The Fujifilm GA645Zi - Now this is what I call Point and Shoot Camera....

May I present my new love, the Fujifilm GA645Zi. After several years of wanting a Fujifilm medium format camera, I finally bit the bullet and bought this beauty. The real debate for me had been which model to buy. Fujifilm and made many flavors of medium format cameras over the years in 6x9, 6x7 and 6x4.5 format. Most of their models are rangefinders with normal or wide angel fixed lenses. My life long love affair with rangefinder cameras is what first drew me to the Fujifilm cameras, but as I researched these cameras, this model slowly won me over. The GA645Zi is not a rangefinder camera. It is an auto-focus, zoom lens packing, built in flash, auto film advance, auto exposure master work of late 1990's film camera technology. The camera packs the best features of a high end 35mm point and shoot into a medium format shooter that is not much larger or heavier than a typical 35mm SLR. Though large, the camera handles like a dream with most controls easily operated with your right hand, aided by the ample rubberized grip. The GA645Zi can be used as a fully automatic, point and shoot camera, but there are option for Aperture Priority and Shutter priority automatic as well as fully manual exposure control. Manual focus is also possible, but is limited to a "guesstimation" presetting method, with no focusing aid. If it only had a rangefinder driven manual focusing system, this camera work be perfect.

Images from this camera to come...

Complete Specifications:

CAMERA: Fujifilm GA645Zi 

TYPE: Autofocus 6x4.5cm lens-shutter camera 

LENS: Built-in EBC-Fujinon 55-90mm f/4.5-6.9 power zoom 

FOCUSING: Hybrid active infrared/ passive phase-detection single-shot AF; manual zone focusing 

METERING: Non-TTL center-weighted 

EXPOSURE MODES: Programmed AE, aperture-priority AE, metered manual 

SHUTTER: Electronically controlled lens shutter with speeds from 2 sec. to 1/700 plus B 

FILM SPEEDS: ISO 25-1600 automatically set with Barcoded films; can also be set manually 

FILM TRANSPORT: Automatic threading, single-frame advance and wind to end of roll 

FLASH: Built-in pop-up autoflash (ISO 100 GN 39, in feet) covers angle of view of 55mm lens; hot-shoe provided for accessory dedicated flash units; PC terminal for studio flash; sync up to 1/700 

VIEWFINDER: Transparent liquid crystal "bright frame" zoom type shows at least 88% of actual image area; 0.4-0.58X magnification with zoom lens at infinity 

VIEWFINDER INFORMATION: Flash on/off, shutter speed, aperture, focusing distance, exposure compensation, exposure status, shutter released 

LCD PANEL: Displays shutter speed, aperture, frame number, film speed, flash status, battery status, film length, exposure compensation, self-timer, focusing distance, MF mode, date, time 

SELF-TIMER: Electronic, 10-sec. delay 

POWER SOURCE: Two 3V CR123A lithium batteries 

DIMENSIONS: 6.4x4.3x2.9 in. 

WEIGHT: 31.2 oz. 

Sins of Storms Past exposure no. 1

Koni-Omega Rapid 200 Super Omegon 90mm f3.5 Fujifilm Neopan Acros 100 Adonal 1:50 - A shallow rooted tree and high wind led to the destruction of this house. The light leak on my Koni-Omega has been corrected and after a little cleaning, she is a finer shooter. Trying to get back into the swing after a brief hiatus for the Holidays and a case of shooters block.
Scanned using and Epson V500 Photo using Epson's OEM software.

My new girl Koni

Koni-Omega Rapid Omega 200 Super Omegon 90mm f3.8 Kodak Tri-X Arista 76 1:1 - A shot from the first roll through my recently acquired Koni-Omega Rapid Omega 200. A Koni-Omega has been on my camera "must have" list for some time and I finally got an opportunity to buy one for a great price (Thanks Jeremy!). The Koni-Omega line of medium format rangefinder cameras are have a 6x7 frame size rendering 10 exposures on a roll of 120 film. They have a unique single stroke "pull and push" film advance mechanism built into the interchangeable film backs, that is both quick and positive. Film advance and shuttle cocking are coupled to prevent double exposure and inserting the dark slide locks the shutter release. One oddity is the film advance does not require the shutter being fired to advance again, so it is easy to skip frames if you are not paying attention. The Super Omegon 90mm f3.5 lens has impressive sharpness as illustrated in the image above. I also have a wide angle  Wide Omegon 58mm f5.6, I have yet to test.

Technical Specifications

• Negative size 2 1/4 x 2 3/4" (10 pictures on standard rollfilm 120)
• Rangefinder Camera with automatic parallax correction
• Interchangeable lenses 58mm f5.6 with optical finder,  90 mm f3.5, 135 mm f3.5, 180 mm f4.5, all with integrated leaf shutter B, 1-1/500 s, synchronisation M/X, built-in retractable lenshood
• Film magazines 120 and 220 with preloading roll film holders 
• Rapid advance lever for film advance and shutter

 Images scanned with an Epson V500 using Epson's OEM Software

More Desert Caffenol

Adox Golf Cassar 75mm f4.5 Ilford FP4 Plus Caffenol-C-M - Another shot from my trip to the Sonoran Desert, being a life long East Coaster, the desert landscape seems more like Mars than the United States. Unfortunately, the short nature of my business trip did not allow the time to truly explore this alien land, but getting one roll in was enough for now...

