johnny9fingers
Well-known
I would like to get a Fuji GA645i, would a Contax T2 & a Hexar AF be a fair offer? I just can't get comfortable with the T2, and I have 2 Hexars and with the ease of switching film mid roll this seems redundant to me....
John
John
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
That sounds fair. I assume that you specifically want the 'i' version, correct? because the GA645 is quite a bit lower-priced in the used market.
johnny9fingers
Well-known
I would prefer the "i" version, but might be talked into trading for the older GA645.....
John
John
johnny9fingers
Well-known
A GS645 folder would be nice as well, as long as the bellows are light tight and the shutter is in good working order......
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
I would prefer the "i" version, but might be talked into trading for the older GA645.....
John
Then you should be able to get a taker exchanging one of your Hexar AF for it. Trade the T2 for 120 films
I personally prefer the 'i' version mainly because it has that extra shutter trigger that I find easier to use when I compose in landscape mode.
The ability to read ISO off the film is nice also. Especially that I can override it when I feel like it.
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johnny9fingers
Well-known
Thanks Will, I have an ad in the "want to trade" classifieds, so I guess I'll have to wait and see if anyone is interested. By the way, I've heard the "i" model is quiet compared to the older GA645. Is that true?
johnny9fingers
Well-known
Has anyone had experience with both the GA645i and the GS645???
kuzano
Veteran
Beware the bellows....
Beware the bellows....
I would estimate there are no surviving original GS645 bellows and the shutter linkage was chronically weak and broke.
The only way I will buy a GS645 is if I plan to send it to Frank at Camera Wiz for a new bellows and his shutter linkage improvement. The last one I sent him cost about $250 for the bellows, linkage improvement and service the shutter, adjust rangefinder.
Please don't consider a GS645 over $150 to $200 unless it comes with receipts for the new bellows and other work.
In fact, I think the best way to buy the early folder is to buy it cheap and just plan on sending it to Frank. I've done three that way, since I got "hosed" on my first one. The original bad bellows for the camera was the leading cause of it's production run of just over one year before it was dropped and production ceased.
Beware the bellows....
I would estimate there are no surviving original GS645 bellows and the shutter linkage was chronically weak and broke.
The only way I will buy a GS645 is if I plan to send it to Frank at Camera Wiz for a new bellows and his shutter linkage improvement. The last one I sent him cost about $250 for the bellows, linkage improvement and service the shutter, adjust rangefinder.
Please don't consider a GS645 over $150 to $200 unless it comes with receipts for the new bellows and other work.
In fact, I think the best way to buy the early folder is to buy it cheap and just plan on sending it to Frank. I've done three that way, since I got "hosed" on my first one. The original bad bellows for the camera was the leading cause of it's production run of just over one year before it was dropped and production ceased.
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shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
Has anyone had experience with both the GA645i and the GS645???
I have the GA645wi. I don't know how much more quiet it is compared to the non 'i' version. But this camera isn't super quiet, not disruptively loud either.
johnny9fingers
Well-known
I never had a problem with the GA645 I had a few years ago, so I'm not too worried about how loud it is. And I really liked the 645 format, I never had a problem with having to rotate the camera between vertical and horizontal. I just hope someone has a nice one they are willing to trade....
JonasYip
Well-known
Hmm, I have both a GA645i and a GS645, neither of which gets much use anymore... but I can't say that I need a Contax T2 or Hexar AF for any reason.
j
j
johnny9fingers
Well-known
Now you're just messin with me 
If I had the cash I'd make an offer but I'm cash poor and camera rich...
John
If I had the cash I'd make an offer but I'm cash poor and camera rich...
John
Hmm, I have both a GA645i and a GS645, neither of which gets much use anymore... but I can't say that I need a Contax T2 or Hexar AF for any reason.
j
JohnTF
Veteran
I think I have pretty much had them all, they always worked for me, I had one with a bad flash sync, maybe broken wire, Fuji fixed it, camera was in user condition.
The folder was in my pocket when I needed it, walking by a good shot, I quickly shot an entire roll, getting several images, I probably would not have had an other MF camera with me at that time.
