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**ChrisPlatt** · 05-29-2008, 04:56 PM

The Bronica RF645 is a wonderful medium format rangefinder camera.

Do any of you forum members have one of these, or am I the only one?

Chris

benjikan · 05-29-2008, 11:49 PM

I have the Bronica ETRSi 645 system. Too bad the choice of Digital Backs are almost NULL. Otherwise, great system.

Ben

Talisker · 05-30-2008, 04:04 AM

I couldn't agree more. I have most of the system - body, 45, 65 and 100mm lenses and flash - absolute joy to use. Pity I could only afford it because Bronica went bust and the remaining stock was available at more or less half price in the UK.

**ChrisPlatt** · 05-30-2008, 04:02 PM

I have only the 65mm lens, and it is wonderful.
The dedicated flash is great, too.

Chris

Vertex Ninja · 06-11-2008, 08:59 AM

I'm buying one in the next week or so!!! Kit with the 65mm to start. First MF, can't wait!

Ben_Edict · 06-12-2008, 07:59 AM

Originally posted by ChrisPlatt

The Bronica RF645 is a wonderful medium format rangefinder camera.

Do any of you forum members have one of these, or am I the only one?

Chris

Chris, I had that camera for review, when it was released, years back. At that time I found it a joy to use, producing excellent results. But in my eyes it has one major design flaw: When you hold it as intended it shoots in portrait format, instead of the usual landscape format. For me that meant, going for Mamiya instead with the small MF system.

Ben

Talisker · 06-12-2008, 09:48 AM

Originally posted by Ben_Edict

But in my eyes it has one major design flaw: When you hold it as intended it shoots in portrait format, instead of the usual landscape format. .

Ben

I've never looked on that as a flaw - its just the way it is. They could have come up with some wierd and wonderful body design to give it a 'native' landscape format but it cost enough as it was. I'm normally in contemplative mode when I'm using rangefinders so I don't mind adding another step to the process for most of the shots...

Ben_Edict · 06-12-2008, 11:23 AM

Originally posted by Talisker

I've never looked on that as a flaw - its just the way it is. They could have come up with some wierd and wonderful body design to give it a 'native' landscape format but it cost enough as it was. I'm normally in contemplative mode when I'm using rangefinders so I don't mind adding another step to the process for most of the shots...

Neil, I can fully understand. It is really a personal thing. As I take most shots in landscape orientation, I found the RF645 just inconvenient to use. Perhaps it would have been better, if they had provided a shutter release on the right side (like those on battery grips for vertical shooting on 35mm cameras...)

I likes the camera very much, it really felt good - apart from the orientation, which was my decisive point.

Ben

**ChrisPlatt** · 06-12-2008, 04:34 PM

It's the nature of the beast. Only SLRs have native landscape orientation in 645, and all 645 SLRS are big, heavy, and noisy.
The RF design allows for a compact, slick-handling package. In use it is very much like a medium to large 35mm SLR.

I too had my doubts but was soon won over by the RF645's charms. I now find the portrait orientation an asset.
Most of us don't take near enough verticals. And I soon got used to using the Bronica for horizontal shots.
It's really no harder than shooting a vertical with the average 35mm SLR.

Chris

Vertex Ninja · 06-28-2008, 08:42 AM

I received mine about a week and a half ago. Took it to Chicago for the weekend and shot 6 rolls(2 slides, 2 color print, 2 B&W). All I can say is WOW! what an awesome little camera. So Light and easy to handle. The meter was as close to perfect as I could expect, only blowing highlights on a few frames. I brought my K10D as well, but never took it out of the bag.

At first I wasn't sure about it, mainly because it was my first time using a rangefinder, but after that first roll, I was in love. I actually like the portrait orientation and find that holding it in landscape is easier than holding most cameras in portrait... if that makes sense. As a matter of fact I bought this camera almost exclusively for landscapes, which I think it will do an amazing job at. I was surprised to find that it makes a great walk around camera too. So yeah... It rocks!

You can see some reduced size scans here. More to come when I get more time to scan them.

