Just wondering if any of you have any experience to share with me or any advice to give on the Fuji (non "i") GA 645?

-- Benjamin Yap (ben@mostly.com), August 26, 1999

Answers

Eats batteries. Shot a wedding with it. Not as sharp as Bronica. Love the vertical viewfinder. Lightweight. Limited range.

-- Richard W (zenric@idirect.com), August 31, 1999.

It's been a while since you posted, but I just discovered it. I have both the original GA645 & the newer GA645zi. The (non"i") GA645 came 1st & I loved it. These cameras take considerable "getting use to," there are some idiosyncrasies.

It doesn't eat batteries unless you use the built-in flash. I also have Bronica & it's true that it may not be as sharp, but it's plenty sharp enough for any color negative work. There is noticeable light fall-off toward the edges of the frame (and with the zoom version at the wide end).

I prefer the zoom version. The 55-90 zoom range undramatic, but if you also step in, or out while zooming, it helps with perspective & framing. The new camera also has additional feature improvements over the original, which I carry as a backup (although I've never needed it). I sometimes use it for b/w.

If you shoot candid weddings, the speed of these cameras can allow previously impossible shots. I no longer bother with the Bronica at weddings, preferring instead to take the few shots that are out of range for the GA's with the Canon 70-200 f2.8 or 100mm macro. That usually means shooting one 35mm roll.

-- Wayne Aldridge (wwa@pacifier.com), September 28, 1999.

you need this camera...its all and much more and its also 220 format as well as 120 its light,very ...very sharp ,and make photographing with the medium format a lot of fun..great for the hike in the woods,and the wedding and also a great "large group format ....yadda yadda.you will be happy!

-- dave feiden (dfeiden@banet.net), January 03, 2001.