sucks, sucky, suckingest - Fuji GS645S accident

[pdeeh]

I'm not normally one to bemoan my misfortunes on internet forums ... but I picked up my Fuji GS645S today and as I did so, it slipped out of my fingers and landed with a thump on the carpeted but hard floor.

I was just going out to shoot with it too ... I checked it over quickly ... the rangefinder seemed to work ok, and nothing rattled any more than it usually does, the only problem appeared to be the front plate covering the VF/RF/meter had popped off. I put it to one side thinking, I'll clean it up later and glue that plate back on, picked up my XA instead and toddled off into the sunshine

Well, I just picked it up and gave it a proper examination, and of course it's not just the plate, there's a crack in the top of the camera from the hinge to the front of the top and another round the screw by the hinge that holds the top plate on.

Fortunately this won't affect the light-tightness of the film chamber, but I suppose it will affect the structural integrity of the top assembly. If I glued the plate back on with epoxy I imagine that would restore some strength ... but it seems a bit of a sledgehammer job ...

Maybe a "spares or repair" copy will pop up on eBay for a tenner that I could cannibalise for the top assembly ... but I shan't hold my breath for that.

Sigh. Though I'd share anyway.

Now I'll develop the fillum that was in it. Acros 100@200 in caffenol-cm for 12 minutes if anyone cares

 

[Sirius Glass]

Yes, that sucks big time.

 

[summicron1]

wow, bummer.

if the structural integrity of the thing seems to be not horribly compromised, perhaps run a little epoxy in the crack and push the pieces together tight until it dries, glue the plate back on, cross yur fingers and pray?

If there is a bottom half of a case that it fits in, that would allow it to be used and held in that, use it.

Nothing to lose and ya never know, it could trundle along just fine for years.

 

[trythis]

At least the lens mount wasnt broken or bent. Glue it and go shoot, its just a camera. Also you wont get much resale value so it makes it yours to enjoy with little worry of keeping it precious.


Typos made on a tiny phone...

 

[shutterfinger]

Back when I was repairing commercial TV's in the 80's Elmer's Quick Set Epoxy was excellent for cracked cabinets.
Example: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Elmers-xact...&qid=1436151915&sr=8-1&keywords=elmer's+epoxy

 

[summicron1]

At least the lens mount wasnt broken or bent. Glue it and go shoot, its just a camera. Also you wont get much resale value so it makes it yours to enjoy with little worry of keeping it precious.


Typos made on a tiny phone...

exactly. I have a leica M4 that i bought pre-dented and pretty badly worn for this very reason. I dont worry about it -- freedom!

 

[tony lockerbie]

Bummer. I dropped my GW680111 onto some very un-yeilding rocks...it was pristine....not anymore! Hell of a whack, but the thing still works a treat apart from some nasty dings and stiff focusing. The big Fuji's are strong at least!

 

[pdeeh]

The resale value is the least of my worries, and I don't really care very much about cosmetic condition. I've been unloading cameras and lenses to fund other stuff (LF - and rent ) recently, but I couldn't bring myself to sell this for some reason.
There's a top cover on ebay for about £20 but the seller wants £33 on top for shipping from US ... bizarre

 

[removed account4]

that makes my camera on tripod with long lens on it blowing over on a sidewalk
look like a walk in the park .. sorry to read about your troubles

 

[pdeeh]

hmm well there might be a happyish ending. the ebay seller is a friendly soul and has adjusted the shipping to something more realistic, so subject to a final condition check, I might be able to get a replacement top cover in the next week or two
(Or I might end up having bought a top cover from a slightly different iteration and that won't fit properly )

 

[GRHazelton]

I think all of us drop a camera now and then. My last such was when my new-to-me Pentax Super Program slipped from my fumbling fingers about 6 inches onto a maple butcher-block table. No damage apparent. Earlier my Pentax K-5 slipped off my shoulder and landed on a thin rug over concrete. I guess it landed squarely on its battery grip, and the K-5 is one tough camera!

These things are sickening. I hope your Fuji has a speedy "recovery."

 

[DCB12]

Fuji plastic is not very tough....

I have had 2 different Fuji rangefinder cameras... both with some kind of crack.

I agree with the above...epoxy and shoot it.

There are some top plates that pop up on ebay from time to time...keep a weather eye open.

Peace