Bronica S2a service manual

alinCiortea · 07-13-2008, 06:39 AM

My Bronica S2a has just arrived and after a test roll it seems that the focus is a bit out of line due to the aged and deteriorated foam that is supposed to press the ground-glass against the metal frame. I've done some research and replacing it seems pretty approachable even by a rookie like me, but I'm not that eager to start unscrewing things without a service manual.

The problem is that I can't find anything on the Internet except some for sale on Ebay etc.
I'm on a budget and I'd rather invest the few dollars I have left in films... Does anyone have a service manual for this camera and is willing to share?

Thank you!

David A. Goldfarb · 07-13-2008, 07:56 AM

This is a very easy repair. Just unclip the viewfinder, unscrew the black frame (four screws if I remember correctly), clean off the old foam with naphtha or alcohol, clean the groundglass while you have it out in warm soapy water. Also take care to keep track of any shims under the groundglass, which you may find on some cameras. Note the orientation of the fresnel lens under the groundglass if you take it out and decide to clean it.

Sam Sherman had a good page on the focus problem and how to fix it, which used to be on Bob Monaghan's website, but the site hasn't been kept in a stable location for a while, so try to see if you can Google it.

You can replace the old foam with new foam. Sam Sherman preferred Dr. Scholl's Moleskin--the adhesive-backed fabric you use to pad blisters and bunions on your feet--which doesn't deteriorate as easily. I've tried the moleskin and it works.

alinCiortea · 07-13-2008, 08:43 AM

I've read Sam's guide and it's pretty straight forward, just that he talks about only two screws for the S2a while I'm having four (but there's S2A engraved near the serial number of the camera).
I've also read that the foam can be successfully replaced with slices from a mouse-pad. I'll probably take my chances as soon as I get all the fine screwdrivers and other tools I need

Thanks for your reply!

David A. Goldfarb · 07-13-2008, 08:47 AM

Yes, the neoprene mouse pad material is pretty similar to the foam used for camera repair.

alinCiortea · 07-14-2008, 06:55 PM

For the moment I've improvised a bit and it seems the problem has been fixed (partially at least), without unscrewing things. I took a piece of film leader and inserted it double layered between the groundglass frame and the small piece that keeps it in place at the back of the VF. The effect is the same as replacing the foam I guess... it's only temporarily though, to see if the OOF problem really comes from the groundglass.