Bronica RF645 film advance lever question

[camerawrecker]

Hi all, I recently acquired a used Bronica RF645. The film advance lever of this camera flops freely away from the resting position (flush against the body) for about 1cm before any resistance is felt. The film advance appears to be working well otherwise and a test film turned out to be fine with regular and even spacing between the frames.
Shouldn't the advance lever return completely flush against the camera top after winding and stay there? Maybe a return spring is broken?
When I turn the camera upwards with the lens facing the sky, the lever drops away from the body for about 0.5cm to 1cm. Is this normal or should it be sent for repair?

Thanks in advance for any comments. Benny

 

[SDK]

No that is not normal behavior for the Bronica RF645. The lever should engage should winding almost immediately and not flop around.

 

[Pablito]

The film advance appears to be working well otherwise and a test film turned out to be fine with regular and even spacing between the frames.

I know what i'd do.....

(use it!)

 

[Cron]

this surely isn't normal but if it works...
also you have to know that film transport is the weakest point of this camera

 

[Debusti Paolo]

i had a CLA,RF/VF alignement,general control for about 80 euro shipping included

 

[camerawrecker]

Paolo, just out of curiosity : where did you have your camera fixed please? (I received a repair offer for EUR150 excluding return shipping)
Thanks for all the replies here. I am considering to keep the camera as it is and not take the risk losing or damaging it by sending it away for a repair. I agree that one could live with this small defect when all the rest works as it should. Time to put a new film in it I guess... Thanks.

 

[sevo]

Chances are that the spring washer on the lever is inverted, misplaced or lost. No big deal, and something any camera repair person should be able to fix within minutes (well, weeks if a spare washer has to be ordered from Tamron).

 

[Debusti Paolo]

Paolo, just out of curiosity : where did you have your camera fixed please? (I received a repair offer for EUR150 excluding return shipping)
Thanks for all the replies here. I am considering to keep the camera as it is and not take the risk losing or damaging it by sending it away for a repair. I agree that one could live with this small defect when all the rest works as it should. Time to put a new film in it I guess... Thanks.

I suggest you to have the camera repaired and fully working😉try newsar.it in toscana,Italy they are really great and fast and remember to let us know....😀

 

[camerawrecker]

According to the Belgian Tamron/Bronica importer (and according to the Dutch and German importers as well) all repair work for Bronica for (western?) Europe are solely handled by 'Intro 2020 Ltd' in the U.K. These have just sent me a reply to my email :

<<<Dear Sir,​

Please be advised that we do not ship overseas and only deal with repairs in the UK as long as we have parts. Bronica ceased trading 7/8 years ago and parts are no longer available.
Sorry that we are unable to help.

Regards​

Service Department>>>​

If I decide to have the camera repaired I will need to turn to an independent repair shop. Thanks for the info Paolo.
The washer tip sounds hopeful, but I will not try to check that myself. Thanks everyone. Benny

 

[brian steinberger]

I just had my RF645 CLA'd by Tamron in NY and my winder is still a bit "floppy," but the frames advance as they should so I don't worry about it. If you haven't gotten it CLA'd I'd recommend that, otherwise if it works, it works.

 

[camerawrecker]

Brian, thanks. I think I have pretty much decided to keep the camera as it is. The independent repair shop in Holland wants EUR180.00 for a full CLA in order to be able to give a warranty on the repair afterwards. As you and other said : if it works, it works.
Benny