Fuji GA645zi Viewfinder

[tonal1]

I am getting really interested in the Fuji GA645zi camera. I am traditionally adverse to autofocus, but this seems like it could be such a great travel camera to augment my 35mm work.

My big question though is if this camera has a decent viewfinder, or is it better than the god awful Contax G style finders. I assume there are no framelines, but is it squinty, or big and bright?

Also, is it true the minimum focus is 1 meter at all focal lengths?

I'm also considering the Bronica RF645. I really like the Fuji 6x9's as well, but those are different beasts entirely.

Thanks!

[Tuolumne]

The viewfinder zooms with the lens, so, No, there are no frame lines. I find the quality of the VF excellent - very bright and contrasty, but since it is an auto-focus camera, it wouldn't be such a big issue any way. The minimum focus distance is at least 1 meter, perhaps more. I was always getting near pictures out of focus. One of the few complaints I had with the camera, but once you learn the limitation, it shouldn't be a problem.

/T

[sevo]

Originally Posted by Tuolumne

The viewfinder zooms with the lens, so, No, there are no frame lines.

Actually there is a frame line, LCD switched in a few steps along with the AF to correct scale and parallax, while the focal length is matched by zooming the finder.

[tensai]

Originally Posted by sevo

Actually there is a frame line, LCD switched in a few steps along with the AF to correct scale and parallax, while the focal length is matched by zooming the finder.

True, and I thought it worked great too.

[CK Dexter Haven]

The viewfinder is nice. A bit on the blue side, if i remember correctly. Nothing like the G2.

But, if you're considering the GA645zi versus the Bronica, i'd recommend the Bronica. I've tried three of the Fuji AF 645 cameras (645zi, 645i, and 645). Not one of them gave me accurate AF. The ZI had to be calibrated by Fuji, after i ruined roll after roll on a trip to south america. The "i" had a defected AF module which needed to be replaced at a tremendous cost.... I just don't trust them anymore, despite the excellent results i've seen from other users.

The Bronica, though - different story. It's built so much better. The viewfinder is better (if memory serves), and the results were consistently and predictably better. When i first got it, the rf patch wasn't aligned vertically, but the images were still sharp/focused. I had that taken care of easily.

If you get a Fuji, be sure you have return privileges, and test the camera. But, then, still - you have the chance that something will go wrong later, and you won't know until you've processed your film.

[sevo]

Originally Posted by CK Dexter Haven

I just don't trust them anymore, despite the excellent results i've seen from other users.

That is a general issue with all AF viewfinder cameras (and to some extent even AF SLRs with too bright and clear a screen) - it is far from obvious that they are misaligned until the film is back.

That said, I've had a GA and have a Zi, and neither had AF failures or errors, other than the (in particular at the Zi wide end) very small AF spot which is rather prone to get pointed at a wrong object - the distance display is not in there for fun, but really necessary to control and confirm the AF.

Sevo

[CK Dexter Haven]

"...the distance display is not in there for fun, but really necessary to control and confirm the AF."

My first AF 'rangefinder' was a Contax G2. From there, i was always in the habit of observing the distance display. Unfortunately, on all three of the Fuji 645 AF cameras i bought, the display never indicated anything that would have disagreed with my own rough estimations. If the readout says "2.3m," and the actual distance is 2.5m, what are you going to do? I tended to trust the electronic device.... The other issue with the ZI was that the first 'test' roll i shot when i received the camera really didn't show any problems. I didn't test it stringently, under pre-determined conditions. I just walked around with it, and burned a roll. Of course, in daylight, with the camera's limited high shutter speed range, i never actually shot anything at close- or medium-distance with an large aperture, so DOF camouflaged the AF module's problems. I thought i had a good camera. Took it to Brazil for two weeks and was horrified by the results.

I'm not 'against' the Fuji AF cameras. I wish they would have worked for me. I tried three times! I'm not campaigning against them - just putting out the warning so that a new buyer is sure to take the precautions and make the tests to confirm functionality. But, i do still recommend the Bronica over the Fuji.

[Doug]

I've had my share of shots with my GA645Wi focused on something other than what I wanted... But with experience and more care it works very well. And the AF is very handy also for shots not using the viewfinder at all, of course taking more of a chance with focus.

At the same time, it's a relief to pick up the Bronica RF645 and positively see that the focus is where I want it. As said this is a very well-made camera. Both of them are very quiet, can be hand-held at silly slow speeds, and the lenses are great.

I will sometimes carry both the Fuji and the Bronica+65mm, as the Fuji Wi has parallax-corrected field-size corrected framelines for its 45mm lens, whereas the Bronica does not have in-built framelines for 45mm, just the 65 and 100 (or 135). I do use the whole Bronica VF window for 45mm but the Fuji is clearly preferable with the 45.