tips for a bronica

potlatch · 17-07-2003 4:02pm #1

I just gone done and borrowed a Bronica ETR offa someone (and a Rolleiflex) and I was wondering if you's guyses had any tips for me about using it or things to do with it. Like, it's a shame it hasn't got a waist-level finder. It's a 40mm lens. It's really heavy and I have a tripod.

FinoBlad · 17-07-2003 7:42pm

what kindof tips?

try keep camera level, easy if you have a built in spirit level on your tripod. otherwise your perspective will usually be distorted with a 40mm lens

potlatch · 20-07-2003 2:33pm

Haven't bothered messing round with it yet so, like... it's 6 x 4.5. It's landscape. Does that mean if I wan it portraid, I have to turn it on its side or do I just have to turn the back?

Samson · 20-07-2003 11:06pm

Originally posted by potlatch
Haven't bothered messing round with it yet so, like... it's 6 x 4.5. It's landscape. Does that mean if I wan it portraid, I have to turn it on its side or do I just have to turn the back?

The back on a Bronica is not a rotating type, therefore you have to turn the camera.
Portrait composition is very awkward with a waist level finder on the Bronica.

potlatch · 21-07-2003 9:34am

That's bollox. The cam's got a prism finder, not waist-level. I've got the Rolleiflex for that

.

I suppose when I do get a MF cam, it'll be a 6x6.

FinoBlad · 21-07-2003 7:09pm

i have a 6x6 and love it, but you can get a 6x7 mamiya that has a rotating back

potlatch · 22-07-2003 5:48pm

I saw some Hasselblad for sale on Ffordes in the used section for £450. Why would it be so cheap? It was E++ condition.

I'd like to save up for a MF cam over the coming months (after I get a light meter); do you think the used Bronicas - my most likely purchase - would be in good nick or should I hold out for a Mamiya or Hasselblad (the latter I understand to be overpriced and overappreciated)?

I'd like a Bronica SQ I think - I expect I can always crop for portrait, or buy a 645 back??

FinoBlad · 22-07-2003 7:02pm

they are all different beasts, one is 6x4.5, 6x6 and then 6x7, pick your format first and then decide the manufacturer.

i bought all my hasselblad gear from ffordes, their grading is spot on. if you want to handle one, go into dml or berminghams who both have some used ones [but buy from ffordes]

potlatch · 22-07-2003 10:13pm

I think I like 6x6 best, although this ETR is nice, too. I enjoy the square format very much and if I want more portait stuff, I can always crop. At least there's the space to work around?

In that case, I'd be deciding between the three makes. For example, there's a Hasselblad 500 CM for £550 (what makes that differ from a 501 etc. I don't know) and then there's Bronica SQA's for £500'ish and Ai's for around £700. I know little to nothing about Mamiyas.

I've heard Hasselblads are rediculously overpriced. So I don't know where to start really.

FinoBlad · 24-07-2003 7:40am

Hasselblads are expensive, but overpriced, thats a subjective opinion really, no-one can tell you really. What I can tell you is that IMHO they are fantastic cameras and again IMHO they are worth the money. [nice people at my credit union take a bow here folks]

The main difference between the 500cm and the 501cm is a new Gliding Mirror System in the 501. 501s will also come with the new brighter focussing screen, but they can be changed on the 500cm later on if you want. The other model 503cw has TTL flash metering, so if you are into studio stuff check into that one.

If your serious about MF go to photo.net and the MF area and you can find threads of the pros and cons of all the different models. You'll soon find theres no perfect camera, but some are nearer it than others, you just need to know what you want to do with it.

tips for a bronica

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