The Best Medium Format Film Camera for Travel | Fujifilm GA645 Zi

[@randallstewart1224]

Very nice, non-technical demonstration of the GA645Zi. The LCD screen failure issue is very common to the camera. It is caused by breakage of the many electric circuits carried in the fine wiring of a ribbon cable connecting the body to the back. As more circuits break, more of the LCD elements disappear. There is a shop in Poland which for a few years has been making these repairs, or selling repair parts to the adventurous. They have a two hour YT video of the repair process. No one who watches the video will consider this a DIY project. Their price to do the job was around $200 plus shipping - well worth it. To avoid the problem for those not already afflicted, just do not open the back all of the way when you open it, as a full opening stresses the cable. (Yes, a serious design flaw by Fuji.) Also, a minor correction to the video on film loading. Once the roll is loaded, you do not have to advance the paper leader to a "start" index (a common error in most GA645Zi videos). Actually, Fuji recommends not doing so. Just make sure the leader is hooked up properly, then close the back. The GA645Zi (and the "i" versions of the other GA models) has a sensor which locates the beginning of the film and spaces the first frame automatically. If you get the film "start" past the body index mark when manually loading, you can foul the auto-loading index system and loose your first frame.

[@de-graftasafo-adjei4646]

A potential Fujifilm ambassador.

[@LeeZavitz]

All vibes

[@NotARodin]

If wasn't for you, I would've never known how awesome fujifilm is- thanks for opening my eyes!

[@husshardan3511]

Love that you roll with your dog!

[@CamMead]

Was excited for this video as I have had my eye on this camera for a while now, some great shots here & look forward to seeing more from it!

[@GaIvatr0n]

Loving this channel, your personal style.. humour and cinematography/photography sets it apart from the others. "I'm more romantic about the idea of shooting with this camera" I've been interested in this cam for a while. Appreciated this video bro.

[@DimitriGalle_N25]

6x45 is a badass format and the negatives/positives are soooo much more then 35mm. I got this camera I guess 7yrs ago of e-Bay and when shooting it it makes a wonky sound, the viewfinder sucks and just is there for composing. It has the looks of an 80's ugly turd but oh boy those images it produces, it never ever missed the beat. love it. keep rocking it .

[@premiumyoutubechannel2341]

how long did it last for you? ( considering it has its design flaw about the display fading and the camera not functioning ) I just got mine and the display is somewhat faded but I'm hoping it doesn't die on me for years

[@terria58]

I like this camera film winding sound very much!

[@_lowcountry]

Sooo happy to see you get one of these. I got a ga645 last year and it’s been a blast so far. It honestly made me stop bothering with 35mm altogether. Stoked to see more of this on the channel!

[@maximelovesdinosaurs3532]

Love this new Fuji love popping up on my KZbin ! Cool intro, cool music, cool guy, cool edit, cool camera and awesome pictures !

[@eladbari]

Lovin' that intro, man. And turning a medium format camera into a faster P&S sounds much more inviting than my slow ass Hassie

[@tejasrinivas3049]

Love your filmmaking style! I always look forward to your videos.

[@NickDelDuca]

I randomly stumbled upon a video today about the GA645 Zi where the guy said that the rear LCD screen would stop working because of too much wear on the ribbon cable that goes from the main body of the camera to the LCD screen. The ribbon cable can be seen at the hinge of the camera when you open the back. So I would start there and see if your ribbon cable looks damaged or over stressed. Looks like you can order a remanufactured ribbon cable on ebay but the replacement process looks pretty involved.

[@Francoisacker]

Dang dude, I just love your tones and colours. unmistakeable style. Keep on inspiring my dude.

[@marklorincz915]

love the fuji645

[@marcusraschke2165]

Yeah I love your style, your work and wish i had a photographic eye like you. For me you are Mr. Medium Format.......great work.......Greetings from Germany and a good time.

[@SteffenSchellhaas]

Yeah, finally a new one. Really stoppin' everything I do when the notification hits the screen! :-)

[@cammackey]

Ahhh that’s crazy to hear!!! Thank you for the support!!

[@referencesdocumentaire8842]

Some new content ! Yeaaaaah 🔥🔥🔥🤩

[@Exploredinary]

I have this cam and my digital screen on the back is out too. Must have been a design flaw or something. I also love that this cam has a pop up flash- a true medium format point and shoot!

[@patrickdahm6822]

The best mustache on KZbin

[@skwirl828]

Sweet camera! The noise it makes is awesome.

[@toerrfisk]

good stuff, as always. the quality of your work has been an inspiration for a while now, and im drawn to check out Fujifilm solely because of you.