Object of Desire: Fujifilm GF670 Professional 6x7 Camera

© Fujifilm

Fujifilm has manufactured an impressive line of medium format rangefinder cameras over the years, including the innovative Auto-Focus Point and Shoot GA645 and GA645Zi, but the GF670 has to be one of the most drool worthy cameras of this series.

This Retro-styled medium format folder sports and EBC Fujinon 80mm f1:3.5 lens, switchable frame formats of 6x7 and 6x6, aperture priority automatic and manual exposure control, and rangefinder focusing. The in lens leaf shutter has speeds from 1/500th to 4 sec. with a B setting for longer exposures and a lens aperture range of f1:3.5 to 1:22.

Other Features include AE Lock, +/- 2 stop exposure compensation, ISO range of 25 to 3200 and automatic parallax correction. More on the GA67 can be found on Fujifilm USA's website and Camerapedia.

Non-Hazardous Materials

Beauty Lite III Biokor-S 45mm f1.9 FujiFilm Neopan SS 100 Adox Adonal 1:50 - Somehow I suspect this is a misnomer, these materials look more than a little hazardous to me. A few more images from my Christmas "Beauty," I love this impressive little rangefinder. Scanned with a Minolta Dimage Scan Dual III using Silverfast 6.6.2r4a scanning software.

First "Beauty" Shot

Beauty Lite III Biokor-S 45mm f1.9 FujiFilm Neopan SS 100 Adox Adonal 1:50 - The first frame from the first roll with my Christmas gift Beauty Lite III 35mm rangefinder. The Biokor-S 45mm f1.9 lens is crisp and contrasty and there is little to no light fall off at the corners. This was shot against and overcast sky so any fall off would be obvious. More on the Beauty Lite III can be found in my previous post.

The Beauty Lite III 35mm Rangefinder Camera

Introducing the Beauty Lite III 35mm Rangefinder Camera from the Beauty Camera Co. LTD. of Tokyo Japan. Manufactured starting in 1961 this camera was also known as the Lightomatic III or the Lightmatic III. The camera's glass is a fixed Biokor-S 45mm f1.9 fitted with a Copal-SV in lens leaf shutter. Shutter speeds range from 1/500th to 1 Sec with a B setting, aperture range is 1.9 to 16. The camera's other features include a self timer, X and M Flash syncing through a pc flash socket, and a built on coupled Selenium meter. Metering is a single needle centering type, viewable both on the top of the camera and through the viewfinder. Focusing is achieved through a very bright coupled split image rangefinder in the camera's viewfinder.

The Beauty Lite III is extremely well made, with a rugged metal frame and nice fit and feel. Weighing in a just over 1 lbs. 8 oz., the camera is substantial but not bulky. The size and design is similar to the Leicas of the time. Film advance is a very positive single stroke mechanism with the ability to lock the shuttle release by pushing the advance lever flush with the camera body. Shutter Speed, Aperture, focus and ASA(ISO) setting are all controlled via rings on the lens, and though space is tight all controls are easily managed.

Available viewfinder information is limited to framing, focusing and metering needle, but the viewfinder, rangefinder, focusing frame and metering are all bright and easily viewed in all lighting conditions. Film loading is a typical manual slotted take up spool and is very easily achieved. Rewinding is also typical of most cameras of this vintage, with a top mounted rewind knob and a film release button on the bottom of the camera.

One nice cosmetic design feature is the notched rest for the camera's film rewind knob, purely a design flourish, but adds to the overall quality look and feel of this camera. I have an admitted soft spot for rangefinder cameras, as I first learned true photography on my Father's Kodak Retina IIIs, and the Beauty reaffirms that soft spot. The camera handles well and is whisper quiet. The bright rangefinder makes focusing easy and the lens mounted controls puts everything at your finger tips. After shooting my 1st roll, I found the Biokor-S lens to be extremely sharp with nice contrast. Edge to edge sharpness appears to be excellent and exposure is consistent over the entire image area.

Thank You to my Wife for finding this little gem, it made the perfect Christmas gift. I suspect this will become my general "carry" camera, always loaded and ready. The 1st roll through this camera is developed and scanned and samples are to follow.

Caffeinated Angel

Minolta Hi-Matic 7s 45mm f1.8 Rokkor P-F Lens FujiFilm NeopanSS 100 Caffenol-C-M - More caffenol experimentation, this time with Fuji NeopanSS. 15 minute development time at 68°F, agitation constant for the first minute and then 3 inversions every 3 minutes there after. I am using water for stop bath and Arista Standard Fixer to fix. Since I am using an acid hardening fixer instead of the recommended Alkaline Fixers from most sites, I may be losing some of the desired staining from the coffee. All in all though, the tone gradation is excellent and the base fogging I am getting seems to a plus. Scanned with a Minolta Dimage Scan Dual III, using Silverfast SE Plus 6.6.

Loss

Adox Golf Cassar 75mm f4.5 Adox Art CHS 100 Adonal (Rodinal) 1:50 - Sometimes mistakes work. Another shot with the Adox Golf. One where I forgot the rangefinder was uncoupled. The bench should have been the focus point, but obviously things did not work out that way. They more a look at this image the more a like it. It seems to convey some base emotion. Maybe it is just me.

Canon Canonet QL17 G-III

My Canonet. One on my favorite fixed lens rangefinders. The 40mm f 1.7 lens is both fast and sharp. The build of the camera is excellent, almost all metal. It has shutter priority automatic and a top shutter speed of 1/500 with a low shutter speed of 1/4 and B (bulb). The size is perfect for a take everywhere camera. More on the Canonet here Camerapedia.