I have had several of the folders, sold a user, and picked up a nicer one.
I have generally liked Fuji products, have had them up to the GSW690 and the 617.
Regards, John
The folder was in my pocket when I needed it, walking by a good shot, I quickly shot an entire roll, getting several images, I probably would not have had an other MF camera with me at that time.
I have had several of the folders, sold a user, and picked up a nicer one.
I have generally liked Fuji products, have had them up to the GSW690 and the 617.
Regards, John
johnny9fingers
Well-known
From what I've learned (and from my experience with the GA645) the Fuji's are well built cameras. I would prefer to get an "i" series, but if someone offered a GA645 in excellent perfect working condition I might go for that. A GS645 recently CLA'd with newer bellows would be interesting too.
I think I have pretty much had them all, they always worked for me, I had one with a bad flash sync, maybe broken wire, Fuji fixed it, camera was in user condition.
The folder was in my pocket when I needed it, walking by a good shot, I quickly shot an entire roll, getting several images, I probably would not have had an other MF camera with me at that time.
I have had several of the folders, sold a user, and picked up a nicer one.
I have generally liked Fuji products, have had them up to the GSW690 and the 617.
Regards, John
johnny9fingers
Well-known
I'm starting to think that it might be best just to sell my cameras then use that money to purchase a Fuji. I will probably post a for sale ad o RFF later today or this evening.......
kuzano
Veteran
I took the shot at the GS645... and should add
I took the shot at the GS645... and should add
I wouldn't change a word of my warning about the GS645.
However, I am a staunch Fuji supporter and user. I have used almost every variation (model) of Fuji from the 645 RF's to the big GSW690 and GL690, and have had excellent results, experience and reliability. My current favorite is my
GA645Zi which for little added size adds zoom function from 55 to 90mm and excellent image quality. I also got many good images out of the early G690bl with the interchangable 65, 100, and 180 lenses.
I don't think one can go wrong with the Fuji rangefinders and they are still being serviced by Fuji, and my favorite.... Frank at Camera Wiz.
I took the shot at the GS645... and should add
I wouldn't change a word of my warning about the GS645.
However, I am a staunch Fuji supporter and user. I have used almost every variation (model) of Fuji from the 645 RF's to the big GSW690 and GL690, and have had excellent results, experience and reliability. My current favorite is my
GA645Zi which for little added size adds zoom function from 55 to 90mm and excellent image quality. I also got many good images out of the early G690bl with the interchangable 65, 100, and 180 lenses.
I don't think one can go wrong with the Fuji rangefinders and they are still being serviced by Fuji, and my favorite.... Frank at Camera Wiz.
johnny9fingers
Well-known
Advice taken Kuzano, thanks. I may have a line on a GA645i, so I'll be posting the cameras for sale shortly.....
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
Hmm, I have both a GA645i and a GS645, neither of which gets much use anymore...
j
Those two are too good of a camera for sitting on the shelf, let me know if you're interested in selling the 'i' version. The 'wi' version I have is cool, but sometimes is too wide for me, I'd love to try the 60/4 lens which equates to about 35mm focal length (my favorite in 35mm format).
JonasYip
Well-known
Those two are too good of a camera for sitting on the shelf, let me know if you're interested in selling the 'i' version. The 'wi' version I have is cool, but sometimes is too wide for me, I'd love to try the 60/4 lens which equates to about 35mm focal length (my favorite in 35mm format).
Sadly, you should see the stuff "sitting on the shelf" in my medium-format cabinet. I take them out every once in a while a run a roll of film through them, but basically it's increasingly difficult for me to keep using film in my workflow.... much as I love medium-format.
There is a roll of film in my GS645 at the moment though, and I just finished a roll with the GA645i...
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
hahaha, I know the feeling.
I have sold most of my stuff and now the only redundant format I have is the 35mm SLR kits, I'll get to those soon also.
I have sold most of my stuff and now the only redundant format I have is the 35mm SLR kits, I'll get to those soon also.
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