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.

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 Bronica S2 image by Howard Somerville (Image rights) S S2 C Type 2 1/4 x 2 1/4 (6cm × 6cm) Single lens reflex camera Film back removable integrated w/ film magazines Film 120 roll film 12 exposures 120/220 roll film 12/24 exposures Finder Fresnel lens and large magnifier Viewfinder hood interchangeable with pentaprism finder or magnifying hood Focusing Helicoid type, stroke 14mm, rotating angle of focusing ring 250 degrees Distance Scale 75mm, 50mm, 135mm lenses 75mm, 50mm, 135mm, and 200mm lenses Mirror flip down, instant return, automatic mirror system Diaphragm automatic - 75mm, 50mm, 135mm lenses automatic - 75mm, 50mm, 135mm, 200mm and 400mm lenses Depth-of-Field Depth-of-field can be checked by pressing preview button Shutter Vertical-travel focal plane shutter 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) Multiple exposure X X via multi exposure knob Film winding winding crank or knob Dimensions 100mm x 100mm x 140mm Weight 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: Bronica Users Group (BUG) at the Yahoo Groups site Bronica pages at medfmt Bronica D, Bronica S, Bronica EC and Bronica EC-TL at Cameraquest Bronica focal-plane cameras at Nikkor lenses for medium format cameras by Hiura Shinsaku Bronica S2 at Cosmonet's Classic Camera website Bronica Identification and Features at www.craigcamera.com In French: Bronica S2a in Dirapon's website In Japanese: Bronica focal-plane cameras and lenses at Hiura Shinsaku's camera site Bronica Deluxe and more pictures at Hayata Camera Laboratory Bronica S and Bronica EC at Asacame Sample pictures RandemPhoto (Flickr) Documentation and user manuals Bronica S2 sales brochure (#BR-302) at medfmt, provided by Bill Barton Bronica S2A manual at medfmt, provided by Mike Bond