Film cameras
Bronica RF 645 User manual
User manual for Bronica RF 645. 44 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
44 pagesEnglish3.3 MB PDF
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Document details
- Brand
- Bronica
- Model / document
- Bronica RF 645
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 44
- File size
- 3.3 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 3 · Read text
Thank you for your purchase of the Bronica RF645 medium format rangefinder camera. Incorporating the best of Bronica's know-
how and technological expertise, the Bronica RF645 achieves a new dimension in compactness as the world's first medium for-
mat camera to feature interchangeable lenses, and comes with a superb line up of lenses to take full advantage of the rangelinder
camera. The RF645 emploV$ manual film advance lever and dual-image superimposing rangefinder focusing for maximum user
control where it counts,while enhancing handling ease lvith Program AE, automatic shutter cocking via a motor incorporated in the
lens unit, and an automatic light shielding curtain to protect film as the lens being removed. This is a camera designed for the max-
imum enjoyment of photography in mind.
The features and handling procedures described in this owner's manual are based on use of the Bronica RF645 in combination
with the Zenzanon RF65mm f/4 standard lens. To obtain best results from your new camera, please read this instruction manual
carefully before use. With proper care and handling, the unit will continue to provide pleasure and performance for many years to
c0me.
In this package, along with the camera body and the standard lens, you will find the following accessories.
1) camera body cap RF (attached to the mount section on camera; remove when mounting a lens),
2) sync terminal cover (attached to sync terminal),
3) hotshoe cover (attached to hotshoe),
4) interchangeable eyepiece lens RF (-1) (attached to viewfinder eyepiece),
5) rubber eyecup RF (attached to viewfinder eyepiece),
6) protective sheet for light shielding curtain (attached to film aperture of camera. Remove prior to using camera.),
7) film take-up spool (installed in take-up side film chamber),
8) 1 camera strap RF (N),
9) 2 CR2 type 3V lithium batteries, and
10) 1 Owner's Manual (this booklet)
Note:The batteries included are intended for initial use, and the battery life may not be adequate for normal photographing. Please
be prepare to purchase a new set of batteries of the same type to ensure best results
www.butkus.usView original page 3Page 6 · Read text
Special Features of the Bronica RF 645
. A medium format coupled-meter rangefinder camera hold and protect internal mechanisms with precision in various, at
RF lightweight The Bronica camera 645 is a very compact and
larger area 2.7 times a picture with approximately than the 35-mm * timesRear covereven designadverse,providesoperatingsophisticatedconditions.controls with easy access
format. The superior portability and versatility of this model com- . and handling.
pared with other medium format cameras ushers in an entirelv new Switches and dials on the rear cover are grouped together on the
* Theworldremarkableof photographiclens shutterpossibilities..system tingsrear coverat a glance,for easyan extremelyhandling importantand to enablefeatureconfirmationfor use in the ofhandsset-
The #00 type lens shutter system devel- electronically-controlled
precise speed shutter oped for the Bronica RF 645 commands con- . ofShootingserious paramatersphotographers.of the camera are clearly indicated on the
trol and automatic cocking, as well as aperture control incorpo- internal viewfinder display panel.
rated within the shutter unit. The interface between the main cam- An oversized LCD panel is installed inside the viewfinder to dis-
era body and the lens are conducted by means of a series of elec- play constantly updated shooting status data such as shutter speed,
tronic contacts, resulting in high precision operation compared lens aperture, AE lock setting, exposure compensation setting, cor-
with conventional systems operated by mechanical couplers. rect exposure setting and exposure deviations of manually set expo-
lens is impressively The highly advanced stable shutter system
while free caused shock, it ensures synchro- by shutter and * sureEasy valuesAE lockandmethodso on.with continuous AE lock mem0ry system of jolts
' ticatednization flashwith anphotography.electronic flash at any shutter speed allowing sophis- Theinto memoryforanAE lock featureextendedof the Bronicatime withoutRF 645cancelingstores anitataexposureshutter valueclick. . Automatic light shielding curtain engaged during lens interchange The metered and stored exposure value can then be modified by the
A lens shutter camera with interchangeable lens capability would shutter speed and aperture combination variations, or even by com-
normally require a light shielding curtain to be activated manually pensating the stored exposure with exposure bracketing technique.
orior to detachment of the lens. The Bronica RF 645 has made such Note: Repeated activation of the AE lock memory may be limited by the remaining battery capacity.
