Bronica GS-1: good and bad?

I'm looking into this system, but don't know anyone who owns it. I'm particularly interested in this system with longer lenses.

Anyone out there who owns this system and can comment about the good and bad?

Thanks.

I have the GS-1 system. I like it a lot. I also have other MF slr’s. The Bronica lenses are first rate. The built in metering only works with a prism attached, but it works very well. There is a downside, there is no rotating back, so you must turn the camera on it’s side to do vertical compositions- no big deal if you are using one of the prisms but not very practical for the waist level finder. The upside is that it’s smaller and more compact than the Mamiya RB/RZ 67 cameras. Image quality is equal to any of the best systems out there. For some reason they are often available in like new condition- almost everything I bought (all used on eBay) was pristine and inexpensive. I have often seen very complete systems in perfect order for around $1k, less than the price of a beat Hasselblad 500 with a back and lens that will need a CLA.
Try the GS-1 and see if you like it- you can always sell it for about what you paid if you don’t.

btaylor said:

I have the GS-1 system. I like it a lot. I also have other MF slr’s. The Bronica lenses are first rate. The built in metering only works with a prism attached, but it works very well. There is a downside, there is no rotating back, so you must turn the camera on it’s side to do vertical compositions- no big deal if you are using one of the prisms but not very practical for the waist level finder. The upside is that it’s smaller and more compact than the Mamiya RB/RZ 67 cameras. Image quality is equal to any of the best systems out there. For some reason they are often available in like new condition- almost everything I bought (all used on eBay) was pristine and inexpensive. I have often seen very complete systems in perfect order for around $1k, less than the price of a beat Hasselblad 500 with a back and lens that will need a CLA.
Try the GS-1 and see if you like it- you can always sell it for about what you paid if you don’t.

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I can second what has bee said, very accurate eval. I used Gs-1 for many years shooting commercially when they first came out. I liked the 6x7 size frame, the auto-exposure meters are right on, at the time no other Med format had it. I still have my complete system- 3 bodies, both, prisim finders, all the lenes (all very sharp ) 7 -120 film backs, only shot 120 trans, speed grip, polaroid back (good luck finding any Pola film) all has been stored in a heavy duty "Anvel" type reusable shipping case. I went digital when PhaseOne came out in 1990 ish with Hasselblad format. I'm retired now for many years and plan to ebay all of my stuff, but it is slow going, ( or should I say I am slow going. www.mikenykoruk.com

To btaylor and Mike:

What is the longest lens you used and what is your opinion?
Thanks!

The longest lens I have is the 250mm, but I have to admit I have never used it! I’m sure it’s fine, not that big either. I find rarely use focal lengths over 180mm in MF. I had a 250mm for my Kowa Six, I used it once.

I owned one for many years and it was a wonderful kit to use. I preferred the larger neg and the ability to change backs, hence I chose it over a Rollei 6006, and Pentax 6x7.

The longest lens available was indeed the 250mm. I still have this (not yet sold) and it was great as a telephoto, although I didn't use it quite as often as I would have liked. I sold the kit because I moved onto a 6x9 Arca Swiss, however, if I had the need for a 6x7 kit at any stage in the future, I wouldn't hesitate to purchase a Bronica GS-1 kit again.

I've had a GS-1 for a few years and really like it. I don't have any long lenses to answer your question, though. I don't even have any other MF cameras (save a 90s-era Holga) to compare to. I probably qualify as a step below a hobbyist, so take it for what it's worth.

The deal I got on ebay was quite good - speed grip, standard 100mm lens, AE prism, and a 120 back all in great condition for less than a used Hasselblad body (yes, I was looking for a Hasselblad). The GS-1 is way out of my league, and I am quite happy with it. I basically take snapshots - so a point-and-shoot with an average lens is good for me.

I've not gone with longer lenses, but did pick up the 65mm and may get the 50mm.

