Anyone have any GS-1 advice?

[sixby45]

Hi All,

Anyone have any good bronica GS-1 experience s to share? Thinking of getting a 6x7 rig to augment my 6x6 system and wondered why we don't hear too much about this bronica version. Thanks!

 

[jbrubaker]

Hi All,

Anyone have any good bronica GS-1 experience s to share? Thinking of getting a 6x7 rig to augment my 6x6 system and wondered why we don't hear too much about this bronica version. Thanks!

I used to own a GS-1. It's a fine camera as long as you shoot horizontal frames. To go vertical you need to rotate the entire camera body and end up with an ergonomic problem. There is a rotating prism finder for viewing, but they should have made the GS-1 with a rotating back like Mamiya did. My opinion for what it's worth ---john.

 

[voceumana]

With WLF, as jbrubaker indicated, horizontal is natural; vertical composition if tripod mounted means an upside down image, which won't bother most who are used to large format work, but might be a problem for some. The prism fixes the upside down image, but adds weight.

I like my SQ-Ai camera enough that I am considering a GS-1 if I can find one for the right price. I've got a Mamiya RB67 Pro S-D, but it's a beast for hand held shots. Pentax 67 with prism is a more natural hand held camera, but you really shouldn't hand hold a camera of this size and weight--with mirror bounce and a big focal plane shutter.

 

[Truzi]

I'm happy with my GS-1. It's a very nice camera, and I mostly use it hand-held with the speed grip and regular prism. I've held it vertically when needed, and also have a 4.5x6 back if I want vertical (though it's a smaller negative than turning it sideways). Aside from the horizontal issue, there isn't much not to like about it.

 

[btaylor]

I am with Truzi, I really like my GS-1. It is quite a bit smaller than an RB/RZ Mamiya. The non rotating back isn't that much of an issue if you use the regular prism (non rotating) and the nifty speed grip. Amazing quality (especially the optics) for the price. Recommended!

 

[itsdoable]

In 6x7 SLRs, I've used/owned the Pentax 67 and the Mamiya RB, and the GS-1 is what I still own and shoot. Smaller, lighter, excellent quality. You really should have the prism finder and left hand grip if you want to shoot verticals. Nice big negatives and transparencies. I ran a fair bit of film though it in the past, but I shoot mostly 6x6 right now.

 

[ozphoto]

I love my GS-1 kit, sadly I don't get much chance to use it these days. Like Truzi, I too hand-hold, but I don't have a speed grip.

I find it much lighter than some of the other 6x7s out there and certainly more versatile than a Pentax. The lack of a rotating back doesn't bother me at all, as it's not too heavy to hold V or H.

I'm going to unload the kit sometime in the next 6 months - it just doesn't get the love and attention it deserves anymore.

 

[sixby45]

Thanks every one for weighing in on the GS-1 topic - I had wondered about the difficulty shooting portraits vertically and this answers my questions in regards to handholding the system comfortably. Seems like the grip is a requirement but since the camera setup is much more manageable than the RB67 it would work nicely. Thanks!

 

[JonPorter]

The GS-1 is a wonderful camera. I've also had an RB67, RZ67 and Pentax 67 but the Bronica was the only one I could comfortably hand-hold (with prism). It's actually easier to hold without the Speed Grip, which is only useful if you need a hot shoe. Otherwise it just adds bulk and weight. My system included the 65mm, 100mm and 150mm lenses; all were excellent. I also had the 6x6 back for added versatility. The only drawback to the GS-1 is it sold in smaller numbers than the other 6x7 cameras, so it can be harder to find some components such as focusing screens or backs.

 

[Mike Bates]

I like my GS-1. All of the studio shots in my media gallery page are shot with it. I have a number of lenses and they're all very high quality.

As most people have pointed out, it's quite a bit smaller and lighter than the RB67 or RZ67, mostly because it doesn't have a bellows nor a rotating back. There are lens extension tubes available if you really like to focus closely, but that's not my thing.

There's a "Revolving Tripod Adapter G" for it, but it's a bit rare. KEH shows pictures of it. I have one and it's nice to use. It's a heavy-duty hunk of metal that allow the camera to rotate 90 degrees on the center of the lens axis. The revolving adapter usually sells for more than you'd think it's worth, but if you shoot lots of vertical shots (most of my studio portrait shots are vertical), I'd place its value above any one of my lenses. It's a "buy once, cry once" then enjoy using it forever kind of thing.

The remote shutter release is a wired one. They're not particularly rare, but still more expensive than a mechanical cable release. They may be as simple as a momentary push button switch connected by a wire to the right kind of connector. I've never taken mine apart to see what's inside.

The hand grip is nice for hand holding the GS-1, which is quite manageable because of its smaller size and lighter weight. Keep in mind the hand grip requires the winding crank to be removed as the handle itself has a thumb-operated film advance lever that mates to the body where the crank attaches. If you buy a GS-1 with the hand grip already attached, you're going to want that winding crank for any time you don't have the hand grip attached. The crank handle is somewhat rare in the used market which drives the price accordingly. Keep that in mind. It's better to get one with the camera than be forced to buy one separately.

 

[Mike Bates]

Googling a bit turned up this thread that says the Canon RS-60E3 (or knockoffs) will fire the GS-1 shutter just fine. I notice you can pick those up for well less than $10 at the big auction site, so don't fret about the price of a Bronica remote shutter release.

 

[Truzi]

I like my GS-1. All of the studio shots in my media gallery page are shot with it. I have a number of lenses and they're all very high quality.

As most people have pointed out, it's quite a bit smaller and lighter than the RB67 or RZ67, mostly because it doesn't have a bellows nor a rotating back. There are lens extension tubes available if you really like to focus closely, but that's not my thing.

There's a "Revolving Tripod Adapter G" for it, but it's a bit rare. KEH shows pictures of it. I have one and it's nice to use. It's a heavy-duty hunk of metal that allow the camera to rotate 90 degrees on the center of the lens axis. The revolving adapter usually sells for more than you'd think it's worth, but if you shoot lots of vertical shots (most of my studio portrait shots are vertical), I'd place its value above any one of my lenses. It's a "buy once, cry once" then enjoy using it forever kind of thing.

The remote shutter release is a wired one. They're not particularly rare, but still more expensive than a mechanical cable release. They may be as simple as a momentary push button switch connected by a wire to the right kind of connector. I've never taken mine apart to see what's inside.

The hand grip is nice for hand holding the GS-1, which is quite manageable because of its smaller size and lighter weight. Keep in mind the hand grip requires the winding crank to be removed as the handle itself has a thumb-operated film advance lever that mates to the body where the crank attaches. If you buy a GS-1 with the hand grip already attached, you're going to want that winding crank for any time you don't have the hand grip attached. The crank handle is somewhat rare in the used market which drives the price accordingly. Keep that in mind. It's better to get one with the camera than be forced to buy one separately.

You're right, the remote is just a push-button connected to a earphone jack. I bought a cheap generic radio remote that works on it, as well as a cheap generic wired remote.

As for the crank, I was lucky to get one on ebay for $15 several years ago - they seem to be around $50 now. It doesn't really interfere with the grip, so I leave the crank on the camera, lest I lose it.

I think the weak point is the battery door - they are a bit delicate. Make sure the camera you buy has one that is intact.

If you do pick up a GS-1, put some consideration into whether you will get the 50mm lens. It takes a different filter size, so it may make sense to buy the larger filters and a step-down ring to fit the other lenses.