Chris, the 45 and 65mm lenses focus down to 1m. The 100mm is marked down to 1.8m only, but will actually focus down to 1.2m. This last 0.6m zone is marked as cautionary, where exact focus may be more difficult.f/stopblues said:
sf
Veteran
Chris :
The Bronica does certainly have close focus issues. It will not allow you to get any closer than 1m (which is generally just fine in my experience), but it will not be like something with bellows focus . . .the cambo, for instance. But, there really is nothing MF handheld that allows close focus . . . not sure about the Plaubel Makina or the Pentax 67. I mean I can't think of anything. An RZ67 is kind of hand holdable, but it is unpleasant.
All of my portrait work has been with cameras shooting at 1m minimum focusing distances, and I have never had a problem getting tight shots (but that WAS with an 80mm lens). The 65 is super sharp and very flat, so cropping is easy. Generally, I dislike shooting tightly framed portraits, because I need cropping flexability most of the time. I find a sharp/low grain film, a good shop, and crop down when necessary.
I plan on shooting my next set of a model with my RF645 and the 65mm lens.
The Bronica does certainly have close focus issues. It will not allow you to get any closer than 1m (which is generally just fine in my experience), but it will not be like something with bellows focus . . .the cambo, for instance. But, there really is nothing MF handheld that allows close focus . . . not sure about the Plaubel Makina or the Pentax 67. I mean I can't think of anything. An RZ67 is kind of hand holdable, but it is unpleasant.
All of my portrait work has been with cameras shooting at 1m minimum focusing distances, and I have never had a problem getting tight shots (but that WAS with an 80mm lens). The 65 is super sharp and very flat, so cropping is easy. Generally, I dislike shooting tightly framed portraits, because I need cropping flexability most of the time. I find a sharp/low grain film, a good shop, and crop down when necessary.
I plan on shooting my next set of a model with my RF645 and the 65mm lens.
One of the things I like about the Fuji GA645Wi is that its 45mm lens will get in to 0.7m and this can be useful.
Of course being an SLR, the Pentax 6x7 can use extension tubes or bellows, and the system includes two macro lenses. Still the normal 105mm f/2.4 focuses to that same 1m as the RF645! However, the 55mm closes up to 0.35m and the new Aspheric 75mm f/2.8 to 0.4m
Of course being an SLR, the Pentax 6x7 can use extension tubes or bellows, and the system includes two macro lenses. Still the normal 105mm f/2.4 focuses to that same 1m as the RF645! However, the 55mm closes up to 0.35m and the new Aspheric 75mm f/2.8 to 0.4m
sf
Veteran
Update on the RF645 :
Tamron guy in New York says that he listed to it (the funny creaking in the VF - why I sent it in) and to some other bodies, and noticed the sound in two other bodies - but that it is coming from the "main spring" whatever that means, and that he would change out anything that could be adding to the sound.
Now, I just hope that they don't mess something up and send it back with more serious issues . . .
It is apparently in the post as I write this, heading back my way. I can't wait.
Even though I didn't have a warranty (at all, as far as they know), there is no charge for anything.
Nice.
Tamron guy in New York says that he listed to it (the funny creaking in the VF - why I sent it in) and to some other bodies, and noticed the sound in two other bodies - but that it is coming from the "main spring" whatever that means, and that he would change out anything that could be adding to the sound.
Now, I just hope that they don't mess something up and send it back with more serious issues . . .
It is apparently in the post as I write this, heading back my way. I can't wait.
Even though I didn't have a warranty (at all, as far as they know), there is no charge for anything.
Nice.
Last edited:
That's fast service, and hopefully good service too!
sf
Veteran
It has come home!!!!
It has come home!!!!
Home to stay.
There are no more noises coming from the viewfinder, everything is pristine and aligned and smooth. I mean, it was all that before, but now it is also without the odd creaking.
Perfect. This will be a great day.
It has come home!!!!
Home to stay.
There are no more noises coming from the viewfinder, everything is pristine and aligned and smooth. I mean, it was all that before, but now it is also without the odd creaking.
Perfect. This will be a great day.
RObert Budding
D'oh!
Glad to hear that your sevice experience was excellent, too.
sircarl
Well-known
I also just had a good service experience, from Tamron/Bronica here in the UK (now under the wing of a company called Intro 2020). I asked them to modify an older-version RF645 camera body I recently bought on eBay so it would show framelines for the 100mm lens, which they did. But I also asked if they knew where I could find a +1 diopter for the camera, which I haven't been able to get anywhere. Lo and behold, they had one and sent it back with the camera! (With my aging eyes, it has made a big difference.) Unlike shutterflower, unfortunately, I got charged for all this, but the eBay seller reimbursed me for most of it so I can't complain.
sf
Veteran
Here's another RF645 pic
Here's another RF645 pic
I am getting around to re-scanning all my work with the Dimage Scan Multi Pro - much MUCH better than the 3170 I had been using.
Here is two shots
- the best street shot I got that day - perhaps at all. The eye contact was MEAN from this guy - perfect for my interests. London.
-a shot of the tower that I particularly like - handheld at a VERY slow shutterspeed - perhaps braced against something. The 'stars' are actually dust particles that I decided to leave in the scan - because it kind of looks like stars = maybe a little too contrasty, but oh well.
Just goes to show that the RF645 can be a great street camera too.
Here's another RF645 pic
I am getting around to re-scanning all my work with the Dimage Scan Multi Pro - much MUCH better than the 3170 I had been using.
Here is two shots
- the best street shot I got that day - perhaps at all. The eye contact was MEAN from this guy - perfect for my interests. London.
-a shot of the tower that I particularly like - handheld at a VERY slow shutterspeed - perhaps braced against something. The 'stars' are actually dust particles that I decided to leave in the scan - because it kind of looks like stars = maybe a little too contrasty, but oh well.
Just goes to show that the RF645 can be a great street camera too.
sf
Veteran
I have placed a more recent, more complete review of the RF645 on my website at the following URL :
http://www.shutterflower.com/RF645 review.htm
http://www.shutterflower.com/RF645 review.htm
Gid
Well-known
Great review - ME = multiple exposure - but I am biased and it is a lovely piece of engineering.
Regards
Gid
Regards
Gid
Gid
Well-known
MacCaulay said:
Be quick there are not many left and it is a very nice lens.
Gid
sircarl
Well-known
Shutterflower,
A wonderful "love letter" to the RF645. As a new owner myself, I'm finding it is everything you say it is. I especially liked your description of the weird shutter sound as "a little mouse in a lot of pain"!
A wonderful "love letter" to the RF645. As a new owner myself, I'm finding it is everything you say it is. I especially liked your description of the weird shutter sound as "a little mouse in a lot of pain"!
Gid
Well-known
MacCaulay said:Oh no! Panic! What can I sell?
A horse or a ferret maybe
Gid
Well-known
MacCaulay said:No, it'll have to be my body ... again
I'm shocked
sf
Veteran
HERE is a link to a recording of the shutter sound made by my RF645 - and all the others out there :
http://www.shutterflower.com/20060323 012346.wav
I recorded it with my IPOD, so the quality is low, but it gets the sound pretty well. Turn up the volume and experience the weirdness.
http://www.shutterflower.com/20060323 012346.wav
I recorded it with my IPOD, so the quality is low, but it gets the sound pretty well. Turn up the volume and experience the weirdness.
Matus
Well-known
Since I love to pick up on old threads - could some of you lucky guys shooting the RF645 check for me the depth of the camera with the 65 lens mounted? Thanks in advance.
Lou Iaquinto
Tinshed
About 105mm with the lens hood attached.