Yet another RF645 review

[_lou_]

Hi folks,

I spent some spare time today putting together my thoughts on the Bronica RF645 system. I've recently used this camera quite extensively, and have owned RF645s for several years now. So here it goes, I hope you enjoy it :
http://lou.jottit.com/rf645

Constructive feedback is welcome !

Lou

 

[mfogiel]

A Fair review. Here are my 2 cents:
- VF patch is a PITA, and the best way to focus is looking for alignment of images on the edge (top or bottom) of the patch, but this could have implications for RF accuracy. In general, the RF is the weakest part of this camera.
- ergonomics and logic of control placement is fantastic. The camera simply is a joy to operate (apart the RF story as above)
- the lenses are very good, and what I like particularly is a combination of great flare resistance with wonderful shadow detail. I shoot B&W only, and find these lenses particularly suited, probably more so than Hasselblad lenses, which are more contrasty.
- the 100mm is a great lens, providing you don't pretend to shoot it wide open close up. I find actually, that 100mm on 645 is a great angle of view, and in tandem with the 65mm you are covered for most situations. In fact, I normally use 1 body with the 65 and another with the 100 when on a stroll.
I scan my negs with Nikon CS 9000 and can confirm, that you can get quality enlargements up to 16x20 inches at least.

This was shot with the 100 mm

MF20132816 by mfogiel, on Flickr

 

[RObert Budding]

Hi folks,

I spent some spare time today putting together my thoughts on the Bronica RF645 system. I've recently used this camera quite extensively, and have owned RF645s for several years now. So here it goes, I hope you enjoy it :
http://lou.jottit.com/rf645

Constructive feedback is welcome !

Lou

"First the film advance can get bad, and in the worst case imply opening the camera in the dark to salvage film. Normally only one lever strike advances the film to the next frame. When the camera starts developping the problem, it requires several strokes to get there, and the amount of required strokes increases as you reach the end of the film."

I absolutely loved the Bronica RF645 lenses (the 100mm was my favorite). But I sold the system because of the flaky film transport. I had it replaced once under warranty, but it started acting up again within a year. Great lenses - too bad the reliability is poor.

 

[_lou_]

I sometimes wonder whether I would be better off with a Mamiya 6, since there is a guy repairing them not too far from where I live, but I read they also have their share of problems.

 

[jmilkins]

Thanks for the review- often had GAS for this cam but haven't stepped beyond the Fujis.

 

[Steve M.]

Nice review. Got any sample photos from yours?

I used to shoot the Fuji plastic fantastic 6x4.5 rangefinder cameras, and they were a lot of fun (and cheap). The shutters are the weak links on them, and from what I've seen online the Bronica glass is a lot better. KEH finally refunded my money on one that I kept having to send back due to the shutter. They said they did not have any parts to fix it anymore.

 

[mfogiel]

This is another example, of how good the lenses are - 65/4 with the sun blasting at the edge of the frame:

MF20140310 by mfogiel, on Flickr

 

[Spanik]

Mostly agrees with my experience of the camera:
- best ergonomics I found in a medium format camera
- great optics
- but too limited focal lengths and having to use an auxillary finder for the 45 is a pita
- vertical alignment is too fragile, just transporting it from the shop after alignment (in a bag in the car) is enough to get it out of alignment
- too easy to change the exposure compensation
- lens hoods are too flimsy