Brian
An Old Geezer
Recently, I've been expanding my Bronica ETRS system, I really enjoy using it. Over then years I've been able to get many of the accessories and currently have the 40, 50, 75, 105 and 250 lens. Have on my list a 150-180 to fill in. There are a couple of zooms available but never been interested in them. I have the 2 of the extension tubes and the doubler, speedgrip, motor drives, Prism, Meter Prism II, WL prism, the 120 and 35mm backs and a multitude of filters and other items to round it all out.
For my jaunty carry camera I've have a Leica CL with 40, 90 and 135mm lenses plus a Visoflex and an assortment of filters. I recently picked up an Olympus E520 and as I have the 35mm Bronica backs I can see the Leica getting squeezed as to use.
I have a chance to pick up on a trade for the Leica another Bronica system with 2 of the newer ETRSi bodies, a 150mm lens and a 50 and 75mm lens plus a pair of 220 backs and a 120 back. Also, another prism finder. The bodies and 150mm lens are of interest as the ETRSi has off the film flash control and the 150mm is on my list and a mirror lockup both missing from the ETRS.
The Seiko 0 shutters seem bullet proof and the bodies have likewise never seem to die and many are used professionally. Some owners have reported over 80,000 with no maintenance to the lenses or bodies and unlike the Hassy backs do not seem to wear. I'll never get near that many shots with mine. But having some backups seems reasonable.
Would I miss the Leica? Yes, the Leica glass has something about it that nothing else approaches. Not looking to start a discussion as to this, it is not the point. The Bronica lenses have been touted as some of the best out there for medium format unless you get into the Zeiss. A few years ago a friend who is professional and used a Nokon system for his 35mm wanted to compare it to the ETR system so he borrowed my 35mm back and did some test shooting in the studio and outdoors. He used a 50mm MC on the Bronica and a 50mm Nikon on the F for the test. The Bronica 75mm is the equiv of a 50mm on a 35mm so needed to move to the 50mm Bronica to get to apples and apples. He concluded the lens was as good as the Nikon. I was not sure of this until he dumped the Nikon system and added to the Bronica system the 35N and 35W backs.
I am on the edge as to whether to make the trade. Help me to get off the fence one way or the other.
For my jaunty carry camera I've have a Leica CL with 40, 90 and 135mm lenses plus a Visoflex and an assortment of filters. I recently picked up an Olympus E520 and as I have the 35mm Bronica backs I can see the Leica getting squeezed as to use.
I have a chance to pick up on a trade for the Leica another Bronica system with 2 of the newer ETRSi bodies, a 150mm lens and a 50 and 75mm lens plus a pair of 220 backs and a 120 back. Also, another prism finder. The bodies and 150mm lens are of interest as the ETRSi has off the film flash control and the 150mm is on my list and a mirror lockup both missing from the ETRS.
The Seiko 0 shutters seem bullet proof and the bodies have likewise never seem to die and many are used professionally. Some owners have reported over 80,000 with no maintenance to the lenses or bodies and unlike the Hassy backs do not seem to wear. I'll never get near that many shots with mine. But having some backups seems reasonable.
Would I miss the Leica? Yes, the Leica glass has something about it that nothing else approaches. Not looking to start a discussion as to this, it is not the point. The Bronica lenses have been touted as some of the best out there for medium format unless you get into the Zeiss. A few years ago a friend who is professional and used a Nokon system for his 35mm wanted to compare it to the ETR system so he borrowed my 35mm back and did some test shooting in the studio and outdoors. He used a 50mm MC on the Bronica and a 50mm Nikon on the F for the test. The Bronica 75mm is the equiv of a 50mm on a 35mm so needed to move to the 50mm Bronica to get to apples and apples. He concluded the lens was as good as the Nikon. I was not sure of this until he dumped the Nikon system and added to the Bronica system the 35N and 35W backs.
I am on the edge as to whether to make the trade. Help me to get off the fence one way or the other.
