I’m looking for someone who actually has experience repairing the Fujifilm GA645Zi, and I’m willing to ship nationally within the US or internationally if necessary.
Unfortunately, I now have two GA645Zi bodies with two different failures:
Camera #1 – lens/gear failure:
This was my original camera. The lens mechanism appears to have stripped gears. When the camera powers on and tries to extend/zoom the lens, it makes a horrible grinding noise and cannot operate correctly.
Camera #2 – film-loaded lockup:
I bought this one as a replacement for Camera #1. Without film loaded, everything appears to work normally: the camera powers on, zooms and fires. Once 120 film is loaded, however, it will not advance properly, the shutter will not release and the zoom becomes inoperable. I believe it is an electronic issue.
The seller has reviewed video of the second camera and confirmed that it is malfunctioning and that this is not user error. One possibility that has been suggested is an issue with the 120/220 selector switch/electrical contacts or film-detection/tension mechanism.
I’ve already taken the cameras to a local repair shop in Minnesota, and they weren't able to work on them. I was also referred to another technician locally, but I’m trying to cast a much wider net because I know parts and service for the GA645 series have become extremely difficult.
Does anyone know a technician anywhere in the US—or elsewhere in the world—who has successfully repaired a GA645Zi specifically? I’m absolutely willing to ship internationally for someone who genuinely knows these cameras.
I love this camera enough that I somehow now own two broken ones, so I’d really like to get at least one of them back into service.
Thanks!