Found -1 Diopter in Bronica RF645

[Michael P.]

When I removed the rubber eyepiece from my Bronica RF 645, I found a -1 diopter in place. I bought this camera new and there is nothing about it in the instruction manual. Was it standard for Bronica to install -1 diopters in the RF645? If so, why?

[ChrisPlatt]

My RF645 came with a -1.0 diopter installed, too.

IIRC -1.0 (total for the entire viewing system) was standard for 35mm manual focus SLRs.
Perhaps Japanese camera industry research long ago determined that -1.0 is the best value
for the majority of buyers. I have always been slightly nearsighted so that's fine by me...

Chris

[Larry Mclendon]

It's perfect for young eyes. My old eyes, even with my eyeglasses, requires I install a +.5 diopter in slrs and a +1 in Leicas, to get a really sharp image. The -1 was standard, though, in the RF645.

[Michael P.]

Thanks. I can see clearly when I remove the -1 and use no diopter at all.

[ChrisPlatt]

KEH currently lists +2.0 and +3.0 diopter eyepieces for the RF645 if you need...

Chris

[Michael P.]

Thanks, Chris.