Bronica EC and Mamiya 645?

[PhotoTyler]

I'm looking to be able to get a mf setup, for fairly cheap, but i want a good one still. 7 bucks an hour doesn't go so far. ...

#1 is a Bronica EC

and
#2 is a Mamiya 645 super.

If you guys have any specs on either of these cameras, or any experience with them, please tell me thanks.


I saw the bronica ec on ebay for 250 bucks, and it looks like a pretty nice intro m.f. camera. The mamiya i say for around 750 on ebay.

Thanks for your help


-Tyler

 

[Jim Moore]

Tyler,

I have two 645 Pro bodies and several lenses, backs, etc.

I can highly recommend the Mamaya system. If you start out with a "Super" you can always upgrade to a "Pro" later and all you lenses, backs, etc. will still fit.

Jim

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Check out Bob Monaghan's Bronica website for info on all things classic Bronica.

I have a pretty extensive Bronica system built around the S2A, and I think it offers a great value for the price. One issue with the EC is that the split mirror can become misaligned and becomes impossible to repair if it does, so you want to be sure it's okay before purchasing. The EC and EC-TL offer mirror lockup, which does not exist on the S-series Bronicas, and some users feel that the EC is a step forward in design, while the S2A merely fixed all the problems with the S2 and earlier cameras by using stronger, heavier parts. That said, I like the ruggedness of the S2A. Lenses are interchangeable between the S-series and EC-series, but finders and backs are not.

 

[Annemarieke]

I have a Mamiya 645 super and a few lenses. Lovely camera and also very forgiving when you take it outside into the landscape, and it gets rained on, and hailed on, and blown at, and sand _everywhere_.

Recently I have had the light sealing replaced, and the camera serviced, and everything is working perfectly again (touch wood!).

Somebody once told me that Bronica's are not as happy to go on an outdoor photo shoot, but I'm not sure this is true. I have no experience with that camera, but I've heard the lenses are very good.

All this assuming that you would want to take your camera outdoors.

Good luck making your choice. The step up to MF is a great adventure.

Anne Marieke

 

[PhotoTyler]

Thanks a lot for all your help. I've taken all of this into consideration. I'll make a decision and purchase one soon, then i'll have some photos up from it shortly.

 

[Ernie]

I recently purchased a Bronica EC with two lenses off e-bay for £250. The camera body is in mint condition and the lenses are okay. I have since purchased a very good 50mm lens for £70 and a 135mm lens for £50. One advantage of the EC is that there are a lot of S2 lens going cheap which fit the EC.

The camera is great to use too and gives excellent results.

Ernie

 

[PhotoTyler]

I have noticed that bronica's lenses are much cheaper then the blads. I ended up bidding 325 american dollars for a Bronica ETRS, with a 75mm lens,viewfinder, and 220 back. The bidding is only at 272 dollars now, so i assume that i will win it. E-bay is one of the greatest gifts to photographers.

Thanks for your help.

I'm hoping the etrs is a decent camera? from the specs it looks excellent! I'll especially be liking the x-sync at all shutter speeds.

 

[Ole]

The ETRS is a great camera. Mine has followed me around for several years, from Eritrea to the arctic circle, including stopovers like the inside of the Cheops pyramid...

Bronicas have no problem with outdoors - at least not more than other non-underwater cameras.

The lenses are very sharp, a comparison shot with a 35mm back, same film, same exposure, with a friends Nikon showed the Zenzanon 75mm to be significantly sharper than his top-$ Nikkor lens (can't remember which one, as I've never felt the need for one!). I also have a 150mm and a 40mm, both truly exellent.

I'll advise you to get a 120 back, 220 film availability is limited and seems to be getting even worse.

 

[PhotoTyler]

Thank you very much. I'm very excited to get it. When you say its getting even worse, do you mean its getting worse in availability or quality?

Also, do you know if you can buy a 6x7 back for the etrs, because i thought i saw that soemwhere?

Thanks,
Tyler

 

[papagene]

Tyler,
No, you can't get a 6x7 back for the ETRS. You would have to buy the GS1 camera.
A friend of mine has the ETRS and he gets excellent photos from it.
Good luck - MF is great fun.
gene

 

[PhotoTyler]

Thanks for all your help, i'm very excited to get it and start taking photos with it. I've only used 35mm before, so this is quite a step up for me.

-Tyler Moore

 

[gary bridges]

Tyler, I have used a Mamiya 645 for several years now. I have enjoyed using it-especially since I have also been doing my own b&w developing&printing-the larger negative makes a big difference