Also, the AE lock memory will be automatically canceled if the power is switched off or unnecessary, steps complex and awkward enabling photographerst " camera is unused minutes. left lor five to focus itself. with the lens on the shooting In conjunction detachment operation, the light shielding curtain automatically cov- . The dedicated automatic flash unit that cross-couoles with the
ers the film aperture and locks into place. When the next lens is AE setting on the camera
mounted on the camera, the curtain automatically opens t0 pre- The dedicated AE flash unit, the Bronica Speedlight RF 20, spe-
. pareHi-techthemagnesiumcamera Jor thealloynextThixomoldingshooting. ciallycameradesignedcontrol forsystem.the RF645The unitcamerautilizesbody,the iselectroniccoupled contactswith the
The top cover of the Bronica RF 645, a lightweight and extremely of the hotshoe on the camera to transmit and receive lens aper-
sturdy camera, is manufactured with an advanced Thixomolding ture values, the aperture control signals and other control data,
technique. This technology enables a hard and rigid magnesium enabling the flash unit to compensate for the flash illumination
alloy to be molded into intricate and complex forms required to by a half stop within -3 to +2 exposure compensation range.View original page 6Page 10 · Read text
1-1 Loading batteries
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The RF645 will not function without bat- Loosely locked cover may open and shootino.
teries loaded. droo the batteries in the middle of a When " ;X' mark starts to blink on
'1 ) Appropriate batteries shooting session. the LCD, replace the batteries with a
Load two CR2 type 3-volt lithium bat- 5) Battery checking new set.
. I tery cells. Battery status, the proper battery posi- Low battery capacity may cause the "
2) Open battery chamber cover. tioning of the loaded Qatteries, and the camera to malfunction.
Pull down on the battery chamber lock remaining battery power;mgst be lf the LCD does not light up or it switch-
release and the cover will swing open. checked prior to operation of the cam-i es off shortly after depressing the shut-
3) Insert batteries. era. ter release button, the batteries must
Insert two cells of the same brand, Turn on the main switch and press light- be replaced with new ones.
' direction as shown in above drawing, lyindicatoron the lightsshutterupspeedon thedial.leftAnsideLCDof andDo notnewusebatteriesdifferenttogether.brands orSuchold
directing the plus (+) side toward the the vieMinder field to indicate the ooer- improper use of batteries will shorten
inside chamber. ational status of the camera. As long battery life and may cause battery leak-
4) Close the battery chamber cover. as a "04" mark does not appear on age or even explosion.
Close the chamber cover and make the LCD, the battery is properly loaded
sure the cover is securelv locked. and the battery power is sufficient forView original page 10Page 11 · Read text
I
?
fl 1-2 Attaching and detaching the lensI
s.
1-2-1 Atlaching the lens damages and/or leave stains on vital Refer to the instruction manual of the
1) Rotate the rear lens cap of the lens systems, leading to malfunctioning 45mm lens for more information.
counterclockwise about 70' , and lift of the camera. Note 3: When attaching or detaching lens-
it off when it comes to a mechanical 1-2-2 Detaching the lens es, do not use excessive force to rotate
stop. 1) Depressing the lens lock release but- or twist the lens.
2) Align the lens mounting index on the ton, rotate the lens barrel counter- Note 4: Never attempt to detach the lens
lens barrel with its counterpart on the clockwise, until it comes to a mechan- while the shutter is open in B (bulb)
camera body. Place the lens into the ical end. shooting.
lens mount on the camera body, and 2) Pull out the lens barrel from the mount Note 5: This camera employs a lens
then rotate the lens barrel clockwise of the camera. shutter, so normally the film would
until it clicks to a stop. Make sure the Note 1 : The 65mm and 135mm be improperly exposed when chang-
lens is locked in position before using. viewf rames in the viewfinder are auto- ing lenses. To prevent this, a light
Note: Do not touch the electronic con- matically switched as the respective shielding curtain is automatically
tacts, the rangefinder coupling roller, lenses are attached. drawn out by the lens detaching
or the light shielding curtain located Note 2:When mounting the 45mm lens, action, covering and protecting
around and behind the camera mount insert the dedicated vieMinder into the the film. Do not press or touch this
section. Contact with these mav cause accessorywww.butkus.ushotshoe on the camera body. curtain with fingers or sharp objects.
