Purchasing Question Re: Bronica RF645

[bwcolor]

I'm looking at the kit with 65mm lens in mint condition as a smaller alternative to my Mamiya 7II. I'm wondering about the longer term ability to have the camera repaired. I know that the manufacturer will service until October 2012. Is this issue of repair sufficiently critical that it would be unwise to purchase this camera?

 

[KenR]

Perhaps I am the only one who had a problem with the camera in view of the glowing comments posted online, but I had the camera for a year and couldn't wait to sell it. It spent more time getting repaired than it did in my hands. The battery door wouldn't stay closed causing me to lose batteries (= dead camera) which they couldn't repair and had to be taped closed. The bias control on the back had no detent and constantly moved off zero and had to be taped in position. If you touched the camera the rangefinder went off vertical. When it died completely in the middle of a National Park hiking trip, leaving me with no camera, I said enough is enough and sold it as soon as it came back from repair. Yes, I would say having a good service shop is important for this camera, but no, I would not recommend the system.

 

[nonot]

And from the other side of the fence:

I bought mine used a month or so ago from a member on the forum here, camera arrived and has been working just perfectly... no part on the camera is loose and the focus ring dampening on the 65 (I'm going to assume on the other lenses as well) is really nice, comfortingly "heavy" - you really know that once you've got focus that it's not moving out of place.

As for repairs after Tamron quits I'm not sure, but I wouldn't let it stop you.

Now if I could only find the 100mm for less than $1000 cdn

 

[Gordon Moat]

There are creditable and reliable repair places other than Tamron. The only real issue is that Tamron have no obligation to supply parts or do repairs after 2012. If they still have parts for the RF645, I would imagine they would still sell them.

Compare this to owning an old Nikon FE or FM. While Nikon will no longer repair these, and parts are nearly non-existent, it is still possible to find parts and get repairs. So like any discontinued camera, if there are repair people willing to work on an RF645, and if there are parts, then you will be able to get repairs.

I got mine used not quite one year ago. After making sure to use Fuji film spools with Fuji films, and Kodak film spools with Kodak films, I have experienced zero winding problems. My RF645 lives in a few different camera bags, and travels often by airline, yet is completely reliable.

In fact, I have used it on one paid shoot already, and the corporate client was very happy with the image results. I now have this as my back-up camera for my main 4x5 system when I go on location.

 

[CK Dexter Haven]

I bought one used/mint from KEH. Upon arrival, the rangefinder patch was unaligned vertically. Seemed to still focus well enough, and i enjoyed using the camera immensely. I returned the camera to KEH to fix calibrate the viewfinder, but when i after i received it, the batteries would drain when the camera was switched off. I sent it back to KEH to repair that issue, but they were unable to do anything about it. After quite a bit of time, during which, they weren't actually able to tell me where the camera was, they finally sent it to Tamron for repair. Again, a lot of time passed, and for whatever reason, i never saw that camera again. Even after a few months, they were unable to give me an ETA. They eventually refunded my original purchase price, but as much as i liked the camera, i was hesitant to try again with another one.

That said, if that's the camera you want, i wouldn't advise against buying one. It's nice to use and the results are all i could have asked for. But, i'd recommend buying from a store, and not a private individual - a warranty of some sort and return privileges would be important to me with this camera. Make sure it doesn't need ANY adjustments right off the bat.

 

[bwcolor]

Thanks everyone.

I purchased from a retail outfit in Japan via Ebay. I've happily used them before and trust their representation of the condition of the camera. I really want to shoot more with my Mamiya 7's but they are just a tad big and frankly, it isn't like the old days when I use to run mostly 220 through the camera, so the 16 shots on 120 will be appreciated and since I shoot mostly people, the vertical format should be OK once I get use to it. I prefer a wider lens than the 65mm, but I'm guessing that it will be some time before I spring for another lens. Maybe I'll sell a Mamiya 7 outfit to foot the additional lens..

 

[SteveM]

I've had my RF645 for a few years now and it's been completely reliable. The build quality is very good, batteries last for ever, and handling is so good that you forget you are shooting MF.

Although the price of the 100mm lens is often maligned, it can be found cheaper than some of the Mamiya 7 lenses and you don't hear complaints about those prices.

Like buying into any discontinued system there will be risks, but through the pleasure of using it, and from the results it gives, you will soon forget about that. I'd try it out.

Steve

 

[Pablito]

No problems with mine but have not used it that much. Bought new. However it is not really much smaller than the Mamiya.

 

[Matus]

No problems with mine but have not used it that much. Bought new. However it is not really much smaller than the Mamiya.

My impression from the pics I have found on internet (comparison on Mamiya 6, 7 and RF645) was that difference in body size was negligible, but what made a difference was length of the lenses - RF645 was close to Mamiya 6 with collapsed lens mount while Mamiya 7 was much "longer". Also for the weight - these 3 cameras differ by less than 10% (and less than 5% is you compare the weight of an outfit with comparable 3 lenses).

 

[Keith]

I've had no problems with my RF645 in the two years or so I've owned it ... it certainly hasn't had heavy use though!

It's such a pleasure to use I'd be pretty sad if it broke and I couldn't get it repaired easily ... what to replace it with would be a problem I prefer not to contemplate.

 

[srtiwari]

I actually own 2 bodies, and they work beautifully. A year ago, I knocked out the RF alignment on one, and sent it to Tamron. After repair and CLA for $95, it came back to me in 3 weeks. I couldn't be happier with the service or the camera !

 

[bwcolor]

Just arrived and I find it to be an impressive camera that is far more compact than the Mamiya 7. I'm happy with the way it feels. Will take it out ASAP..thanks for all the responses.

 

[tensai]

I love the lenses and the way the camera handles. The metering is very good as well - never had a problem with mine.

Hope you enjoy.

 

[Cron]

since I use Fuji film with Fuji spools and Kodak with Kodak and Ilford with Ilford, no problems with transport;
a nice and reliable camera with superb optics

 

[Cheuwi]

I got mine about 1 month ago and has been very happy as well. The 65mm is really sharp... even people who does not know much about photography commented on how much the image seems to "pop" out of the picture.
I am considering buying the 45mm lens now. Any quick comment on this lens from any existing user?

 

[tensai]

I didn't do a serious comparison by shooting the same scene with both lenses but for all intends and purposes the 45 is as good as the 65. Very little distortion and sharp. If you like the fov you will not be disappointed.

 

[fbf]

I had Tamron done the CLA last year. Rangefinder window was replaced, everything was adjusted to factory spec and it only cost me a little over $100. Can't ask for better service than this.
I like the 45 the most though the finder is a pain to carry around.

 

[Doug]

Good to hear Subhash's good repair experience with Tamron; I hope not to need it, but reassuring to know they're good.

Cheuwi, the 45mm is a fine match for the 65's quality. The only quibble is that there is no 45mm frameline set in the camera viewfinder. The external accessory viewfinder supplied with the lens is good, though. The 100mm is also excellent, though harder to find. If your camera serial number starts with 11, then it does have a frameline set for 100mm lens, but if it starts with 00 it originally had 135mm framelines and may or may not have had the free retrofit with 100mm framelines.

 

[Debusti Paolo]

I had a winding problem with my rf645 that was repaired by the official italian repair shop.it was fixed for 60/70 euro (including a CLA and RF calibration!!!!!!!!!!!).I asked for how long they will repair the rf645 model and they answered:" We're still repairing 30 years old bronicas......."
hope it helps.........