Fuji created some of the most amazing medium format rangefinders ever made. I own 4 Medium Format Fuji rangefinders from the 645, 6x8 up to the 6x9. I personally love all of the lenses on these Fuji cameras. You can't go wrong with any of these MF Fuji rangefinder cameras. The images you can create are amazing.
The 6x4.5 is a half-frame to the 6x9 which is what I'd call 'Full Frame' in medium format (same aspect ratio as small format). The GS645 is not BW film with colored filter friendly at all. Slow and cumbersome to use colored filters. You have to screw the filters in to the lens hood (takes long fingernails and prone to finger prints on the filter). And the lens hood does not stow with the folding lens. The filters need to have a thin metal ring; otherwise, you'll be hard-pressed to get a few threads engaged with the sloping sides of the lens hood. And 40.5mm colored filters are not as common (less so when it needs to be a thin ring filter). It also helps to have long fingernails to operate the ISO control. But otherwise it is a nice camera.
well... the 645 is only 40-50% smaller than the 6x7 format... as for the 6x9 format it's definitely not a common format the 645 format is 2.6 times bigger than full frame 35mm hence the Medium format And photographers (wedding especially) love having that extra 5-6 more photos per roll while still having this medium format love I would agree with their new medium format digital camera that have a sensor only 70% bigger than a full frame 35mm sensor but even with just a 70% size boost the "quality"of the pixels can be seen. sharper image and a boost in pixel density can be achieved by the 70% boost in size I agree with the screw on filter situation with it. very annoying and not handy for the ISO i don't have that problem though i just love that i can take it with me easily
The only Pearl which approximates the GS645 (and without a meter) is the IV. It is about 3/4 the size and at least twice the cost of the GS645, owing to its collectible status. The Pearl IV is truly an exceptional camera, but very few were made, one production run over 6 months, before Konica concluded that there was no more market roll film folders, which at the time was true. The earlier Pearls lacked coupled rangefinder, meter, high quality view finder, auto shutter cocking, and had a troublesome auto stop on the film advance.
very nice view and b-role shot showing the camera mechanics. i wonder if there should be a digital version where the digital sensor is portrait mode haha if money has not "value" i would want this fuji camera but alternatively i am still looking to get the GS645s that i think will be slightly cheaper??
@@DuncanDimanche-sreview Hey Duncan, I actually just ordered one of these cameras. During one of my internet deep dives, I found a website that doesn't seem well known. It covers the bellows change and might also offer you some information on the shutter problem that you might be following: sites.google.com/view/fuji-gs645-repairs-and-info/home
@@DuncanDimanche-sreview by this you mean like the fuji gs645? The name implies and I know for fact, that the camera makes 6x4.5cm images in portrait mode. What is goign on? Pentax 67 you speak about in the video is even bigger.
4:24 Small error here, the focal plane has no depth of course, it is just a imaginary line where optimal sharpness lies. The space in front and behind that line is called depth of field or "dof". It's the DOF that actually changes size ("depth") with focus distance, aperture or focal length. You can describe depth of field in centimeters or meter, but not the focal plane - this only has a distance to the camera.
