Flash options with GA645zi

[rob_m.]

I'm looking to purchase a GA645zi from Fuji. I want to be able to

produce the kind of lighting achieved with a bare bulb flash, as I'll

be using it for portraits. I have not been able to find any

information on flashes available for this camera that would suit the

purpose of portraits. What is the quality of the Fuji flash that is

marketed for the camera and what are the other options that any

portrait or wedding photographers are using with this camera? Thanks.

[rick_campbell]

The built in flash only has a guide number of 12 with 100iso film so it's not of much use. It has a standard flash sync connector and can be run in manual mode with any studio flash system. It's not going to control exposure on an external flash however so you need a flash meter or you need to use an external flash with auto control built in. The bigger external flash Fuji sells is just a regular auto flash unit I believe.

 

It is a great little camera and the quality of the image it puts on film is outstanding.

 

Good luck.

[remy_malan1]

I use the Fuji GA645i for travel/casual shooting. I've found the

built-in flash is useful as a fill flash in daylight but since it is

fully automatic you can't set a specific fill strength. The built-in

flash is also very much like other point-and-shoot flashes: lower

power and fixed location close to lens axis. For more demanding

indoor, fill, or flash-as-main-light situations, I have had good

results using the Fuji with a Quantum T2 flash. The T2 is portable

(although somewhat clunky) and has enough power and flexibility to be

useful in bare bulb, reflector or softbox situ

[donald_thompson1]

I too love this camera. I have not found any use whatsoever for the built in flash however. My camera is mounted on a Stroboframe with the new Metz 54Mz3. In order to achieve the fill flash you're looking for, I would recommend using a light meter for your ambient, then add fill flash from another flash 1 to 2 stops under. I get really nice results doing this for weddings. I also have a Pocket Wizard on the hot shoe to trigger off my Photogenics for fill in dark reception halls and churches. Love the camera also because it is really lightweight.