[@SweetLouPhotography]

Hey there, love your videos. Just wanted to stop by, and wish you the best with it. The camera is a joy to use, but mine actually did the crap out on me due to a design flaw-- the ribbon cable in the door. And I'm more importantly writing this because my LCD did the EXACT same thing as yours before it die (it had the weird half lit up sort of thing going on). Once my LCD completely faded, the camera just stopped working entirely. After putting my vid out on it, I got absolutely roasted by some people in the comments for letting the door swing way open. Apparently, letting the door swing way open stresses the cable and causes it to die wayyyy quicker. The dude who sold me the camera gave it to me at a reduced price BECAUSE the LCD screen was gone. He probably knew the camera was on its way out, unfortunately. But here the good news: There is a place in Poland that services these and replaces that cable, which is rad. Holy moly, the shipping was wild. They're called Fototech Serwis, they actually have a KZbin channel. ALL THE BEST with your GA. I hope it keeps kicking for mad years. But just in case, I hope that info helps even slightly. Cheers captain.

[@patrickhay2561]

Loved this! That viewfinder is incredibly badass.

[@leonit3702]

I adore your consistent style and informative content. Also the hats are nice ;)

[@jdmorgan01]

Great locations, an excellent camera, and a creative eye make impressive images!

[@sachielcarreonfraga2757]

Love your work, watching your videos made me want to buy a Fujifim, y like the colores alot

[@Fer-by6pg]

I enjoy the stylish informative videos on fuji, keep them coming.

[@412foto]

always enjoy your videos!

[@ddaavvee2796]

Wish I could shoot places like that someday. The character.

[@SimplyTheGoose]

Great camera and even better video!

[@TruzonThao]

killin it as always.

[@BVRainer]

Great camera and I can relate about bad eye sight.

[@DimitriGalle_N25]

the LCD is a flaw and mainly internal electronics, can be soldered cheap if you find the right camera repair guy, LCD replacement is also an option.

[@randallstewart1224]

It's the connecting cable, not the LED itself. The cable is a ribbon with some 20 circuits, more or less. As more circuits are broken, progressively more of the data displays go out. I've seen some efforts to wire around the circuit breaks. They were all an unacceptable mess, and would probably fail themselves from the flexing. Whether upscale Polish full repair, or low scale Chinese ribbon cable and DIY, full replacement is the order now that the part is available again.

[@belindavanzanen7364]

want, need, want , got to have. ps your videos always inspire me to get out shooting

[@kullumphoto]

One of my dream cameras to own!

[@yuidfbse]

Killer camera!.. these were the days when each camera, design and innovation were each own and true photography still meant what it was always supposed to be a bearer of. Now-a-days in the world of pixel perfect all auto plastic digital photography? Call it what you will but the motivation and inspiration to go out and shoot is zero. Keep these videos coming because your passion for TRUE photography gear is greatly admired and passionately shared❤️

[@JohnNg5]

I'm a film snob as well, with a couple of medium format film cameras. Though, I recently bought a 35mm Minolta A9, since I'm blind like you and need autofocus. I use it as my fun camera and model test shoots. I save the medium format for more serious work.

[@john_murch]

Love the Fuji GA series. Love the X-Pro series as well...:)

[@aboutsean]

As always, great video!!

[@sonhuuthainguyen7543]

Love the cameraaa

[@darioneumann3436]

I Really like your Videos. Great Inspiration

[@allys537]

There’s a photo repair place in Poland that had new ribbon cables made and does replacement for them, they are reasonably priced and and people seem to be satisfied with their service. I just wish eBay sellers would discount the price accordingly so you could make an offer on a camera you know needs repair. I don’t mind paying for the camera but they are almost all universally broken and you should factor in the repairs.

[@randallstewart1224]

Prior to Fototech offering the cable replacement parts and service in early 2022, there were a lot of GA645Zi cameras on ebay with bad LED displays. Neither Fuji nor anyone else seemed to offer a solution to the problem. The threat of future LED failure was also depressing the used prices on good cameras. Since then, prices on good cameras have increased by 50- 100%. Units with bad LEDs seem to have also increased in price. I remember when I first herd about Fototech, a thought about buying a half dozen units with bad LEDs, having them repaired and reselling for fun and profit. I was too lazy to do it, but looking back I'd estimate that I passed on about two grand of easy profit. At this time (April 2023), there seems to be a glut of replacement ribbon cables on ebay from Chinese sources for less than $50. If I was offering a repair service and the parts looked good, I'd give 'em a try, but for a one-off, I'd still let the Poles do the work.

[@allenthecreative]

I love the channel and love Fuji, I just barely made it out of a Fuji rabbit hole alive! I shoot 99.9% film but I keep trying to convince myself Fuji digital will be different than normal digital. Shoot me that fancy camera so we can all prove me wrong! 😂

[@jjpacheco4791]

Love that camera!

