Bronica mirror Question

[Happy Snapper]

I haven't used the bronica ec tl yet, ive been waiting for another lens to arrive and some other bits.
But while switching lens I have noticed this nasty scratch on the lower mirror, now not knowing nothing about old cameras, How will this affect, images, I've already contacted the person I got the camera from on eBay but am waiting for a reply.
So if anybody can shed some light on this, please
Dead Link Removed
regards
josh

 

[Happy Snapper]

any advice would be good guys as to what I should do, about this
regards
josh

 

[Truzi]

The mirror moves out of the way when you press the button to expose the film, so it won't directly affect image quality. It may affect focusing and metering, though. Might as well use it for a couple test rolls to see if there are any other problems.

Other people will give better advice about what you should do regarding the ebay seller.

Here's a little page about it:
https://www.cameraquest.com/bronectl.htm

 

[Happy Snapper]

Thanks for the advice Truzi, contacted the person I got it from and he too is saying it shouldn't affect image quality
regards
josh

 

[Truzi]

If the camera is otherwise fine, and the price was fair, then it doesn't matter.

Some things to think about:
Was the camera accurately represented?
Was the price worth having the scratched mirror?
Does the camera have other problems?

 

[PentaxBronica]

It shouldn't have any impact on images, but you do need to ask how the mirror got scratched in the first place.

Compare the mirror to the sides of the mirror box - is is aligned squarely? The gaps either side should be parallel and even, and the mirror should sit at the same angle on both sides (hold the body at an angle which allows you to compare it to the front edge of the mirror box).

When you try a test roll, put the camera on a tripod, level it in all axes and get it square-on to the subject, and shoot a frame of a brick wall with the standard lens at the largest aperture you can. That should mean that you can check whether the focusing is accurate across the frame. Shoot the rest at smaller apertures as that way depth of field will be on your side, so any tiny misalignment shouldn't waste the whole roll.

If you're not sure then have it looked at by a professional, you need specialist kit to test and adjust things like this. These are the tricks I'd use first in the same situation, as a roll of film costs less than a CLA.

 

[lxdude]

It cannot affect image quality directly, as it is only for viewing. But it affect image quality if it has been misaligned by whatever caused the scratch, in that misalignment could affect focus accuracy.