Bronica RF645 100mm or 135mm - accuracy??

Hi,

Just a few qns about the longer lenses.

I am considering getting an RF645...........Any of you had experience with the 135 and 100 lenses? I am unsure as to whether getting a 135 and getting the lens matched to the individual (135 framed) body would be the way to go or get a 100 framed body and the 100mm lens. I would perhaps prefer the 135 focal length for portraits but am more concerned about reliable focus. I have heard that the 100 is a great lens and that it focuses more accurately than the 135, however, has anyone had their 135 lens and body calibrated ( such as thru Robert White - who would not sell you the 135 lens unless you arranged for this to be done as he did not want customers complaining about soft images!)

Anyone know if the UK distributer still inserts 100mm frames free?

If the 100mm lens solved the focus probs, then why, when Tamron is continuing the RF645 and 45mm lens (and axing all other cams), has the 100mm lens been discontinued???

(Just now won a RF645 on ebay - a steal! Now to sell other stuff to pay for it......)

Any comments would be appreciated greatly,

Tom

Tom,

I have one of the early RE 645 cameras when I bought it I got the 60 and the 45 and ordered the 135. It was actually the 100 mm that I ended up with and was not able to get the 135. I did not know it was available and have not seen one. In any case when I got the lense I did get the info that Bronica would adapt the model I had to the 100 mm lens. I have not done this. The adaption I believe changes the view finder fram to that of 100 unstead of 135. I have not had a problem and mentally adjust for the added "acreage" The focus is right on and I could not have been more pleased with this camera. I will in the near future get an additional body-maybe one for the 100.

One the 45 mm, in my mind one of the unsung classics to be, I rarely use the viewfinder attachment, I use the full window most of the time.

Has anyone out there seen the 135 lens? I also would be interested in that one.

Dave in Vegas

I recently picked up a 135mm for the RF645. They are out there but quite hard to find. I have read that Bronica only made 200 before discontinuing. I tend to use the 100mm more than the 135mm because it focuses closer. The 100mm focuses down to 1.2 meters, 135mm only down to 2 meters. For portraits this makes quite a difference. I figured I probably wouldn't see another 135mm for sale any time soon so I bought it. My camera is set up for with frame lines for the 100mm, I just imagine a smaller area for the 135mm in the 100mm frame lines.

I love the camera. I use it with 100mm lens more than any of the others. As far as discontinuing the 100mm lens, I would say that Bronica is just selling off the remaining stock of bodies and lenses. They probably ran out of 100mm lenses and still have some normals and wides to get rid of.

karl

Tom,

If you are at all apprehensive about the 645 body you just bought or if it is going to inhibit you in anyway financially, I will purchase it for 20% over your cost plus shipping.....I am looking for a second body...

Dave in Vegas

Dave, thanks for the offer. I am confident however, that the RF645 represents about the ideal MF travel camera for me (assuming mine turns out to be OK)! Ergonomically superb, smaller than M7II, far cheaper, more solid, more shots (which are big enough for low grain prints but small enough with the right film/dev for nice and grainy street shots (unlike a 6x7 neg, which can be hard to find grain with unless you try hard). I would at a later date try to get a second body too. I would keep a 400 speed film in one and Pan F in the other, that way I can have as little or much grain as I could wish for. A friend has a M7II and the negs are stunning, however the lens stick out a long way, making it far bulkier than the Bronny. The M7 also does not fit my had well, whereas the RF645 is a glove-like fit. Seems like if you are happy with a vertical viewfinder and dont mind teh shutter wheeze, it is a steal! There are new 45mm lenses in the UK for £379! A used 50mm for the M7 never goes for less than £650........maybe a used RF45 could be had for £200?? Dont need to convince you tho! I just need to get hold of a 100 or 135 lens, the 45 being easier.

I played with a RF645 in shop a while back and it made a hell of an impression on me. A real extension of ones hand!

Tom,
I bought my camera here locally when they first came out. They recently informed me that Tamron had them return all Bronica equipment and they were credited for it. I was told that I might have better luck in Europe than in the U.S. finding lenses and bodies on the shelf. Maybe some European APuggers out there can shed some light on that?

All said the 65 mm is a very good all round lens and I have done some full body portraits with it....also get the little flash if you can find one.

Dave--Try www.robertwhite.co.uk. They were carrying the Bronica 645RF for a while (though I haven't checked over there lately, since the dollar has been so weak against the pound). It seems like a neat camera.

Thanks Dave, I'll do that today, looks like you are burning the midnight oil. I'd like to start another discussion on folders like the one you have....I've tried to get one a few times on ebay, but no luck so far. I guess heliar is the desired lens over the color skopar, there are also some neat looking Z. Ikon folders up from time to time.

Checked with Robert White...he does have the 65 mm lens and the 45 mm lens and also the kit i.e. camera body with lens--about 1100-1200 U.S. for the kit...maybe this is the only way I don't know....I paid a little less than that when the camera first came out-Educator's discount through Tamron-I was teaching photography at the community college at the time....It looks like I will have to hang in their as Tom did and grab an ebay bargain.

There are some RF645 bits about and used. Bodies alone are not available anywhere , but body plu 65 and the 45 are freely available in the UK for now.....

I have not seen longer lenses for sale very often at all and would snap one up if I could. I will prob get a new 45mm while I can (what I am going to sell to pay for all this I dont know, but I will have to get hacking thru my remaining kit!) and then wait for a used 100 or 135, whicever comes up first.

If the RF20 flash good then?

Any quirks/issues I should be aware of for the camera?

Tom

The flash is excellent---and for the 45 i hardly ever use the viewfinder attachment...just keep it in my pocket....the lens is sharp wide open.