Tamron BRONICA RF645 Owner Manual

RF645

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 format 6 x 4.5 rangefinder camera to feature interchangeable lenses, and comes with a superb line up of lenses to take full advantage of the rangefinder camera. The RF645 employs manual film advance lever and dual-image superimposing rangefinder focusing for maximum user control where it counts, while enhancing handling ease with Program AE, automatic shutter cocking via a motor designed for the maximum 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 come.

Special Features of the Bronica RF645 Nomenclature

1. Getting Started 1-1 Loading batteries 1-2 Attaching and detaching lens 1-3 Attaching strap 1-4 Attaching the proper diopters adjustment lens

2. Preparing to Shoot 2-1 Checking the battery capacity 2-2 Loading film 2-3 Setting the film speed 2-4 Exposure counter, Film memo holder,

How to remove a used roll of film

3. Shooting 3-1 Main switch 3-2 Viewfinder, Holding the camera 3-3 Shutter release button,Viewfinder display 3-4 Exposures

3-4-1 Shutter dial and lens aperture operation 3-4-2 Exposure Metering system 3-4-3 Exposure control modes

1) Program AE mode

2) Aperture-priority AE mode

3) Manual exposure control 3-4-4 Exposure compensation 3-4-5 AE lock

3-5 Focusing 3-6 Automatic parallax compensation

4.Other features 4-1 Multiple exposures 4-2 Self-timer 4-3 Electronic Flash photography 4-4 Long exposure photography 4-5 Infrared photography 4-6 Depth of Field

5. Troubleshooting

6. References

7. Specifications

8. Preliminary checklist

9. Enduring years of enjoyment through proper care and handling

3, 4 5, 6

6, 7 7, 8

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9, 10,11

12, 13

13 13, 14 14, 15

15, 16

16 17, 18

18 18, 19

19 19, 20

20, 21

21 22, 23

25, 26,27

28 29, 30 31, 32 32, 33

Contents Page

Special Features of the Bronica RF 645

·A medium format coupled-meter rangefinder camera.

The Bronica RF 645 is a very compact and lightweight camera with a picture area approximately 2.7 times larger than the 35mm format. The superior portability and versatility of this model compared with other medium format cameras ushers in an entirely new world of photographic possibilities.

·The remarkable lens shutter system

The electronically controlled #00 type lens shutter system developed for the Bronica RF 645 commands precise shutter speed control and automatic cocking, as well as aperture control incorporated within the shutter unit. The interface between the main camera body and the lens are conducted by means of a series of electronic contracts, resulting in high precision operation compared with conventional systems operated by mechanical couplers. The highly advanced lens shutter system is impressively stable and free of jolts caused by shutter shock, while it ensures synchronization with an electronic flash at any shutter speed allowing sophisticated flash photography.

·Automatic light shielding curtain engaged during lens interchange.

A lens shutter camera with interchangeable lens capability would normally require a light shielding curtain to be activated manually prior to detachment of the lens. The Bronica RF 645 had made such complex and awkward steps unnecessary, enabling photographers to focus on the shooting itself. In conjunction with the lens detachment operation, the light shielding curtain automatically covers the film aperture and locks into place. When the next lens is mounted on the camera, the curtain automatically opens to prepare the camera for the next shooting.

·Hi-tech magnesium alloy Thixmolding

The top cover of the Bronica RF 645, a lightweight and extremely sturdy camera, is manufactured with an advanced Thixmolding technique. This technology enables a hard and rigid magnesium alloy to be molded into intricate and complex forms required to hold and protect internal mechanism with precision in various, at times even adverse, operating conditions.

·Rear cover design provides sophisticated controls with easy access and handling.

Switches and dials on the rear cover are grouped together on the rear cover for easy handling and to enable confirmation of settings at a glance, an extremely important feature for use in the hands of serious photographers.

Special Features of the Bronica RF 645

·Shooting parameters of the camera are clearly indicated on the internal viewfinder display panel.

An oversized LCD panel is installed inside the viewfinder to display constantly updated shooting status data such as shutter speed, lens aperture, AE lock setting, exposure compensation setting, correct exposure setting and exposure deviations of manually set exposure values and so on.

·Easy AE lock method with continuous AE lock memory system

The AE lock feature of the Bronica RF 645 stores an exposure value into memory for an extended time without canceling it at a shutter click. The metered and stored exposure value can then be modified by the shutter speed and aperture combination variations, or even by compensating the stored exposure with exposure bracketing technique.

Note: Repeated activation of the AE lock memory may be limited by the remaining battery capacity.

