For Sale FS: Bronica RF645 rangefinder + 45mm/65mm lenses kit (UK)

[Phil Hudson]

Selling my RF645 kit to concentrate on other formats.

It comes with the 65mm standard lens and the 45mm lens with external finder. The hood is interchangeable between the lenses.

In excellent condition, low mileage and working fine. There are a couple of small nicks in the rubber finish around the eyepiece but no dents, scrapes or other nasties. The lenses are clean and clear. Exposures and focusing are accurate.

This camera body serial begins 00 and it has the original 135mm framelines not the 100mm one (I have no experience with a 100mm or a 135mm lens). Original strap.

Asking £1650 GBP net to me plus shipping. Ideally I would like to sell this in the UK due to some concerns shipping this value overseas.

Thanks for looking.

 

[58Dave]

Hi Phil
I hope all is well! I have only stumbled on to the Bronica 645 recently and am quite intrigued by it. It seems to have so much of what I want in a medium format camera. Ih ave a couple of questions. For how long have you owned it and have you ever had any issue with the film advance? That is about the only mechanical issue I have read about with this camera, but it could be a rare occurrence amplified through the internet What make of camera doesn't occasionally suffer from film advance/shutter jamming issues?
Thanks!
Dave

 

[brian steinberger]

Dave, I can’t answer for Phil but I have had a Bronica RF645 that I’ve used hard since 2008. Run 100s, possibly 1000 or more rolls through it and it’s been just fine. No issues with advance. I just take it easy (same with my Mamiya 6). This is a great camera but I understand the concerns people have spending high dollar on a camera where repairability is a legit question. I actually have a backup body in mint condition waiting in case anything happens to the one I’ve been using. I take it out and shoot it a few times a year to keep it active. This is a great little camera!

 

[campy51]

Dave, I can’t answer for Phil but I have had a Bronica RF645 that I’ve used hard since 2008. Run 100s, possibly 1000 or more rolls through it and it’s been just fine. No issues with advance. I just take it easy (same with my Mamiya 6). This is a great camera but I understand the concerns people have spending high dollar on a camera where repairability is a legit question. I actually have a backup body in mint condition waiting in case anything happens to the one I’ve been using. I take it out and shoot it a few times a year to keep it active. This is a great little camera!

How would you compare using the Bronica with the Mamiya 5. I have the Mamiya 6.

 

[58Dave]

Hi Brian, Thanks very much for sharing your experience! Yes, looks like a jewel of a camera. I've shot 4x5 for years, but was looking for something more portable. I originally went from 35mm to 4x5, skipping over medium format. I have been very pleasantly shocked at the range and quality of analog cameras in this format.
Regarding the advance issue, I have only read one account of film advance issues, but the other mentions are all of the "although I've heard that....." type. I've heard a lot of things on the internet (;
Dave

 

[bmw760]

Hi Phil
I hope all is well! I have only stumbled on to the Bronica 645 recently and am quite intrigued by it. It seems to have so much of what I want in a medium format camera. Ih ave a couple of questions. For how long have you owned it and have you ever had any issue with the film advance? That is about the only mechanical issue I have read about with this camera, but it could be a rare occurrence amplified through the internet What make of camera doesn't occasionally suffer from film advance/shutter jamming issues?
Thanks!
Dave

Hi Dave
I think the earlier versions are prone to the tight shutter advance.
And also beware of rangefinder misalignment.
I had 2 of them. One had the issue another one doesnt have.

 

[Dismayed]

I purchased a new RF645 right around the time that Bronica was exiting the business. I loved the camera, but I had problems with the film advance. It was repaired once under warranty, and it worked fine for about 1.5 years. But then it started to get balky, so I sold the entire kit, including the 100mm, with full disclosure. Below is a link to a Flickr thread where someone claims to have found the source of the problem. Not all of the cameras have issues, but mine did. It is a fantastic camera, but I've moved on to a Mamiya 7 II.

https://flickr.com/groups/rf645/discuss/72157680563567745/

 

[Phil Hudson]

Hi Dave,

I have never had an issue with the film spacing in the time that I have owned it, although I did buy it used. I’m going to run a test film through it at the weekend just to make sure that nothing has changed since I used it last. I specifically bought it because I borrowed one and loved the handling and the native portrait orientation. It’s very intuitive to use and the lenses are excellent. I just find that I’m using 35mm more nowadays for on the go stuff. I’ll confirm the film spacing shortly.

Phil

 

[Phil Hudson]

I have just processed the film and can confirm that I have 16 sharp and well exposed images and no spacing issues.

 

[58Dave]

Hi Phil
Thanks for your follow up. I'm still mulling over my options for a medium format camera with a 'quicker shooting experience' than with my analog Alpa 12. The Bronica is certainly a really nice option. My impression is that the film advance/shutter issue is no more prevalent with this camera than those of other manufacturers. I'll get back to you if I'm interested in talking further.
Dave

 

[Phil Hudson]

Sold