buying a 120 rf in 2011?

[Gordon Moat]

It is an urban legend that a manufacturer legally must supply parts for any length of time in the US. I suspect that is the case in the EEU but I do not have the years of experience there to back up that statement as I do in the US.

Now most manufacturers do not want to tarnish their name and impact future business but that did not apply to Bronica. Fortunately there are parts left over as well as parts cameras.

Hi Bob,

That was from the official statement from Tamron when they announced winding down Bronica. Perhaps the US did not require them to do that, but they stated it that way.

As stated previously, there are other places to get these repaired, if needed. There are also many places to get other out of production cameras repaired. That stated, I would not get a camera nor lens in bad condition, nor in need of repair. I highly suggest getting the best quality used camera you can find.

 

[Bob Michaels]

Hi Bob,

That was from the official statement from Tamron when they announced winding down Bronica. Perhaps the US did not require them to do that, but they stated it that way.

As stated previously, there are other places to get these repaired, if needed. There are also many places to get other out of production cameras repaired. That stated, I would not get a camera nor lens in bad condition, nor in need of repair. I highly suggest getting the best quality used camera you can find.

I agree there are many people who can repair Bronicas. And there are many parts cameras floating around. Plus, simply replacing a camera with another used one is often economical since the prices are so low.

I use a Bronica SQA. My camera repair friend suggested I simply throw away a back with a mechanical problem and buy a replacement from KEH.

 

[perudo]

so, I just received my rf645 🙂

So far, everything works perfect, and results are really nice.
Hope it will last for a long time......

 

[Matus]

Congratulations!

I just wanted to answer your original question and advice you towards RF645. Now I can save my words. But I will add that I am a rather happy Mamiya 6 user, but the meter is easy to fool by bright sky so I mostly use my Digisix now. The RF is cheaper (wide & normal lenses) and I have mostly heard very positive opinions.

So - enjoy and let us know once you get some results out!

 

[perudo]

Congratulations!

I just wanted to answer your original question and advice you towards RF645. Now I can save my words. But I will add that I am a rather happy Mamiya 6 user, but the meter is easy to fool by bright sky so I mostly use my Digisix now. The RF is cheaper (wide & normal lenses) and I have mostly heard very positive opinions.

So - enjoy and let us know once you get some results out!

thank you Matus,
I will be shooting a lot of picture next week on a trip to normandie

 

[jnoir]

It is an urban legend that a manufacturer legally must supply parts for any length of time in the US. I suspect that is the case in the EEU but I do not have the years of experience there to back up that statement as I do in the US.

In Europe, it's 5 years by law

 

[gdmcclintock]

A really nice 6x4.5 camera is the Super Ikonta from the 1930s.

 

[Gordon Moat]

A really nice 6x4.5 camera is the Super Ikonta from the 1930s.

I have a 1937 AGFA Jsolette that I have used on a couple commercial projects. Still prefer using my RF645, but the AGFA is fun. I restored it a few years ago. That AGFA is the one that does 6x6 and 6x4,5 with trap doors in the body.

 

[jnoir]

The price that people is lately paying for 6x4.5 Super Ikontas is crazy... I see them go for 150+ Euro. They have more than doubled their price in barely four years!

Maybe someone has an explanation for that?