05-29-2008, 04:56 PM	#1
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,697	Bronica RF645 The Bronica RF645 is a wonderful medium format rangefinder camera. Do any of you forum members have one of these, or am I the only one? Chris

05-30-2008, 04:04 AM	#3
Talisker Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Isle of Skye, Scotland Photos: Gallery Posts: 262	The Bronica RF645 is a wonderful medium format rangefinder camera I couldn't agree more. I have most of the system - body, 45, 65 and 100mm lenses and flash - absolute joy to use. Pity I could only afford it because Bronica went bust and the remaining stock was available at more or less half price in the UK. Last edited by Talisker; 05-30-2008 at 04:05 AM. Reason: typo

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05-29-2008, 11:49 PM	#2
benjikan Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Paris, France Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,308	I have the Bronica ETRSi 645 system. Too bad the choice of Digital Backs are almost NULL. Otherwise, great system. Ben

05-30-2008, 04:02 PM	#4
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,697 Original Poster	I have only the 65mm lens, and it is wonderful. The dedicated flash is great, too. Chris

06-11-2008, 08:59 AM	#5
Vertex Ninja Inactive Account Join Date: May 2007 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 652	I'm buying one in the next week or so!!! Kit with the 65mm to start. First MF, can't wait!

06-12-2008, 07:59 AM	#6
Ben_Edict Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SouthWest "Regio" Photos: Albums Posts: 3,309	Originally posted by ChrisPlatt The Bronica RF645 is a wonderful medium format rangefinder camera. Do any of you forum members have one of these, or am I the only one? Chris Chris, I had that camera for review, when it was released, years back. At that time I found it a joy to use, producing excellent results. But in my eyes it has one major design flaw: When you hold it as intended it shoots in portrait format, instead of the usual landscape format. For me that meant, going for Mamiya instead with the small MF system. Ben

06-12-2008, 09:48 AM	#7
Talisker Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Isle of Skye, Scotland Photos: Gallery Posts: 262	Originally posted by Ben_Edict But in my eyes it has one major design flaw: When you hold it as intended it shoots in portrait format, instead of the usual landscape format. . Ben I've never looked on that as a flaw - its just the way it is. They could have come up with some wierd and wonderful body design to give it a 'native' landscape format but it cost enough as it was. I'm normally in contemplative mode when I'm using rangefinders so I don't mind adding another step to the process for most of the shots...

06-12-2008, 11:23 AM	#8
Ben_Edict Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SouthWest "Regio" Photos: Albums Posts: 3,309	Originally posted by Talisker I've never looked on that as a flaw - its just the way it is. They could have come up with some wierd and wonderful body design to give it a 'native' landscape format but it cost enough as it was. I'm normally in contemplative mode when I'm using rangefinders so I don't mind adding another step to the process for most of the shots... Neil, I can fully understand. It is really a personal thing. As I take most shots in landscape orientation, I found the RF645 just inconvenient to use. Perhaps it would have been better, if they had provided a shutter release on the right side (like those on battery grips for vertical shooting on 35mm cameras...) I likes the camera very much, it really felt good - apart from the orientation, which was my decisive point. Ben

06-12-2008, 04:34 PM	#9
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,697 Original Poster	It's the nature of the beast. Only SLRs have native landscape orientation in 645, and all 645 SLRS are big, heavy, and noisy. The RF design allows for a compact, slick-handling package. In use it is very much like a medium to large 35mm SLR. I too had my doubts but was soon won over by the RF645's charms. I now find the portrait orientation an asset. Most of us don't take near enough verticals. And I soon got used to using the Bronica for horizontal shots. It's really no harder than shooting a vertical with the average 35mm SLR. Chris

06-28-2008, 08:42 AM	#10
Vertex Ninja Inactive Account Join Date: May 2007 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 652	I received mine about a week and a half ago. Took it to Chicago for the weekend and shot 6 rolls(2 slides, 2 color print, 2 B&W). All I can say is WOW! what an awesome little camera. So Light and easy to handle. The meter was as close to perfect as I could expect, only blowing highlights on a few frames. I brought my K10D as well, but never took it out of the bag. At first I wasn't sure about it, mainly because it was my first time using a rangefinder, but after that first roll, I was in love. I actually like the portrait orientation and find that holding it in landscape is easier than holding most cameras in portrait... if that makes sense. As a matter of fact I bought this camera almost exclusively for landscapes, which I think it will do an amazing job at. I was surprised to find that it makes a great walk around camera too. So yeah... It rocks! You can see some reduced size scans here. More to come when I get more time to scan them.