User manual BRONICA RF645

[. . . ] 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 set on the mode, rotate the shutter speed dial while pressing the shutter dial lock release button, and align "A" mark to the arrow on the top cover. An f-number is then manually set on the lens aperture ring. For a shallow depth of field to obtain an out-of-focus background for portrait photography, select a small f-number (a large lens opening). Alternatively, to photograph the background in sharp focus for landscape photography, for example, select a large f-number (a small lens opening). The Bronica RF 645 controls the exposure level in extremely precise 1/12 stop increments. Carefully observe the automatically selected shutter speed displayed on the LCD in the viewfinder when the subject area is comparatively dark. If a slow shutter speed that may result in camera shake is shown, precautionary measures should be taken such as mounting the camera on a tripod or placing the camera on a stable deck or against the wall, to avoid picking up such vibration and consequent blurring. To compensate for an automatically determined exposure, please refer to the articles 3-4-4 Exposure Compensation and 3-4-5 AE Lock. If proper shutter speed cannot be selected for the manually set f-number due to subject brightness that is out of metering range, the shutter speed display on the LCD flashes. 17 3. Manual Exposure Control This exposure control mode is particularly important to those serious photographers who intentionally determine specific shutter speeds and lens apertures in order to produce creative images. The Bronica RF 645 with its extremely precise electronic shutter speed and lens aperture control system makes an ideal manual exposure control camera. To set the manual exposure control mode (from "P" to "A" modes), rotate the shutter speed dial while pressing the shutter speed dual lock release, and align the desired setting from the numerals 1 to 500 (1 to 1/500 sec. ) with the arrow mark on the top of the camera body. Lightly press the shutter release button and an "M" mark with the set shutter speed and a numeral that indicates the deviation of the manually set exposure will appear on the LCD panel in the viewfinder. Note: The exposure deviation indication is a numerical expression of the difference between the manually set exposure level determined by the combination of the set shutter speed and the f-number and the exposure level determined by the camera's metering and correct exposure calculation system. The exposure deviation is indicated in ½ stop increments up to ±3 stops. When "0" is displayed there is no difference between the manually set exposure and the metered level. When "-1" is indicated, the manually set exposure can be adjusted to the correct or metered exposure level by setting the shutter speed one stop slower or opening of the lens aperture by one stop. A half stop deviation indicated by "-2. 5" or "1. 5" may be corrected by the intermediate lens aperture setting. When there is an over ±3 stop deviation, either the 3 or -3 numeral will flash to alert the user. Naturally, excellent shots can be taken in spite of an indicated exposure deviation. Many serious photographers take high key, low key and other type of intentionally exposure-deviated images for their artistic expressions. Manual exposure (2EV under) Correct exposure 3-4-4 Exposure Compensation The purpose of the exposure compensation dial is to adjust the automatically determined exposure level by manually setting the value in the Aperture-priority AE mode or the Program AE mode. Turn the exposure compensation dial on the camera rear cover to any desired amount within the ±2 stop compensation range, graduated in ½ stop increments. [. . . ] Wipe both contacts of the battery chamber and the ends of the batteries clean with a soft cloth or paper before loading the batteries to make sure contacts are all clean. · Do not forget to carry backup batteries when setting out for a long photography trip or shooting in a cold place. · Battery power lessens proportionally with the low surrounding temperature. Carry a set of backup batteries in a warm pocket or container when shooting in a cold place and alternate use of different sets of batteries. [. . . ]