Very true !! I'm not sure why I used Focal plane instead of DOF ! haha thank you for your input ! I did find this great video about Focal Plane :) ruclips.net/video/bXpTDtU8wgU/видео.html&ab_channel=CreativeLive
A few comments on the GS645 from an owner of two over the last 20 years (1st one stolen). When buying, discount your offer by the cost of bellows replacement, unless the seller has written proof of prior replacement. The original bellows was made of plastic, which aged out and cracked, all of them. There are a number of these that have sat in grandpa's drawer for 30 years and look fine, but the bellows will crack after a few uses. Duncan got conned; a replacement bellows should be leather, not plastic (only the originals are plastic). The last few years, getting bellows replacement has gotten harder to find. Chinese bellows are too poorly made and tend to not fold up into the camera properly. England has some producers and repairman. The last guy doing this in the US quit last year for lack of bellow supply. The lens is fantastic. It is an 3.4 f-stop. I've no idea where this nonsense about that being a 2.0 equivalent to 35mm. F-stop is a function of focal length and lens diameter. This one is 3.4.and images as such. Another YT urban legend to overcome. Only the lens hood made specifically for the camera will mount on it,(custom mount). Filter can only be mounted in the hood. The hood is an absolute bastard to mount and unmount on the lens. On ebay the hood costs about $50+ US; it originally sold for less than $4. The fake suede case for the camera is worthless;, I find that a small padded case for a digital camera works much better. Unless you wear pants or a coat with "cargo" pockets, the camera is a bit too large to carry in a pocket. It gets 15 exposures on a 120 roll of film. The viewfinder is a bit dimmer than average because about 1/3 of the viewfnder image to redirected to the light meter.
Randall Stewart for the focal length equivalent it's in terms of 35mm equivalent.... if one person was standing next to me with a full frame camera and a 50mm f2 it would give me the same framing and same depth of field... that's all... nothing of an urban legend just some maths I guess. i will note all the points that you made. my bellow seems nice for now and i will update its well being in a few years. thanks for stopping buy and sharing your knowledge mate ;)
I replaced the very badly damaged bellows of my Fujica with one from Hong Kong and I'm quite happy with it. Been using it for almost a year, no signs of tear. However the light meter went crazy and it's now stuck on "+"
@Randall Stewart - I have seen that you have commented on Fuji GS645 a lot. You seem quite an expert. I have had a few problems finding a clean copy. I have had two with shutter issues, namely where the shutter will trip when you put the camera away. ANYWAY - you seem to be quite the expert. Is there someway we can chat, via skype or something. if you were on rangefinderforum or something similar, we could exchange contact info privately. The reason I want to chat is that I currently have a line on another copy and I want to ask you some questions. Any time you might be able to afford me would be greatly appreciated. Let me know,
Randall, for a photographer as experienced as yourself in medium format I am frankly shocked that you aren't informed about compensation of f-stop bokeh on medium format compared with 35mm. This is not an urban legend, and in fact the only urban legend to overcome here is being perpetuated by yourself! It's important not to be condescending about things like this simply because you think you know better. You can go to mmCalc.com if you'd like a calculator that can help you see the f-stop equivalency on different size film or sensors.
The smallest medium format would be a folding or collapsible camera using 127 film. I have one, with a Compur Rapid shutter, which has a 3x4 negative and is no larger than an Olympus XA. I have another, this one with a 645 negative (the same size as the Fuji) and Compur shutter, which is smaller than a Barnack Leica, including being an inch shorter. Makes you wonder why they tried to make 127 film obsolete (It is still available). I wish they had come out with a 127 film made in the same way as 220. There are numerous folders with 645 negatives using 120 film, which are no larger than an average 35mm rangefinder.
yeah Like Zhi Xian said they are ver different and I would say that the GA645 is a more robust camera du to the lens being fixed vs a soufflet but very different feel and usage... also one has AF (Albeit very slow)
The GA645 is different in that: it has no bellows; it is autofocus, it can be auto-exposure; it is bigger; it is heavier; it is probably more durable under adverse circumstances; and it is about 10 years newer. Similarities: It is made by Funica; it takes 120/220 film in a 645 format; it's lens is fixed focal length and is not interchangeable, and both are indirect viewing/framing (not SLR). The GA645 uses the same lens as did the GS645S. At 60mm, it is wider than the 75mm on the GS645. While both lenses are excellent and more than capable for the purpose, the lens in the GS645 is sharper. The lenses Fujica put in their so-called "professional" and medium format cameras are IMO almost without peer in their optical performance.