IView original page 11Page 12 · Read text
1-3 Attaching strap
1-4 Attaching the proper diopter adjustment lens
Plastic Ring
1-4 Attaching the proper diopterdiopter
adjustment lens
1) A set of nine vieMinder eyepiece lenses
are prepared as optional accessories,
1-3 Attaching strap from -5 to +3 diopter, including the nor-
Three camera strap lugs are provided with mdeyepiece lens of -1 diopterthatcomes
this camera. To carry the camera in hor- attached to the camera.
izontal position, attach the strap to the -5 -4 -3 -2 G1 ) 0 +1 +2 +3upper lugs on both sides. To suspend the close view * standard far viewcamera in a vertical position, use the upper -
and lower lugs on the right side of the 2) Detach the rubber viewfinder cup as
camera body. Follow the procedure illus- shown above, and slide the standard
trated above to thread the strap through viewfinder eyepiece lens out from the
the lugs and rings. eyepiece frame.
Note: Make sure the strap is properly 3) Replace the proper diopter adjustment
attached to the lugs orthe camera may eyepiece lens by sliding it into the eye-
be accidentally dropped. piece frame. Attach the rubber eyecup.
10View original page 12Page 13 · Read text
ilng shoot 2-1 Gheck battery capacity 2-2 Loading film
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2-1 Gheck batlery capacity batteries before the batteries must be 2-2Loading film
The Bronica RF 645 requires a set of replaced (under Bronica manufactur- 1) Choose a suitable film. The Bronica RF
batteries to function. since the camera er test conditions). 645 can take either 120 or 220 tiln
employs an electronically controlled shut- Note 2: Replace depleted batteries with type. 120 type of f ilm with light shield-
ter. new ones as soon as the battery warn- ing back paper takes 16 frames to a
1) Check the battery level before each ing mark begins to blink on the LGD. roll while the220 type without back
shooting session. Low battery capacity may cause the paper takes 32 frames to a roll.
2)Turn on the main switch and lightly camera to malfunction. To load the film, open the rear camera
press the shutter release button while Note 3: lf the LCD does not light up or cover and set the film type selection
looking through the viewfinder. The switches off shortly after depressing lever to either '120 or 220 position
battery power is at a satisfactory level the shutter release button, it is time according to the film to be loaded. Make
for shooting if the LCD on the left to reolace the batteries with new ones. sure that the film type display win-
side of the vieMinder turns on and the dow on the camera back shows the
does number you set on the lever. battery warning p3r.1a" D{ not appear. Note 1: Take the cover sheet attached to
Note 1: Approximately 100 rolls ot 120 the film gate section of the camera
type film can be shot on a fresh set of www.butkus.us before loading the very first roll
11View original page 13Page 14 · Read text
ro
3) lnstallthe film take-up spool in the right
hand film chamber, aligning the key-
hole of the spool shaft to the key of the
offilm you use. The cover sheet is pro- receptor shaft of the camera. Push up drawing. Ensure that the film leader
vided to protect the light shielding cur- the protruding film spool shaft into the rolls off the outer edge as shown
tain. . bottom plate of the camera until it locks instead of the inside edge of the film
Note 2: When loading a film, first attach into position. chamber. The inside black surface of
a lens on the camera body so that the the leader must face outward coming
light shielding curtain opens. This pre- out of the chamber. lf it faces inward,
caution will protect the light shielding roll back the film, turn the roll upside
curtain from any accidental damage. down and then reload into the film
2) Depress both left and right side film chamber. Push the fresh film spool
soool shaft lock release buttons with shaft into the bottom of the camera.
the camera back ooen. The shafts
pop downward f rom the bottom of the
camera and are identified by red rings.
