777
Newbie
Hi there,
I have the chance to purchase a Bronica RF645 but it has an issue with its batteries. Every new battery you insert in the camera gets empty after some days.
Is this a known issue of the Bronica RF645?
I have the chance to purchase a Bronica RF645 but it has an issue with its batteries. Every new battery you insert in the camera gets empty after some days.
Is this a known issue of the Bronica RF645?
raytoei@gmail.com
Veteran
not for me.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
Not at all ... mine hes been sitting in the cupboard unused for near on a year with the same batteries fitted ... and they're still fine.
The camere obviously has a problem and considering the dwindling repair options available I'd be very cautiously about buying it ... cheap or otherwise!
The camere obviously has a problem and considering the dwindling repair options available I'd be very cautiously about buying it ... cheap or otherwise!
Michiel Fokkema
Michiel Fokkema
Mine had it too. I removed the batteries after every shoot.
According to the official repair center is was a shortcut on the printplate. To expensive to repair at that time.
According to the official repair center is was a shortcut on the printplate. To expensive to repair at that time.
777
Newbie
I'm new to the field of those "compact" medium format cameras.
What's a reasonable price to accept the compromise?
That's what the seller advised me to do too.
Doesn't seem to be too annoying.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
777
Newbie
What lens (lenses?) does it come with?
It comes only with a Zenzanon 4/65.
Steven Veit
Newbie
I've got an RF645, and it's a great camera, but what may not seem too annoying now might become a greater concern later. Those tiny CR-2 batteries aren't cheap, either, so if you did forget to remove them a few times, your annoyance factor might increase. I'd only consider a deal like that at a very substantial discount, and then only if for some reason I absolutely needed to buy one right away.
kuzano
Veteran
There was a time when I wanted an rf645
There was a time when I wanted an rf645
However, while i've had great luck and good shots with the Bronica SLR's (ETRSi in 645 and SQ-A in 6 square), whenever I have found an rf645 for sale, I have always considered them overpriced. That's pretty much my opinion on the Mamiya 7 as well.
Furthermore, if you ever think you will feel a desire for the 100mm lens, I hear that is a long hard search and way pricey as well.
Another consideration.... do you have an idea how you will feel about the default portrait mode transport of the film, rather than landscape? All 645 rangefinders I know of use this portrait default, unlike the larger format rangefinders. That tends to put some off.
Also, i don't know the battery designation of this camera, but is it possible the wrong battery is being used in terms of alkaline, Silver Oxide, or lithium. Mamiya 645s, up to a certain point clearly stated in the manual NO LITHIUM. I gather however, the battery drain is a known issue from some other posts here.
Lastly, if you have never used or depended on reliability from a camera with battery issues, you cannot appreciate how joyless such a camera is in the field.
So, with the concept of "too high priced anyway" and with an issue like this, I would expect a healthy discount, unless you are willing to pay a premium for the right to say, "Yeah, I had a Bronica RF645 once.". Unfortunately, that type of ownership appeals to more people than you might think, with a lot of different cameras.
It's kind of like looking at a car you've longed for and having the seller tell you, "Yeah, it's a classic, and a great car, but I don't know how much longer the engine is going to keep running." Do you know that Ferrari's spend roughly 30% of their time in the shop?
There was a time when I wanted an rf645
However, while i've had great luck and good shots with the Bronica SLR's (ETRSi in 645 and SQ-A in 6 square), whenever I have found an rf645 for sale, I have always considered them overpriced. That's pretty much my opinion on the Mamiya 7 as well.
Furthermore, if you ever think you will feel a desire for the 100mm lens, I hear that is a long hard search and way pricey as well.
Another consideration.... do you have an idea how you will feel about the default portrait mode transport of the film, rather than landscape? All 645 rangefinders I know of use this portrait default, unlike the larger format rangefinders. That tends to put some off.
Also, i don't know the battery designation of this camera, but is it possible the wrong battery is being used in terms of alkaline, Silver Oxide, or lithium. Mamiya 645s, up to a certain point clearly stated in the manual NO LITHIUM. I gather however, the battery drain is a known issue from some other posts here.
Lastly, if you have never used or depended on reliability from a camera with battery issues, you cannot appreciate how joyless such a camera is in the field.
So, with the concept of "too high priced anyway" and with an issue like this, I would expect a healthy discount, unless you are willing to pay a premium for the right to say, "Yeah, I had a Bronica RF645 once.". Unfortunately, that type of ownership appeals to more people than you might think, with a lot of different cameras.
It's kind of like looking at a car you've longed for and having the seller tell you, "Yeah, it's a classic, and a great car, but I don't know how much longer the engine is going to keep running." Do you know that Ferrari's spend roughly 30% of their time in the shop?
Pablito
coco frío
I have had one for years. Bought it new. Don't use it much Still on the 1st set of batteries and they are still working.
tecumseh
Newbie
I bought mine for £250 with the 65mm lens. Price was low because the glass in front of the rangefinder was held in with gaffer tape; little
Unsightly but makes no difference to usability. They seem to go for double that. The RF is a lovely camera, not as good as the Mamiya 7, mind. Nevertheless, the 7 cost me £1,000 second hand and the bronica is not four times worse. BTW this set of batteries has lasted over 12 months.
whitecat
Lone Range(find)er
This is one excellent camera.
SteveM
Established
Never had that problem with mine, or heard about it before. The most common issue discussed is the winding mechanism weakness, which afflicts other MF cameras as well. From prices I’ve seen for Bronica RF645’s, I consider them cheap compared to alternatives (Mamiya), so I’d pass on one with a known problem. The 100mm lens is not common, but again, not expensive compared to Mamiya lenses.
Steve
Steve