A Fujifilm GA645 Addendum: What Would I Compare It To?

Yet another post about a question no one asked me but I will answer anyway.

In a couple of reviews I read of folks comparing the GA to the Contax G line.

I have called it my favorite camera system in the past. There have been challengers since, but I still hold it in high regard. I see where they are going. It is mostly automatic and rangefinderish. But there are two things the GA has that are missing with the G.

• Aperture priority.
• Built in flash.

If I were to compare it to another camera it would be another Contax. The Contax T2.

Both:

• Are compact and light for their relative film size.

• Have full automation.
• Can be manually overridden if one wishes.

• Have fantastic lenses.

• Can churn out beautiful image after image with little muss or fuss.

• Are around the same price.
• Have built in flashes.

• Have a power extending/retracting lens on power up/down that do concern me longevity wise if I am honest.

• Are likely shelf trophies once the electronics pack it in.

Sure that T2 sports that iconic titanium build, but the GA’s plastic build is just fine with its understated build for my purposes.

Again, I like the G line… a lot. But that bit about aperture priority is the main difference in my mind. Nearly as easy to use with its default aperture priority mode, but one must be careful in broad daylight with faster films. A small distinction admittedly, but a significant one.

What also ushered the T2 out of the door is a similarly compact 35mm, that lacks the manual overrides, prestigious build, and fancy materials, but otherwise every bit as capable Konica C35 AF2.

There are a number of other vary capable plastic build point and shoots that can hold their own against the wave of titanium point and shoots Instatwitface darlings. Another inexpensive option is the very capable manual focus but purdy as all get out Konica C35 Automatic. Fujifilm offers their own version with the more expensive than either the T2 or GA in the form of the Fujifilm Kasse W 35mm. A nice looking thing, but not my cup of tea. After a bit of research it does not appear that such a comparable camera exists in the medium format world. Which I found it surprising that the GA goes for a somewhat reasonable price in the world of medium format film cameras. Take something like the manual focus interchangeable lens Mamiya 7 II for instance. A great camera I am sure but for body and lens it outpaces the price of legends in the class like Hasselblad V and the Pentax 67 cameras.

Do not get me wrong. I have watched and GA prices have risen, but I have seen equally potentially unrepairable cameras as well as cameras lacking some or all of its automation rise even higher. While I wish I had picked one up when they were less expensive I did not see fit to possibly sit by and watch the GA’s price rise out of reach for me.

But there is one major difference between the GA and the T2 for me specifically. I prefer the GA. As much as I enjoyed my time with the T2 in the end I sold it off since I found myself using the G1 over it. And it is too pricey for shelf trophy status. But after a brief time I can already say that the GA is not going anywhere any time soon.

Happy capturing.

-ELW