4) Load a fresh roll of film into the left
hand f ilm chamber as illustrated in theView original page 14Page 16 · Read text
,:58
F 1;.^q
A - W
X
sure both film shafts are completely 0rocess.
pressed back into the camera bot- Film winding and ratcheted urind-
tom. ing lever
Caution: Be careful not to pinch your fin- The film can be advanced either in one
ger or hand between the back cover full stroke of the film advance lever of the
and the camera body as you open or Bronica RF 645 or in quick short repeat-
shut the cover. Be aleft to orevent the ed strokes. In both cases, the shutter can-
skin of the hand from being pinched not be operated untilthe film is completely
between the back hinge and one of the advanced to the next frame. lf advancing
strap lugs in the rear cover, and to pre- to the next frame is incomplete, an "X"
vent the palm from being pinched mark is displayed on the viewf inder
between the closing cover and the cam- LCD.
era body. Even minor pinching pains Note: Do not operate the film advance
may cause you to drop the equip- lever too quickly. Such forcible han-
ment and damage it. As an added dling may result in skewed film sur-
precaution, hold the camera in a secure face or uneven spacing between pic-
location during the film loading ture frames.
14View original page 16Page 17 · Read text
ring to shoot 2-3 Setting film speed 2-4Exposure Gounter
advanced to the first f rame, the exposure
counter displays "'1". The counter indi-
cates all odd numbers with consecutive
numerals and alleven numbers with dash-
es. After '16 pictures shot with 120 type
film, the film advance lever is released
from frame positioning lock and can wind
continually without stopping. The expo-
sure counter advances lo 17, -,19 and
stops only when the films trailing paper
is f ully wound into the take-up film cham-
ber. In the case of 220 type film, the rapid
2-3 Setting film speed speed setting dial automatically locks wind lever is released when the film is
1) To set the film speed, rotate the film as you reduce pressure on the release fully used, and the exposure counter
speed setting dial located on the rear button. displays E".
operational panel by pressing the film 2-4 Gheckthe number on the expo-
speed setting dial lock release button sure counter.
positioned at the side of the dial. 2-4-l Exposure Gounter
Adiust the speed number on the dial The exposure counter resets itselfto the
to the exposure index number of the "S" (start) position as the camera back is
film loaded in the camera. The film ooened. When the fresh film is loaded and
lS0 speed 25 32 40 50 64 80 100 125 160 200 250 320 400 500 640 800 1000 12501600
Film speed 25 | |50| |100I |200| |400| |800| |1600 scale dial
33 DIN speed 15 16 17 18 19 nwww.butkus.us21 n n 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32
15View original page 17Page 18 · Read text
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2-4-2 Film memo holder wound into the take-up film chamber. preparation for loading of the next
It may be necessary to reconfirm the type At that point, all the torque is removed roll of film.
of film being used in the heat of a photo from the film advance action. Note: When opening the camera rear cover
shooting session. To facilitate this, clip 2) Press the rear cover lock release of the for film loading and removal, avoid
off the top or bottom flap of the film box camera upward to open the rear cover. exposing the camera to direct sunlight.
and insert it into the memo holder locat- Press down on the film spool shaft lock Also, handle films in the shade at all
ed on the rear cover of the camera. Make release button and push the top o{ times.
sure to replace the film box flap when a the film spool lightly as illustrated
new roll of film is loaded. and remove the spool from the film
2-4-3 How to remoue a used roll chamber. Hold the film roll so that the
of film. film's trailing light shielding paper does
1 ) The film advdnce lever will be released not slacken, and seal the film tightly
lrom the frame positioning lock mech- with the adhesive paper band attached
anism and wind.continually after the to the film trailing paper.
