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

[drg3rd]

I have the GS645, GS645S and GA645Wi. When traveling, I almost always take the GS645 … it is so compact - it fits with all my other gear. If I really want "wide" then I take the GA645Wi. My GS645S usually sits at home - I'm afraid it is too fragile for travel and it isn't my widest option. They all have great image quality, so you can't go wrong there. I did have to buy 2 GS645 cameras (returned the first) to get one with working bellows (even though the first one claimed to have brand new ones). Of course if ease of use is the top priority, you can't beat the GA cameras. My GA645Wi is basically a MF point-and-shoot (in auto mode). Also, it gives me 16 shots per roll instead of the 15 from the GS models.

 

[MTGseattle]

Isn't trying to figure out which camera to acquire fun?

 

[Craig]

Isn't trying to figure out which camera to acquire fun?

Yes, until reality kicks in. I was looking at a Mamiya 6 after a friend of mine mentioned that he still had the 50 and 150mm lenses. So I looked at a body and 75mm lens on Ebay and to get a good one without fungus I was looking $4,000 CAD. A bit too rich for me.

 

[brian steinberger]

Yes, until reality kicks in. I was looking at a Mamiya 6 after a friend of mine mentioned that he still had the 50 and 150mm lenses. So I looked at a body and 75mm lens on Ebay and to get a good one without fungus I was looking $4,000 CAD. A bit too rich for me.

That price is outrageous. Should be able to find a body with 75 for around $2000.

This one

 

[Craig]

That price is outrageous. Should be able to find a body with 75 for around $2000.

This one

Are you thinking USD or CAD? Right now the cheapest body +75mm lens on Ebay is $3000 CAD.

The one you linked to is $3500 CAD

 

[brian steinberger]

Sorry, didn’t realize you were in Canada. Missed the CAD in your previous post.

 

[Craig]

Yes, and with the Canadian dollar fallen recently relative to the USD, that makes things more expensive. If the Japanese sellers listed in Yen, it would actually be a better deal for me.

Shipping is odd too, The Japanese sellers can typically ship for $50-60 and it's a 2 day courier service. From the US, it's almost always $150 or more. I have no idea why shipping out of the US is so expensive.

 

[beemermark]

I've had (and have) a lot of medium format cameras including the Fuji ones. The smallest, lightest medium format camera is a Rolleicord or Rollieflex. If you want a 645 try to find a late model Zeiss Super Ikonta in good condition with a Tessar lens.

 

[beemermark]

Yes, and with the Canadian dollar fallen recently relative to the USD, that makes things more expensive. If the Japanese sellers listed in Yen, it would actually be a better deal for me.

Shipping is odd too, The Japanese sellers can typically ship for $50-60 and it's a 2 day courier service. From the US, it's almost always $150 or more. I have no idea why shipping out of the US is so expensive.

I can ship to SE Asia USPS for around $40. Only the most inexpensive stuff (under $50) goes to Canada for that amount. Shipping to costs to Canada by USPS, UPS, or FedEx is ridiculous. Not to mention trying to get insurance after the Canadian post office runs over your camera with a truck. Japanese sellers can ship to the US using courier services and you get hit hard with the courier dunning you for "custom inspection" fees. Anything less then $800 comes into the US is duty free. DT might change that because Chinese companies like TEMU take maximum advantage of that.

 

[wjlapier]

I’ve used all three of the GS variants. The folder was the one with the most trouble. The non rangefinder one was a bit too wide at the time. The one with the roll bar was a great camera that too nice sharp photos. I was just looking at them again for summer travel but decided against only because I have a Rolleiflex old standard that I’d like to be my only medium format camera this trip. I’m getting to that point I dont like carrying a bunch of cameras while on vacation—small kit keep it simple.

 

[David Brown]

Generally, I have never liked rangefinders and find them awkward to use. However, I loved the GS645S in spite of its design. Absolutely one of the sharpest lenses I have ever used. It was a great travel camera, making a number of trips including Germany, Hawaii and Iceland.

Although their form factor and the quality of the lenses has been praised, these cameras received criticism for their fragility. One day, I was working in a very cramped space and had the camera on a short tripod, perhaps three feet tall. While moving around, I knocked it over. The meter died. A few pieces broke off. Everything else seemed to work, but I don’t trust the rangefinder.

This is only my experience: YMMV