Tasos T i don't know I think that this type of camera is a bit fragile and maybe did not sell as well... especially with a fix lens they did make a 6x7 one though but very expensive
From 1948 to 1953, Fujica made a 6x6cm folding film camera, a very basic model. However, in 1955 they made the Fujica Super Six, which has the features of a "modern" 6x6cm folding rangefinder film camera, is high quality and stunningly beautiful. It was relatively expensive, few were sold outside Japan, and it now exists as a rarish collectible. You should be so lucky to find one.
There other cheaper and some even smaller MF folding camera like mamiya 6/konica pearl/zeiss ikon etc. this camera is great and might have better lens but this is not the only option.
yeah i'm sure there are cheaper options out there but I do find the built quality and the lens quality outstanding ! But yeah i'm sure there are crazy small MF camera out there ;)
Fuji created some of the most amazing medium format rangefinders ever made. I own 4 Medium Format Fuji rangefinders from the 645, 6x8 up to the 6x9. I personally love all of the lenses on these Fuji cameras. You can't go wrong with any of these MF Fuji rangefinder cameras. The images you can create are amazing.
You are absolutely right ! I love the old fuji camera and lenses !
Thank you Duncan. I like the way you present your review. Very informative. Especialley the size-difference wiith the Pentax is amazing...!
thanks !!!
i like the moustache man
well thank you very much man ! I will tell it ;)
Very nice review, thank you!
thank you for your kind message dear !
I like the bokeh of this lens!
@@krzysztoff386 which one ?!!
thank you for great review. am thinking to buy one.
You should !!
The 6x4.5 is a half-frame to the 6x9 which is what I'd call 'Full Frame' in medium format (same aspect ratio as small format). The GS645 is not BW film with colored filter friendly at all. Slow and cumbersome to use colored filters. You have to screw the filters in to the lens hood (takes long fingernails and prone to finger prints on the filter). And the lens hood does not stow with the folding lens. The filters need to have a thin metal ring; otherwise, you'll be hard-pressed to get a few threads engaged with the sloping sides of the lens hood. And 40.5mm colored filters are not as common (less so when it needs to be a thin ring filter). It also helps to have long fingernails to operate the ISO control. But otherwise it is a nice camera.
well... the 645 is only 40-50% smaller than the 6x7 format... as for the 6x9 format it's definitely not a common format
the 645 format is 2.6 times bigger than full frame 35mm hence the Medium format
And photographers (wedding especially) love having that extra 5-6 more photos per roll while still having this medium format love
I would agree with their new medium format digital camera that have a sensor only 70% bigger than a full frame 35mm sensor
but even with just a 70% size boost the "quality"of the pixels can be seen. sharper image and a boost in pixel density can be achieved by the 70% boost in size
I agree with the screw on filter situation with it. very annoying and not handy
for the ISO i don't have that problem though
i just love that i can take it with me easily
The Konishiroku ( Konica) Pearl is a 6x4.5 coupled rangefinder about 1/2 the size of this camera. And probably about 1/3 the price.
The only Pearl which approximates the GS645 (and without a meter) is the IV. It is about 3/4 the size and at least twice the cost of the GS645, owing to its collectible status. The Pearl IV is truly an exceptional camera, but very few were made, one production run over 6 months, before Konica concluded that there was no more market roll film folders, which at the time was true. The earlier Pearls lacked coupled rangefinder, meter, high quality view finder, auto shutter cocking, and had a troublesome auto stop on the film advance.
cheers for the infos !!
most medium format folder from 1950s is smaller than GA645
very nice view and b-role shot showing the camera mechanics. i wonder if there should be a digital version where the digital sensor is portrait mode haha
if money has not "value" i would want this fuji camera but alternatively i am still looking to get the GS645s that i think will be slightly cheaper??
JayGrapher.Th thanks man !! yeah the gs645s is a great one I here !
this one is a bit special and tiny !
this was a damn good review man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
oh man thank you so much for this message !!! I really appreciate it ! 💪
Super informative, subscribed ✨
M S thank you very much !!
