The Best Medium Format Film Camera You've Never Heard Of

[@grainydaysss]

Not sure whats looking better, that camera or your glorious beard

[@shootswithcoops]

grainydays hahah thanks mate

[@dumkopf]

1 stop under from 1600 is 3200. 2 stops under is 6400. :) Sweet camera, but I just have to have 6x7. Mamiya 7 for me. I know how expensive, but I just don't like cropping.

[@shootswithcoops]

dumkopf yeah I realised that while I was editing the vid lol

[@ollyrhys1989]

dumkopf I was looking for this comment.

[@Ivandotjpeg]

I’ve owned 2 of these and utterly loved using them. My biggest gripe aside from the batteries was the compensation dial. It was easy to knock it out of place. If you rely on aperture priority, it can become a problem. A pleasure to use. Back in 2002, I spent $800 on the body and lens. 4 years later I spent $500 on the same pair. Fast forward to now, they sell for $1800 with the 65.

[@GordonMoat]

A couple things to avoid winder issues: be sure to use the same winding spool as the film you're using, and don't try to fast advance it like a 35mm camera. I've used one professionally for many years, when I've shot projects on film, and the results are amazing. It's one of the most ergonomic cameras I've ever used.

[@robantony6868]

Nice one Coop, didn't know you were on the Tube. Good stuff 🤙 Keep charging!

[@mmh53]

Never heard of this model, thanks for sharing. Another really underappreciated camera is the FujiGA6545, I recently got one and it's been a great everyday option. Planing to do an episode on it soon!

[@scottalanphotography]

Nice review. I've always wanted one but the price has kept me from buying. I inherited my dad's Bronica ETRS he shot with during the 80s and it's my all time favorite camera. Those Zenzanon lenses are top notch and very underrated. Thanks for making this video. Scott

[@shootswithcoops]

thanks man, yeah bronica have some great lenses

[@brettjohnson8431]

Love the comment about the only camera I have bought twice! I am on to my third Bronica ETRSi and Fuji GW690, won't sell them again, I kept looking for better, can't find them - I just love to pick up the Bronny/Texas Leica, that's all that matters!

[@BerserkerCatSplat]

Great review, always nice to see the RF645 get some love! Just a small correction, at 8:41 you mention external viewfinders - only the 45mm uses the hotshoe-mounted VF, as the in-body viewfinder has framelines for both the 65mm and 135mm (0- serials) or 100mm (1- serials). If you look through the viewfinder with no lens attached, you should see the framelines for the longer lens highlighted.

[@Johan-vw2te]

This must be your best video review so far. More feel less specs with interesting trivia and facts. Love it!

[@shootswithcoops]

JEI Photo thanks mate. Appreciate it

[@sheister]

Came in thinking this was gonna be about one of the Fuji G line cameras, but I actually had never heard of this thing. Thanks for the info!

[@giantkingsquid]

Good to see some Aussie film content, and nice photos too. I have the similar Mam 6, and you don't need to hold filters over the finder to use them, just dial in the appropriate filter factor/exposure comp.

[@theharveydean]

brooo - that photo at 13:26 is insane. The colours that medium format can render always blows my mind!

[@Bananaa05]

Colours are made by the film and the lens used. Not by the format.

[@PaulN1237]

I just knew which camera you were going to talk about when I saw the title lol 🤣

[@zguy95135]

The RF is such a cool camera but I think the Mamiya 6 is a better system, and the price is the same. Btw I bet Precision Camera could fix it, they are able to repair Mamiya 6 and 7 winders

[@EwaldDieser]

Awesome beard dude! Also great review! After seeing your review of the Minolta CLE I bought one too. Your photos are great too.

[@shootswithcoops]

Ewald Dieser thanks mate

[@thedondeluxe6941]

Ooooh, I've always wanted one of those. It's too expensive for me though, so I went for a Bronica ETRSi in stead. Very happy with that system!

[@scottalanphotography]

Yes, those Zenzanon lenses are top notch and very underrated.

[@thedondeluxe6941]

@@scottalanphotography Yes indeed! Those lenses are truly wonderful. The later multicoated versions almost seem to have a built in polarising filter! Very cheap these days for the amazing optical quality you get.

[@shootswithcoops]

cant go wrong with the etrsi

[@lifeonfilm7227]

You are right, never heard of this one. Thanks for sharing man!

