Bronica GS-1

Joe O'Brien · Dec 20, 2010

I currently have a Bronnica SQ system and I've been very pleased with the quality of the gear. I've looked at the GS-1 out of curiosity and I've seen I could very nearly trade in my SQ system for a GS-1. I like the 6x6 negative, but I'd also like to try working with the 6x7. I do most of my work outdoors and without people, so the lack of compatibility with a flash system is alright by me. The GS-1 does have a 6x6 back, so I'm wondering if there is any reason not to trade in?

SWphoto · Dec 20, 2010

I have a GS-1, and no reason to be concerned that I can think of. Perhaps it's a little bigger/heavier? AFAIK, the GS-1 works with flash, even can do TTL with right setup- I've never used it with flash.

It's a nice system, with great lenses, and quite reasonable.

Tony-S · Dec 20, 2010

The GS-1 is fabulous. Of the 6x7 SLRs, it's about the most compact and with the Speed Grip and AE Prism it handles like a big 35mm. The only thing I really dislike is the MFD, so I bought the 36mm extension tube for getting up close. The 6x6 back is nearly impossible to find, but there are enough 6x4.5 backs that they're relatively easy to fine.

tkamiya · Dec 20, 2010

I hope this is not considered a hijacking of a thread....

I've been considering GS-1 as well. Only thing that concerns me is that unlike RZ or RB (Mamiya), the back does not rotate. Does this cause discomfort in everyday usage?

Tony-S · Dec 20, 2010

On a tripod it becomes a bit unwieldy, but hand-held it's not so bad.

hpulley · Dec 20, 2010

Rotating back on the Mamiya 6x7 is nice for sure... Bellows provides a good MFD even without extension tubes though they're available too. Cheap kits these days as well, hard to believe they're thousands of $$$ new.

lxdude · Dec 20, 2010

Tony-S said:
On a tripod it becomes a bit unwieldy, but hand-held it's not so bad.

Also there's that fancy thing Bronica made, which allows a tripod-mounted camera to turn on its side but keep the lens on centerline. Can't remember what it's called...

Toffle · Dec 20, 2010

Every time a thread like this comes up, I find myself espousing the merits of the GS-1 without the speed grip and prism. My system came with both, but I think that I enjoyed it even more when I swapped the fancy bits for an old-fashioned WLF. It really is a wonderful system, with or without the fancy bits. The Bronica lenses are oustanding. I really would reccommend picking up a second (or third) back. The only problem I ever experienced with my system was in Sao Paulo Brazil, with no hope of an emergency CLA, kicking myself all along for trusting my system so implicitly...

Cheers

lxdude · Dec 20, 2010

Handy though those finders and winders are, without them my 645 is really much lighter and less bulky. I find for verticals a small rectangular pocket mirror allows me to compose without contortions.

Tony-S · Dec 20, 2010

Here's a shot with the GS-1 and 200mm lens on Portra 160 VC. Probably should have used NC.

Dave Ludwig · Dec 21, 2010

Joe, I too am a proud owner. Many have pointed no rotating back and small lens selection and to that I say how many do most people have that they actually use, 3 maybe 4. I can also turn my wrist faster than than it takes to rotate a back, and mounted on tripod, vertical is one hand lever away. Tamron did this one right, lens clarity is superb. I was lucky enough to find one with an 80mm 2.8 which I believe was only made near the end of production.

Tony-S · Dec 21, 2010

Dave Ludwig said:
I was lucky enough to find one with an 80mm 2.8 which I believe was only made near the end of production.

I'd like to hear more about this - I thought their 80mm was only f/3.5??

Joe O'Brien · Dec 21, 2010

Dave Ludwig said:
Many have pointed no rotating back and small lens selection and to that I say how many do most people have that they actually use, 3 maybe 4.

