Does anyone have on hand experience comparing the size and weight of these two, with 75/80mm lens? I have an S2 and am wondering about the size/weight advantage (if any) of the H'blad. Thanks for any input.
Gerry
the bronica is about 1.9kg whereas from memory the 500cm weighs in about 1.2kg. some would argue that weight could be an advantage to certain photographic situations eg shooting handheld at lower speeds etc...
Does that model Bronica have a focal plane shutter? If so, the lenses are very simple and lighter than the Zeiss versions. Perhaps the extra weight of the base unit evens out in 3 lens kit? Also you can use strange old barrel lenses on the Bronicas with the F.P. shutter. A friend is looking to sell a Bronica Something and several lenses. I have a 501/80mm. We could put them side by side.
I haven't compared my S2a side by side to a 500CM, but my rough sense is that the 500CM is a bit more compact.
"Bronica something" could be a variety of different things that aren't terribly similar to each other. The ergonomics of the later Bronica SQ series cameras are excellent, particularly with the winding grip and a p--very light weight and quick to focus. The older Bronicas like the S2 not so much.
The "Bronica something" Wayne's friend has (me) is the Bronica S2A - - The 501 he has is a bit smaller than the S2A, and I have not actually set them on a scale side by side. But Wayne is absolutely right about the fact that the lenses I use about half the time are antique LF lenses mounted on Bronica body caps attached to Bronica extension tubes.