Also, the AE lock memory will be automatically cancelled if the power is switched off or

camera is left unused for five minutes.

·The dedicated automatic flash unit that cross-couples with the AE setting on the camera.

The dedicated AE flash unit, the Bronica Speedlight RF 20, specially designed for the RF645 camera body, is coupled with the camera control system. The unit utilizes the electronic contracts of the hotshoe on the camera to transmit and receive lens aperture values, the aperture control signals and other controls data, enabling the flash unit to compensate for the flash illumination by a half stop within -3 to ±2 exposure compensation range.

Nomenclature

Shutter speed dial

Film advance lever

Shutter release button

Shutter speed dial lock release button

Hotshoe

Strap lugs

Rear cover lock release

Selftimer indicator

Lens lock release button

Fiber thread

Lens

Lens hood attachment

Index

Focusing ring

Depth of field scale

Distance scale

Aperture ring

Exposure meter window

Finder

Light intake window

Rangefinder window

Exposure compensation

dial scale

Exposure compensation

dial index

Exposure compensation dial

Selftimer indicator

Multiple-exposure (ME)

button

Selftimer starting

button

Viewfinder eyepiece

Rubber eyecup

Film type

display window

Film memo holder

Strap lugs

Spool holder

Lens

Film speed setting dial

lock release button

Battery chamber

lock release

Film speed setting dial

Film speed dial index

Trip od soc ke t

Battery chamber

Spool holder

Main switch

AE lock button

Nomenclature

Lens mounting index

(camera body)

Rangefinder

coupling roller

Electronic contacts

(camera body)

Light shielding curtain

Flash synch terminal

Lens Lock pin

Lens lock release button

Rear cover

Pressure plate

Film spool shaft lock

release button

Spool holder

Film start alignment mark

Film type selection lever

Printed circuit cable

Film pressure spring

Light shielding curtain

1. Getting Started 1-1 Loading Batteries

The RF645 will not function without batteries loaded.

1. Appropriate batteries Load two CR2 type 3-volt lithium battery cells.

2. Open the battery chamber cover Pull down on the battery chamber lock release and the cover will swing open.

3. Insert batteries Insert two cells of the same type of batteries in the same direction as shown in drawing, directing the plus (+) side toward the inside chamber.

4. Close the battery chamber cover Close the chamber cover and make sure the cover is securely locked. A loosely locked cover may open and drop the batteries in the middle of a shooting session.

1. Getting Started 1-1 Loading Batteries

5.Battery Checking Battery status, the proper battery positioning of the loaded batteries, and the remaining battery power, must be checked prior to operation of the camera. Turn on the main switch and press lightly on the shutter speed dial. An LCD indicator lights up on the left side of the viewfinder field to indicate the operational status of the cam era. As long as a "dead battery" mark does not appear on the LCD, the battery is properly loaded and the battery power is sufficient for shooting. * When "dead battery" mark starts to blink on the LCD, replace the batteries with a new set. Low battery capacity may cause the camera to malfunction. * If the LCD does not light up or switches off shortly after depressing the shutter release button, the batteries must be replaced with new ones. * Do not use different brands or old and new batteries together. Such improper use of batteries will shorten battery life and may cause battery leakage or even explosion.

1. Getting Started 1-2 Attaching and detaching the lens

1-2-1 Attaching the Lens

1. Rotate the rear lens cap of the lens counter-clockwise about 70º, and lift it off when it comes to a mechanical stop.

2. Align the lens mounting index on the lens barrel with its counterpart on the camera body. Place the lens into the lens mount on the camera body, and then rotate the lens barrel clockwise until it clicks to a stop. Make sure the lens is locked in position before using.

Note: Do not touch the electronic contacts, the rangefinder coupling roller, or the light shielding curtain located around and behind the camera mount section. Contact with these may cause damage and/or leave stains on vital systems, leading to malfunctioning of the camera.

1-2-2 Detaching the Lens

1. Depressing the lens lock release button, rotate the lens barrel counter-clockwise, until it comes to a mechanical stop.

2. Pull out the lens barrel from the mount of the camera.

1. Getting Started 1-2 Attaching and detaching the lens

Note 1: The 65mm and the 100mm viewframes in the viewfinder are automatically

switched as the respective lenses are attached.

Note 2: When mounting the 45mm lens, insert the dedicated viewfinder into the accessory

hotshoe on the camera body. Refer to the instruction manual of the 45mm lens for more information.

Note 3: When attaching or detaching lenses, do not use excessive force to rotate or twist

the lens.

