Fuji GS645S - Your Next MEDIUM FORMAT Film Camera?

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  • Опубліковано 3 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 17

  • @DeoAbarquez
    @DeoAbarquez  14 днів тому +1

    sample photos at 10:24 !

  • @tedcrosby9361
    @tedcrosby9361 14 днів тому +3

    I’ve had this camera for many years, and because of its size and weight find it ideal for travel photography. The rangefinder patch is quite small, and it can be tricky sometimes to nail focus, but the camera has never let me down, and the resolution, and image contrast is very impressive. Fuji is a well respected manufacturer of medium, and large format lenses. So much so that they made the lenses for the Hasselblad Xpan. It’s worth mentioning the inbuilt meter which is very useful and appears to be very accurate certainly for average reflective scenes. I would recommend not holding the roll bar, especially when pulling the camera from its case. Yes it’s a weakness, but overall a brilliant camera.

    • @DeoAbarquez
      @DeoAbarquez  14 днів тому

      @tedcrosby9361 great summary mate and its all something I think that owners of this system can agree with. they're really great cameras from a holistic view but every camera has its flaws!

  • @scotthullinger4684
    @scotthullinger4684 14 днів тому +1

    Try the Mamiya 6 rangefinder camera. A 6 by 6 camera like a Hasselblad, but of course, not a single lens reflex. Or try the Mamiya 7 rangefinder camera, which used the same sort of film to produce a 6 by 7 image. I sold my Mamiya 6, which I surely do regret. But I never owned the Mamiya 7 camera.
    Way back in the day ... I actually did consider getting this Fuji GS645S.
    But when I left medium format film photography, my first digital camera was a Fuji S3 -
    a supremely good camera for the relatively small amount of money spent -
    SOME day down the road, I just my get a Fuji medium format digital camera, which is currently the absolute cream of the Crop among ALL digital cameras, and for a price which is relatively tiny compared to much of the similar competition. Fuji currently outsells ALL other manufacturers except for the Full Frame market. And the reason for that is because Fuji makes NO Full Frame cameras whatsoever.

    • @DeoAbarquez
      @DeoAbarquez  14 днів тому +1

      @scotthullinger4684 6x6 has always been a strange format to me. I find composition quite tricky.
      the digital fuji gear is absolutely top notch and I'd also love a medium format digital fuji like the gfx someday! I shoot my videos on an X-T4 and its been such a pleasure to use for stills and videos too

  • @randallstewart1224
    @randallstewart1224 5 днів тому

    In good condition and working order, the GS645S is a light, small MF camera, easy to operate for the most part. The rangefinder patch is dimmer than most because about 30% of the light entering the viewfinder is diverted to the meter cell, so it is the whole viewfinder which is darker compared to RF patch. His drop was "lucky". The delicate nature of the camera comes from the lens barrel, which moves in and out as focused. It looks like his camera hit (and cracked open) between the lens mounting structure and the body, which is not the weak point. The surrounding crash bar protects the lens barrel itself from both a hit on the side and a hit directly on the front (putting the camera down on the lens). Its protection can be defeated by leaving the lens focused so it protrudes out in front of the metal ring. Filters on the lens or lens shade present a risk. Hits on the lens barrel can break either focusing mechanism, shutter linkage, or both. Never buy a GS645S which has a lens wobble, binds in any degree when focused, or makes a grinding noise when focused. Don't pretend it's not a problem if the camera looks nice; just walk away. I've been a big fan of Fuji 645 cameras since the mid-1980s. I own GS645 and GS645W, but a GS645S has never been a risk I'll accept. If, in spite of all reason, you must have a GS645S, look instead at the decade newer GA645 (or GA645i). It uses the same lens and adds automatic features. It's not significantly larger or heavier. It does not have the lens barrel issues. People will protest, "But it's electronic, and the electrics can fail." Well, if you balance the inherent risks, the GA645 will win every time.

  • @olio_benzina
    @olio_benzina 3 дні тому

    I've had one of these from new and still use it. Hundreds of rolls, thousands of photographs and still functioning perfectly.
    One of the sharpest lenses I have ever used, contrasty too. Light meter is also very accurate.
    Only minor problem (on my camera) is when loading film, it's important to maintain a little tension on the film leader before closing the back otherwise the frame spacing can become a little tight towards the end of the roll. Doesn't happen at all with some film brands.
    It must have been a really hard hit to damage your camera in that place. What happened to damage it in that way?

    • @DeoAbarquez
      @DeoAbarquez  2 дні тому

      yeah I love mine despite its apparent "flaws"!
      I have a feeling it mustve had some pressure on it during transportation to cause the damage. it was in my camera bag and mustn't have been in there flush and the lens was taking the brunt of whatever impact was sustained. it's a shame but the camera still works thankfully!

  • @nino8344
    @nino8344 2 дні тому

    I got the Fuji GS645S three years ago, initially thinking it would be the perfect travel camera due to its lightweight design. However, after testing the first roll, I quickly realized why this camera was priced lower on eBay. The build quality is frustrating, and the rangefinder patch is so dim that achieving critical focus is nearly impossible. I’ve missed countless portrait shots because of it.
    For context, I also own the Fuji GSW690III, and after shooting hundreds of rolls with it, I can confidently say I’ve only missed focus twice-so I do know how to use a rangefinder.
    What pains me the most is how portable the GS645S is. Despite its potential, the numerous issues Fuji 645 spends most of the year sitting on the shelf. Hope your camera serves you better than mine :)

    • @DeoAbarquez
      @DeoAbarquez  2 дні тому +1

      @nino8344 thanks for your honest thoughts on your experience with the camera! I'm sure others will take it into account too!
      I agree! the Portability is what really sets it aside from other medium format cameras. it having a lower price tag does seem to match up to PARTS of the shooting experience but the lower price tag also allows for ease of access to trying a specific type of system before fully committing.
      love the discussion points!

    • @nino8344
      @nino8344 День тому

      @@DeoAbarquez No worries! 😊 I think a more affordable option would be a 6x6 as an entry point to medium format. As I mentioned before, the Fuji GS645S isn't worth its price due to its build quality, issues with the rangefinder patch, and the difficulty of shooting at night. While some people complain about the Fuji GW690 for night photography (I personally don’t 😅), this system is at least three times harder to get good results with. I did manage to capture sharp and steady photos at night by always shooting at infinity focus (landscape and architectural photos), but it’s still a challenge.
      It’s a shame because the lens is outstanding, and the camera's weight is fantastic. But as mentioned, it mostly sits on the shelf because of these issues. Thanks 😊

  • @Dan_photo
    @Dan_photo 17 днів тому

    I miss this camera!

    • @DeoAbarquez
      @DeoAbarquez  16 днів тому +1

      it's been such a great piece of kit! 🙏

  • @FrancoWang
    @FrancoWang 15 днів тому

    Have long long before. one of the best one.

    • @DeoAbarquez
      @DeoAbarquez  15 днів тому

      @@FrancoWang very nice! they're awesome little cameras 💯

  • @cameronwheatley7065
    @cameronwheatley7065 16 днів тому

    These cameras are a great idea but are really let down by their build quality - as you discovered!

    • @DeoAbarquez
      @DeoAbarquez  16 днів тому

      they're pretty great for what they are - a cheap medium format rangefinder - but yes, I wish their build quality was stronger!