Fuji GA645 (manual focus model)

Hi all,

 

I currently own a Mamiya 6 MF with 2 lenses (50 & 150), the camera

is great and is of great quality, but I am lately thinking about the

Fuji GA645 (the manual version) for a go anywhere camera to have on

me all times (I cant do that with the 6).

 

I already read some comments on it, and as I can understand, the

optical quality of the fujinon EBC is really good. I�m interested to

know how it compares to the Mamiya 6 lenses, especially if someone

actually used both of them. I know that there is only a 60mm lens

(and a 45mm on the WIDE). But that�s exactly why I�m looking for,

since I�m having a real hard time finding a 75mm for the 6 here in

Madrid, and prices in the us for this lens are totally outrageous.

 

Another option is to get a rollei (here in Madrid I can actually get

a nice 3.5 tessar or even planar with a bit of luck, for less than a

75mm in ebay). But then it wouldn�t be as portable as a small RF.

 

Thanks

Diego K.

The lenses on any of the Fuji medium format cameras are excellent. The Manual focus camera is not called a GA645-that was the AF one with the 60mm. Fuji made a compact folder with a 75mm lens and built in meter. The weak point is the bellows, which seem to get pinholes easily, and in usual Fuji fashion, the "older" Fuji cameras have no support from Fuji anymore as far as parts. I also found the folder to be a bit fussy on the ergonomics. They also made a somewhat bulky manual focus camera with the 60mm lens, and its weakness was a pretty lame finder and double image for a modern camera. I don't remember the exact model numbers of these cameras, I Think GS645S was one of them. Then there was a scale focused camera with the 45mm lens but no rangefinder. In my opinion, there is still a market for top quality, compact, manual focus fixed lens medium format camera, but no one is currently offering one. I wish Contax would make one. Until then, I have switched to 35mm for my travel/compact camera with the new Contax T3, and have been blown away by the image quality that tiny camera is capable of.

I´m Sorry, I did confused the models, I was refering to the GS645s profesional. With 60mm lens F4.

 

Diego K.

The Fuji GS645S is lighter, but not much smaller than Mimiya 6. The viewfinder is not as bright. And the focusing patch is way smaller than the Mamiya 6.

 

The GS645s is a good camera. It's fun to use. But the Mamiya 6's 50mm lens and the Rolleiflex (especially the Planar) have that 3-D look that is difficult to describe. Even harder to quantify.