[@ZoneFocused]

Nice video Coops, the image quality those lenses produce are definitely on point!

[@georgerogers5954]

Hey Coops. Cracking vid, buddy. With you all the way there. Plus I have two ETRS bodies with most of the lenses. Just wish I had the time to use them!!

[@kylewood8327]

The image orientation would be the only downside for me but I’m sure after many roll of film you would get used to that too. Pretty cool camera, love the 645 format. I still shoot my Pentax 645.

[@Sodacake]

Could watch one of these vids every day, Coops! Great content.

[@shootswithcoops]

Sodacake thanks mate

[@FabrizioZago]

I have one of the cameras you've mentioned, a Fuji GA645, love the format and the portability. I think I would prefer the manual focus in the Bronica RF645 rather than the manual focus in the GA645, in that one is a bit tricky. Interesting photography channel.

[@grootbatavia]

Any of the fuji *G, GA, GW, etc) 645 series cameras are great too. Fixed lenses, but great quality glass.

[@mackingrease]

Dude love your style and depth of coverage during your reviews. If you get a chance.... Review the Fujifilm gsw690iii 😁

[@shootswithcoops]

Mackenzie Greason if I can get my hands on one, will do for sure

[@docsportello5833]

nice review, thank you for sharing :) not a big fan of RF camera's. i am more than happy with my mamiya 645 1000s and the 80mm f1.9

[@robvanvalkenburg522]

I have one ( my second one). They both developped a circuitboard problem that could not be repared. This resulted in the batteries draining in one day. Whenever the camera was not used, I have to take out the batteries. Very frustrating. But besides that a nice camera.

[@pushingfilm]

Nice one man! Would love to have a shoot with one of those some day. Only had one in my hands once, and it felt super ergonomic like you say.

[@TTS410]

Great video and great photos ! Now I want another camera .

[@williamlivesay263]

Question: to take portraits with a rangefinder, do you line up the patches over the face and then recompose? Or do you just line up the patch over the face and just shoot?

[@shootswithcoops]

Best way it to line up patch over eye/nose is my option. Makes sure face it in good focus

[@justcallmesando]

It's been rapidly gaining popularity recently. Not a cheap one anymore!

[@petepictures]

Lovely, I also have 2 of them, still looking for one of the portrait lenses. Oh just remembered the camera has a bit of a shutter lag, so, not perfect for fast motion, moment capture .

[@RM.TokyoPhotographer]

does anyone know if u can fire a shot with no film inside like gw690?

[@MrJoeylikesmusic]

Is the shutter mechanical or electronic

[@BadFlashes]

Great...now I have to add this one to the list... thanks 😉 🤣

[@ryans_life]

What a great video and camera Coops. Piqued my interest

[@EbondsCarpon]

the body have two frame line 135/65 in old body & 100mm/65mm body. The only frame line is missing is 45mm.

[@ThisHolographicLife]

Great to see another video from you!

[@rafkelezebest]

Lovely pictures mate! Recognised some of these places as well. You’re in WA yea?

[@shootswithcoops]

Raphaël Stradiot thanks mate. Yeah Perth local

[@Murdog36]

Love your stuff! Influenced me in buying an M7

[@IainHC1]

20 seconds in n I'm hooked!!!!

[@ldstirling]

Coops, while the RF645 from Bronica might be a very "under the radar" medium format rangefinder camera, it's by no means cheap. SOLD listings on Ebay today show only a couple of these that sold for less than $1000 USD, and these had no lens included. Most typically they seem to sell for about $1300 USD with the 65mm f/4 lens, equivalent to over $1900 AUD. I don't see this as a good value for an electronic rangefinder film camera that's nearly 20 years old.

[@itsmdnt]

Gorgeous photos 🌹

[@danielemilazzo432]

TELL ME ABOUT WHERE YOU GET YOUR frames from.

[@shootswithcoops]

Daniele Milazzo all from Ikea

[@gui4j]

very interesting ,,,,, but why does it have been to be 1500.... :( .. image qual was up their with the best , and some pretty nice photography to boot ... very impressive ... nice vlog .. u have been keeping that one quiet for a while I guess :)

[@jamesbrickert1301]

Great video! Thanks.

