Anyone in L.A. got a Bronica GS-1?

wildbill · Dec 28, 2009

I'd like to take a look at it before I think of selling my other mf gear. That's los angeles, van nuys area.

wildbill · Dec 31, 2009

hey you, is there anybody out there?

whlogan · Dec 31, 2009

Sorry I'm not closer, but I'm in North Carolina. FWIW I can tell you its a superb beast. Heavy as Hell, precise as a caliper. Reliable as water. Easy to use. The prism/meter is very good and uses half stops to split exposures. Do get Butkus's book. This guy should get a National Medal of Merit! I've used the camera on long road trips and while it really worked my arms, it prroduced and answered the mail and will get to do it again in April at Monument Valley along with the SL66 and the SQ boys. I particularly like the 100mm as normal. Rugged stuff you will never regret, but always keep a couple of Rollei TLRs handy
Logan

Tony-S · Dec 31, 2009

My only complaints are (1) long minimum focus distance of the lenses, (2) lack of a self-timer, and (3) you cannot view through the camera unless the film is advanced (but you can if there's no film loaded). It takes great images and with the Speed Grip it handles like a big 35mm SLR.

Toffle · Dec 31, 2009

Tony-S said:
My only complaints are (1) long minimum focus distance of the lenses, (2) lack of a self-timer, and (3) you cannot view through the camera unless the film is advanced (but you can if there's no film loaded). It takes great images and with the Speed Grip it handles like a big 35mm SLR.

I hadn't thought of the self timer issue. I've just never needed it when shooting with that camera. (which means next time I use it, I'll be cursing the lack of that feature... :rolleyes: ) The PG lenses are super, and the camera handles very well. I seem to be going the other way from most GS-1 users in that I have stripped off the speed grip and replaced the prism with a WLF. It's a very personal thing, but I like the feel of the camera this way. (for one thing, it's a lot lighter. )

Greg Campbell · Dec 31, 2009

whlogan said:
Sorry I'm not closer, but I'm in North Carolina. FWIW I can tell you its a superb beast.

...it produced and answered the mail and will get to do it again in April at Monument Valley along with the SL66 and the SQ boys.
Logan

Logan, I'm assuming you mean Bronica SQ ?

I've got an SQai setup and occasionally wonder whether I should have bought the 6x7 instead. The GS looks an awful lot like a typical SQ body. (The SQ-A was released in 82, the same year as the GS) Are the build quality and general 'feel' similar? How much heavier is the GS?

Thanks

whlogan · Dec 31, 2009

Greg, the GS-1 will go along with the SL-66 as the main shooter and the GS-1 as the 6xx7 fella and the Bronica SQ boys (SQA and SQ B) as the back up gang with 2 or 3 Rollei TLRs as ultimate backups...the GS1 was the main shooter on the Maine 2006 trip and did just tine... 12 rolls 220 and 11 rolls 120.... good year, that! And a Fuji TX 1 for panos, too.
Logan

Oh, yes bronica Bronica SQ, of course....

f/stopblues · Jan 1, 2010

I've been using one for a handful of years now and really enjoy it. I picked up the 110mm macro to help the close focus issue. The only thing I really wish it had is a rotating back. I love my WLF but it's just about impossible to frame vertically with it.

Tony-S · Jan 1, 2010

Looking at the specs, the 110mm macro only focuses about 4" close than the 100mm f/3.5 (26" vs 30"). I'm not sure how much of a difference that makes. Do you have the 100mm, too, by chance? It would be interesting to see a comparison at minimum distance.

DanielStone · Jan 1, 2010

wildbill said:
I'd like to take a look at it before I think of selling my other mf gear. That's los angeles, van nuys area.

bill,

no GS-1 here, but RZ definitely. what are you using for M/F that you're looking to sell to get a GS?

also, since Bronica is a dead system, sure you don't want to go with say an RZ, which repairs are super easy to find?(samys?)

just wondering

-Dan

wildbill · Jan 1, 2010

DanielStone said:
bill,

no GS-1 here, but RZ definitely. what are you using for M/F that you're looking to sell to get a GS?

also, since Bronica is a dead system, sure you don't want to go with say an RZ, which repairs are super easy to find?(samys?)

just wondering

-Dan

I already have an two anchors for my boat so NO, not interested in an RZ or an RB. I currently have two Pentax 67II's and all the lenses I could want except the 400mm. I also have used the bronica sq system quite a bit and like the ability to change films (color to b+w, etc) quickly as I do with my lf systems. Changing the pentax bodies and lenses on the tripod isn't quick or convenient plus carrying two bodies is, well heavy as hell. I shoot large format primarily so I'm considering having a lighter system with more versatility, higher flash sync speeds, and polaroid back. I know there aren't nearly as many lens options but I'm okay with that and I could get an entire gs-1 system for a fraction of what my 67II's are worth. I just need to get my hands on one first.

DanielStone · Jan 1, 2010

looking at gs-1's on flickr, doesn't seem like it has rotating back, rather, rotating the camera?

ok, just letting you know about the RZ's, I love mine. but then again, my muscles need a workout

-Dan

Anyone in L.A. got a Bronica GS-1?

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