sooner
Well-known
Hi Folks,
After having owned a GA645 for a time, I have recently become interested in picking up a used GS645S, which some people around here really rave about despite the need not to knock it up too much. I'm just curious, and maybe this is silly, but why does it say "wide" on it for the 60mm lens? There is also a version of the camera with a 45mm lens, but it has a different designation and I don't even think it has "wide" on it. Or am I wrong about that? Feel free to slap me...I mean, set me straight. Thanks.....John.
After having owned a GA645 for a time, I have recently become interested in picking up a used GS645S, which some people around here really rave about despite the need not to knock it up too much. I'm just curious, and maybe this is silly, but why does it say "wide" on it for the 60mm lens? There is also a version of the camera with a 45mm lens, but it has a different designation and I don't even think it has "wide" on it. Or am I wrong about that? Feel free to slap me...I mean, set me straight. Thanks.....John.
tripod
Well-known
There is a GS645W Pro with a 45mm lens (about 28mm equiv), and a folding GS645 Pro with a 75mm lens (about 50mm equiv). I think Fuji also made a GS645 with a tubular lens bumper with a 60mm lens that would be wider (about 35mm equiv) than a normal lens for 645 format. I think that last one is the one you are thinking of.
kuzano
Veteran
The GS645 progression was:
The GS645 progression was:
GS645 Professional..... 75mm and a folder. Great pocketable MF, but they used a VERY poor bellows material. Selling at a premium on eBay in spite of the absolute need by this time to replace the original bellows. Also had chronic problem with a weak shutter linkage. I have had the Camera Wiz (Frank Marshman) linkage improvement and a new bellows done on two of these. Great lens, very sharp, excellent meter and rangefinder. Plastic over metal frame.
GS645S Professional Wide..... 60mm (wide for the format). Crash bar lens protector. Plastic over metal frame. Excellent sharp lens, great metering, Accurate rangefinder.
GS645W Professional.... 45mm (very wide for format). Scale focus because of the very long depth of field. No crash bar, very compact. Plastic over metal frame. Meters nicely.
All of these cameras are considered a bit fragile, but that is not entirely true. The rangefinder hoods can crack easily, as can the plastic shell. The metal frame however holds up well. These cameras simply do not show wear well. As a result, they are one of the lowest priced, but capable (very capable) values in the 645 marketplace.
I've had 3 of the folders (one being upgraded right now by Camera Wiz), and about 8 of the GS645S. I have been very happy with the prices, results and return on every one of them. I have never had the 45mm model. It brings a premium price and I am not that wide angle oriented. The 60mm is quite a nice compromise as I see it.
All of these cameras are quite compact for the format. Also very light, which adds to the reputation for being frail. I would have to agree, but ONLY IF you are the kind of person who drop kicks your camera's to the next shooting location.
Last but not least. The lenses overall for Fuji. I have seen very few lenses meet the standards for sharpness that the Fuji EBC lenses produce. The Electronic Beam Coating (EBC) seems to be quite resistant to flare. I consider Fuji glass to be among the best... the very best.
The GS645 progression was:
GS645 Professional..... 75mm and a folder. Great pocketable MF, but they used a VERY poor bellows material. Selling at a premium on eBay in spite of the absolute need by this time to replace the original bellows. Also had chronic problem with a weak shutter linkage. I have had the Camera Wiz (Frank Marshman) linkage improvement and a new bellows done on two of these. Great lens, very sharp, excellent meter and rangefinder. Plastic over metal frame.
GS645S Professional Wide..... 60mm (wide for the format). Crash bar lens protector. Plastic over metal frame. Excellent sharp lens, great metering, Accurate rangefinder.
GS645W Professional.... 45mm (very wide for format). Scale focus because of the very long depth of field. No crash bar, very compact. Plastic over metal frame. Meters nicely.
All of these cameras are considered a bit fragile, but that is not entirely true. The rangefinder hoods can crack easily, as can the plastic shell. The metal frame however holds up well. These cameras simply do not show wear well. As a result, they are one of the lowest priced, but capable (very capable) values in the 645 marketplace.
