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. 1 Contents 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 Page 3, 4 5, 6 6, 7 7, 8 8 8 9 9, 10, 11 11 12, 13 12 13 13, 14 14, 15 15, 16 16 17, 18 17 17 18 18, 19 19 19, 20 20 20, 21 21 22, 23 23 23 24 25, 26, 27 28 29, 30 31, 32 32, 33 2 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. 3 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. 4 Nomenclature Shutter speed dial lock release button Hotshoe Shutter speed dial Rangefinder window Light intake window Finder Exposure meter window Film advance lever Aperture ring Shutter release button Depth of field scale Distance scale Focusing ring Strap lugs Lens hood attachment Index Lens Fiber thread Rear cover lock release Selftimer indicator Lens lock release button Exposure compensation dial scale Multiple-exposure (ME) button Selftimer starting button Viewfinder eyepiece Exposure compensation dial index Exposure compensation dial Selftimer indicator AE lock button Main switch Spool holder Rubber eyecup Battery chamber Film type display window Film memo holder Battery chamber lock release Film speed setting dial Strap lugs Film speed dial index Tripod socket Spool holder Lens Film speed setting dial lock release button 5 Nomenclature Film type selection lever Lens mounting index (camera body) Rangefinder coupling roller Printed circuit cable Film pressure spring Electronic contacts (camera body) Light shielding curtain Flash synch terminal Film start alignment mark Light shielding curtain Lens Lock pin Lens lock release button Rear cover Spool holder Pressure plate Film spool shaft lock release button 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. 6 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 1-2-1 Attaching the Lens 1-2 Attaching and detaching 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. 7 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 the Strap 1-3 Attaching 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. Getting Started 1-4 Attaching the proper diopter adjustment lens 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. 8 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 ...