Bronica GS-1 system - anything I should know?

BobNewYork · Mar 4, 2009

I just picked up a two body GS-1 system through eBay from a really nice guy on the left coast. Has the rotary prism and the AE prism and six lenses - 50mm, 65mm, 100mm, 110mm macro, 150mm and 250mm. I'd had an SQ system for years but lost it. This is the replacement. Looks awesome - clean, good optics etc. Anything I should know before I break it?

Mr.Helberg^^ · Mar 4, 2009

Its heavy as hell, hope you have a good grip for it cause vertical position can be a pain. Otherwise it makes top notch negs and positive

BobNewYork · Mar 4, 2009

Thanks Mr. H - yes I think I'll have big arms to go with my puny legs! I have a quick winder for each of the bodies so that should help.

Rol_Lei Nut · Mar 4, 2009

It's the biggest bloody 35mm camera I've ever seen!!!
;-)

Toffle · Mar 4, 2009

Six lenses.... you are going to be busy.... The PG lenses are amazing... It's a great camera, and from what I can see, very reliable.... The grips and prisms are great, but I've been stripping mine down a bit... for portability/flexibility. Too bad I don't have a WLF. I really think I'd enjoy that with this camera.

Congratulations on a great purchase.

Cheers,

BobNewYork · Mar 4, 2009

Rol_Lei Nut said:
It's the biggest bloody 35mm camera I've ever seen!!!
;-)

Oops - just realized I posted in the wrong forum. I know, I'm an a*s - just ask the missus - she'll tell you

Klopstock · Mar 5, 2009

Great camera, great lens - and I am selling one:

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

ozphoto · Mar 5, 2009

Bob, I envy you - you have described my perfect kit! I too have this wonderful camera (65mm & 100mm only) and although it's heavy, I like the "solid" feel when I handhold it.

Well done - you'll love it.

BobNewYork · Mar 6, 2009

Thanks Cobber !

I got this to replace an SQ which I enjoyed for many years but I lost it in a fire last year. I'm actually wondering how much I'll use all the lenses. I had the 150mm and 50mm with the SQ and that met pretty much most of my needs.

As for the weight - I certainly see what you mean. In fact I'm off to the gym to pump iron now in preparation. Figure once I can bench press a Volkswagen I'll be in good shape to shoot 6x7 !!!

Bob H

Sirius Glass · Mar 6, 2009

You will enjoy it as much as I enjoy my Hassey!

Start shooting!

Steve

Excalibur2 · Mar 8, 2009

Mr.Helberg^^ said:
Its heavy as hell, hope you have a good grip for it cause vertical position can be a pain.

Ah! the advantage of a Mamiya RB67..you just rotate the back, and the framing is adjusted in the viewfinder.

BobNewYork · Mar 8, 2009

Excalibur2 said:
Ah! the advantage of a Mamiya RB67..you just rotate the back, and the framing is adjusted in the viewfinder.

Yes - I was aware of that. It was just that this outfit was just sitting there in virtual reality, (Ebay!!) and I was like a kid in a, well.......medium format camera store

Bob H

Excalibur2 · Mar 8, 2009

BobNewYork said:
Yes - I was aware of that. It was just that this outfit was just sitting there in virtual reality, (Ebay!!) and I was like a kid in a, well.......medium format camera store

Bob H

...and looking thru the viewfinder is a wow, compared to 35mm esp digital cameras.

Toffle · Mar 22, 2009

Toffle said:
Six lenses.... you are going to be busy.... The PG lenses are amazing... It's a great camera, and from what I can see, very reliable.... The grips and prisms are great, but I've been stripping mine down a bit... for portability/flexibility. Too bad I don't have a WLF. I really think I'd enjoy that with this camera.

Congratulations on a great purchase.

Cheers,

Just an update... this week I picked up a new(ish) WLF for $65 CDN at Commercial Camera Repair in Toronto. (Gordon was as charming as ever. ) The GS-1 feels so different with the WLF.

Cheers,

Bronica GS-1 system - anything I should know?

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