The Bronica RF645... At Last

[cobbu2]

Since I first saw the ad in the February 2001 issue of Shutterbug, I wanted one. 19 years later (yesterday actually), the wish has finally been fulfilled. I went out and about the neighborhood last night (pics forthcoming) and it turned out to be everything I expected... intuitive controls, comfortable in my hand, smooth focusing, quiet shutter, smooth film advance, excellent viewfinder focusing and display, the list goes on.

I’ll most likely be looking for the 45/4 lens soon.

 

[craigclu]

Love mine, too. Great images, well built and easy to operate. Almost has the fondle-factor of a Leica. Enjoy!

 

[cobbu2]

Thanks Craig, I quite agree. From examples I’ve seen and what I’ve read, the lenses are super sharp. When you look at pictures of the camera, it seems plasticky, but in real life its solid build quality is readily apparent.

 

[jimjm]

It's one of my favorite cameras. The meter is excellent and lenses are very sharp.
I've been using it as my primary camera for hiking and backpacking for years, and it's held up fine.

 

[cobbu2]

Outstanding shot Jim, it highlights the sharpness capability of its lenses. Its compact size for traveling was another one of the deciding factors for wanting one.

 

[Tony-S]

Yup, awesome camera.

RF645-7 by Tony, on Flickr

Joe Wright Creek, Poudre Canyon, Colorado 3 by Tony, on Flickr

Tour de Fat, Fort Collins, 2013-3 by Tony, on Flickr

 

[cobbu2]

All nicely done Tony. These provide confirmation it was money well spent.

 

[jimjm]

Outstanding shot Jim, it highlights the sharpness capability of its lenses. Its compact size for traveling was another one of the deciding factors for wanting one.

Thanks! In terms of size and weight, the RF645 is about the same size and weight as a Nikon F100. The larger negative is a huge plus in terms of image quality.

 

[RedSun]

The RF weighs 810g. The lens weighs 300g. To a total of 1,110 grams.

The ETR-Si, along with the PE 75mm, film back and WLF total weighs about 800 grams. Of course it adds the bulks and weights with grip and prism finder. The ETR-Si + AE III + PE 75mm + grip weighs 1,750 grams.

 

[brian steinberger]

Congratulations on a great camera! I remember reading that issue of shutterbug and always dreamed of owning one as well. I’ve had mine since 2008 and accumulated the 45 and 100 lenses as well, and in 2012 added another body. It is my favorite handheld camera system by far. Enjoy!

 

[cobbu2]

The RF weighs 810g. The lens weighs 300g. To a total of 1,110 grams.

The ETR-Si, along with the PE 75mm, film back and WLF total weighs about 800 grams. Of course it adds the bulks and weights with grip and prism finder. The ETR-Si + AE III + PE 75mm + grip weighs 1,750 grams.

I have the ETR and ETRS, both with AEII prism finders and speed grips and have travelled with them (one at a time). Even for MF SLRs, they are still easy travel systems. But I can’t wait to pack the RF645, not much bigger (if at all) than a DSLR.

Congratulations on a great camera! I remember reading that issue of shutterbug and always dreamed of owning one as well. I’ve had mine since 2008 and accumulated the 45 and 100 lenses as well, and in 2012 added another body. It is my favorite handheld camera system by far. Enjoy!

Thanks Brian! I still have that issue (one of the few I kept). It’s the black and white issue, fun to flip through every so often, especially to look at the ads and see just how expensive these cameras were when they were new!

 

[RedSun]

How do you plan to use this RF? What are the additional benefits of RF vs ETR? I see you save some bulk, but not the weight.

Also the lens costs like $500 a piece.

 

[cobbu2]

How do you plan to use this RF? What are the additional benefits of RF vs ETR? I see you save some bulk, but not the weight.

Also the lens costs like $500 a piece.

Street mostly. For me, the rangefinder easily lends itself to that genre (where I frequently use Leicas) along with being readily handheld and having a quiet shutter. The RF645 allows me to apply those characteristics to medium format film which brings results that I like. I've used other medium format cameras in street environments, however bulk and shutter noise detracted from the unobtrusiveness I sought. The RF645, for me, brings the best of all worlds to this situation.

 

[jimjm]

I've found that the RF645 is one of the few MF cameras I've used that's easily street-shootable. TLR's are to some extent also, but focusing with the waist level finder makes them slower to use.. The Bronica has a good RF patch and bright finder, plus all metering info within the viewfinder. The control layout feels very similar to most 35mm SLR's. As I mentioned before, size and weight with a standard lens is similar to a Nikon F100, around 1100g total.

The standard 65mm lens can be found for around a few hundred dollars, but the 45 and 100mm lenses are definitely still pricey. The results from these lenses are certainly worth the cost, IMHO.