5 Frames on the road in Morocco with Bronica RF 645

I love both travelling and analogue photography. My search for a “portable” medium format camera (as an amateur) ended with the Bronica RF 645  . The size of the camera and the 16 frames I get with each roll make it more portable and affordable than my Fuji GSW690 . I have the 65mm and the 100mm lens. The 65mm lens provides a 42mm equivalent focal length (in 35mm terms) and the 100mm provides a 65mm equivalent focal length. Both the lens combined cover street , landscape and portrait photography in terms of my photography. There is a wider lens available but I do not have it. Portrait mode is the default mode , whic is an unusual choice but works well for me

Carrying the camera with the 65mm lens and hood is like carrying a compact 35mm SLR in terms of size but lighter. It is larger than my M3 but actually lighter in weight

When strapped around the body I was able to cycle and walk around without feeling any additional weight. This is a major plus with this camera system. The 100mm lens is not so compact though and I use it mainly for portraits . I also have the dedicated flash that talks to the camera in Program mode and exposes remarkably accurately. The price in April 2023 was not cheap but this was in immaculate condition with a 3 month return warranty and I have not faced any of the issues (so far) linked to this camera that can be found on various online forums. The camera ticked all the boxes I was looking for ( a metered rangefinder with easy access to all controls in a small package) and so far I have been extremely pleased with this. This is not a very common camera and there is no review on 35mmc either. This prompted me to write this piece

I was in Morocco for a short winter break about 2 weeks ago and shot about 8 rolls on this camera. The 5 frames I am sharing here were taken on the road on a trip from Marrkech to Skoura across the High Atlas Mountains. The photographs were taken on an expired roll of Kodak Portra 160 and developed / scanned by my local lab in Northampton 

The first photograph here is of the hotel I was staying at just south of Marrakech. This is traditional Moroccan architecture seen across the country

The next photograph here was taken through the front windshield of the car as we left Marrakech and the High Atlas mountains can be seen in the background

The third frame shows the endless roads with little traffic in early December. It gave me a very Icelandic vibe.  Those who have driven in Iceland will understand 🙂

As you drive through the villages in Morocco, you are bound to find at least one classic or vintage family car parked outside a house

No visit to South Morocco is complete without seeing the famous Ait-Ben-Haddou, which has been featured in Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, The Mummy and Game of Thrones. This is a Ksar situated on the other side of the High Atlas mountains as you drive down to the plains. This was taken with the 100mm lens

Whilst I am not a landscape photographer this camera makes me take acceptable photographs that I can print and frame. Hope you like these 5 frames as much as I do

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