RF645 > Mamiya 7II

Graham.b · Apr 9, 2009

Evening all, has any one ever traded up to the 7II. The reason is as the 100mm for the Bronica is chickens teeth, limited to one lens unless i get the 45.
As much as like my RF lens is the issue here.

Graham

Tom Kershaw · Apr 9, 2009

Graham,

I have seen the Bronica RF645 100mm lens listed on Ffordes.co.uk a few times.

Tom.

Graham.b · Apr 9, 2009

Tom i have to but it is in and out faster than the dial of the phone. I have put a wish list for it.

Graham

brian steinberger · Apr 9, 2009

If telephoto is your needs then the M7II would be a better choice, but then again if telephoto is your need, then you should look SLR, as telephoto is a RF weakness,

Anyway, overall I think the Bronica RF645 is a nicer camera to handle and use. I've used both, still own the RF645 and also own a Mamiya 6 (pretty much same as the 7). The one thing I really enjoy about the Bronica is when used in aperture priority mode, you can click in half stops and the shutter speeds will also fire in half stops. The M7II will not. I also think the metering is superior on the RF645.

If you're going for a wider range of lenses or a larger negative, certainly the M7II is a better choice, but for ease of use and a solid one medium format rangefinder kit, I would spend the money on a 100mm for the RF645. And also, get the 45! What a wonderful lens! Good luck with your decision.

brian steinberger · Apr 9, 2009

brian steinberger said:
The one thing I really enjoy about the Bronica is when used in aperture priority mode, you can click in half stops and the shutter speeds will also fire in half stops. The M7II will not.

I just wanted to clarify that on the Mamiya 7II you CAN use apertures in between the whole stop clicks, but the shutter will not fire in half stops.

Graham.b · Apr 9, 2009

Hello Brian, i do not want to get rid of the RF, i use it more than any other camera that i own. The negs are just great, as said it is getting that 100. Not the be all but there are time's when it would have came in very handy.
It was just a thought. The RF will stay and i will carry on looking for that infamous lens.

Regards Graham

karl · Apr 9, 2009

Prices have really come down on the 100mm. I should have sold mine when they were going for $1200. I put the whole kit including the 135 and 100 on Ebay a few months ago. The 100 went for $765. I just wasn't using the camera as I'm happier with my Hasselblad these days.

MikeSeb · Apr 9, 2009

@Brian, if the Mamiya 7 is operated in auto-exposure mode, then the shutter speed fires at whatever speed is needed, even intermediate speeds between the marked major increments. This does not read in the finder display, however.

You are correct that in manual mode, it will not fire in intermediate speeds.

brian steinberger · Apr 9, 2009

MikeSeb said:
@Brian, if the Mamiya 7 is operated in auto-exposure mode, then the shutter speed fires at whatever speed is needed, even intermediate speeds between the marked major increments. This does not read in the finder display, however.

You are correct that in manual mode, it will not fire in intermediate speeds.

Michael, is this true of the 6 as well? How would you know if it's firing at intermediate shutter speeds?

MikeSeb · Apr 9, 2009

brian steinberger said:
Michael, is this true of the 6 as well? How would you know if it's firing at intermediate shutter speeds?

I've never used the Mamiya 6 so I have no idea if it holds true for that camera too.

I don't think there's any way to know whether the shutter is firing at intermediate speeds. Certainly, there's no viewfinder display indication that it does so. But I am certain that it is capable of doing so.

j_landecker · Apr 10, 2009

From the Mamiya website, under the heading "Automatic and Manual Control Metering", it states that exposure in AE mode is in 1/6 stop increments (for the 7, don't know about the 6).

craigclu · Apr 11, 2009

Graham, I have both cameras.... I use the Bronica more as the vertical format seems to fit more applications that I'm in (people shots). I don't tend to print over 8X10 very often anymore and there is an almost imperceptible difference at that enlargement size between the cameras. While not cheap feeling, the Mamiya isn't as tactiley gratifying as the very solid feeling Bronica. When I added the Mamiya a few years back, I did some side by side comparisons and determined that the optics were comparable but at 11x14 and up, the format advantage can be seen with the Mamiya. The Mamiya is certainly a more complete system to buy into and grow with, especially in wider focal lengths but the 45mm on the Bronica has served me well and I don't yearn for another wide angle as it covers my duties nicely.

A couple of years ago, I got pressed into a wedding as a last minute emergency. I used the two systems that day and the couple's 8x10 album would have anyone guessing at which shots came from which camera. If your duties mirror mine in some way, I'd say to be happy with what you own but if you tend toward larger prints and projects, the Mamiya would give some performance advantage. Also, consider the format orientation for your intended use... I wouldn't have thought about that aspect if I didn't have both and keep reaching for the Bronica for my duties, many times based upon that detail alone. If you tend toward field/landscape applications, this would likely be the opposite for you. I had some knee surgery about 4 years ago and am only now returning to some hiking capabilities. I would be taking the Mamiya stuff for that and the Bronica would stay home, for instance.

Robert Budding · Apr 11, 2009

I sold my RF 645 and my 45mm, 65mm, and 100mm lenses and bought a Mamiya 7II. The Bronica was a nice camera, but I was able to sell my 100mm lens for a $500 profit, so why not? Also I lost faith in the Bronica's film transport. I had it replaced once under warranty, and I read that a number of owners had similar problems. It was a nice camera, but I don't regret selling it - I am very happy with the Mamiya.

KenR · Apr 11, 2009

Dog of a Bronica

I had nothing but problems with my RF645, which I sold after a year. It spent more time in the shop than in the field - a loose battery cover rendering the camera worthless, transport failure while hiking in the Rockies rendering the camera worthless and rangefinder alignment that came out of alignment if you touched the camera. I bought a Mamiya 6 which I have been quite happy with.

Robert Budding · Jul 1, 2009

KenR said:
I had nothing but problems with my RF645, which I sold after a year. It spent more time in the shop than in the field - a loose battery cover rendering the camera worthless, transport failure while hiking in the Rockies rendering the camera worthless and rangefinder alignment that came out of alignment if you touched the camera. I bought a Mamiya 6 which I have been quite happy with.

See what I mean about the transport? That's going to be a tough one to fix when service parts are unavailable!

brian steinberger · Jul 1, 2009

I guess there are "lemons" to any product. I have nothing but great things to say about my RF645. It's hiked hundreds and hundreds of miles in the mountains with me over my shoulder or in my camera bag and never had any problems with it. It is my favorite camera, although I'm loving my Mamiya 6 more and more every day!

Robert Budding · Jul 1, 2009

Yes, I really liked using my RF 645. Excellent lenses, nice ergonomics. But I also need to have confidence in my gear. And it looks as if Bronica may have under-engineered the film transport. I hope folks who continue to use them experience years of trouble-free operation.

RF645 > Mamiya 7II

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