Imma give a like for that glorious moustache
hahahha thanks !
Awesome, buying it soon
make sure that the bellow is new or looks new cause that's a big problem
@@DuncanDimanche-sreview bellows was brand new but the focus was off. Had to return it :(
Hi! Do you know of any way to "dry fire" the GS645?
mine fires without a roll... so yours might have a problem
Where did you have the bellows replaced?
they guy before me did it.. so i don't know
but the gs645 has died on me... it does not trigger anymore :(
@@DuncanDimanche-sreview Ok good to know. I will avoid this camera for sure. I also heard some horror stories on this camera too after some research.
Cool camera😊
yep !! the fuji just died on me though
@@DuncanDimanche-sreview Hey Duncan, I actually just ordered one of these cameras. During one of my internet deep dives, I found a website that doesn't seem well known. It covers the bellows change and might also offer you some information on the shutter problem that you might be following:
sites.google.com/view/fuji-gs645-repairs-and-info/home
Voigtlander Perkeo is smaller. And that makes 6*6 images.
yeah this one is a 6x7 which is bigger than the 6x6 :)
@@DuncanDimanche-sreview by this you mean like the fuji gs645? The name implies and I know for fact, that the camera makes 6x4.5cm images in portrait mode. What is goign on? Pentax 67 you speak about in the video is even bigger.
4:24 Small error here, the focal plane has no depth of course, it is just a imaginary line where optimal sharpness lies. The space in front and behind that line is called depth of field or "dof". It's the DOF that actually changes size ("depth") with focus distance, aperture or focal length. You can describe depth of field in centimeters or meter, but not the focal plane - this only has a distance to the camera.
Very true !! I'm not sure why I used Focal plane instead of DOF ! haha thank you for your input !
I did find this great video about Focal Plane :)
ruclips.net/video/bXpTDtU8wgU/видео.html&ab_channel=CreativeLive
A few comments on the GS645 from an owner of two over the last 20 years (1st one stolen). When buying, discount your offer by the cost of bellows replacement, unless the seller has written proof of prior replacement. The original bellows was made of plastic, which aged out and cracked, all of them. There are a number of these that have sat in grandpa's drawer for 30 years and look fine, but the bellows will crack after a few uses. Duncan got conned; a replacement bellows should be leather, not plastic (only the originals are plastic). The last few years, getting bellows replacement has gotten harder to find. Chinese bellows are too poorly made and tend to not fold up into the camera properly. England has some producers and repairman. The last guy doing this in the US quit last year for lack of bellow supply. The lens is fantastic. It is an 3.4 f-stop. I've no idea where this nonsense about that being a 2.0 equivalent to 35mm. F-stop is a function of focal length and lens diameter. This one is 3.4.and images as such. Another YT urban legend to overcome. Only the lens hood made specifically for the camera will mount on it,(custom mount). Filter can only be mounted in the hood. The hood is an absolute bastard to mount and unmount on the lens. On ebay the hood costs about $50+ US; it originally sold for less than $4. The fake suede case for the camera is worthless;, I find that a small padded case for a digital camera works much better. Unless you wear pants or a coat with "cargo" pockets, the camera is a bit too large to carry in a pocket. It gets 15 exposures on a 120 roll of film. The viewfinder is a bit dimmer than average because about 1/3 of the viewfnder image to redirected to the light meter.
