the film camera I never talk about

I love this camera, even with it's at times glaring flaws and I wanted to talk about it after all these years.

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0:00 Intro
2:28 Zenza Bronica EC
4:04 Medium Format Film Photography
4:55 Nasty Lens
6:50 Cons
8:43 Pros
9:56 $100 Film Camera

[JanneRanta]

EC is my primary camera. Absolutely favourite camera I've ever handled. And I've shot hasselblads and mamiyas. I broke my first one and had to buy a 2nd one. I highly recommend the "standard" 75mm f2.8 too. For wide I have also have 50mm but the f2.8 version. It's quite big when you compare to the 75mm. The only worry is that it does have electronics for the shutter which will die some day. I've gone deep onto the forums reading up on the electronics and appears that the original timing chip isnt available anymore. Some german forum had a discussion about making a replacement with modern electronic components which would be an option I guess if the electronics fail.

[CMCSenior]

I hear the passion in your voice and it makes me feel good for you!

[clairewinters]

I have the S2A and it's become my favourite, even over all my 35mm cameras :)

[georgehandy]

Seeing this has inspired me to drag out my EC and go shoot. The camera, like me, is old, heavy, and cantankerous, but can also be a lot of fun!

[alexcarrillo]

I have a Bronica too, as I got mine back in Art School in 1979, and Still got it, as all I had was the 75mm Nikkor lens, as I use it when I went with my photo class to Yosemite, and use it there, as the lens, and the film that I was using was amaze with Contrast, and Colors, and that still use it, and took it to Paris as people were amazed of the SOUND of the Shutter you see my baby is a 1968 Bronica S2A All Mechanical. Yours needs a Battery a 6 volt battery, and make sure that it is a Silver Oxide one. later 3 years ago I got a 50mm Nikkor, and 135mm Nikkor, and a Chimney Viewing Hood. As thinking of bringing it to Japan in 2024.

[FranklinNewhart]

I owned a Bronica from 1977 to 1998 when I sold it. I totally regret letting it out of my life.

[MarksPhoto]

If you want the view of an SWC without the $$$, get a Kiev 60 or Pentacon 6 and the soviet Zodiak 40mm. Crazy good lens, and you'll save a $1000 or more. I like the wide angle view of things as well.

[andrewrothman]

I recognize the sights in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Clyde's drive-in and the old ore dock in Marquette. The Bronica really captured them. I've used my ETRS with the 135W panoramic back up there. Good choice!

[CalumetVideo]

I have seen many photos taken with the early Bronica’s, the Nikon lenses are amazing. I actually owned a few Bronica SQ series cameras, great images, I think their later SQ lenses were made by Tamron who eventually bought them out. I sold the Bronica’s and went with the Hasselblad 500 C/M, the Hasselblad lenses are sharp and have a great rendition of color. The Hasselblad’s are nice but very expensive, the Bronica SQ is also a great camera for the price.

[MrConna]

I loved my sqa and etrs, very nice cameras, helps to replace the battery every so often though

[PhongJr.]

I'd like to own an S2A.
If I had known people were selling old film cameras for cheap prices 20 years ago, I would have looked for a working example
Now? Prices for cameras that might break and be too expensive or impossible to fix are just too high for me to buy.
BTW, I saw a brief editor write up on that camera in a popular mechanics magazine from 1973 online.

[hmuz]

got one and it was so fun shooting with but had to return it cause of the focusing issue.

[bpelectric]

I have a pair of S2as that I've tried to love, but they have a frustrating issue with the foams holding the focusing screen deteriorating so that the screen is no longer the same distance from the back of the lens as the film plane, throwing off the focus. I've always intended to try and get it dialed in, but it's a huge pain in the butt and local service would cost 2-3x the value of the camera. As a result they mostly sit in the closet.

[phigmov]

I have an EC but the electronics work 'intermittently' (theres a repair video online but I don't have the chops to try it). I've hung onto it so I can use it with bulb-mode and a cable-release. I did get a Bronica C so I could get some use out of the lens at least - thats a nice camera even if it doesn't have an interchangeable back. I'd recommend the older fully mechanical Bronicas for a new-user over one with electronics (get a S, S2, C or D). I'd love to try a SQA at some stage tho.

[pdjdw]

🤫 don’t to much about the bronica’s
They are hidden gems. And we don’t want the prices to rise to much.

[Rotacnisumis]

man, you sound loke youre in love with that camera...

[MichaelRusso]

Great camera. Very innovative design. Unfortunately I sold it all.

[Pepethacat]

You said you shoot alot of 220, is it expired? I cant find anyone that still produces 220 so im wondering where you get yours from...

[tomislavmiletic_]

So you say this camera has electronically controlled shutter? 🤔 I guess I was living in delusion.
Reason more for me to go with Pentacon six route. Despite its quirkiness...