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Bronica 645 Rangefinder vs Fuji GA645?

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Sam Anderson

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Mar 17, 2002, 1:23:02 PM3/17/02
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Does anybody have experience with the Bronica 645 Rangefinder camera?  Please share your experience with this camera, expecially with the lens and meter performance.  I currently have a Fuji GA645 but I would like interchangeable lenses.  AF is not important to me.  Thanks!
 
Sam

Robert Monaghan

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Mar 17, 2002, 5:34:05 PM3/17/02
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see http://medfmt.8k.com/mf/bronrf645.html for related postings... HTH
bobm
--
* Robert Monaghan POB752182 Southern Methodist University, Dallas Tx 75275 *
* Third Party 35mm Lenses: http://people.smu.edu/rmonagha/third/index.html *
* Medium Format Cameras: http://people.smu.edu/rmonagha/mf/index.html *

Amr Ibrahim

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Mar 17, 2002, 7:56:47 PM3/17/02
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Sam:
 
With Bronica stopping its lens range to the 100mm, I would like to suggest keeping to the Fuji GA645Zi model.  Its zoom range is 55 to 90, well built and with legendry performance.  The performance of the other two Fuji GA series (the 60 and the 45) is also superb.  The price of the three models in the second hand market is very favorable nowadays.  I have experience with the three models, and you shall not be disappointed by them.
 
Enjoy.
 
AI
 
   
 
 

Sam Anderson

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Mar 17, 2002, 8:09:07 PM3/17/02
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Thanks for your input.  I currently have the GA645 (w/60mm) and you are correct about the performance.  I thought I might want more capability so I was considering the GA645Zi or the Bronica RF645.  I don't have experience with Bronica equipment but I know the resale on Bronica is not favorable.  With the GA645Zi I would have 55-90 but I don't know if that is enough to sell me though it probably is, especially for the right price.  Still debating the Zi or keeping what I have.
 
Sam

Amr Ibrahim

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Mar 17, 2002, 8:49:21 PM3/17/02
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Sam:
 
I would like to say that you shall not see a major difference in capabilities between the Fuji 645Zi and the Bronica.  The Bronica stops at 45mm, and ends with the 100mm; this is against 55 and 90mm for the Fuji.  Both are limited, and Bronica with its 135mm was supposed to have an edge; alas it did not happen.  May be Fuji is a tad slower at the long end, but a 400 asa slide film (I only shoot E6) will solve this issue.    Fuji has a built-in flash that is--as you know from the 60mm model--is very adequate for the fill-in flash as the well the autofocus as bonus.
 
The Z model shall make the 60mm redundant no doubt;  I still have the 60mm as it now became the camera that shall go anywhere that other MF should not go, e.g. canoeing, and skiing; I am also considering a retro move to monochrome and dedicate it as such.  If you do have a choice, go for the black model rather than the chrome.  It is a stealth camera indeed, and in travel photography it is "unmatched, and unparalleled".  The 45 mm is also fantastic for architecture photography, but may be you shall also consider it as redundant with the advent of the Z model. 
 
Enjoy. 
 
AI
   

David J. Littleboy

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Mar 17, 2002, 9:03:21 PM3/17/02
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"Sam Anderson" <sam.an...@snet.net> wrote:

>>>>>>>
Thanks for your input. I currently have the GA645 (w/60mm) and you are
correct about the performance. I thought I might want more capability so I
was considering the GA645Zi or the Bronica RF645. I don't have experience
with Bronica equipment but I know the resale on Bronica is not favorable.
With the GA645Zi I would have 55-90 but I don't know if that is enough to
sell me though it probably is, especially for the right price. Still
debating the Zi or keeping what I have.
<<<<<<<<<

For what it's worth, the rangefinder in the Bronica is _very_ nice. It's
orders of magnitude better than the RF on the Fuji GS645S, and much easier
to use than that on either the Voightlander Bessa R or Mamiya 7II. (Although
the Mamiya 7II on display at Yodobashi may be defective its so bad.)

Also, FWIW, I wasn't impressed with the range of the zoom on the GA645Zi. It
seems to me that it's a normal to normal zoom, not enough to make much of a
difference. And the lens is slow. If it were f/5.6 fixed aperture and 2x I'd
be less unenthused. The camera is, however, the most comfortable camera to
hold I've ever held in my (large and scrawny) paws.

David J. Littleboy
Tokyo, Japan


John Halliwell

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Mar 17, 2002, 8:50:13 PM3/17/02
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In article <jXal8.18522$Vl.10...@typhoon.austin.rr.com>, Amr Ibrahim
<aibr...@houston.rr.com> writes

> With Bronica stopping its lens range to the 100mm, I would like to
> suggest keeping to the Fuji GA645Zi model.

The 135mm appears to be still available from some dealers who claim to
be able to 'match' an individual lens to an individual camera. I haven't
looked into detail regarding this, and I'm not exactly sure whether it's
a definite fix for the problem or just a way to shift some 135mm lenses
in a more controlled way.

The RF645 has fallen dramatically in price in the UK over recent months,
now the body and 65mm lens cost around the same as the GA645Zi.

>  Its zoom range is 55 to
> 90, well built and with legendry performance.

My biggest problem with the zoom is it's slow apertures, especially at
90mm.

--
John

Preston, Lancs, UK.
Photos at http://www.photopia.demon.co.uk

Gregory Bates

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Mar 17, 2002, 9:42:19 PM3/17/02
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"Sam Anderson" <sam.an...@snet.net> wrote in message news:<aa5l8.7804$0N4.193...@newssvr10.news.prodigy.com>...
> --
Sam: The Bronica RF is a wonderful camera. I have had mine for 6
months and have made some great pictures. The camera can be set to do
manual exposure, aperture priority, and complete auto exposure. I use
it mainly in manual exposure as I like more control of the final
image. It comes with the standard 65mm lens which covers more of what
is used as the standard lens in other cameras and is great for street
or landscape. I also have the 45mm lens which is similar to the 28mm
of the 35mm camera and have recently sent the camera to the UK to get
fitted for the 135mm lens. The compact flash unit does a great job for
fill or small group pictures close in. The meter, in the manual mode
has been excellent and have made some great exposures. All adjustments
to the aperture or shutter speed can be made in the viewfinder which
shows the settings and the meter reading without lowering the camera.
This camera will not have the spontaneity of the Fuji with the auto
focus and zoom lens, but will be great for anyone wanting a wonderful
"Leica like" tool for making photographic art. A sample of an image
made with this camera can be seen at:

http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=521101

Sam Anderson

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Mar 17, 2002, 9:42:04 PM3/17/02
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What sparked my interest in the Bronica was I found one with the 65mm lens
and the dedicated flash for less than $1300 US. Very tempting. But I am
starting to think the Bronica will be more bulky to carry and have poor
resale down the road. Also, with the main choices being the 45mm and 65mm
lenses I did not see enough range. I know there was the 135mm but they
recalled it since it was so poor a combination. They are just announcing a
100mm that may fill the need. However, even with the 100mm the total range
of the system is 45-100. I am leaning heavily to staying with the Fuji.

Thanks again!
Sam

"John Halliwell" <jo...@photopia.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:7VwONjAV...@photopia.demon.co.uk...

vol

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Feb 15, 2023, 2:31:11 PM2/15/23
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Hi this is such an ancient thread of discussion. How are you guys doing nowadays? Any places that you share your recent photos?
Thanks!
Jeff
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