Randall Stewart for the focal length equivalent it's in terms of 35mm equivalent....
if one person was standing next to me with a full frame camera and a 50mm f2 it would give me the same framing and same depth of field... that's all... nothing of an urban legend just some maths I guess.
i will note all the points that you made. my bellow seems nice for now and i will update its well being in a few years.
thanks for stopping buy and sharing your knowledge mate ;)
I replaced the very badly damaged bellows of my Fujica with one from Hong Kong and I'm quite happy with it. Been using it for almost a year, no signs of tear. However the light meter went crazy and it's now stuck on "+"
@Randall Stewart - I have seen that you have commented on Fuji GS645 a lot. You seem quite an expert. I have had a few problems finding a clean copy. I have had two with shutter issues, namely where the shutter will trip when you put the camera away. ANYWAY - you seem to be quite the expert. Is there someway we can chat, via skype or something. if you were on rangefinderforum or something similar, we could exchange contact info privately. The reason I want to chat is that I currently have a line on another copy and I want to ask you some questions. Any time you might be able to afford me would be greatly appreciated. Let me know,
@RandallStewart
Randall, for a photographer as experienced as yourself in medium format I am frankly shocked that you aren't informed about compensation of f-stop bokeh on medium format compared with 35mm. This is not an urban legend, and in fact the only urban legend to overcome here is being perpetuated by yourself! It's important not to be condescending about things like this simply because you think you know better. You can go to mmCalc.com if you'd like a calculator that can help you see the f-stop equivalency on different size film or sensors.
Pose B/T?
I didn't have time sorry
Not the smallest medium format. My 6x6 Mamiya-6, the original one, is smaller. Also has a coupled rangefinder.
I will have to take your word for it. not gonna lie i didn't do much research on it and I needed a fitting title :)
@@DuncanDimanche-sreview I can squeeze it into the back pockets of some of my jeans when folded. Pretty hard to beat that form factor.
The smallest medium format would be a folding or collapsible camera using 127 film. I have one, with a Compur Rapid shutter, which has a 3x4 negative and is no larger than an Olympus XA. I have another, this one with a 645 negative (the same size as the Fuji) and Compur shutter, which is smaller than a Barnack Leica, including being an inch shorter. Makes you wonder why they tried to make 127 film obsolete (It is still available). I wish they had come out with a 127 film made in the same way as 220. There are numerous folders with 645 negatives using 120 film, which are no larger than an average 35mm rangefinder.
How would u compare this to ga645
is two very different camera is really like comparing a RF and point and shoot. both are great but really see what type of camera you are looking for.
yeah Like Zhi Xian said they are ver different and I would say that the GA645 is a more robust camera du to the lens being fixed vs a soufflet but very different feel and usage... also one has AF (Albeit very slow)
The GA645 is different in that: it has no bellows; it is autofocus, it can be auto-exposure; it is bigger; it is heavier; it is probably more durable under adverse circumstances; and it is about 10 years newer. Similarities: It is made by Funica; it takes 120/220 film in a 645 format; it's lens is fixed focal length and is not interchangeable, and both are indirect viewing/framing (not SLR). The GA645 uses the same lens as did the GS645S. At 60mm, it is wider than the 75mm on the GS645. While both lenses are excellent and more than capable for the purpose, the lens in the GS645 is sharper. The lenses Fujica put in their so-called "professional" and medium format cameras are IMO almost without peer in their optical performance.
Why the F.... They didn't make also a 6x6 Fuji like this one ?
Tasos T i don't know I think that this type of camera is a bit fragile and maybe did not sell as well... especially with a fix lens
they did make a 6x7 one though but very expensive
From 1948 to 1953, Fujica made a 6x6cm folding film camera, a very basic model. However, in 1955 they made the Fujica Super Six, which has the features of a "modern" 6x6cm folding rangefinder film camera, is high quality and stunningly beautiful. It was relatively expensive, few were sold outside Japan, and it now exists as a rarish collectible. You should be so lucky to find one.
Do you use wax on that bad boy?
FastEddie yes I do ! only the best though ! ear wax !
Wax ? What for ?
There other cheaper and some even smaller MF folding camera like mamiya 6/konica pearl/zeiss ikon etc. this camera is great and might have better lens but this is not the only option.
yeah i'm sure there are cheaper options out there but I do find the built quality and the lens quality outstanding ! But yeah i'm sure there are crazy small MF camera out there ;)