[@IanBurdzy]

im about to go pick one of these up

[@nikolablecic7558]

Keep up the work !! Love it

[@thomasfransson]

Very inspiring Cam

[@MikeLikesChannel]

i models get 16 frames compared to 15 for non i... worth the slight premium. Fuji 50R is the spiritual successor to the GA645 series.

[@Pacolad]

Love this camera

[@blakeaghili4681]

Nice camera, enjoy shooting it

[@jimb2500]

It looks like a great portrait camera with its vertical orientation, but does it have an adjustable diopter in the view finder?

[@samwright6614]

Loved this video

[@stewartmoore]

Those boots are made for walking ! - how warm are they?

[@moky99]

cool video and photos. Where did you shoot those ?

[@dylandigby1776]

This is the styling they need for a 50r ii or X-Pro4. Bring back more exposed titanium, less fake leatherette

[@glockaki]

nice video!and great photos!!!any video on composition tips on landscape photography and portraits from you ?would be great!

[@cammackey]

Hmmm good idea, never thought about doing that

[@weisserth]

Fantastic. Putting this 6x4.5 to work. What do you think about the auto-focus? How precise is it?

[@sukrukucuk2489]

Film photography is the best...

[@bugleboy90210]

Sweet camera, and nice video too. Have you gotten your hands on the new Fujifilm X-T5 yet? I would love to see a review of yours on this camera. Keep up the great work! :)

[@cammackey]

Yes I already fit a video on it, waster super impressed. The quality look the same as the rest of the sensors, photo wise.

[@YoYoYo]

That camera is awesome1

[@ritcheysegura8250]

Big inspiration big fan

[@waawaaweewaa2045]

How is the viewfinder on the camera? Is the AF consistent? Thanks.

[@caitlineye]

Curious if you find a way to fix the LCD. Been wanting one of these cameras so badly but scared to invest give that electronic cameras tend to fail over time. Gorgeous pics, I need to take a ride out to Tucson.

[@malozfilms]

Great video and beautiful places! I don't shot film since my days at high school but every time I see a video like yours, I'm dying to buy one and go out for shooting! I'd love to try a medium format film camera (I shot only in 35mm). By the way, I'd like to try the fuji xpro too ;) Thanks for sharing your work, its always interesting.

[@alexiscuarezma]

Nice man! Love that camera shoots vertical natively . That's pretty cool. A portable MF film camera I'd love it the Mamiya 7, but that cost a small fortune.

[@photographer7]

Nothing like shooting abandoned places. . .with film!

[@christianlainesse4281]

I'd love to get one but the prices on ebay are still way up there...

[@zachstrayhorn9115]

Swag camera

[@drwatsonismine]

I don’t see the Fujifillm presets on your link. Which ones are they in your store?

[@shadowcultur]

What lens/focal length on that bad boy?

[@landonlove4101]

Hi! Camera please?

[@jaywhoo8]

🔥🔥🔥

[@icogicog8287]

Very cool

[@chrisxglass]

Love that camera! Do you feel like this could be a good compliment to your 645AFD for an actual professional shoot, or is this mainly just your travel MF "point/shoot"?

[@cammackey]

Most likely not. The AFD will still give you more sharpness and bokeh.. like better subject separation which is important sometimes. I would use this as like a fun throw in tho for a shoot. Im assuming models would have fun with it

[@chrisxglass]

@@cammackey exactly what I was thinking too

[@willyonamountain]

Good doggos and saguaros spotted 👀

[@RyanBlaske]

great video!

[@ethanhshaw]

Amazing vid

[@victorcabon7714]

Good job

[@veyroo]

Fototech serwis in Poland can repair that

[@vishal_trivedi]

This is the story of real murican badass, artist formerly known as kid rock, a curious case of Benjamin button; gets younger by the day - enjoying his 2nd act in the desert, shootin film and making sure everyone knows, he was NOT one of the kids that played lego, no sirry bob.

[@cammackey]

HAHAHAHHA

[@OfirAbe]

before anything, your video style is fire! Then, I think you convinced me not to get the pentax 67 now...

[@mrmotomoto]

Well you certainly won’t be using this in quiet environments 😂 *clack* *reeee* "last shot" *clack* *reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee* but I still want one!

[@cammackey]

Hahaha I was contemplating changing the shutter sound but was charmed by how obnoxious it is lol

[@sijilo]

☺️

[@juen99]

gaaaadamn

[@Jiucy]

coool

[@Illlini]

Send X-pro 1

[@crabapples1995]

Are your photography subjects not very hackneyed now.

[@buds2259]

Photography made me broke

[@tomlangton782]

Had one briefly. Really did not like it. Noisy, slow, 2:1 zoom (that’s it) awful, awful, awful auto focus. So many better cameras out there.