GA Fuji 545 Zi

[ardenpress]

Before I switch to Mamiya 7 which has a polarizing device, can

anyone provide a solution for using a polarizing filter with the 645

Zi? Hand holding a Heliopan circle in front of the light meter is not

really acceptable out in nature. I want to keep it if possible, not

spend more money.

[brad_hiltbrand]

It is not really hard to use a polarizer with any rangefinder. Simply hold the

filter in front of your eye looking at your scene, rotate the filter to maximum

polarization, note the position of the rings relative to each other using

manufacturers labels or marks on the rings, mount the filter on your lens, re-

orient the rings to the proper position you just determined, set exposure

compensation of +1.5 to 2 stops (somewhat dependent on the direction of

exposure and the degree of polarization), and take your exposure.

 

I also use a Fuji 645Zi and found using the polarizer was almost always

unecessary or had a garish effect since I shoot a lot at high altitude. I use it

rarely and so taking a few moments to fiddle with the polarizer is not that big a

problem. The key thing is to remember to set at least exposure compensation

and bracket exposures. Polarizers at maximum effect block about 2 stops of

light.

 

The mamiya 7 polarizing device is an expensive mechanical solution that

although more efficient and accurate than the workaround I suggest, is not

worth the expense of switching camera systems, imo. There are, however,

plenty of other reasons to upgrade to a Mamiya 7 :)

 

If I had a few spare thousands of dollars, I would trade in my 645Zi in a

hearbeat. But the kids have to eat, darn it.

[ardenpress]

Brad,

Thank you for your quick response. One question, though:

what is there about the Mamiya Vs/ Fuji that would make you switch?

Ed R.

[brad_hiltbrand]

There are many advantages of the Mamiya 7 over the Fuji GA645. First, the

negative size is almost 2X larger which would make looking at film on the light

table a joy and increase resolution of scanned images. Second, the

viewfinder is much larger and brighter. And third, the prime lenses for the

Mamiya are as sharp as lenses get and there is a much wider range of focal

lengths available compared to the 55-90mm range on the Fuji.

 

The down side is the cost. To cover the same range of focal lengths with the

Mamiya as provided by the 4-step zoom lens on the Fuji would take at least

three different lenses for a total system cost of over 4K.

 

I have decided it is more important for me to concentrate on improving my

picture taking before upgrading to the Mamiya 7II.

[brad_hiltbrand]

Oh, I almost forgot. The Mamiya is manual focus. The Fuji autofocus is pretty

good, but manual focus is limited to preset distances. I like the Fuji a lot, but

sometimes I feel like I have to struggle to use what was really designed as a

point-and-shoot camera. Using traditional manual settings on the lens instead

of toggling buttons to change parameters on a hard to see LCD screen would

be a joy. Other cameras I have considered are the larger manual focus Fuji

rangefinders but they are limited to a single focal length and have no in-

camera meter. The Mamiya is clearly the best medium format rangefinder

system available. But then there is that pesky cost issue :)