Years ago well known photographer and darkroom guru,Ctein, did a comparison test between several popular Hasselblad Zeiss and Bronica PS lenses and the Bronica's were all sharper shot wide open than the Zeiss. Made this SQA/m owner very happy to know. I worked in/managed a couple of camera stores in SoCal for over 27 years. I sold tons of both cameras, as well as Rollei, Mamiya, Pentax, and Yashica medium format cameras, shot with all of them, and ended up with the Bronica because of the system, features and image quality.
That's what I'm talking about, Stan! The details is incredible but with film true skin looks so much nicer, without that harshness of digital. Great video, my friend
It's really refreshing to find someone talking about the problems with using old gear and what you are really up to when you are getting into analogue photography even if you are a well seasoned professionell and know how to handle them. On other channels on YT all seems to be fruits and flowers and no mention of the thorns and weeds of the business. With respect to the flash not firing the synchro-contacts on the CF lenses are known to fail among other things. I used Hasselblad 500 and 2000 (love those) for 15 years and had several visits to the workshop this problem included and in 2012 sold them out of frustration when I ended up with a camera on a wonderful beach and two backs which both failed completely. The SQb otoh may be the most realiable bronica as it has simplified and well refined electronics and was one of the late models. But buying old bronicas can be fun too. My GS-1 keeps me busy right now with strange readings from the AE-prism, probably faulty/dirty contacts, we will see.
I have owned a couple of Hasselblads for over few decades. A 500 CM and a 553 ELX. They are absolutely beautiful cameras , but they are not for everyone. I used to have a Bronica S2 and an ETRS in the early 80s. I sold them in the early 90s, as I was supporting my family then. I doubt very much if you see much difference bewteen a Hass or a Bornica with 6X or 7X enlargement. I also shoot film in all other formats including 4X5. I do use digital a lot. Nikon, Canon and Olympus . To me using film is like cooking a gourmet meal from scratch. A lot of preparation, skill, craft amd art is involved. Digital on the other hand is like buying ready meal from the super market. Put it in the oven , turn the temp up and give it time and it is ready, the post is like making the mess out of the oven look good and presentable. I know which one I prefer. Good video and presentation, and BTW the lady was a stunner.
I love shooting with both digital and film cameras. The tactile experience of shooting with these awesome film cameras is just photographically rejuvenating :)
A year later, sold the Bronica’s SQ’s, lenses and backs and funded toward the Hasselblad 500 C/M. Both are great cameras, but I love the feel and handling of the Hasselblad. I’m actually using it in some of my commercial work and looking at the digital backs!
I used to have the Bronica ETRs and it has a good reliability of allowing you to take photos inside studio and the use of the studio flash photography is always works well
...and finally sold that one too. For what I'm doing these days, the digital workflow makes more sense. (plus it was like making the mistake of giving up a perfectly good relationship with a lovely person to date a supermodel!)
Good Lord, Get your set up working correctly before wasting viewer's time on fumbling around w your camera and flash! After seeing the finished prints i'd place a scoop reflector underneath to give it a little fill in punch esp in the eyes. again just my op. (Long time Bronica User... SQ-A ) Nice video comparison.
I concur with you Mark. I guess if I wasn't so tied to enjoying the process of medium format film, it would make sense to just stick with my micro 43rds gear and go out and create more!
@@MrSpiff9 So, is there really that much difference in contrast? I’m a Bronica SQ shooter and I was kind of surprised… But I couldn’t imagine why you’d do that in a back-to-back test. But from my seat they look quite different.
Thanks for the video!!! Very informative. I use the Bronica SQ-B and have thought about going with Hasselblad. But cost and budget are my barriers. I can see that the Hasselblad images do appear more detailed with better contrast than the Bronica. But they are not too far apart.
