Bronica or Yashica

jaz1943 · Sep 12, 2014

I need some help making a decision. I have both a Yoshida Mat 124g which I have used with a very sharp lens, and a Bronica EC. I have 14 days to return it. Who has used both or at least the EC and can share their experiences or recommendations?

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snapguy · Sep 12, 2014

can't advise

Really can't advise you. The Yashicamat (I have two) is a fairly compact, easy to use camera without interchangeable lenses and backs. The Bronica is much more sophisticated with lots of film backs and lenses. If you want to photograph the old one-room schoolhouse museum in San Timoteo Canyon the Yashicamat might do. If you wanted to do full coverage of Stagecoach Days and the Rodeo the Bronica might be the ticket. If you want to trace the route of the old Banning Stage Lines, where Wyatt Earp was a stagecoach driver in his youth the Yashicamat might be great. There might be a lot of walking involved.

Alan Gales · Sep 12, 2014

I used to shoot EC's. I have never shot a TLR. The Bronica has the advantage of interchangeable lenses and film backs. The Yachica has the advantage of being a whole lot quieter than the EC. Shoot the EC and you will know what I'm talking about!

The 75mm normal lens for the Bronica is very sharp. The Nikkor 40mm and 50mm are also sharp. The Bronica 150mm isn't quite as sharp but is an excellent portrait lens. The lenses for EC's are well known for their excellent bokeh.

I think it would come down to if you need more than one lens and/or multiple film backs and of course which camera you enjoy using the most.

Paul in Arizona · Sep 12, 2014

I have a Bronica EC-TL w/Nikkor 75mm./2.8 that I bought a few months ago.
Having only run a couple of rolls through so far I can nevertheless say it is an amazing machine. I've used it mostly for relatively close up subjects where a SLR has an advantage over a TLR. The lens is razor sharp and quite contrasty. In some ways it is as sharp or even sharper for B&W than either of my Rolleiflexes' Xenotars. That may be open for argument but in any case it is a damned fine lens. I would bet that it has a better lens and is better built than a YashicaMat.
I haven't put any color through it yet.
The downside is that it is a bit bulkier and heavier than a TLR but very easy to get used to using.

TheToadMen · Sep 13, 2014

I use a Rolleiflex T1 and a Bronica SQ-B. Not quite the same but close enough.

They are very different in use and both have their benefits and cons. If you can afford it, I would keep both. If you have to chose, I would return the Bronica. The Yashica is a bit easier to handle (street photography) and I think it is easier to get a cheap and complete Bronica set.
But if you need multiple lenses, keep the Bronica.

Bert from Holland
http://thetoadmen.blogspot.nl

rbultman · Sep 13, 2014

What have you used in 35mm/smaller cameras? What do you want to use it for now and in the future?

Gimenosaiz · Sep 13, 2014

Hi.
I've a Bronica ECTLII and the Mamiya C220... quite different. Don't know anything about Yashica MAT but the Bronica is excellent !!!

Regards

Kyon Thinh · Sep 13, 2014

I have EC TL with Nikkor HC (the same one in Plaubel Makina) and Rolleiflex (not Yashica unfortunately, but it is still TLR), both of them are quite differently. The Bronica system is quite more convenient if you are planning to expand your focal lengths, not just the fixed focal. The TLR however has an advantage of quietness, size and weight, but the accessories like filter and hood are somewhat rare, but I think bay I is easier to find than my bay II.
If I could choose, I would keep the EC, then if someday I want a TLR, I will get the Rolleiflex.

jaz1943 · Sep 13, 2014

I took the Bronica out today and shot a test roll of tri-x and sent it in for development. Certainly a heavy but extremely well built camera. The viewfinder appears brighter and better built than the Yoshika and I like the Def preview capability and actual view thru the lens. If I keep it I will definitely need a neck strap for it. I did wake up half the neighborhood when I clicked the shutter.

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Alan Gales · Sep 13, 2014

jaz1943 said:
I took the Bronica out today and shot a test roll of tri-x and sent it in for development. Certainly a heavy but extremely well built camera. The viewfinder appears brighter and better built than the Yoshika and I like the Def preview capability and actual view thru the lens. If I keep it I will definitely need a neck strap for it. I did wake up half the neighborhood when I clicked the shutter.

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I once read the tale of a wedding photographer who was kicked out of the wedding by the priest or preacher because he was shooting an early Bronica. They are loud.

I forgot to tell you that the 200mm Nikkor is supposed to be pretty sharp too. Lenses are dirt cheap except for the exotic ones including the 40mm. One nice thing with the focal plane shutter is you don't have to have your lenses CLA'd ever so often like leaf shutter lenses on a Hasselblad.

You may find it's not a bad idea to keep both cameras.

jaz1943 · Sep 13, 2014

Yes, youre right on. For street and other discreet photography I will have my 124G and Contax G2 and for landscape photography I will have my Bronica and Contax.

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one90guy · Sep 16, 2014

Mainly do landscapes and very happy with my EC. My only Yashica is the A which for me is a walking around camera as the EC is heavy.

David

Argenticien · Sep 17, 2014

Like others, I can do a general TLR vs. SLR comparison, but not of the exact two models you mention. I have a Rolleiflex and a Bronica S2. I find myself reaching for the Bronica more, mainly because I can go wide with the 50mm lens. (I don't have the 40mm.) Generally I go super-heavy with the Bronica (bring the 75mm and the hulking 50mm, for flexibility; and sometimes a second film back), or I don't bring it at all. The middle course--taking the Bronica with only the 75mm and one film back (for example if I'm limited to a small camera bag)--makes less sense, and I do it less frequently. In that case, why not take the smaller, lighter Rolleiflex if I'll not be switching lenses anyway?

In the comparison above, I'm fortunate that I'm not giving up lens quality between the Bronica's Nikkor and the Rolleiflex's Planar, so weight/bulk is the main consideration. In your case, there is probably also a trade-off in optical quality to consider, since the Nikkor might outperform the Yashica's lens.

--Dave

DWThomas · Sep 17, 2014

I would answer "yes!" I have a 124g, but my Bronica is an SQ-A. I just returned from a casual vacation trek where I took my 124g, but were I doing a "serious project" I would likely opt for the Bronica and two or three of the five lenses I have available. I see each as having its place.

mweintraub · Sep 17, 2014

DWThomas said:
I would answer "yes!" I have a 124g, but my Bronica is an SQ-A. I just returned from a casual vacation trek where I took my 124g, but were I doing a "serious project" I would likely opt for the Bronica and two or three of the five lenses I have available. I see each as having its place.

I have both of those cameras too. (well, long term borrow to buy the 124G). I took the 124G to Vegas to have a very light simple camera. It was great.

Bronica or Yashica

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