Camera Suggestions

[1750Shooter]

I'm suddenly in a position where I can spend arounf $600-700 on a RF camera. I'm not a fan of 35mm (Yes, I know Leicas are made by the Hand of God, but...), so I'm looking at 120. It would be nice if it was small(ish) & I don't really need replacement lenses. I've handled the Fuji 670 & 690 & didn't like their ergonomics. It would be nice if it had a meter, but not critical. I don't really want an old camera that will require a CLA or more immediately unless it's really cheap. This will be my everyday, walk-about camera so reliability is important as well as photo quality. How about any suggestions? Thanks for any help.

 

[jsrockit]

http://www.antiquecameras.net/fuji645cameras.html namely, the GS645S.

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/rf645.shtml

 

[Geordiepete]

Fuji 645S. It has a meter, it takes portrait aspect photos, and you have to hold it the other way to get landscape. I've taken a couple of favourites with this camera:


Shiraito Falls, Itoshima, Kyushu, man watching, Sept 2007 by geordiepete211, on Flickr


Fr. Gabriel Bechtereau, C.P. by geordiepete211, on Flickr

I add this one just to show how it works in low light. Just stick some Provia 400X, or fast black and white in and the f/4 maximum aperture isn't a worry.

Bill, Fr. Gabe & Kimono Girl (Megumi) by geordiepete211, on Flickr

 

[Lauffray]

amazing light on that second portrait

 

[RobVinc]

Get a Fuji GS645S wide 60..

It is comparabe to a 35mm fixed lens RF, although the vertical framing the first times a little strangs feels..

Got mine some month ago for ca. 25000JPY so should be in your budget..

 

[Geordiepete]

Thanks, Lauffray! It was at my friend's wedding, and I was chatting with Fr. Gabriel at the reception over orange juice before the lunch. It would have been early afternoon light coming through the window there.

I actually gave this Fuji 645 to a friend the other day, because the shutter button would now and again take a lot of force to press down. I thought he could just use it with a shutter release cable. Anyway, a week later he told me the shutter button works perfectly fine. The problem was, you just have to make sure the shutter lock lever on the front of the camera is fully in the unlocked position, as sometimes it jiggles into a halfway position. It's his now, I gave it to him, but I'd like it back! Maybe in a year I'll ask him!