I've had 3 of the folders (one being upgraded right now by Camera Wiz), and about 8 of the GS645S. I have been very happy with the prices, results and return on every one of them. I have never had the 45mm model. It brings a premium price and I am not that wide angle oriented. The 60mm is quite a nice compromise as I see it.
All of these cameras are quite compact for the format. Also very light, which adds to the reputation for being frail. I would have to agree, but ONLY IF you are the kind of person who drop kicks your camera's to the next shooting location.
Last but not least. The lenses overall for Fuji. I have seen very few lenses meet the standards for sharpness that the Fuji EBC lenses produce. The Electronic Beam Coating (EBC) seems to be quite resistant to flare. I consider Fuji glass to be among the best... the very best.
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menos
Veteran
I might resurrect this old thread from the death, as I came over a fairly nice looking (cosmetically) sample in a camera shop around.
Kuzano thanks for the explanation of the different versions.
The one in question is the
"… GS645S Professional Wide..... 60mm (wide for the format). Crash bar lens protector. "
I am curious about it, as it would be my very first MF film camera. I moved from Nikon DSLR to 35mm film and contemplate to try out a bigger format.
Would this camera be a good start or is it more for the knowing with its quirks?
I love the durability of Leica film bodies and not to have to think so much about braking something. Is this really a concern with the Fuji (rainy weather, the occasional bump, while in a thin cotton satchel,…)?
The camera I looked at is priced at around 300,- EUR - is this a fair bid?
Kuzano thanks for the explanation of the different versions.
The one in question is the
"… GS645S Professional Wide..... 60mm (wide for the format). Crash bar lens protector. "
I am curious about it, as it would be my very first MF film camera. I moved from Nikon DSLR to 35mm film and contemplate to try out a bigger format.
Would this camera be a good start or is it more for the knowing with its quirks?
I love the durability of Leica film bodies and not to have to think so much about braking something. Is this really a concern with the Fuji (rainy weather, the occasional bump, while in a thin cotton satchel,…)?
The camera I looked at is priced at around 300,- EUR - is this a fair bid?
kuzano
Veteran
Yes, good starter....
Yes, good starter....
Presuming the camera is in good shape, the GS645S is a very good starter MF. Excellent Lens, very good rangefinder system. Just a bit wider than normal for the format... probably equivalent to 35-38mm in 35mm format.
The shutter assembly on this model was very reliable and accurate.
I hope you have the opportunity to handle the camera. Most people are a bit dismayed at the light heft and plastic look of the camera. I will tell you that the frame is a metal frame clad in plastic with textured rubber coverings. They actually stand up to abuse, but not uncommon to find hairline cracks around the view and rangefinder windows.
300 Euros is considerably more than I would pay, unless there is an opportunity to shoot a couple of rolls and some warranty period. There is an exceptional camera repair person in the US on the East Coast, and I typically buy these rough or parts and send them to Frank as he is very reasonable. Fuji still does some service on these as well. However, I am talking about buying $100 US parts cameras in this instance.
Right now there are two on US eBay that close in two days and are currently about $150 to $175. I suspect they will close nearer to $300, but would watch them to see. There was one on Ebay UK that sold around $200US and seemed to be a good condition camera.
Bottom line for me.... the GS645S technically and optically is a great camera. Great starter for MF. Good lens, good rangefinder, very good over/under style meter. Concerns would be condition for a camera that is likely 25 years old. Not highly sought after and not a lot of value (price) as a result. This alone makes these a great starter, but probably not at $300 Euro's ($450 US)
The GS645W with the 45mm lens generally sells in that price range in excellent condition, but remember, it is NOT a rangefinder. It is zone focus due to the increased DOF offered as a result of the wider lens.
Quirk.... Always keep the film under tension until the back of the camera is closed. This is true of all 120mm film cameras that load like 35mm cameras. Otherwise film will bunch up on the takeup spool and you may not get through the roll. I add this because it's too easy to throw the roll in like a 35mm, feed the takeup spool, slam the back closed and start winding the crank. With 120, it's imperative to keep the film tight across the frame opening as you close the back door.