[@jakemillward-davis2865]

What was the name of the music you played at the end?

[@hawtshet]

Track name for the background music mate?

[@bryan4907]

Can you do a video on best medium format camera under $1000? Would be great!

[@dermin3060]

And maybe a video about Best medium format camera under 500$

[@gui4j]

that's easy a Hassie 500 c/m ,,

[@tjbwhitehea1]

Nice review. I have to stand up for my Fuji GS645 though! It has a light meter, the lense is "so sharp you'll cut yourself", the bellows are still in good shape and it's outrageously small and cheap for medium format camera.

[@mattayers3794]

Great cameras and they can still be serviced thanks to the mechanical shutter and easily repaired electronics!!

[@sheister]

Also, great shots! Subscribed!

[@camerawrecker]

Great video about a great camera indeed. I regret having sold mine now... ;-)

[@mdjmurray]

Just sold one of these. It was great! But they suffer from a dodgy film advance.

[@ArgentoRAWRz]

how old are u?

[@10Outta10Baby]

Coops you're the man

[@loggerhead837]

*checks eBay for price* *heart attack*

[@andrewtesdahl2371]

idk the fuji GS645S is a beastly little camera

[@CarlosPBeltran]

Better than the Hasselblad 500, 501, 503 series? Not sure about that.

[@ghw7192]

I had a Mamiya 6 and 3 lenses and in a case of serious stupid, I sold it. I wasn't using it and the new owner is, so the camera is happier now. Still...

[@ConCon4444]

Australian Dan Bilzarian who takes photos

[@robiulahmed]

Off to ebay I go!

[@plam135]

Mate, your accent is very similar to thor

[@reapermedia9761]

Too bad it's for sale on fb again lmao, hope the kid is worth it ;)

[@turangizbili8395]

Interesting camera, but over 1500 bucks for an old camera that can't be repaired: too risky if you aren't rich.

[@alejandrarosales7836]

Really expensive on Ebay right now

[@dcchong8102]

Dang mate, you give me GAS. Gear acquisition syndrome .

[@gastonmannlicher8077]

Too bad you can’t find them for under $2,000 nowadays.

[@MH5tube]

doesn't really matter if people have heard about it or not when it's still going for $1000+ on eBay

[@weisserth]

Prices have gone up to the extend this is no a great recommendation anymore. Especially given it's electronic, may fail and cannot be repaired anymore.

[@danijelk8246]

My long unfulfilled wish

[@chongp07]

excellent camera...but it it fails, you are on your own. No more support from Bronica. Not aware of anyone who can fix it.

[@rcraigbateman]

Autofocus?

[@j204ever5]

RF!!!

[@tallaganda83]

Its a bloody rip off though used, as much as a Mamiya 7 nearly and the portrait orientation framing sucks. Other than that id buy one in a heartbeat.

[@shootswithcoops]

dont know what your taking about man, mine cost me $1500 AUD, cheapest mamiya 7 I've seen with a lens is at least 2200 AUD

[@tallaganda83]

Shootswithcoops I was just looking on eBay they were going for $2000 minimum, our dollar is extremely weak at the moment though.

[@shootswithcoops]

tallaganda83 hmm yeah maybe I’ve just been lucky both times, both cameras I’ve bought were sub $1800

[@josephomalley1526]

Had mine for 15yrs and no, the portrait orientation does not suck. Try turning the camera 90 degrees, easy !. I shot many portraits too so no problem there. Just a great camera. All lenses are extra crispy.

[@tallaganda83]

Joseph O'Malley I’m just salty because I can’t afford one😂 I bought my RZ67 pro II a 110mm and the 50mm ULD with 2 backs for 600 Aud. Probably 8 years ago or more though. Wish I’d picked up a Mamiya 7 back then.

[@j204ever5]

"The Best Medium Format Film Camera"????? Get a Mamiya 6 or 7 which can repaired also today. A Bronica RF645 NOT! The Bronica RF645 is "just" 6x4.5. What about a Fuji GA645Pro???

[@tasost2161]

Best medium format camera is the one who also takes 6x6 not only 6x4.5

[@ghosttownsentinel5288]

Not serviceable, no parts available and designed to shoot primarily in portrait orientation. That's too many negatives for such a pricey camera!

[@shootswithcoops]

Yeah it is now, made that video when it was affordable