ZENZA BRONICA ETRS - Is It Worth Buying In 2024?
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- Опубліковано 22 бер 2024
- The Zenza Bronica ETRS is a fantastic camera to enter the world of medium format film photography. Sometimes referred to as the poor man's Hasselblad, these cameras are capable of producing amazing results for a fraction of the cost of Hasselblad cameras. In this video, I explain the benefits of the ETRS and how it works and offer advice for anyone considering buying one in 2024.
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If you enjoyed this video, please check out my medium format playlist for more videos on cameras like the Bronica ETRS ua-cam.com/play/PLK3ln768p4f7rb-PML3CTy7XQq-i-jatW.html&si=9pwHa7XGYd3XeDUh
As an amateur photographer for over 40 years with 35mm SLRs/DSLRs, the Bronica ETRS has always been quite the mystery to me, your step by step breakdown of the camera was perfect for me. Fascinated by the camera. Thank you for enlightening me.
Don't worry, it is pretty simple to get the hang of it and if you have any questions, I am always here to help, so don't be shy! Thanks also for commenting. It's comments like these that keep me motivated to make more videos.
I love your camera reviews - great overview and advice on usage as well as purchase without any unnecessary waffle. Many thanks - subscribed!
Thanks again for the support. Much appreciated! Let me know if there’s any specific topics you’d like me to cover next.
My first medium format SLR that I bought in late 2023
Fantastic. How are you finding it? Where can I see your photos?
A combination of the stars aligning and your video just allowed me to make my online purchase of my very first medium format camera...the ETRS!! Your video did the trick!!! Thanks so much.
How exciting. Would love to hear how you get on with your "new" camera. I am sure you will love it as much as I do mine.
Been shooting bronicas for ~15 years now, and they remain my favorite medium format shooter. Love the aspect ratio, love the lenses, and love how compact it is.
The only issue ive ever had (between an etr and an etrs) is one faulty magazine. Otherwise they've been great travel cameras.
Prism finder is must, and i'd say the grip/winder is great though adds some bulk.
I've been lucky so far, no issues. I think the prism finder and grip actually pair well together. Thanks for commenting.
Thank you
You're welcome
I had the older model the s2a. Not as well featured, but i loved the Nikor lenses. I also prefer the 6x6 format.
Your model is a fine system camera!
Variety is the spice of life!
The 6 x 6 format is definitely fantastic, but I use my Rolleiflex cameras for 6 x 6 so I am happy to have a non-square format with my Bronica. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
I have the older ETR which I keep meaning to dust down get a new battery and give it a go your video has given me that push I need along with my Yahicia mat 124G
Honestly, I love these comments where people say they've been inspired to go and use their cameras. It really does make my efforts worthwhile. So, THANK YOU for commenting. Where can I see your photos? I would love to take a peek.
One of my bosses had a Bronica 645 she used Lumidime flash spelling might be wrong. My boss had a bracket that she could got vertical with.
The nice thing about 2 1/2 you just photographed squares and saw the crop lines in the viewfinder. And they had cards at the lab that you could tape down the negatives if you wanted a 8x10.
Yes, I have the bracket (it's called a speed grip) and it makes it much easier to rotate the orientation to portrait. But it also lets you shoot faster because you can press the shutter and wind on the film on one movement. There was I think also a motorised winder.
I enjoy using this camera for a couple of years now.
as of come cons: electric connections inside the lens is it's achilles foot. it is getting old badly. I had some problems (resoldering usually works) with 3 out of 5 of my lensens. But some needs to have the connection band replaced. No source for spare so you need to build your own.
Speaking of Zenzanons - although the glass is great the overall desing has some flaws like no half stops in 2 out of 3 generations.
Focusing screens are easly prone for some scratches and it is hard to buy one in decent conditions second hand.
Newer film backs tends to deteriorate and might just pop open with very light pressure. Old one with single lock never did that.
Most of these cameras needs to have mirror foams replaced now. Surprisingly those made in 90s as well!
Neverless it is still well worth camera
Thanks for commenting. I have one old back with single button and a newer one with two release buttons, although never had any issues so far with either. For me, half stops isn't really important either.
@@StreetPhotographyChina sure it's not a dealbreaker but since i use a spotmeter almost exclusively and this camera has no exposure compensation it is really a nice feature to have half steps in aperature ring.
