Bronica 6×6 focal plane
The first Bronica cameras were a series a 6×6 focal plane shutter SLRs, similar in concept to the Hasselblad 1000F.
Contents
Evolution
The first model is the Bronica Z. The Bronica D is a similar camera.
The Bronica S has new incompatible finders and backs, and the Bronica C is the corresponding budget version, without the interchangeable back.
The Bronica S2, released in 1965, is the successor of the Bronica S. The new model included a number of minor changes, but the main improvement was the switch to a removable helical focusing mount. This helical mount could focus lenses with focal lengths from 40mm to 200mm; longer lenses had their own helicoids.
Because all of the camera functions are fully mechanical, no batteries are needed to operate it.
Bronica EC, by Luciano Lazzarotto (Image rights) |
The S2 uses a vertical-travelling cloth focal plane shutter. Shutter speeds are available from 1 to 1/1000s and B. Flash sync uses X and FP on an automatic PC terminal at a 1/40s sync speed. The shutter must be cocked before each shot by cranking the film winding lever. The "Filminder" rollfilm back can use 120 or 220 film, selectable with a small dial on the film back. A peel-apart Polaroid back was also available for the S2. Film backs are removed from the camera by inserting a dark slide. As a safety feature, the shutter will not fire if the dark slide is not removed.
The standard lens for the S2 was a 75mm f/2.8 Nikkor P.
The Bronica S2A is the successor of the S2. The main difference is an improved film advance gear mechanism, reputed to result in fewer jams.
Bronica S2A with Nikkor P 75mm f2.8, by Alex Theodin (Image rights)
The Bronica EC has an electronically controlled shutter, and the Bronica EC-TL adds a TTL exposure meter. Specifications
Bibliography
LinksGeneral linksIn English:
In French: In Japanese:
Sample picturesDocumentation and user manuals
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