120 film that is loaded into separate film backs, or on inserts, is not as noticably critical, because it's a different way of loading and even newby's tend to keep the film tensioned.
Yes, good starter....
Presuming the camera is in good shape, the GS645S is a very good starter MF. Excellent Lens, very good rangefinder system. Just a bit wider than normal for the format... probably equivalent to 35-38mm in 35mm format.
The shutter assembly on this model was very reliable and accurate.
I hope you have the opportunity to handle the camera. Most people are a bit dismayed at the light heft and plastic look of the camera. I will tell you that the frame is a metal frame clad in plastic with textured rubber coverings. They actually stand up to abuse, but not uncommon to find hairline cracks around the view and rangefinder windows.
300 Euros is considerably more than I would pay, unless there is an opportunity to shoot a couple of rolls and some warranty period. There is an exceptional camera repair person in the US on the East Coast, and I typically buy these rough or parts and send them to Frank as he is very reasonable. Fuji still does some service on these as well. However, I am talking about buying $100 US parts cameras in this instance.
Right now there are two on US eBay that close in two days and are currently about $150 to $175. I suspect they will close nearer to $300, but would watch them to see. There was one on Ebay UK that sold around $200US and seemed to be a good condition camera.
Bottom line for me.... the GS645S technically and optically is a great camera. Great starter for MF. Good lens, good rangefinder, very good over/under style meter. Concerns would be condition for a camera that is likely 25 years old. Not highly sought after and not a lot of value (price) as a result. This alone makes these a great starter, but probably not at $300 Euro's ($450 US)
The GS645W with the 45mm lens generally sells in that price range in excellent condition, but remember, it is NOT a rangefinder. It is zone focus due to the increased DOF offered as a result of the wider lens.
Quirk.... Always keep the film under tension until the back of the camera is closed. This is true of all 120mm film cameras that load like 35mm cameras. Otherwise film will bunch up on the takeup spool and you may not get through the roll. I add this because it's too easy to throw the roll in like a 35mm, feed the takeup spool, slam the back closed and start winding the crank. With 120, it's imperative to keep the film tight across the frame opening as you close the back door.
120 film that is loaded into separate film backs, or on inserts, is not as noticably critical, because it's a different way of loading and even newby's tend to keep the film tensioned.
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JohnTF
Veteran
Had all three, still have two, the 60 was the most common, but all are good shooters. I have a shot or two posted here. Always liked the way the folder fit in to my pocket, a lot of camera for the space.
Regards, John
Regards, John
menos
Veteran
Thank you very much Kuzano for the insight.
i think, I skip this camera for now, as of these points:
- price,
- new scanner needed (bought a 35mm only flatbed some month ago)
- just as I write this have developed my own first roll and I guess, this keeps me busy for some time now ;-)
I decided a few days ago, to skip a digital Leica M completely for the foreseeable future, added a Leica body with higher magnification RF and stocked up on film.
The Fuji just catched my eye, as I never saw this camera before (looked into the Pentax 645 system some month ago but shyd away due to bulk, weight and much higher prices than Nikon 35mm MF film gear).
Thanks again, I will have an eye on these Fujis in the future ;-)
i think, I skip this camera for now, as of these points:
- price,
- new scanner needed (bought a 35mm only flatbed some month ago)
- just as I write this have developed my own first roll and I guess, this keeps me busy for some time now ;-)
I decided a few days ago, to skip a digital Leica M completely for the foreseeable future, added a Leica body with higher magnification RF and stocked up on film.
The Fuji just catched my eye, as I never saw this camera before (looked into the Pentax 645 system some month ago but shyd away due to bulk, weight and much higher prices than Nikon 35mm MF film gear).
Thanks again, I will have an eye on these Fujis in the future ;-)
jmilkins
Digited User
johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
BUMP.
Anybody got some shots to show?!
Anybody got some shots to show?!
Jiloo
eternal amateur
I assume you have been here?
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=117224
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=117224