advice on fujica GS645

[al1966]

Looks nice I would like one of those to go with my GS645s, temptation calling.

 

[fuji645]

The funny thing is the bellows material is different on the inside--I'll have to show some shots. Maybe this is the way they all were.
The interior feels like some sort of cloth over cardboard while the exterior has the texture of very fine but thin leather. Maybe that type of fabric was prone to pinholes as it aged.

 

[uhoh7]

The funny thing is the bellows material is different on the inside--I'll have to show some shots. Maybe this is the way they all were.
The interior feels like some sort of cloth over cardboard while the exterior has the texture of very fine but thin leather. Maybe that type of fabric was prone to pinholes as it aged.

Sounds like mine is OEM, so either I'm lucky or I missed them. Test roll should tell, no?

Love the handling. No kidding. I was sort of half thinking I should have found a Bronica RF645, but no way it or any non-folder is going to slip into the coat pocket like this 🙂

It's really something you can carry without thinking too much---unless you're in a bikini 😉

 

[batterytypehah!]

Only real flaw i can see is when the back is closed there is a fingernail's play where the back meets the body next to the vertical release, you can push the back in a tiny bit there.

Mine does that, too. I don't think it's a problem but since my bellows is hopeless, I can't tell if the camera leaks light somewhere else, too.

 

[uhoh7]

One thing I have not figured out and it cost me a roll of unexposed film 🙁

I shoot the roll and wind till I can feel it come off the left side. However the counter stays at 20 something (220 scale) instead of going to S.

After I wound down the second roll (shutter would not cock) I did get it there and my third roll set up and shot fine.

But now I'm in the same boat 20 something with the roll off the left spool.

suggestions? TY

PS same thing happenend again. But I do have a workaround. I load the roll I ruined backwards (i've cut leader and film to thread to spool better) then continue winding a few turns untill the counter goes through the 20s to S. Then I open remove spool and load good roll.

I have an email into camera wiz

 

[paolo]

As I remember the counter goes to S only when you open the back door. And with 220 film you should have 30 shots, not 20+. So there might be some trouble with the counter

 

[kuzano]

Use the telephone....

Use the telephone....

have an email into camera wiz

I've been dealing with Frank for years (Camera Wiz), and I think highly of the man. Great experiences all and very reliable. 40 years in the biz.

If you get an eMail back from Frank, I will consider it a minor miracle (minor as opposed to turning water into wine).

I gave up on eMail after the first three camera's he repaired/serviced for me.

Pick up the telephone and call him. He's great that way. You may get his wife or his tech, but you'll likely get to him. He often picks up himself.

But, when all is said and done... HE'S THE MAN on these folders in particular.

 

[uhoh7]

I've been dealing with Frank for years (Camera Wiz), and I think highly of the man. Great experiences all and very reliable. 40 years in the biz.

If you get an eMail back from Frank, I will consider it a minor miracle (minor as opposed to turning water into wine).

I gave up on eMail after the first three camera's he repaired/serviced for me.

Pick up the telephone and call him. He's great that way. You may get his wife or his tech, but you'll likely get to him. He often picks up himself.

But, when all is said and done... HE'S THE MAN on these folders in particular.

TY for that tip Kuzano, I'll ring him tommorrow.

 

[jnoir]

The bellows are undoubtely the weakest part in these cameras. Otherwise, they're pretty nice. I went for a Mamiya 7II, though, 6x4.5 has never appealed me...

I have serviced several of these cameras, bellows simply unglued and fell apart...

Looks nicer with a new set of bellows
​

Have your camera serviced and start using and enjoying it !
​

 

[uhoh7]

TY for that jnoir

here we go, 1 keeper from my first two rolls 🙂

 

[uhoh7]

Update: because of quirks, got seller to refund 1/2 price, so final cost on this one was 200USD.

Have figured out how to reset counter by moving switch from 120 to 220 and back 🙂

My first rolls had some blank shots--I'm thinkin this was possibly because I had shutter set between speeds--roll load now so I cant test for a bit 🙂