperture isn't 2.8 as on my Mamiya 645 but 4.5 or something. Not much of a problem unless you really want to get blurry backgrounds. It really is a medium format point-and-shoot. Simplicity itself. Compared to the Mamiya carrying the Fuji over the shoulder is something one does.