Bronica GS-1 - Waist Level Finder

[Maximus966]

Hello All!

First time poster here, long time lurker... interesting information always found here.

Just acquired a Bronica GS-1, and used it this weekend. Being my first time using a medium-format camera such as this one, I happy to say that out of 10 possible photos from the first reel used, I screwed up only 3! LOL!

VERY pleased with the results, and the images on the 120 film is unreal compared to the 35mm fil I have used for over 40 years... no idea why I didn't pick up earlier one of these Medium format cameras. See a couple of crap pics of developed film... unreal (new to me!). the side curl was easily eliminated. After one hour drying, I delicately respooled the film in my Patterson reel, and placed in sunlight inside the tank. After an hour the curl was 100% gone.

Also, quick question... looking how to purchase a Waist-Level finder... I'm not sure if it is a rare accessory, but I am unable to find one. Tried to post in the Classifieds section as well, but unless I am doing something wrong, not sure why I can post there. If anyone can explain how can I post there, greatly appreciated.

Here's a couple of pics of the camera... will look for a 65mm and 50mm lens later on; if anyone knows where I can purchase the WLF, again, it will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Jorge
Toa Baja, PR

 

[Dave Ludwig]

Hello Toa and welcome to the GS club. Listing for a waist level finder at Houston Camera Exchange and Ebay. You might want to look for a GS1 hand grip.

 

[Maximus966]

Hello Toa and welcome to the GS club. Listing for a waist level finder at Houston Camera Exchange and Ebay. You might want to look for a GS1 hand grip.

Thanks!

Trying to get it ordered... chatting with them; seems there is a glitch in the ordering process at their end, as it won't display shipping method/total on my end... hope I can get them to use USPS as an alternative and send me a Paypal total invoice then.

Thanks for the heads up; we've been at this for 2 hours.

Regards,

Jorge

 

[reddesert]

The GS-1 waist level finder is not that common, I think, because when they were new most people would have used a prism for ease of use in vertical shots. Also GS-1 is somewhat uncommon overall - it's not rare or collectible, but I suspect far fewer were made than Mamiya RB67 or Pentax 6x7. You can't post in the Classifieds until some minimum time or number of posts , I think.

 

[abruzzi]

Yeah, in the era when these were purchased new by professionals, the prism would be standard. Its only now when amateurs like me accept that I'll trade 2 lbs for a camera thats harder to shoot in portrait orientation, that the WLF becomes desirable. Of course the RB67 solved that with the rotating back, but you still gain back that 2 lbs--either in glass or a larger body.

With a WLF, its surprising compact and I can fit the camera, three lenses, two backs and a light meter in a Domke F-803 satchel. (three backs if I keep the light meter in my pocket or on my belt.)

 

[Maximus966]

Thank you all for your assistance and feedback! I was able to finally order the WLF.

This is my first medium format camera, after many, many years of 35mm photography... as mentioned earlier, not sure why I hadn't made this addition to my camera collection. I have an "abused" prism finder, which I will be fixing up when the WLF arrives.... it seems it had a mishappen, as I will have to remake (probably in brass) the 2 rails that the prism finder has... seems they either were forcibly removed or had an accident. And will fill with epoxy the locking hole that the viewfinder has and re-drill so it locks solidly... noticed that the plastic has been worn away and the prism loes not lock solidly.

Other than that, happy with the images. I tend to tinker with my 35mm OM-1n, Pen FT and Nikon F3 bodies and lenses, but this one is new to me... any service manual out there that I can get my hands one to see the inner workings and seals of these bodies? I tend to work more on the mechanical side, but if need be, I can take care of miscellaneous resolder as well.

Thank you all for your assistance on this first post of mine!

Regards from sunny Puerto Rico!

Jorge

 

[Sirius Glass]

I have used TLR medium format cameras from the beginning of my interest in photography however most of my experience for decades has been with 35mm slr cameras, mainly Minolta. Then I inherited a Mamiya C330 TLR with three lenses and every possible accessory in the known world. It had a Porro Prism, something I had convinced my father to use. I ended up trading all the Mamiya equipment to a Hasselblad, 45 degree prism with a light meter and a lens. The Hasselblad has a waist level finder [WLF] which I have never used in almost 20 years. I greatly prefer a slr prism and strongly recommend that you use the same and save the money for a WLF to buy more film or another lenses for your Bronica GS1.

By the way, when I was a teenager, I wanted a Bronica S in the worst way.

 

[Dave Ludwig]

Jorge, If you search internet for Bronica GS 1 & 120 film back repair or manual you will find information and downloads.
I would start with www.cameramanuals.org

 

[Maximus966]

Jorge, If you search internet for Bronica GS 1 & 120 film back repair or manual you will find information and downloads.
I would start with www.cameramanuals.org

Thanks!