Fujifilm Fuji GS 645 S (Wide 60)

The Fuji GS 645 S (Wide 60) stands as a compact, high-end medium format camera introduced by Fujifilm in 1984 and produced until 1990. Designed to offer the image quality of 120 film in a significantly more portable package than traditional medium format SLRs or folders, it targeted professional photographers and serious enthusiasts prioritizing mobility without sacrificing resolution or tonal range. Its core design centers around a fixed 60mm f/5.6 lens, offering a wide-angle perspective (approximately equivalent to a 35mm lens on 35mm full-frame), combined with a precise coupled rangefinder focusing system. This combination eliminated the bulk and mirror slap of SLRs while maintaining the critical focusing accuracy required for handheld work. The camera features a quiet, leaf shutter synched for flash at all speeds, a large and bright viewfinder for easy composition and focusing, and a robust, albeit relatively compact, metal body characteristic of Fujifilm's mid-tier rangefinders of the era. It represents a practical solution for travel, reportage, and documentary work in medium format.

As part of the GS 645 series, the S model offered a refined design and features suited to discerning users. The fixed 60mm lens, while limiting flexibility, contributed to the camera's compactness and optical excellence, ensuring consistent image quality. It utilized standard 120 roll film, producing 6x4.5 cm negatives or slides, a popular format offering a good balance between negative size and the number of exposures per roll (16). While not revolutionary, the GS 645 S (Wide 60) was a well-engineered and reliable tool that successfully bridged the gap between 35mm convenience and medium format quality during the 1980s, representing Fujifilm's significant presence in the high-end non-SLR medium format market at that time.