Experience with a Fuji GS645S? Looking for a travel camera.

[Craig]

I'm thinking of one of these Fuji 645's as a travel camera and it seems to tick all my boxes: Compact, coupled rangefinder and a light meter. Price isn't quite at the insane level that the Mamiya 7 is at.

The GS645S is the one with the "horseshoe" bar around the lens and seems to avoid the bellows problems of the folder and the electronics issues of the later 645 cameras. Is there any reason not to get one?

Just for reference, I already have one of the Fuji 690 cameras - too big and heavy to carry all day, and no light meter. I was looking for something more compact.

The brief is a travel camera that can take good photos while on vacation, it isn't a photo trip where the shots take priority. If that was the case, I'd use 4x5. Think of it as a camera that's almost as easy to carry and quick to use as a AF 35mm SLR, but takes 120 film.

 

[grahamp]

The GS645s is a touch fragile - that 'roll bar' is there for a reason. It is light and compact, and you get 15 frames from 120. The built-in light meter is not too bad if used with thought.

I like rangefinder cameras for travel - my other favourite is the Mamiya M6 with a 75mm. But I always wonder if I should take other lenses, which is not a problem with the Fuji!

I used to travel with a YashicaMat, and that did a good job.

 

[lecarp]

Holga!

As far as the Fuji 645 folder, will you be driving a fiat?

 

[Craig]

As far as the Fuji 645 folder, will you be driving a fiat?

The Fuji isn't a folder, and I won't be driving.

 

[OAPOli]

I have the wide version (45mm lens, no RF). Very lightweight and compact.

Meter is coupled but through the VF so you have to compensate for filters. If you have big fingers the exposure controls are a bit hard to handle.

The weak point is the overly complicated and fragile shutter cocking/release mechanism.

 

[brian steinberger]

Why not look into the Bronica RF645? Have a choice of interchangeable lenses. Or just stick with one if you want.

Or possibly easier to get repaired, I’d recommend the Mamiya 6.

 

[GregY]

I'd take the Mamiya 6 MF every time....albeit a more expensive option. There are many reports of the gs645s breaking or being fragile. I shoot landscape view almost always and those vertical 645 cameras drive me nuts...

 

[Craig]

The Bronica is definitely an option. As a rule, I don't like square format, so I'm not wild about a Mamiya 6 for that reason.

I totally understand about the vertical format though, that might be a learning curve to shoot it horizontally.

 

[MTGseattle]

I always wonder why most of the 6x45 cameras were not 6x6 with a mask to choke it down if so desired. The vertical 6x45 bugs me too. I will say that in my brief stewardship of the Bronica RF I was very pleased with the lenses. I think one would cost at least double what the fuji fixed lens options go for though.

 

[MattKing]

I always wonder why most of the 6x45 cameras were not 6x6 with a mask to choke it down if so desired.

Bigger cameras, and in some cases bigger lenses.

 

[Craig]

I will say that in my brief stewardship of the Bronica RF I was very pleased with the lenses. I think one would cost at least double what the fuji fixed lens options go for though.

Closer to triple. Looking on Ebay, a Fuji is ~$1000 landed and a Bronica body and 65mm lens without fungus is ~$3000.

 

[rduraoc]

I had this camera, loved it. It's not fragile, but it's also not built like a tank. You have to get used to the controls and can't have sausages for fingers. The meter was always spot on for me, and the lens is a gem. Only sold it because I wanted AF and didn't want to stick with 2 6x45 cameras.

 

[brian steinberger]

I totally understand about the vertical format though, that might be a learning curve to shoot it horizontally.

I got used to it very quickly. But I’ve been with the system since 2006 so it’s second nature now. Love that camera!

 

[brian steinberger]

I always wonder why most of the 6x45 cameras were not 6x6 with a mask to choke it down if so desired. The vertical 6x45 bugs me too. I will say that in my brief stewardship of the Bronica RF I was very pleased with the lenses. I think one would cost at least double what the fuji fixed lens options go for though.

Imagine the Mamiya 6 with an option to shoot 645 AND GET 16 SHOTS (before someone says the 6MF!).

This would be my dream camera.

 

[xya]

The Fuji isn't a folder, and I won't be driving.

My GS645 was a folding camera indeed and mine was fragile, bellows and mechanics. After 3 repairs I sold it to my repair man. I bought a GA instead 15 years ago. No problem since then. I love the autofocus and the auto exposure, both get it right under nearly all circumstances.

 

[brian steinberger]

My GS645 was a folding camera indeed and mine was fragile, bellows and mechanics. After 3 repairs I sold it to my repair man. I bought a GA instead 15 years ago. No problem since then. I love the autofocus and the auto exposure, both get it right under nearly all circumstances.

Does so much automation scare you at all? I hope they work forever but I feel this is where Bronica/Tamron got the RF645 right. Manual focus and manual advance. Less to go wrong going into the future.

I’ll wait for a comment about broken winders…

 

[Craig]

I guess I need to make a distinction between the GS645 (the folder) and GS645S (non folder). As a travel camera for an upcoming trip the UK, the wider angle of the 60mm lens on the S is appealing vs the 75mm of the folder.

 

[MTGseattle]

Closer to triple. Looking on Ebay, a Fuji is ~$1000 landed and a Bronica body and 65mm lens without fungus is ~$3000.

Ouch! I hadn't looked in a while.

 

[MTGseattle]

Imagine the Mamiya 6 with an option to shoot 645 AND GET 16 SHOTS (before someone says the 6MF!).

This would be my dream camera.

I own the 645 mask for my 6MF. I have never tried it. I'm guessing it will not snap into place in the plain 6?

 

[MTGseattle]

I guess I need to make a distinction between the GS645 (the folder) and GS645S (non folder). As a travel camera for an upcoming trip the UK, the wider angle of the 60mm lens on the S is appealing vs the 75mm of the folder.

There's a gs645s for sale on Seattle criagslist.

 

[GregY]

I own the 645 mask for my 6MF. I have never tried it. I'm guessing it will not snap into place in the plain 6?

Dreams...... The Mamiya 6 still gives you 12 shots with the top & bottom cut off the 6x6 AFAIK

 

[AnselMortensen]

I had a GS645S for a while in the mid 1990's.
The lens was extremely sharp, and nicely contrasty.
The meter was accurate, when used reasonably.
I shot quite a bit of Velvia with it.
It was not a "throw it in the truck & go shoot" camera, it was a camera that wanted to be treated respectfully.
I regret selling it, in some ways, but sold it to buy my first Hasselblad 500C/M.

 

[Craig]

There's a gs645s for sale on Seattle criagslist.

I see it. Asking $500 USD which is about $720 CAD, plus another ~$100 to get it across the border and I'm getting close to the price from Japan.

 

[Paul Howell]

Other than having to meter with hand held or clip on meter, for travel it's hard to beat the Mamiya 50s vintage Mamiya 6. Great lens folds up into small enough package, just a bit too large for a pocket, well a jacket pocket will work.

 

[itsdoable]

I have owned and shot the Fujifilm GS645 and the GS645s, and the GS645w, I sold the "s" and "w" and still own the GS645.

The GS645s is pretty light and compact for a 645, with an excellent lens. I never had any problems with it, it followed me on trips through several continents. However, the GS645 (folder) is more compact, and I prefer the longer lens over the 4/60. The "s" was not pocket-able. The "w" was more compact than the "s", and also had a great lens, as long as you were OK with f/5.6.

I was able to buy replacement bellows for the GS645 (aftermarket, not the plastic Fujifilm OEMs that have all cracked), so I stuck with that.