tekgypsy
TekGypsy
i have the opportunity for a Bronica 645 with the Wide Angle and Normal (65mm) lenses plus a flash all for about $1500...
all appears to be in excellent shape...
so, is this really the deal it appears to be?
can you tell me some of the goodies and gotchas associated with this box?
all appears to be in excellent shape...
so, is this really the deal it appears to be?
can you tell me some of the goodies and gotchas associated with this box?
Hi, tekgypsy... I've had one of these for over two years, and it's become a favorite. Sort of like a bigger brother to my Minolta CLE. It doesn't alarm the victims/subjects, though some have asked if it's digital. It's pretty small; 1" taller than an M Leica with 35'cron w/lenshood, otherwise same dimensions. I'd venture that it's the most advanced medium format RF ever made. Excellent quality. Nice crisp RF patch too. In changing lenses, its film shield deploys automatically as the lens is bayonetted off, and retracts as the other lens is seated; a nice touch. It's very quiet in use, with the muted click of the leaf shutter, then a little wheeze/buzz as the electronics recocks the shutter.
If I had a criticism, it would be that they could have reduced the viewfinder magnification slightly to allow parallax-compensated framelines for the 45mm lens. But that would have been tougher on the 135mm lens that was originally offered. It would be just fine for the 100mm that replaced it. As it is, I admit to just winging it with the whole VF field when using the 45, and try to keep parallax issues in mind when relatively close. The external VF helps the framing but being further from the lens would actually make parallax worse.
Pricing... Bronica/Tamron have been offering a "limited time" rebate on RF645 gear for about three years. Each time the rebate expires, it's reintroduced with a new deadline. With the rebate, the B&H new price on body and 65mm together comes to about $1150. The 45mm lens with its rebate is about $500, and the rebated flash costs abt $220. So there's $1870 brand new for this package, $370 more than your used deal.
Might be worth that to get new-untouched-by-human-hands gear, with US warranty? Dunno. And do you really want the flash? If not, then that would have a significant effect on your decision, making it effectively $1650 vs $1500 including a free flash you don't want. Persponally I have no use for the flash. I bought a used Fuji GA645Wi with its dedicated external flash; love the camera but the flash sits on the closet shelf and will likely never be used.
I tend to use the Fuji when I know I'll want a 45mm lens, as it can focus closer than the Bronica (0.7m vs 1.0m) and its VF framelines not only move for parallax but also for frame-size change close in. But this is a glorified P&S camera all-motorized and all-auto. The Bronica is a more traditionally controllable camera. Nice to have both!
If I had a criticism, it would be that they could have reduced the viewfinder magnification slightly to allow parallax-compensated framelines for the 45mm lens. But that would have been tougher on the 135mm lens that was originally offered. It would be just fine for the 100mm that replaced it. As it is, I admit to just winging it with the whole VF field when using the 45, and try to keep parallax issues in mind when relatively close. The external VF helps the framing but being further from the lens would actually make parallax worse.
Pricing... Bronica/Tamron have been offering a "limited time" rebate on RF645 gear for about three years. Each time the rebate expires, it's reintroduced with a new deadline. With the rebate, the B&H new price on body and 65mm together comes to about $1150. The 45mm lens with its rebate is about $500, and the rebated flash costs abt $220. So there's $1870 brand new for this package, $370 more than your used deal.
Might be worth that to get new-untouched-by-human-hands gear, with US warranty? Dunno. And do you really want the flash? If not, then that would have a significant effect on your decision, making it effectively $1650 vs $1500 including a free flash you don't want. Persponally I have no use for the flash. I bought a used Fuji GA645Wi with its dedicated external flash; love the camera but the flash sits on the closet shelf and will likely never be used.
I tend to use the Fuji when I know I'll want a 45mm lens, as it can focus closer than the Bronica (0.7m vs 1.0m) and its VF framelines not only move for parallax but also for frame-size change close in. But this is a glorified P&S camera all-motorized and all-auto. The Bronica is a more traditionally controllable camera. Nice to have both!