GS645W 45mm Focussing Problem

[Extreme Artists]

I was just in my local camera shop to view thier GS645W, the meter is giving sensible readings, but how on earth do you check the focus? I was expecting to see a double circle/box that overlapped to confirm focus, but there was nothing like this in the view finder.

no one in the shop knew how to confirm focus, so can anyone tell me how it's done, PLEASE!!!!

I have not brought it yet!!!

Regards

Extreme

 

[photobroker]

No rangefinder on this model (45mm Lens) only the 75mm or 60mm have the rangefinder. 45mm model is a zone focusing model only. The lens is very sharp and depth of field makes focus very easy.

 

[Doug]

Welcome, photobroker! Yep, right, that's a scale-focus model. Not a disaster either, as many medium format cameras of the past had no RF either, and there were RF units sold as accessories. I have a 6x9 folder with a 105mm lens... Surely the 45mm f/4 of the GS645W is easier than that! 🙂

Indeed I have the GS645S with the 60mm lens and rangefinder, but the RF is relatively low in contrast and the spot edges are fuzzy, so I don't hesitate to just guess on distance or use the "hyperfocal distance" method in good light. The wider angle of the W's 45mm lens makes that even easier; generous depth of field even wide open at f/5.6

By the way, this GS645W model typically sells for MORE than the RF-equipped GS645S, perhaps a collector influence on price due to relative rarity.

If you want a measured-focus wide 645, there's the next line of Fujis, the GA series. They offered a GA645W with a faster 45mm f/4 lens and auto-focus, auto-exposure, motorized film advance, built-in popup flash, retractable lens, auto flim speed sensing, etc, et fancy cetera. I have one of these too, and the next Fuji marvel was the zoom lens model.

 

[Extreme Artists]

I see, so tehcnically the GS 645W is not a rangefinder? I really thought it must be due to the osquewered window next to the viewfinder, perhaps this is the meter sensor?

I was also a little dismayed by the size of the glass in it, but if I use my brain F5.6 at 45mm of 6X45 hypotenuse, is only the size of a penny!

It is for sale at £350.00 I figure that is IRO $700.00 personally speaking I think thats dear as I have seen GA645S sell for £330.00 on UK ebay this month. I suppose what I am saying is that I can get a GA645W for the same money.

I am currently using a Zeiss 6X9 with 105mm F3.6 lens, from a functional POV the GS645W only offers double exposure prevention, frame counting, and a meter + a better tripod mount position.

So perhaps I will wait for the GA645W to come up on ebay?

 

[Doug]

I see, so tehcnically the GS 645W is not a rangefinder? I really thought it must be due to the osquewered window next to the viewfinder, perhaps this is the meter sensor?

Hi-- Narrowly considered, you're right; if the camera has no rangefinder, it's not a rangefinder camera. But in common parlance, and I think for purposes of this forum, any camera using primarily a windowed viewfinder (a "direct view" camera) falls into the RF category. This is in contrast to an indirect viewing of the subject as with focusing on a ground glass screen or LCD.

BTW, the frosted window next to the viewfinder window is to illuminate the framelines. The meter sensor is in the viewfinder.

It is for sale at £350.00 I figure that is IRO $700.00 personally speaking I think thats dear as I have seen GA645S sell for £330.00 on UK ebay this month. I suppose what I am saying is that I can get a GA645W for the same money.

£350 would be more like $620. Coincidentally, KEH Camera Brokers, who are very fair traders, have one listed as "Excellent" for $616! See: http://www.keh.com/shop/product.cfm?bid=FM&cid=04&sid=newused&crid=11690771

While there is a GS645S (non-folding 60mm f/4), there is no GA645S; the corresponding 60mm GA model is simply the GA645. As mentioned, this is quite a different and very automated camera. The GA645W does have that one-stop speed advantage over the GS for its wide lens as well as the AF focusing. But, narrowly speaking, are the auto-focus GA series cameras "rangefinders"? :0

There was a second issue of the GA cameras, distinguished with an "i" suffix to the designation. For instance, mine is a GA645Wi, and this indicates improvements in the auto-focus and addition of a second shutter release button, on the front of the camera.

I am currently using a Zeiss 6X9 with 105mm F3.6 lens, from a functional POV the GS645W only offers double exposure prevention, frame counting, and a meter + a better tripod mount position.

So perhaps I will wait for the GA645W to come up on ebay?

Functionally, the Zeiss 6x9 also uses a film area twice the size of a 6x4.5cm camera, the latter being essentially a "half-frame" of the former, in the same way as half-frame 35mm cameras. And featuring vertical frame orientation that some find disconcerting. But, yes, there are modern conveniences to consider as well!

I had never used an auto-focus camera, so buying into the GA645Wi was for me a leap of... experimentation! It has all the usual (and I thought dubious) features of a common point 'n' shoot camera. But for my indoor environmental portraits project I needed at least f/4 if not faster. Occasionally "missing" the subject and getting the background in focus instead leads to more careful use, but all-in-all I've been pretty pleased with this rig. Though the built-in flash is kinda useless and I don't care for the digital aspects of the user interface.

But the GS645W RF-less is notably smaller, lighter. Super easy to just toss over a shoulder and carry all day... if f/5.6 is fast enough. Works without batteries! Its operation celebrates the casual and intuitive use that many RFF'ers enjoy.

 

[Extreme Artists]

Hi-- There was a second issue of the GA cameras, distinguished with an "i" suffix to the designation. For instance, mine is a GA645Wi, and this indicates improvements in the auto-focus and addition of a second shutter release button, on the front of the camera.

Doug

Many thanks for a suberb reply, I was going to post a new thread to find out what the "i" stood for today, as I have seen the a GA645I 60mm for sale on ebay. Re the second shutter button, is this for the horizontal shooting position (where Vertical is normal)

My main reason for thinking I would be better served by the GA645 is that it can take me a few weeks to finish a roll in either my Zeiss/Isolette/Kershaw and occaisionally get caught out with double exposures! Also I dont see the point (or rather, cant afford the luxury) in having 2 cameras that do the same thing, and I dont have a 645 camera at the moment, but if I get one I will need another LPL 645 carrier as I converted my 645 carrier into a 690 carrier!

I did not mean to slander the GS645W's position in this forum, having never put a roll through one I am not qualified to comment. Anyway I could always stick my wata meter in the asccesory shoe!

Extreme

 

[Meleica]

see my Fuji 6x4.5 Camer page at

http://members.aol.com/dcolucci/fujirf.htm

and there is a manual there for this camera