Note 4: Never attempt to detach the lens while the shutter is open in B (bulb) shooting. Note 5: This camera employs a lens shutter, so normally the film would be improperly

exposed when changing lenses. To prevent this, a light shielding curtain is automatically drawn out by the lens detaching action, covering and protecting the film. Do not press or touch this curtain with fingers or sharp objects.

1. Getting Started 1-3 Attaching strap

1. Getting Started 1-4 Attaching the proper diopter adjustment lens

1-3 Attaching the Strap

Three camera strap lugs are provided with this camera. To carry the camera in a horizontal position, attach the strap to the upper lugs on both sides. To suspend the camera in a vertical position, use the upper and lower lugs on the right side of the camera body. Follow the procedure illustrated above to thread the strap through the lugs and rings. Note: Make sure the strap is properly attached to the lugs or the camera may be accidentally dropped.

1-4 Attaching the Proper Diopter Adjustment Lens

1. A set of nine viewfinder eyepiece lenses are prepared as optional

accessories, from -5 to ±3 diopter, including the normal eyepiece lens of -1 diopter that comes attached to the camera.

2. Detach the rubber viewfinder cup as shown above, and slide the

standard viewfinder eyepiece lens out from the eyepiece frame.

3. Replace the proper diopter adjustment eyepiece lens by sliding it

into the eyepiece frame. Attach the rubber eyecup.

2. Preparing to Shoot 2-1 Check battery capacity

2-1 Check Battery Capacity

The Bronica RF 645 requires a set of batteries to function, since the camera employs an electronically controlled shutter.

1. Check the battery level before each shooting session.

2. Turn on the main switch and lightly press the shutter release button while looking through the viewfinder. The battery power is at a satisfactory level for shooting if the LCD on the left side of the viewfinder turns on and the battery warning mark "(insert)" does not appear.

Note 1: Approximately 100 rolls of 120 type film can be shot on a fresh set of batteries before the batteries must be replaced (under Bronica manufacturer test conditions.) Note 2: Replace depleted batteries with new ones as soon as the battery warning mark begins to blink on the LCD. Low battery capacity can cause the camera to malfunction. Note 3: If the LCD does not light up or switches off shortly after depressing the shutter release button, it is time to replace the battery with new ones.

2. Preparing to Shoot 2-2 Loading Film

2-2 Loading Film

1. Choose a suitable film. The Bronica RF 645 can take either 120 or 220 film type. 120 type of film with light shielding back paper takes 16 frames to a roll, while the 220 type without back paper takes 32 frames to a roll. To load the film, open the rear camera cover and set the film type selection lever to either 120 or 220 position according to the film to be loaded. Make sure that the film type display window on the camera back shows the number you set on the lever.

Note 1: Take the cover sheet attached to the film gate section of the camera off before loading the very first roll of film you use. The cover sheet is provided to protect the light shielding curtain. Note 2: When loading film, first attach a lens on the camera body so that the light shielding curtain opens. This precaution will protect the

light shielding curtain from any accidental damage.

2. Depress both left and right side film spool shaft lock buttons with the camera back open. The shafts pop downward from the bottom of the camera and are identified by red rings.

2. Preparing to Shoot 2-2 Loading Film

3. Install the film take-up spool in the right hand film chamber, align-

ing the key-hole of the spool shaft of the camera. Push up the protruding film spool shaft into the bottom plate of the camera until it locks into position.

4. Load a fresh roll of film into the left hand film chambers as illustrat-

ed in the drawing. Ensure that the film leader rolls off the outer edge as shown instead of the inside edge of the film chamber. The inside black surface of the leader must face outward coming out of the chamber. If it faces inward, roll back the film, turn the roll upside down and then reload into the film chamber. Push the fresh film spool into the bottom of the camera.

5. Roll out the film leader and insert the leading edge into the slit of

the take-up spool shaft as far as possible. Note: When a take-up spool is already installed in the righthand film chamber, 2. and 3. procedures described above are not necessary.

6. Advancing the film gradually with short repeated strokes of the

film advance lever, check if the film leader is skewed on the take-up spool. When both film leader edges are evenly positioned between spool flanges, the film is properly wound. If one leader edge is rolling upward on one spool flange, remove the spools and roll back the film leader entirely before reloading it correctly.

7. Once the film leader is properly secured in place, advance the film

further until the film arrows align with the film start marks on the camera. Do not wind the film beyond the start marks. Note: Do not get confused by the dotted line printed on the leader paper of the 220 type of film right in front of the real starting arrow mark for the start mark itself.

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