Bronica ETR-Si is So Much Fun to Use

RedSun · May 3, 2014

The Bronica ETR-Si (and other ETR) is so much fun to use. It handles just like a large 35mm, like Nikon F4, F5, etc. I also carry the 40mm and 200mm lenses with all the filers. The AE III really helps and make the shooting much faster. I do not really need the Goosen meter I carry.

My only comment is that, the 200mm MC lens is hard to focus. I guess I'm just not used to it. I'll carry my 150mm lens instead, do not really need the 200mm.

When I swapped film backs between BW and color, I forgot to change the ISO setting (100 vs 400) twice. But Negatives came out just fine. Nice surprise.

It is a pity that the money is chasing the pixels....

ambaker · May 3, 2014

I haven't played with a Bronica... Yet...

I don't mind the money chasing the pixels, but then I buy, not sell. I now own, and use, cameras that I never could have afforded back in the day.

RedSun · May 3, 2014

The pixel cameras may have to be upgraded every couple of years. It is also more fun to go the classic film photos....

Nathan Riehl · May 3, 2014

I love my ETR kit, but I'd rather trade it up for a rangefinder some time.

Dan Daniel · May 3, 2014

Nathan Riehl said:
I love my ETR kit, but I'd rather trade it up for a rangefinder some time.

(A Fuji 6x9 rangefinder is in the same price range.)

RedSun · May 3, 2014

In the old days, SLR was considered too expensive than the TLR and rangefinder. Now it is just the opposite. This has a lot to do with the demand and supply.

Alan Gales · May 3, 2014

The Bronica ETR series cameras and lenses are quite a bargain now. Anyone on the fence, contemplating trying medium format ought to buy one.

My first medium format camera was an ETRSi with a 75mm lens. I ended up selling it due to a very good friend giving me a fantastic deal on an EC 6x6 with 3 lenses.

edcculus · May 4, 2014

I've been thinking about picking up one of these from a guy I met in town one day. I was shooting my RB67 and he approached me to ask about the camera. Turns out he is a photographer, who obviously now shoots all digital. He said he had one of these cameras, along with at least 2 lenses, 2 backs, grip and non metered prism I think. He bought it from the company he worked for when they were offloading all of their film gear. Hes been holding onto it for years, and offered to sell it to me since I was still active in film photography.

I've been kind of on the fence. I love the RB, but a slightly more portable MF camera would not be a bad thing.

mr rusty · May 4, 2014

When I was looking for a med format SLR it was either mamiya645 or etrsi. Mamiya came along first so went with that. Yes these 645s handle not much different to a large 35mm slr. I have mine on an optech strap which helps with the extra weight. Just going out the door with it now!

John Earley · May 4, 2014

I too love the ETR series. A while I was able to purchase a very nice kit with ETRSi and ETRS bodies, WLF, ELPrism, AEII metered finder, 4 diopters, 40mm, 50mm, 75mm, 150mm and 250mm lenses, 4 120 backs, 2 220 backs and a 135 back, speed grip and other odds and ends. With the 150 or 250mm lens, AEII prism and mounted on a tripod, it makes a great portrait camera.

Alan Gales · May 4, 2014

edcculus said:
I've been thinking about picking up one of these from a guy I met in town one day. I was shooting my RB67 and he approached me to ask about the camera. Turns out he is a photographer, who obviously now shoots all digital. He said he had one of these cameras, along with at least 2 lenses, 2 backs, grip and non metered prism I think. He bought it from the company he worked for when they were offloading all of their film gear. Hes been holding onto it for years, and offered to sell it to me since I was still active in film photography.

I've been kind of on the fence. I love the RB, but a slightly more portable MF camera would not be a bad thing.

At one time I owned an RZ67 and loved it but I only used it on a tripod. At the same time I owned a Pentax 645Nll for hand held shooting people which was a lot of fun. If you take the fellow up on his offer I would look for a metered prism finder so you don't have to carry around an additional meter. I'm sure you could find one very reasonable on Ebay.

RedSun · May 4, 2014

With its portability, Bronica ETR family was the most popular cameras used by wedding photographers. Now very few pros still shoot film. Pixels are more efficient... on the business side.

BoxBrownie · May 4, 2014

I've almost sold my etrsi a few times now as I also have an rb67 (which deserves more use) but can never quite do it. It's just kinda cute and now I'm getting on a bit I appreciate the relative lightness vs the rb67.
Thinking of getting a second body just in case.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

paul ron · May 4, 2014

I love my RB67s but i do enjoy my ETRS!

For weekends i drive my Ferrari, but for carrying concrete i love my ford 150.

Each has its use.

Bronica John · May 27, 2014

I too love the ETRSi. I picked up the ETRSi and Mamiya M645 at about the same time a few years ago. I shot a couple of rolls thru both of them with their standard lenses (75mm on the Bronica, 80mm on the Mamiya). Image quality seemed about the same to me, but it was the swappable film backs which sold me on the Bronica. I have the 75mm E-II, 150mm PE, and 250mm MC lenses, speed grip, AEII metered prism, and several 120 backs. I have a been wanting to pick up a wider lens (40mm or 50mm). As others have mentioned, with the metered prism and speed grip, it is very much like shooting a large 35mm SLR. I have also found the metering of the AEII prism to be great. Bottom line is that I agree - the ETRSi is fun to use!

mweintraub · May 28, 2014

I started out, breifly, with the RB67 but realized I wanted 6x6 more so I sold that to get an SQ-A. Still have it and love it. I've since added a Mamiya 645 Pro (after having the M645 1000s) because of the 80mm f/1.9 lens. BUT everytime I pick up a ETR series decked out with a prism, I'm wow'd at how small the system is. I've, multiple times, thought about selling the Mamiya 645 kit for the ETR series.

RedSun · May 29, 2014

I recently tried the SQ. The square format is interesting that the photo can get fuller since the frame extends to both dimensions.

But it is easy to get the horizon in the middle of the photo in landscape. Then it looks bad and it appears the line would cut the photo in half.

Bronica ETR-Si is So Much Fun to Use

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