Just bought a GA645Wi

[meandihagee]

Hello,

after going back and forth between the Mamiya 7/6 and Bronica RF645 I decided to go for the Fuji. I am now convinced that this is the most portable wide MF. On the cheap side, if you compare it to equivalent wides on MF...

After using mostly mechanical manual focus cameras I have to admit it's a camera made by aliens. Little buttons and lights and beeps. But I don't really have any of the problems people seem to rave about on the interweb - slow auto focus, irritated skin from plastic or loud film advance. I don' even know when the shutter trips - I had to activate the beeps to know when I took the picture.

It's a different experience, but I think we're going to get along just fine. One problem, though - the AF window is really dusty, I mean if I put a flashlight in there it's kinda populated. Otherwise the camera is in perfect shape. Do you think it's a problem? I am shooting the test roll and trying to learn how to auto focus right. I can still send it back, so can you please tell me if the dust can make the AF to miss (the dust is in windows in the middle, not in the black round ones).

Thanks

[FrankS]

Congrats! I have the previous manual focus model.

[Jamie123]

I recently shot a few rolls in a GA645 (the 60mm version). To my own surprise I quite enjoyed using it and the pictures came out well. Definitely a nice camera. AF is loud as hell, though

Don't know if the AF is put off by the dust in the window but my guess would be no since I imagine dust specs so close to the AF sensor would be invisible to it. Depends on what you mean by 'really dusty' though.

[shadowfox]

As it is with any other new used camera, burn a film roll to assess its working condition.
Pick a good subject and run the camera through its exposure settings.
Usually just by looking at the resulting negative, you could see if the meter is working properly or not.

I get along fine with mine. The meter is accurate, and I like the second shutter button too

It does take some getting used to the parallax and what to expect from the AF, which is the same hurdle you'd have to overcome regardless you're using Mamiya 6 or any other AF with that configuration.


* In the Museum of Maritime, Bath, ME

[meandihagee]

shadowfox, my problem with the dust is actually in the AF window, not in the VF, where the meter resides.

exposures seem right on, however, i need to get used to the AF... any tips on the focus point... my guess is that it's below the crosshairs, not in the center of the target like it says in the manual.

anyway, i'm waiting for the first rolls to see...

[mrisney]

Thinking about picking one up. I have been looking for a P&S for a while, and keep thinking about a Contax T3. For about the same investment, I could pick up a GA645. Obviously the T3 is more compact, but I am drawn to larger negatives. Any other users of the GA series could comment on how portable they are ? Rugged, or fragile ? I do like wides, so maybe the GA645WI, what's the difference in the models (GA645ZI, GA645W vs GA645WI, The professional model)General observations or tips much appreciated.

[dct]

Originally Posted by mrisney

Thinking about picking one up. I have been looking for a P&S for a while, and keep thinking about a Contax T3. For about the same investment, I could pick up a GA645. Obviously the T3 is more compact, but I am drawn to larger negatives. Any other users of the GA series could comment on how portable they are ? Rugged, or fragile ? I do like wides, so maybe the GA645WI, what's the difference in the models (GA645ZI, GA645W vs GA645WI, The professional model)General observations or tips much appreciated.

A good starting point for me were the compiled Fuji informations of Dante Stella.

[canetsbe]

I own both of these cameras and use the wide version far more often. I took it on a couple of hikes earlier this month and I think the results speak for themselves: they're stellar cameras! http://colebransonphotography.com/eastern-sierra/