Bronica ETRSI?

[Nick Zentena]

I sent back the bum fisheye and used the money to pay in part for a Bronica ETRSI setup. When it shows up anything I should look at? Why are these so cheap? It can't just be because they've been discontinued. The SQ-AI has held it's value better.

[gnashings]

Sorry to hop on your thread - but I too would love to know. I am looking for a more flexible MF rig than my TLR, and budget, as always, is a big issue.

Also... I am confused by the alphabet soup associated with these cameras - is there a Bronica "fan club" or a web page that gives the key to their enigmatic codes? Simply a what Bronica is waht and why?

Thanks,

Peter.

[Nick Zentena]

http://www.tamron.com/bronica/prod/etrsi.asp

http://www.tamron.com/bronica/etr_guide.asp

The ETRSI is the last and "greatest" model.

Adds TTL flash with the right equipment
mirror lock up
improved metering prism AEIII
PE lenses

All the bodies except the ETR-C can use basically everything produced over the years. The C doesn't have removable backs so obviously you can't use backs. Just inserts.

Considering the price difference I'm not sure the older models make much sense. The ETRSI doesn't seem to be selling for much more then the older models.

[gnashings]

Thanks - exactly what I was after! Now I feel a little less lost when Bronica-speak comes at me!

Thank you,

Peter.

[jazzmechanic]

I purchased a Bronica ETRSI off Ebay a couple of months ago. I picked up the negatives and was amazed at how great the pictures came out. Please bear in mind that I am new to the medium format arena and taking pictures with a waist level finder and hand held meter.

So far, so good!

[AllanD]

In the UK at least, these cameras where much used by wedding photographers and "serious amateurs". They they are now being dumped with the switch to digital. I have one, and it is a very excellent camera; reliable, easy to use and robust. The PE lenses are excellent. They have an annoying way of firing the shutter at 1/500 if the battery is flat, which is why it is worth keeping an eye on the shutter confirmation LED (ETRSi only) or checking the battery frequently.

[Nick Zentena]

The extra body I picked up is coming without a winding crank. So how much of an issue is that? I've asked the local Bronica place about a replacement but no answer yet.

[brimc76]

The extra body I picked up is coming without a winding crank. So how much of an issue is that? I've asked the local Bronica place about a replacement but no answer yet.

I haven't used the winding crank on mine since geting the speed grip. It's possible that's what happened to yours Nick. The speed grip is a nice feature on these and it also gives you another shutter release. I'm sure you can find them pretty reasonable these days.

[Nick Zentena]

The seller had been using some sort of winder. I'm not sure which one. He lost the crank-( Hopefully the local repair shop will be more reasonable then what Tamron in the US lists the price for a replacement crank at. At that price I'd buy one more body just for parts. I've seen pictures of the camera with a speed grip and a Metz flash. Looks like a bit of a monster. Left hand to hold the flash. Right to hold the speed grip. Third hand to focus-)) Looking at Keh they have a bunch of bodies with no cranks. Some place in the world a pile of cranks must be sitting under a pile of lost socks.

[Julian Hart]

Nick

You really need to try the Speedgrip; it makes the Bronnie a lovely handling camera. I used mine with one and an AE2 prism (the AE3 was not available then) and I loved the combination.

Julian