Adjusting rangefinder on Bronica RF645

[sooner]

This is sort of part two of my earlier question. My new/used Bronica RF645 came with its vertical rangefinder slightly out of alignment. That is, when I focus properly, the image is horizontally superimposed but not quite vertically. Any way I can adjust that myself? Thanks for the help.....John.

 

[DavidKKHansen]

Bump.

Anyone know?

 

[KenR]

I sent mine back to Bronica several times when I had mine (2002-2003) as the vertical kept going out of alignment. It seemed to me that driving in the car with the camera on the seat next to me caused the vertical alignment to go out. This was one of the many factors that caused me to sell the camera.

 

[brian steinberger]

It's not uncommon the for RF645 to be slightly out of alignment vertically. I've learned to deal with it. If it's quite a bit sending it back to Tamron will fix it, for a while atleast. I wouldn't risk attempting to fix this yourself.

 

[DavidKKHansen]

...I wouldn't risk attempting to fix this yourself.

Well, many rangefinder cameras are easy to adjust for the vertical misalignment, for example all Leica M cameras without the front red dot are easily adjusted. Therefor I was wondering if the RF645 also supports this.

Look at he back of the camera. About 2-3cm right of the viewfinder is a small black plastic cap. Me thinks that's where the rangefinder adjustment is, but I don't want to risk breaking the cap, so wanted to hear of others' experience first 🙂

 

[brian steinberger]

Well, many rangefinder cameras are easy to adjust for the vertical misalignment, for example all Leica M cameras without the front red dot are easily adjusted. Therefor I was wondering if the RF645 also supports this.

Look at he back of the camera. About 2-3cm right of the viewfinder is a small black plastic cap. Me thinks that's where the rangefinder adjustment is, but I don't want to risk breaking the cap, so wanted to hear of others' experience first 🙂

That is correct, this is where the adjustments are made. I attempted something similar to this on my Mamiya 6. I believe there were two screws, one for vertical and one for horizontal alignment on the Mamiya 6. I would never dare trying to adjust horizontal alignment myself as there may be lenses that need adjusted as well and this becomes a job better fit for a professional. But vertical alignment may be easy, I just don't know.

 

[DavidKKHansen]

Cool, good to know that it can be done, even if Tamron stops supporting the RF645!

 

[brian steinberger]

I'm actually surprised that Tamron still services the RF645. I think they are too! Apparently it was supposed to stop Oct of 2011 I believe and they are still servicing. I just got one of my RF645 bodies back. Had the the 135mm framelines changed to 100mm framelines and also they adjusted the vertical alignment for me. I'm very happy!

 

[DavidKKHansen]

I had my RF645 and 65mm lens fully serviced by Tamron Japan last November. I believe they keep servicing them through 2014.

By the way, their service was outstandingly good. I am going to start a new thread on the topic, once I have more time, but I am absolutely blow away by what they did to my camera, it's pretty much new now in function (in appearance, it's still looking rather used).