Doubtful a meaningful difference can be seen after scanning and printing and than viewing the results on a phone or a PC display... it's more likely the power of the brand that's been to the Moon :-)
I suspect they have been processed differently. You are never going to get that much tonal variation just from the lens. I am a Bronica SQ shooter and used an ETRS professionally 40 years ago. I have also used Hasselblad. When you line up two images shot with the same settings on the same film, there is next to no difference.
I’ve used 501cm and SQAi both great cameras never had issues using strobe with remote triggers. Both sharp backs on V system is much better. That being said sold Bronica kept Hasselblad….
My S2A arrived last week with the Nikkor 75mm f/2.8 standard lens. The test roll came back good so the camera is functional. I have more testing to do. But... This is my first 6x6 medium format camera. I also have a Pentax 645Nii in my inventory that needs some love, but I think I like the square format better. Nonetheless, the experience of working with the Bronica is very, very cool. I love the mechanical nature of the camera and its size requires me to slow down. I've been shooting XP2 because it is easy to get developed locally. But I'll switch over to real black and white film soon. I'm traveling, so my tanks and tools are at home. But I can still send the exposed rolls to a professional developer, retrieve the scans via the Internet, and have the negatives sent home. I can scan myself later. I wanted a Hassy, but the price put it out of reach for me. I think that's OK, though. The Bronica is not really second place. Thanks for the video. The model was a hoot, too. I could tell she was having fun as well as working.
The Hasselblad lenses are made in Germany and are far more expensive the Bronica Lenses and I had no problem with the Bronica cameras or the lenses and I had good results and was happy
Years ago well known photographer and darkroom guru,Ctein, did a comparison test between several popular Hasselblad Zeiss and Bronica PS lenses and the Bronica's were all sharper shot wide open than the Zeiss. Made this SQA/m owner very happy to know. I worked in/managed a couple of camera stores in SoCal for over 27 years. I sold tons of both cameras, as well as Rollei, Mamiya, Pentax, and Yashica medium format cameras, shot with all of them, and ended up with the Bronica because of the system, features and image quality.
That's what I'm talking about, Stan! The details is incredible but with film true skin looks so much nicer, without that harshness of digital. Great video, my friend
It's really refreshing to find someone talking about the problems with using old gear and what you are really up to when you are getting into analogue photography even if you are a well seasoned professionell and know how to handle them. On other channels on YT all seems to be fruits and flowers and no mention of the thorns and weeds of the business. With respect to the flash not firing the synchro-contacts on the CF lenses are known to fail among other things. I used Hasselblad 500 and 2000 (love those) for 15 years and had several visits to the workshop this problem included and in 2012 sold them out of frustration when I ended up with a camera on a wonderful beach and two backs which both failed completely. The SQb otoh may be the most realiable bronica as it has simplified and well refined electronics and was one of the late models. But buying old bronicas can be fun too. My GS-1 keeps me busy right now with strange readings from the AE-prism, probably faulty/dirty contacts, we will see.
I have owned a couple of Hasselblads for over few decades. A 500 CM and a 553 ELX. They are absolutely beautiful cameras , but they are not for everyone. I used to have a Bronica S2 and an ETRS in the early 80s. I sold them in the early 90s, as I was supporting my family then. I doubt very much if you see much difference bewteen a Hass or a Bornica with 6X or 7X enlargement. I also shoot film in all other formats including 4X5. I do use digital a lot. Nikon, Canon and Olympus . To me using film is like cooking a gourmet meal from scratch. A lot of preparation, skill, craft amd art is involved. Digital on the other hand is like buying ready meal from the super market. Put it in the oven , turn the temp up and give it time and it is ready, the post is like making the mess out of the oven look good and presentable. I know which one I prefer. Good video and presentation, and BTW the lady was a stunner.
I love shooting with both digital and film cameras. The tactile experience of shooting with these awesome film cameras is just photographically rejuvenating :)
A year later, sold the Bronica’s SQ’s, lenses and backs and funded toward the Hasselblad 500 C/M. Both are great cameras, but I love the feel and handling of the Hasselblad. I’m actually using it in some of my commercial work and looking at the digital backs!
