Fair trade value for a Fuji GA645i ?

johnny9fingers

johnny9fingers

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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
 
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 said:
I would prefer the "i" version, but might be talked into trading for the older GA645.....

John
Click to expand...

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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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?
 
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.
 
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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....
 
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
 
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.


JohnTF said:
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
Click to expand...
 
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.
 
JonasYip said:
Hmm, I have both a GA645i and a GS645, neither of which gets much use anymore...

j
Click to expand...

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).
 
shadowfox said:
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).
Click to expand...

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...
 
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.
 
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