Back in pre digital days I shot weddings early on I used minolta 35mm cameras at one particular wedding I had a guest on my case the whole time badgering me about what made me a professional when he had the same camper I relied my ability to actually use the camera instead of just looking at it. He was pretty aggressive by the end of the day he was total arse wipe. When I went to my pro lab who were also well established pro wedding photographers to get the prints I told them about the snotty guest their advise was instant ditch the 35mm get a medium format with WLF sit it on a tripod use a handheld meter to record the light and no one will ever hassle you again. As I couldn’t afford a hassie I opted for the bronica I ended up with an etrsi primary shooter with WLF and an Etr as back up with prism for verticals loved that set up and I actually felt more professional. Many years later I dug out the etrsi to shoot landscapes many episodes on my channel sadly a rogue wave fried the camera I still have the etr tho as back up haha. Thanks for the video love the Brons actually named my old boxer dog Bronica sadly she’s gone too.
Wow, we seem to have more and more in common. For me it was my brother's best friend who was a pro and had the ETRS and I just fell in love and wanted one, even though I was not a pro by any means. Got mine second hand from Jessops. It definitely makes you look more professional, although I would ignore those who suggested you can't be a pro with a 35mm camera. You can take far better photos with a 35mm than an amateur with a medium format. It's the photographer, not the camera! Can't believe you destroyed the ETRSi. What a shame. RIP.
@@StreetPhotographyChinahaha yeah agreed, and i used to get a lot of my kit from jessops in Leeds, but from memory the ETRSi came from Jacobs, they were in Leeds too. Totally agree any camera in the right hands can turn out pro standard work, the bron just kept extra pressure at bay whilst learning the craft haha, Yeah I was gutted about the ETRSi but it's not the first camera I've drown I guess it wont be the last...
May I ask, what did you do with the Bronica accessories? Do you still have the lenses and backs? If you look at my Bronica video, you will notice the hand crank handle is missing, I was wondering where I can pick one up @@paultaylorphotography9499
@@StreetPhotographyChinaahhhh mate I kept the gear that wasn't killed to use with my ETR, but the film advance crank should still be on the dead body.....If i can find it I'll send it to ya. Gimme a day or so to have a dig I'll let you know asap. cheers
@paultaylorphotography9499 oh yes I forgot you still have the ETR otherwise it wouldn’t make sense to keep the accessories. I’m not 100% sure the ETRSi crank will fit the ETRS but I guess it probably will. I do have the speed grip which I forgot to feature in my video but that works best when the prism finder is attached rather than the waist level finder.
Probably some folks don't know that this system also has a 35mm film back. Yes, you can use any normal 35mm film, and the output is something like 54x24. Think of it as XPan on budget :D
Yes thanks for mentioning that. I personally am not so interested in using 35mm film as it sort of defeats the purpose of having a bigger format camera but it’s certainly another option making this camera very versatile
@@StreetPhotographyChina well, only for the panoramic stuff. I mean, a real 120 panoramic camera (like Fuji 617) is even bulkier, and expensive. Or perhaps will try those 3D printed cameras...
this channel need more sp
Thank you!
Pentax is also good and I think maybe a little cheaper then Bronica. I was looking on Ebay.
I lot of Pentax fans for sure. I should investigate.
I had the 2 1/2 model but can't remember the model. I have the viewfinder adapter to make it into a SLR camera and I had the TTL adapter that I used a Metz flash with.
A higher end studio would shoot 250 photos and would use ISO 400 but rate it at 320 Fuji or Kodak. Cheaper studios I worked for we would shoot Konica film with ISO 160. Fuji had better colors for film I would say with better dynamic range.
I heard the chemist that worked on Kodak 160 Portra left Kodak to work on Fuji ISO 160. Some photographers would rate Kodak Portra 160 at ISO 125, 100 or even 80.
I think you mean 2 1/4 model? That's the square model 6cm x 6cm, the late models were called SQa although there were earlier models (S2 and S2A). I love the square format. I use the Rolleiflex 2.8 a lot for street portraits. The viewfinder attachment was called a Prism Finder. I also have that for mine.
@@StreetPhotographyChina Yes thank you it's been so long since I used that format I forgot.
Did I hear somewhere that they're difficult to get repaired, especially on the electronics side, as Bronica no longer exist (Tamrom bought them and shut it down)?
Yes, I don’t think you can’t repair them unless it’s a simple issue that doesn’t require parts then any camera repair place might be able to fix it. But here’s not much that can break to be honest. The battery only impacts the shutter speed.
@@StreetPhotographyChina unfortunately it is not true. The battery runs electronic delay that control electromagnets. These are holding the shutter open for longer time than its "native" 1/500s.
If the controll circuit is off then you have no shutter speed control and the battery is the cause you want to deal with. Unfortunately this circuit can go wrong as well and then the camera is unreperable.
Great video. It's my favorite camera as my dad passed it down to me back in 1999 or 2000. I just made a video on this camera as well. Check it out of you'd like and let me know your thoughts. I just subbed your channel. Looking forward to seeing more content.
Thanks for commenting and subscribing. I’ve watched your video, great job. Glad we share the same affection for this great camera.