16th frame in the case of 120 type film 3) Remove the empty film spool from the
and the 32nd frame in the case of 220 feeding side film chamber and trans-
type film, untilthe trai.ling paper is fully fer it to the take-uo film chamber in
* a'_<, ,y,' f.' 16View original page 18Page 19 · Read text
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3-1 Main switch 3-2-2 Holding the camera to obstruct the rangefinder view with
Turn on the main switch and take off the The Bronica RF 645 is a coupled rangefind- your fingers or the camera strap.
lens cap to prepare for shooting. er camera. lf the view of the rangefinder 3) Taking advantage of a tripod or a mono-
3-2-1 Viewfinder is obstructed by a hand or other object, p0d
1) Check whether the battery warning the camera cannot focus. The difference between sharp pictures
mark is displayed on the LCD displayed 1) Holding the camera for a vertical com- and shots blurred by a camera shake
to the left side in the viewfinder field. position is one second away. When using a 100-
Also confirm that the proper exposure Hold the camera normally as illustrat- mm lens. 1/100 sec. is the limitation
mode, shutter speed and aperture are ed, and a vertical picture can be pho- for holding the camera steady. A faster
set and displayed. tographed. shutter speed is strongly recommended
2) Bring your subject into focus in the 2) Holding the camera for a horizontal for shooting with a medium format
focusing frame. composition camera, since this unit is larger and
3)Compose a picture within the Hold the camera with your right hand heavier than a 35-mm camera. lf a
viewframe. and turn the camera 90 degrees as illus- shutter speed slower than 1/60 sec-
trated, orienting the camera grip toward ond is required when using a 65 mm,
the bottom. Rotate the focusing ring a tripod or monopod is highly recom-
with www.butkus.usyour left hand, being careful not mended.
17View original page 19Page 22 · Read text
3-3 Uiewfinder display
3-4 Exposure$ 3-4 $hutter dial and lens aperture operations
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3-4-1 Shutter dial and lens aper- settings.
ture operations The numerals 1 to 500 on the shutter
Photographing modes and the shutter speed dial represent shutter speeds or
speeds can be selected on the shutter exposure times expressed in reciprocals.
speed dial located on the top of the Bronica In other words, "500" actually means 1i500
RF 645 main camera body. "P" represents second and "60" is 1/60 second.
Program AE mode, "A" designates The lens aperture can be set by rotating
CD€ Aperture-priority AE mode, while "8" indi- the lens aperture ring. The 65mm lens
g) cates bulb mode, in which the shutter provides an aperture range of tl4 to 11132.
CD3 remains open as long as the shutter Between any two f-numbers, there is an
g) release button is pressed. The shutter dial intermediate stop. Align an f-number or
J(, is locked in these three positions to pre- an intermediate stop with the dis-
vent unintentional changing of the set- tance/aperture index line to set the aper-CJt33
CDt- ting. ature as required.
v) Press down on the shutter speed dial lock
release button while rotating the shutter
dial betweem these three shooting mode
20View original page 22Page 23 · Read text
3-4 Exposures
ng 3-4 Exposure Control Mode 3-4 Program AE mode
3-4-2 Exposure metering system and 1/500 sec. shutter speed. the shutter speed dial.
A light metering sensor located to the side Note 3: EV levelvaries when any film speed 1) Program AE mode
of the viewfinder objective lens measures other than lS0 100 is used, or exposure This is the preferred exposure control
the photographing area in five indepen- compensation is applied. For more details, mode when focusing on the sublect
dent segments and calculates the correct refer to the diagram on page 35. without paying too much attention to
exposure by a center-weighted multiple- 3-4-3 Exposure Gontrol mode detailed camera settings.
field comparative algorithm. The meter- The Bronica RF 645 provides three expo- To set this mode, rotate the shutter
ing system calculates the correct expo- sure control modes: the Program AE speed dial, depressing the shutter
sure based on the lens's photographing mode, the Aperture-priority AE mode and speed dial lock release button, to align
field, the brightness level of the photo- the manual exposure control mode. Any "P' mark to an arrow v' on the top
graphic subject, the contrast among of three exposure control modes men- cover. In this exposure control mode,
metering segments and miscellaneous tioned above can be selected and set using correct shutter speeds and lens aper-
factors to achieve the best photographic
image reproduction. Refer to Figres on PROGRAM LINE
page 36 for the metering pattern. ( rs0100, EV3-18 ) 1
Note 1: The impact on exposure settings
of any filters attached to the lens must be 12
taken into consideration to determine the 13
correct exposure when compensating for AV Aperture 14
the exposure determined by the external (4) 4
metering system ol the Bronica RF 645. 15 (s)
Note 2:The metering range of the Bronica 16
RF 645 is from EV 3 to EV 18 with the (6) 8 17
65mm standard lens at lS0 100. EV 3 (7) 11
(at lS0 100) is an exposure level desig- (8) 16 18
nated by a combination of tl4 aperture 't9
and 2 second shutter speed. EV 18 (at (sl 22 20
lS0 100) is an exposure level designat- (10) 32
ed by a combination ol tl22 aperture www.butkus.us Shutter speed 8 1/15 lm 160 1/125 1250 1/500
21View original page 23Page 24 · Read text
3-4 Exposures
AE modeI 3-4 Ex]rosure Gontrol Mode 3-4 Aperture priority ments. In the event that the photo-
graphic subject is not well lit, special
I attentionmatically selectedmust be shutterpaid to speed,the auto-or
blurring caused by camera shake may
I result. lf the illumination falls outside
the metering range, both the shutter
speed and lens aperture displays on
the LCD flash simultaneouslv.