I used to have the Bronica ETRs and it has a good reliability of allowing you to take photos inside studio and the use of the studio flash photography is always works well
Interesting you sold the system that worked 100% and kept the one that gave you problems.
...and finally sold that one too. For what I'm doing these days, the digital workflow makes more sense. (plus it was like making the mistake of giving up a perfectly good relationship with a lovely person to date a supermodel!)
Good Lord, Get your set up working correctly before wasting viewer's time on fumbling around w your camera and flash! After seeing the finished prints i'd place a scoop reflector underneath to give it a little fill in punch esp in the eyes. again just my op. (Long time Bronica User... SQ-A ) Nice video comparison.
My tiny lumix gx80 with the olympus 45mm 1.8 produces mind blowing results.. nowadays even with little money you can create excellent images
I concur with you Mark. I guess if I wasn't so tied to enjoying the process of medium format film, it would make sense to just stick with my micro 43rds gear and go out and create more!
Did you use different processing on those images?
No, they were processed together.
@@MrSpiff9 So, is there really that much difference in contrast? I’m a Bronica SQ shooter and I was kind of surprised… But I couldn’t imagine why you’d do that in a back-to-back test. But from my seat they look quite different.
Hey Stan, is that bounce board underneath just curved poly?
The Planar is a magic lenses. I would like to mount the Planar on the Bronica ah ah !!!
Thanks for the video!!! Very informative. I use the Bronica SQ-B and have thought about going with Hasselblad. But cost and budget are my barriers. I can see that the Hasselblad images do appear more detailed with better contrast than the Bronica. But they are not too far apart.
Doubtful a meaningful difference can be seen after scanning and printing and than viewing the results on a phone or a PC display... it's more likely the power of the brand that's been to the Moon :-)
I suspect they have been processed differently. You are never going to get that much tonal variation just from the lens. I am a Bronica SQ shooter and used an ETRS professionally 40 years ago. I have also used Hasselblad. When you line up two images shot with the same settings on the same film, there is next to no difference.
it is not "sonor" but "sonar" for the 150mm Hasselblad lens
it is not "sonar" but "Sonnar" for the 150mm Hasselblad lens
film is magic
I’ve used 501cm and SQAi both great cameras never had issues using strobe with remote triggers. Both sharp backs on V system is much better. That being said sold Bronica kept Hasselblad….
My S2A arrived last week with the Nikkor 75mm f/2.8 standard lens. The test roll came back good so the camera is functional. I have more testing to do. But...
This is my first 6x6 medium format camera. I also have a Pentax 645Nii in my inventory that needs some love, but I think I like the square format better. Nonetheless, the experience of working with the Bronica is very, very cool. I love the mechanical nature of the camera and its size requires me to slow down.
I've been shooting XP2 because it is easy to get developed locally. But I'll switch over to real black and white film soon. I'm traveling, so my tanks and tools are at home. But I can still send the exposed rolls to a professional developer, retrieve the scans via the Internet, and have the negatives sent home. I can scan myself later.
I wanted a Hassy, but the price put it out of reach for me. I think that's OK, though. The Bronica is not really second place.
Thanks for the video. The model was a hoot, too. I could tell she was having fun as well as working.
The Hasselblad lenses are made in Germany and are far more expensive the Bronica Lenses and I had no problem with the Bronica cameras or the lenses and I had good results and was happy
хорошее видео, я тоже снимаю на средний формат.
666 views 🤘
Bronica SQ-B forever, same quality than Hasselblad, at 1/4 of money
I like your clothes behind you.
You tu ber from Vietnam.
You shouldn't shoot with the Planar 80. Planar's images seem get out from the paper. Japanese lenses doesn't have this magical power.
Good grief.....this is si tedious
...the whole video's a waste of time. Literally.