Bronica EC with a gummy mirror stopper, any tips/ideas?

[Phillip P. Dimor]

Hello all. I have recently purchased a Bronica EC and am absolutely loving it. I've read a lot about how people don't find the split mirrors or electronics to be reliable but this seems pretty sturdy to me. My major concern at this point is the mirror stopper (I guess that's what you'd call it. The mirror flips down and rests on a round rubber/plastic button.) On the right interior side of the body, there is a metal stopper. On the left is this disintegrating gooey knob/button.
Fortunately, the mirror does not stick to it. What I am concerned about are focus issues. I know that Bronica has died, Koh's does not repair these. I have no clue what to do or what can be done.

Aside from contacting Frank Marshman (Whom I hope can service the EC).. is there anything else I can do? It's not just soft, it's malleable.

 

[Phillip P. Dimor]

I contacted Mr. Frank Marshman and he replied within a half hour, stating that he does have replacement (non-oem) bumper knobs that are machined out of a hard plastic for a very reasonable price! Super awesome, he has my business!

 

[Alan Gales]

I used to shoot EC's and never had problems with the mirrors. They were reliable but if the mirrors ever did get out of alignment it is said that they are a bear to realign.

I never had any problems with the electronics either. I would stay away from the ECTL's though. If the meter fails then the camera becomes a door stop. All EC's are getting old but at least they are cheap if you have to replace one.

I really liked the EC. The all mechanical S2a's are nice too. You can focus pretty close with the helical focussing. I really liked the 40mm and 75mm Nikkors and the 150mm Bronica lenses.

 

[whlogan]

How does one contact Frank Marshman? Please. I have an EC in trouble now and he mig htbe able to help me out.
Logan

 

[Phillip P. Dimor]

Phone: 540-867-9671

Email: camerawiz@msn.com

Address for shipping: Mr. Frank Marshman
1495 Needmore Lane

Sorry for the late reply, i've been off the grid. Seems like a great guy!

 

[Phillip P. Dimor]

I emailed him and got a reply within half an hour, btw.

 

[Phillip P. Dimor]

As a side question.. how would the mirror get out of alignment? The large (upper) mirror rests on a metal bracket post on one side, and on the other side is that ridiculous stopper. If the stopper disintegrates, would that cause the mirror assembly to go out of whack?

 

[whlogan]

Thanks

Logan

 

[Alan Gales]

As a side question.. how would the mirror get out of alignment? The large (upper) mirror rests on a metal bracket post on one side, and on the other side is that ridiculous stopper. If the stopper disintegrates, would that cause the mirror assembly to go out of whack?

I have never had one apart but this is what I heard. The EC has a split mirror. Some say that the top mirror is hung with fishing line. I don't know. Anyway they can get out of alignment (maybe if you dropped the camera?) although I have heard it's rare. They say that you have to be pretty skilled to get them back in alignment.