This is a great point Dave, I've got a 50mm and 80mm for my SQA and I can't imagine needing anything more than mabe a 150mm or 180mm telephoto. I don't think that I will find the slim lens selection a problem.

rollsman44 · Dec 21, 2010

Bronica GF-1

I also purchased one last week and waiting to test it out. I have the 150 lense for my portraits and NOT sure if I should buy the 65 for groups. I mainly use my Canon 5D MK2 for my weddings BUT I want to use this for my portraits. Cant wait to try it. Just a question off the subject: What lab do you recommend that will do a nice job in developing and proofs AND I know that the film will have to be HI res. scanned to make any adjustments with PS. rollsman

bwidjaja · Dec 21, 2010

Hi, I would like to tag a long in the discussion since I am on the fence between GS-1 and RZ67. I know there has been a lot of discussion. My main question is this.
Which is worse:
1. Using GS-1 for portrait on a tripod (assume non-rotating prism), OR
2. Using RZ67 handheld

Also, i cannot find any picture comparing the size between the two. Does anybody have both and care to take a side by side picture?
Cheers

lxdude · Dec 21, 2010

bwidjaja said:
Which is worse:
1. Using GS-1 for portrait on a tripod (assume non-rotating prism), OR
2. Using RZ67 handheld

This should be interesting.

Dave Ludwig · Dec 22, 2010

Sorry Folks, My mistake, Tony is right it is 80mm 3.5.

BrianL · Dec 23, 2010

I've used a GS-1 that was loaned to me and as much as I like the ETRS, had I tried the GS-1 at the time I opted for the ETRS, I'd have opted for it instead. Having the 6x7, 6x6 and 645 formats would have satisfied me even at the loss of the 35mm capability I use quite a bit with my ETRS. As for lenses, I have a decent selection but in the end only use 2 for most of my work.

The beauty of the Bronica system for me is the shutter in lens vs shutter on body and the ability to build a camera that feels good and meets the want of the moment in versitility.

cmo · Dec 24, 2010

I owned a GS-1 for years, and tried a RB67 before.

Using an RB67 handheld means in the first line, you have to carry it to the place where you want to use it. If you are always in a studio or if you live in your car and never walk, or if you have an assistant, it's a great camera, especially for macro shots I myself hated it because it is simply too big and too heavy.

Using a GS-1 on a tripod is no problem as long as you use the prism finder. The waist level finder is useless if you want to take shots in portrait mode. It's a great camera, surprisingly small and lightweight, and it's reliable. In winter, take a spare battery with you and get the extra battery compartment. If you are into macro photography get the 150mm macro lens, extension rings are hard to find.

JohnArs · Dec 24, 2010

get the 150mm macro lens

I only know a 110 mm Macro lens for the GS 1 did I miss something?

Cheers Armin

lxdude · Dec 24, 2010

cmo said:
Using a GS-1 on a tripod is no problem as long as you use the prism finder. The waist level finder is useless if you want to take shots in portrait mode.

The trick is to stand to the side and look down at a small mirror held at an angle so you can see the focusing screen. The image will be right side up and unreversed.

hpulley · Dec 24, 2010

cmo said:
I owned a GS-1 for years, and tried a RB67 before.

Using an RB67 handheld means in the first line, you have to carry it to the place where you want to use it. If you are always in a studio or if you live in your car and never walk, or if you have an assistant, it's a great camera, especially for macro shots I myself hated it because it is simply too big and too heavy.

Oh come on, it isn't that heavy! I hand hold mine all the time, often with a 35mm SLR around my neck and a backpack full of bodies and lenses on my back. No pack animal or entourage of assistants is required, it weighs like 6-7 lbs. You guys act like it weighs 50 lbs.

cmo · Dec 24, 2010

JohnArs said:
I only know a 110 mm Macro lens for the GS 1 did I miss something?

Cheers Armin

Yes, sorry, you are right.

cmo · Dec 24, 2010

hpulley said:
Oh come on, it isn't that heavy! I hand hold mine all the time, often with a 35mm SLR around my neck and a backpack full of bodies and lenses on my back. No pack animal or entourage of assistants is required, it weighs like 6-7 lbs. You guys act like it weighs 50 lbs.

Depends on how much one can carry. I like to travel lightweight.

hpulley · Dec 24, 2010

cmo said:
Depends on how much one can carry. I like to travel lightweight.

I sometimes like to travel with a camera that is small and lightweight too but in that case I'll take a 126 Instamatic which fits in my pocket. If I'm going to carry a medium format SLR then a 4lb GS-1 or 6lb RB67 doesn't really make much of a difference.

Anyways, I didn't want to derail the thread, just dispell the myth that the RB67 weights that much more than a GS-1.

Bronica GS-1

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