The camera is light and reliable. There is nothing truly bad for me, but there are a few tiny little annoyances.
- The battery door is a bit of a pain to unlatch if you have human-sized fingers.
- The focus & aperture rings move opposite to what I'm used to.
- Some lenses have different sized threads for filter rings, so you may need duplicate filters in different sizes, or a step-up/down ring.
- My screen does not have grid lines marked for different backs - so I have to work out what's in frame for 4.5x6, 6x6, and 6x7 myself.
- The split-focus on the screen is horizontal. It's probably just me, but I find diagonal to work better.
- It is electronic. Actually, I don't mind this, but electronics are more likely to fail in a manner I can't fix.
- I'm not fond of the LED display in the prism, I'd prefer LCD. Just a personal choice.
- People see it and think I'm a professional, lol. When I take a good photo it's by accident.
None of these should be deal-breakers.

In addition to all the positives mentioned by others (some, like lens quality, far above my level anyway):
- I think it can still fire the shutter with a dead battery - though in a convoluted way and only one speed (I'd have to read-up on this again).
- The "cable release" is electronic. Aside from the general worry about electronics, the remote release is simply completing a circuit. You can plug headphone wires in and fire it by touching the wires together. I was able to get a cheap modern radio-trigger release that works just fine on it.
- It has aperture priority. If I'm doing automatic, this is what I want.

I use a Bronica GS-1, and the longest lens I have is the 200 f/4.5. All the PG lenses are good on that series, so I would expect the longer lenses to be just as good.

Thanks for the replies. Great insight!! You have given me much to chew on.


I have several medium format cameras, mainly rangefinders and folders. I also have been using a Pentax 645NII, which is good but I'm afraid not as robust as I would want - I'm leary to invest too much into it. Also, with the exception of the Pentax all my medium format cameras are normal or wide angle. The GS-1 is affordable to the point that I could buy multiple bodies and a telephoto lenses or two - maybe even the 500mm lens. Unlike most all GS-1 lenses, the 500 mm lens is a bit spendy.

wyofilm said:

To btaylor and Mike:

What is the longest lens you used and what is your opinion?
Thanks!

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I have the 250mm, 200mm, 150, 127 or 110 I can't recall off hand and a 65mm I think is the widest. I'd have to go dig out the case in my store room, which I should do anyways. I'm Glad I didn't know they made a 500mm, Probably saved me some money. I used to shoot Cars for a living, so have the full range of gear was par for the course. The 250 will allow you to reach out a bit further than the 200. Some call it a "Stacked Look"
Keep in mind that perspective is a ratio of distance to subject, not focal length. If you don't change your camera position, only change lenses, the
Look will be no different with a 250mm or a 200mm, or a 150, for that matter, any length lens, only a different / wider field of view. If you were to enlarge each lenses' picture of the same image, ( say a persons face for example) and lay each over the other there would be no difference in perspective or "Look" just more field of view as the lens got shorter. So if you cropped a 200mm frame slightly, it would match the "Look" of the 250mm. I understand the value of using the most of the image area for quality of image, from a purist stand point, Just saying, a little cropping, the result, would be the same.
( BTaylor are you Beth & Taylor Photo in LA? just curious, I left a voicemail but haven't heard back.)

Where are you in Wyoming? I have a GS-1 system, and for me it is not the right camera. If you are close by and want to handle it in person, we could arrange a visit after "stay at home" is over. I am in Logan UT, about 102 miles from Evanston (across the Wasatch mountains) or 122 miles via interstate. (I also have a Pentax 67II and RB67 so you could compare.)

For me the problem with the GS-1 is difficulty in focusing--having a lot to do with my particular eyesight. I rely a great deal on split-image focus, and it is hard to find a split-image screen for the GS-1. Also, the GS-1 is a little dark in the viewfinder for me.

That said, I think the system is very solid and well built. Bronica lenses have always pleased me.