Aperture priority AE mode 0utside the Shuiler Speed Range mffinumber is then manually set on the
lens aperture ring. For a shallow depth
of f ield to obtain an out-of{ocus back-
ground for portrait photography, select
a small f-number (a large lens open-
ing). Alternatively, to photograph the
background in sharp focus for land-
scape photography, for example, select
a large f-number (a small lens open-
2) Aperture priority AE mode ing).
This is an automatic exposure control The Bronica RF 645 controls the expo-t Program AE mode 0utside the Shuthr Speed Range ru tures for the desired exDosure are photographic situations. To set on stop increments. Carefully observe the { mode applicable to the most variable sure level in extremely precise 1/12-
selected and set by the camera's con- the mode, rotate the shutter speed dial automatically selected shutter speed
trol system. while pressing the shutter dial lock displayed on the LCD in the viewfind-
The exoosure level is controlled in release button, and align "A" mark to er when the subject area is compara-
extremely precise 1/12-stop incre- the arrow "V" on the top cover. An f- tively dark. lf a slow shutter speed that
22View original page 24Page 25 · Read text
3-4 Exposures
ing 3-4 Exbosure Control Mode 3-4 Manual Exposure Gontrol
may result in camera shake is shown,
precautionary measures should be 5EE tE5
taken such as mounting the camera on E LIf, .L't1 a tripod or placing the camera on a sta-
ble deck or against a wall, to avoid pick- M M
ing up such vibration and consequent
blurring.
To compensate for an automatically
determined exposure, please refer to
the articles 3-4-4 Exposure c0mpen-
sation and 3-4-5 AE lock. lf proper shut- Manual exposure (2EV under) Correct exposure
ter speed cannot be selectdd for the
manually set f-number due to sublect 3) Manual exposure control the camera body. LightlY Press the
brightness that is out of metering range, This exposure control mode is partic- shutter release button and an 'M" mark
the shutter speed display on the LCD ularly importantto those serious pho- with the set shutter speed and a numer-
flashes. tographers who intentionally determ ine al that indicates the deviation of the
specific shutter speeds and lens aper- manually set exposure level from the
tures in order to Produce creative metered exposure will appear on the
images. The Bronica RF 645 with its LCD panel in the viewfinder. Note:
extremely precise electronic shutter The exposure deviation indication is a
speed and lens aperture control sys- numerical expression of the difference
tems makes an ideal manual exposure between the manually set exposure
control camera. level determined by the combination
To set the manual exposure control ofthe set shutter speed and the f-num-
mode (from "P" or'A' modes), rotate ber and the exposure level determined
the shutter speed dial while pressing by the camera's metering and correct
the shutter speed dial lock release, and exposure calculation system. The expo-
align the desired setting f rom the sure deviation is indicated in 1/2 stop
"0" numeralswww.butkus.us1 to 500 (1 to 1/500 sec.) increments up to + 3 stops. When
with the arrow "v" mark on the top of is displayed there is no difference
23View original page 25Page 27 · Read text
3-4 Exposurs$ 3-5 Focusing
1) Press the AE L button for the second
time,
2) change the shooting mode on the shut-
ter speed dial, or
3) turn off the main switch of the cam-
era.
Note: lf the camera is left unused for ftve
mtnutes continuouslY, the AE lock
mem0ry will be automatically cleared.
