OK. So you want to move up from 35mm to medium format and are on a budget or you want something that’s (relatively) light and easy to use>
Then look no further than the Bronica RF645. This is a RangeFinder camera that takes 6x4.5 cm negatives or slides for super quality pictures, hence the name RF645.
It looks and handles like a big SLR camera so is easier to use on the move unlike the big ‘boxy’ medium format cameras that are the norm. My Bronica came with a 65 mm f 4 Zenzanon Lens, which is equivalent to a 40mm on a 35mm SLR. It is a super lens and can’t fault it.
I also purchased a flash which is specifically made for this camera, the RF20. Also available are 45mm and 100mm lenses.
As I said, this camera handles like a big SLR so if you have had experience with SLRs this camera will hold no fears for you. It is also fairly light for a camera of this type so is good when out and about taking landscape pics or for travel photography.
It has manual focusing, film advance and Manual (M), Aperture-priority AE (A), Program AE (P) metering. The flash syncs at all shutter speeds. Film size is 120 or 220.
It is a metal body construction giving a solid, dependable feel to it without being as heavy as its larger medium format cousins.
Drawbacks: being a rangefinder you can’t see the effect of a filter that’s mounted on the lens, could cause problems for some. A special polarising filter is made for this camera at a whopping 150 quid!!!!!!!!!!!!, so if you are into using filters in a big way this is not for you. Also using the 45mm wideangle lens means purchasing a separate hotshoe mounted viewfinder, more expense if you need this lens so bear this in mind.
This camera is not for everybody, as a rangefinder it is superb, it is great for when you want medium format quality with SLR portability. I do a lot of hill walking and travel photography where weight and ease of use is important, so its ideal for me, but would advise looking at and comparing with other cameras before deciding if this is for you. BTW the Price: £695.00
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I use a Bronica for weddings....not this model though.
thingywhatsit 02.03.2004 19:00
I remember my first Bronica. They were really good cameras. That takes me back in time. I had one of the ones that you look down into. If you set this out a little easier to read, I shall give you a VH but its a little hard on the eyes the way it is at the moment.
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