The first Bronica cameras were a series a 6×6 focal plane shutter SLRs, similar in concept to the Hasselblad 1000F.
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.
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.
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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
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S
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S2
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C
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Type |
2 1/4 x 2 1/4 (6cm × 6cm) Single lens reflex camera
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Film back |
removable |
integrated w/ film magazines
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Film |
120 roll film 12 exposures |
120/220 roll film 12/24 exposures
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Finder |
Fresnel lens and large magnifier
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Viewfinder hood |
interchangeable with pentaprism finder or magnifying hood
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Focusing |
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Helicoid type, stroke 14mm, rotating angle of focusing ring 250 degrees
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Distance Scale |
75mm, 50mm, 135mm lenses |
75mm, 50mm, 135mm, and 200mm lenses
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Mirror |
flip down, instant return, automatic mirror system
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Diaphragm |
automatic - 75mm, 50mm, 135mm lenses |
automatic - 75mm, 50mm, 135mm, 200mm and 400mm lenses
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Depth-of-Field |
Depth-of-field can be checked by pressing preview button
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Shutter |
Vertical-travel focal plane shutter
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Shutter Speeds |
B, 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000 and 'X' (1/50) |
B, 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/500, 1/1000 and 'X' (1/40)
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Multiple exposure |
X |
X |
via multi exposure knob
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Film winding |
winding crank or knob
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Dimensions |
100mm x 100mm x 140mm
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Weight |
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1.790 kg
Bibliography
- Asahi Camera (アサヒカメラ) editorial staff. Shōwa 10–40nen kōkoku ni miru kokusan kamera no rekishi (昭和10–40年広告にみる国産カメラの歴史, Japanese camera history as seen in advertisements, 1935–1965). Tokyo: Asahi Shinbunsha, 1994. ISBN 4-02-330312-7. Items 1513–7. (See also the picture on p.22.)
- Lewis, Gordon, ed. The History of the Japanese Camera. Rochester, N.Y.: George Eastman House, International Museum of Photography & Film, 1991. ISBN 0-935398-17-1 (paper), 0-935398-16-3 (hard). Pp.102–3, 138 and 147.
- McKeown, James M. and Joan C. McKeown's Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras, 12th Edition, 2005-2006. USA, Centennial Photo Service, 2004. ISBN 0-931838-40-1 (hardcover). ISBN 0-931838-41-X (softcover). Pp.159–62.
- Sugiyama, Kōichi (杉山浩一); Naoi, Hiroaki (直井浩明); Bullock, John R. The Collector's Guide to Japanese Cameras. 国産カメラ図鑑 (Kokusan kamera zukan). Tokyo: Asahi Sonorama, 1985. ISBN 4-257-03187-5. Items 2071–4.
Links
General links
In English:
In French:
In Japanese:
Sample pictures
Documentation and user manuals
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