benlees
Well-known
Because I missed getting that Pentax I had a chance to rethink- sometimes good, sometimes bad- and ended up buying a Fuji GA645 (v.2) with a faulty flash for less than $300CDN. It seems to be a great camera. I was a little nervous about the AF but it seems to work well. Also, it is very comfortable to use and is quite a nice shape- not cumbersome to have around your neck.
In manual the focusing is by zones 0.7m, 1.5m, etc. Works well, though.
In manual the focusing is by zones 0.7m, 1.5m, etc. Works well, though.
At first the Fuji GA645Zi seems attractive for the zoom, but then you find that its zoom is slooowww... only f/4.5 at the 55mm end, and going to f/6.9 at 90mm. That's what has stopped my interest in this otherwise neat rig. I do have the GA645Wi with the 45mm f/4 and that's about as slow a lens as I can put up with for my projects.
Also, the cool Bronica RF645's lenses are f/4 for the 45 and 65, and f/4.5 for the 100 and 135 (if you can find/afford one!). I don't use the external 45mm viewfinder, going with the whole RF window, but then having dedicated 45mm framelines (compensating for both parallax and field size) is one reason I carry the GA645Wi. I do admit it's a relief to use the Bronica for the abilty to see just where the focus is...
More lens speed and lens choices in a 645 SLR of course, but more bulk too. Even the compact Pentax 645 when fitted with the 45-80mm zoom gets pretty bulky. The zooms are generally f/4.5, but the primes are faster, mostly f/2.8 which can be useful.
Ruvy, you might like to try a Fuji GS645S or GA645 (both with the 60mm lens) and see how you like it. The GS is very small and light, and an all-manual RF camera. The GA is a giant point'n'shoot with its own charms... Or a used Bronica RF645 with the 65mm would be great too. Have fun!
Also, the cool Bronica RF645's lenses are f/4 for the 45 and 65, and f/4.5 for the 100 and 135 (if you can find/afford one!). I don't use the external 45mm viewfinder, going with the whole RF window, but then having dedicated 45mm framelines (compensating for both parallax and field size) is one reason I carry the GA645Wi. I do admit it's a relief to use the Bronica for the abilty to see just where the focus is...
More lens speed and lens choices in a 645 SLR of course, but more bulk too. Even the compact Pentax 645 when fitted with the 45-80mm zoom gets pretty bulky. The zooms are generally f/4.5, but the primes are faster, mostly f/2.8 which can be useful.
Ruvy, you might like to try a Fuji GS645S or GA645 (both with the 60mm lens) and see how you like it. The GS is very small and light, and an all-manual RF camera. The GA is a giant point'n'shoot with its own charms... Or a used Bronica RF645 with the 65mm would be great too. Have fun!
FallisPhoto
Veteran
Yep. Here's an idea. Get something bigger instead. I got a 645 Pentax and almost never used it, simply because there isn't enough difference between a 645 and a 35mm with high resolution film and good glass to make a fuss about.
aizan
Veteran
at what print size? 6x9? it's a different story when you get to even 8x12.