3-4-5 AE lock
The AE lock system is a useful tool to
obtain the correct exposure 0n a limited
portion of the subiect area. Close in on
the subject and point the camera toward 3-5 Focusing
the area where the exposure must be cor- The Bronica RF 645 is a coupled-meter
rectly metered, then press the AE L but- rangeflnder camera in which focus is
ton. The metering system of the camera achieved by superimposing two viewfind-
stores the brightness level of that partic- er images obtained by two independent
ular portion of the subject and displays rangefinder windows.
an "AL" symbol on the LCD panel. The 1) Point the camera toward the subject
AE L button does not need to be pressed so that the focusing portion of the sub-
ject fits into the focusing frame of the continually to maintain the metered expo-
sure. The camera stores this metered viewfinder. When the subject is not in
brightness level for five minutes. To sharp focus, two PoorlY contrasted,
cancel the meter reading in memorY, partially overlapped images will be seen
in the focusing frame. choose one of the actions described below. www.butkus.us
25View original page 27Page 29 · Read text
leature$ Multiple
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4-1 Multiple exposure Multiple exposure Indicatrion ME button does not work
This feature enables the camera to expose as desired on one picture frame. Note film advancing. This will cause incor-
multiple images 0n one picture frame. 1: The ME button electronically can- rect film winding and cause a partial-
(1)Firstly, take an image that forms the cels out the shutter release button lock ly overlapped picture.
base of multiple exposures. system. Five second after pressing the Note 4: The ME button may be activated
(2)Looking through the viewfinder, make ME button, the canceling effect of the when the camera is operated without
sure the LCD panel is activated. Then ME button will be cleared, the shutter loading a roll of film. 0ne depresston
press the ME button on the back of the button will be locked, and the LCD on the ME button enables the camera
camera. Note: The ME button does not will switch off once again. to operate its shutter just one time.
work if pressed while the LCD Panel Note 2: There is no exposure compensa-
is not active. Press the shutter release tion feature in the Bronica RF645 for
button lightly and oPerate the ME multiple exposure mode.
button while the LCD is active. Multiple exposure therefore results in
(3)The second image is exposed on the overexposure. Exposure must be cal-
same picture frame as the shutter but- culated by the photographer in accor-
ton is clicked. Repeat (2) and (3) con- dance with image composition. Note
secutively to take as many exposures 3: Dowww.butkus.usnot press the ME button during
27View original page 29Page 32 · Read text
eatures 4-4 Long exposure photography 4-b Inlrared photography
The set lens aperture and the proper 4-4 Long exposure photography
photographing distance range dis- The longest nominal shutter speed of [[[ played on the LCD panel of the the Bronica RF 645 is eight full seconds.
Speedlight RF 20 are very useful in lf a longer exposure is required, set the
determining the manually controlled shutter speed dial on bulb ("8"). The elec- 7l
flash exposures. tronically control shutter system of the fi{'W
22 rerr a\l Ra1"l ,5 224). OtherExposureelectroniccompensation:flash featuresThe flash powerBronicaat RFone645secondstopsafterconsumingthe shutterbatteryclick
exposure of the Speedlight RF 20 can in bulb operation in order to conserve bat- 3222 16 11 ilYffi be compensated from -3 to +2 stop in tery. Still, it is strongly recommended to 1/2-stop increments according to the carry backup battery cells if repeated long g
. subject'sBacklit LCD:ref lectivity.For insufficient lighting, exposuresNote 1:The arevieMinderanticipated.LCD displays"BUL" 4-5 lnlrared Photography
the LCD panel of the Speedlight RF as the shutter dial is set on '8". To photograph with a monochrome
20 can be illuminated from the back Note 2: Never try to remove the lens f rom infrared film, follow the procedures
described below.* forllluminationbetter le.gibianglelity. adjustment:: Two the camera during a long exposure. (1)Focus normally. Note the location on
illumination angles for the 65 mm lens, the distance scale corresponding to
the normal illumination angle, and the distance scale index line.
the 45mm lens, the wide illumination (2)Rotate the focusing ring slightly to shift
angle, are provided with the Speedlight the focus point to the marked point
RF 20. with the "R" symbol adjacent to the dis-
Note: The illumination range of the tance index line.
