Taking the plunge - Fuji GS645 on the way

[batterytypehah!]

I've had serious 6x4.5 GAS for a while but been getting frustrated with what seems like an endless parade of silly ebay prices for classic folders. I mean, $40-ish for a modest Kodak Duo 620? No RF and you have to respool the film. Zenobia, Ensign, Bessa 46 - all nice enough cameras, I'm sure, but priced out of proportion to their capabilities IMO.

So, I took a stroll around the as-is section at KEH this morning and found a bargain GS645 (bad foam, holes in bellows) for $149. Now, I did my homework and I know it's got a spotty reputation, especially the bellows and mechanics. I've been very happy with KEH in the past and figure if it turns out to be too bad, I have the return option. OTOH the bellows may just hold up for a while with tape while I look for a suitable replacement, and there doesn't seem to be much foam at all (just the hinge area, right?).

Oh, this will be my first foray into this format but I'm stepping up from 16 on 127 (which is fast becoming an expensive taste). I like the 3:4 aspect ratio, the film economy, and I find myself shooting lots of verticals. Should feel familiar.

 

[kuzano]

OTOH the bellows may just hold up for a while with tape while I look for a suitable replacement, and there doesn't seem to be much foam at all (just the hinge area, right?).

The bellows on these camera's... (have had 3) usually suffer a sprinkling of holes throughout the bellows surface area. The original bellows was some sort of synthetic or paper based product. Little hope for a usable bellows. A second chronic problem on these camera's was a weakness in the shutter linkage that suffered in the folding process.

In fact, it's interesting to note that the original folder was only produced for about a year because of the bellows and the linkage problems. Yet, they were popular as evidenced by how many are still in the market.

Now the good news (well, if you are prepared to spend a little money).

All my Fuji's go to Frank Marshman who owns Camera Wiz in Virginia. He's done three of these bellows, but it's good to know if he has a bellows in inventory. One of mine took a long time because he had to source out a new bellows supplier, but he is responsive otherwise and very good on Fuji. He's done much other Fuji work for me.

I ship to him from Oregon. I just purchased an Auto Exposure AE100 lens for the big GL690 rangefinder. and am sending it to him for a look see at the non functioning meter. He's done a number of these... spoke with him today.

Started his biz in 1972. He's a phone call, not an e-mail. His telephone number in Harrisburg VA is 540-434-8133.

He also has a long time fix for the poorly designed shutter linkage.

Last thing on the GS645 is that the shutters are sticky in extreme cold and no fix there apparently. I never had that problem. However the fellow who bought my last one had a problem and talked with Frank who told him it's chronic on the early shutters for the 645s.

Frank is very reasonable on pricing these fixes including the Bellows.

The GS645 is a very nice camera, good meter, great glass and very nice rangefinder. But, don't beat yourself up trying to patch the bellows. You'll go nuts unless you are mightily patient. If I was going to try to use an original bellows, I'd paint the bellows heavily with a thick black paint and leave it unfolded all the time. At least then you could see how the other items function.

The reason I quit the GS645's was when I finally concluded that it was NOT actually a very small camera, and my Fujifilm GA645Zi was only slightly bigger and offered Zoom from 55 to 90mm, AF and other fine features.

The one thing that keeps me in the Fuji camp (am now shooting almost all 6X9) is the glass. I don't think that in 40 plus years of all makes and types of cameras, that I've seen many lenses that deliver the image of Fuji glass... Sharp, Sharp, Sharp.

 

[andredossantos]

I agree with Kuzano. Fuji glass really is something else with a distinct "look". I recently got a G690BL and the 100mm Fuinon-S is flat out spectacular.

I would advise geting your Gs645 CLA'd and overhauled and once it's in tip top shape you'll no doubt love it. I've heard nothing but good about Marshman.

 

[batterytypehah!]

Wow, thanks for all the info, is this a great forum or what?

Meanwhile, I have searched some more and found an older thread that links to a pictorial about making your own replacement (http://junkworldconn.cocolog-nifty.com/blog/fujica/index.html). In Japanese, which I don't read, but the photos are encouraging. I should be able to do that, might take more than one attempt but at least if it comes out crooked, it's not a lot of material wasted.

I'm afraid sending it out is beyond my budget, also seems iffy that bellows can still be sourced off the shelf at all.

 

[kuzano]

Frank buys them 6 and 12 at a time.

Frank buys them 6 and 12 at a time.

I'm afraid sending it out is beyond my budget, also seems iffy that bellows can still be sourced off the shelf at all.

Like I said, I think a workaround for the bellows could be done, and just leave it open. Even non-folding, it would be a great camera if you could stop the light.

Re the bellows, Frank usually buys them a half dozen at a time and keeps them around. I suspect he can still get them, since he last changed suppliers a couple of years ago.

Good luck and good shooting.

Lars

 

[batterytypehah!]

Nah, it must fold, or it's not for me. Compactness is why I'm into RF in the first place.

 

[batterytypehah!]

Or, in fact, I could grab a carcass such as this lens-less Bessa 46 for the bellows - prohibitive shipping from the UK, else I would have pulled the trigger:

http://cgi.ebay.com/VOIGTLANDER-BES...ography_VintageCameras_SM&hash=item4aa8412924

 

[batterytypehah!]

I just received the camera and, apart from the bellows and foam, it is in beautiful shape. If it weren't for the empty spool inside, and the fact that somebody has already tried to fix the bellows with electrical tape, I'd be really hard pressed to tell if it's had any film through it.

Even "chilled" straight out of the shipping box, all the controls work nice and smooth and the shutter sounds spot on. No need for a CLA. It appears I don't have any good batteries in the house at the moment (LR44) but I have no reason to assume that the meter wouldn't work.

Alas, it'll be the weekend before I can find time for a makeshift bellows repair, and go out to shoot.

 

[batterytypehah!]

Update: The bellows is really quite far gone. Where I'm trying to lift off the electrical tape "repair" job, the rubberized coating comes right along with it. I'm trying to dab liquid tape on the worst areas for now but it isn't making much of a difference.

On the other hand, it's not so bad that I can't risk to run a roll of 100 ASA through it. I hope to be in Maine with some rolls of Ektar over the weekend. Could be interesting in color but I've done it in b&w on an old Agfa without too much harm. Just need to remember to fold up right after each shot.

Speaking of which: The folding action on the GS645 is very straightforward -- if you have internalized Retinas, Rollei 35s and Vitos, that is... Focus at infinity (Retina), advance film (Rollei), press two small tabs inside the door (Vito). I'm right at home but what the h3ll were they thinking at Fuji??

 

[fuji645]

Great job on that GS645! I've enjoyed using mine for quite a few years. My bellows has developed a number of pinholes recently too and I have resorted to the electrical tape quick fix. I'll be buying a new bellows shortly on ebay and probably have Essex Camera in NJ (they did a CLA on it about 10 years ago) put it in. Here's the link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...819393&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_3475wt_907.
Good luck!

 

[batterytypehah!]

Yeah I've looked at that listing but I don't like to buy from HK/China if I don't have to. I haven't talked to Frank at Camera Wiz yet but I saw somebody report he charged $140 installed for a new bellows, along with improved shutter linkage. If so, I doubt you'll come out ahead.

Of course, me, I'm too cheap even for that 😀 Origami class, here I come.