Since you are looking at long lenses, if you do vertical shots you might like the Revolving Tripod Adapter--it flips the camera from horizontal to vertical, keeping the lens axis about the same. If you use a tilt on a tripod head for vertical, you shift the lens axis and you'll want to look into an anti-twist plate, since a long lens puts the center of gravity forward of the tripod mount.

voceumana said:

Where are you in Wyoming? I have a GS-1 system, and for me it is not the right camera. If you are close by and want to handle it in person, we could arrange a visit after "stay at home" is over. I am in Logan UT, about 102 miles from Evanston (across the Wasatch mountains) or 122 miles via interstate. (I also have a Pentax 67II and RB67 so you could compare.)

For me the problem with the GS-1 is difficulty in focusing--having a lot to do with my particular eyesight. I rely a great deal on split-image focus, and it is hard to find a split-image screen for the GS-1. Also, the GS-1 is a little dark in the viewfinder for me.

That said, I think the system is very solid and well built. Bronica lenses have always pleased me.

Since you are looking at long lenses, if you do vertical shots you might like the Revolving Tripod Adapter--it flips the camera from horizontal to vertical, keeping the lens axis about the same. If you use a tilt on a tripod head for vertical, you shift the lens axis and you'll want to look into an anti-twist plate, since a long lens puts the center of gravity forward of the tripod mount.

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I am in Daniel WY, about 90 miles south of Jackson, WY. Logan is a beautiful drive from SW Wyoming. Thank you for the offer to look at the your GS-1. When travel is opened up again, I'll take you up on your offer. Are you looking to sell GS-1? If so, please contact me in 'conversation' with details if you don't mind. Thanks for your insight about the dim, non-split screen. That is an important consideration as my eyes continue to age.

I've slowly acquired a GS-1 system over the past three years; my previous MF rig was a RZ PRO II. Like other posters I wanted a less heavy system for field/studio work. I am pleased with the GS-1, body, lenses and accessories; lenses include 200, 110, 100, 65 & 50. All are very good to excellent, with the 100 a super performer! Metering is accurate.
Roberts Camera & KEH are both reliable suppliers in the US, while Japanese shops seem to have an unlimited supply of GS-1 items; FM has very few items for sale.

Mike Nykoruk said:

I can second what has bee said, very accurate eval. I used Gs-1 for many years shooting commercially when they first came out. I liked the 6x7 size frame, the auto-exposure meters are right on, at the time no other Med format had it. I still have my complete system- 3 bodies, both, prisim finders, all the lenes (all very sharp ) 7 -120 film backs, only shot 120 trans, speed grip, polaroid back (good luck finding any Pola film) all has been stored in a heavy duty "Anvel" type reusable shipping case. I went digital when PhaseOne came out in 1990 ish with Hasselblad format. I'm retired now for many years and plan to ebay all of my stuff, but it is slow going, ( or should I say I am slow going. www.mikenykoruk.com

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Looks like my website went down yesterday, I working to get it back on line, hopefully by Tuesday or wednesday.

Mike Nykoruk said:

Looks like my website went down yesterday, I working to get it back on line, hopefully by Tuesday or wednesday.

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Your website worked the other day when you posted. Impressive car photos!

Just bought this system! Spent a lot of time looking at reviews of similar cameras and decided on it And have to say I love it. Have a small issue if anybody could help me out!!

Juan Tuyub said:

Just bought this system! Spent a lot of time looking at reviews of similar cameras and decided on it And have to say I love it. Have a small issue if anybody could help me out!!

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Might be able to remember things and help you out, if you want to post the issue?

ozphoto said:

Might be able to remember things and help you out, if you want to post the issue?

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Juan posted yesterday but didn't link to it in this thread:
https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/gs-1-issue.175671/

ozphoto said:

Might be able to remember things and help you out, if you want to post the issue?

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Posted it right before this post went up. Main issue is shutter isn’t cocking with film loaded.

wyofilm said:

Your website worked the other day when you posted. Impressive car photos!

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Thanks! Pretty much retired now, but still doing lighting on Car Commercials with my Big Lightbox ( 20' x 60" ) see the website for pics.
www.mikenykoruk.com