Speedlight RF 20 is a verticatty-ori- (3)Attach an infrared filter on the lens and
ented rectangu lar area. shoot. Note: For more details, refer to
the infrared film instructions.View original page 32Page 33 · Read text
eatures 4-6 Depth of Field
f/8. The depth of field range of approx-
imately 2.5 to 4 meters is lound
between the pair of f/8 lines on the
HHHHlffifi''fift.UHHHH depth of f ield scale. The subiects with-
in these two distances will be Pho- 7'"oi3i3@
tographed in sharp focus. 0n the depth
of field table of the 65mm lens on page
32 22 1611 14 | ngrr re 22 32, the box located where the hori-
zontal line for 3 meters and the verti- 322216 11 8 5.6 1 cal column for f/8 intersect includes
Depth-of{ield range the distance range corresponding to at F/B the deoth of field of 252t0 3.71 meters.
4-6 Depth of Field Note: The depth of field tables other
Since the Bronica RF 645 is a coupled than the 65mm lens are Printed on
rangefinder camera comprising separate the instruction manual of each lens.
shooting and viewfinder optical systems,
the sharp focus range is not directly dis-
played in the vieMinder. The depth of field
must therefore be read from the depth
of field scale on the lens, or calculated
from the depth of field table on page 32.
(1)To read the depth of field on the lens,
focus on a subiect, then read two dis-
tances on the distance scale between
the pair of depth-of-field lines corre-
sponding to the f-number set on the
aperture ring. In the illustration above,
the 65mm lens is focused on a subiect
at 3 meters with its aPerture set at www.butkus.us
31 jView original page 33Page 35 · Read text
Troubleshooting
Betore taking your camera in for repairs, check your camera referring to the following table
When photographing
What's haDoeninq Viewtinder LCD Cause ol trouble Means to solve How to oDerate
Shutter release button No LCD indication Batterv drained Load new batteries,
depressed lightly but LCD lmorooerlv loaded batteries. Prooerlv reolace batteries,
doeq nnt lioht Main switch turned 0FF Turn 0N main switch
Shutter speed LC0 flashing Beyond exposure control range Change J-number setting When dark: 0pen aperture to smaller lnumber,
When brioht: Close aperture down to laroer f-number
Aperture & shutter Beyond metering range,
Flashing LCD warning speed tlashing Subiect too dark, Too dark: Use ohoto lamo, flash unil
Subiect too brioht Too brioht: Use ND filter Adiust exDosure bv ND tilter factor
Betlerv mark flashino Batterv drained Load new batteries
'P, A, or M'mark llashinq Camera set on lnllltiole exoosure (ME) mod( Cancel ME mode Press on ME butlon
AL mark indication Camera in AL lock mode Cancel AE lock mode Press AE L button lor second time, Turn OFF main switch,
after shooino in this mode Chanoe exDosure control mode.
"X" mark indication Camera temporarily inoperable,
Warning indications Film not wound to next trame, Wind raoid wind lever to end. .t, No film loaded, Load lilm, Use ME button for camera check without film, \
Lens not mount properly Replace lens correctly Check if lens lock release button in original position n
after lens mountinq. a; No LCD indication Batterv exhausted, Load new batteries.
Main switch turned 0FF Turn main switch 0N. \ "X" mark flashing Camera temporarily inoperable,
Shutter does not click Film not wound to next frame, Wind film, Wind raoid wind lever to end,
No film loaded, Load Jilm. Use ME button for camera check without film,
Lens not mount properly Check if lens lock release button in original position f,
Cause o{ trouble Reolace lens correctlv after lens mountino.
No LCD indication lnJinder LCD not activated. Press shutter release bufton
ME button does not work. again to activate LCD panel. ln-finder LCD turns itself off 6 sec. atter shutter
release button depression for saving energy.
Selftimer does not work Shutter dial set on "8" Change shutter dial position.
www.butkus.us
33View original page 35Related documents and language editions
From the M. Butkus archive. Original publisher and archive notices are retained.
Check the model and edition against your equipment.
PDF verified 2026-10-10.