Bronica S2/S2A question

[tjaded]

Hi all--
I just recently acquired two Bronicas, one S2 and one S2A. I've never used one of these before, to date it's been my trusty Rolleiflex and a gaggle of Hasselblads. My one question/concern is in regards to the film winding/shutter cock. On both it is smooth up until the last crank, and that last crank makes a sound that is a little odd to my ears...it actually sounds like an old Zeiss Contaflex shutter firing. Is this correct for this era Bronica? I feel like I'm breaking it, but they both do the same thing! Any tips or experiences would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Matt

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

That's the overwind clutch. Yeah, it really works that way.

 

[wclavey]

I have an S2A and I know what you mean... that final 1/4 turn is loud and hard. I bought mine used a few years ago and sent it out for a CLA to a Bronica repair person I found referenced here in some threads. It came back the same way with no comment from the repairman (...I no longer remember who it was), so I guess that is "normal." It seems to work great otherwise.

 

[tjaded]

Hilarious. I was freaked out when it was just one, but then the second was the same way, so I figured it was "correct." And I thought my Graflex XL was clunky! Thanks for the tips.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

There's a lot more shutter in there than with other cameras, due to the falling mirror design. Since the mirror doesn't flip up to black out the viewfinder, there is a shutter curtain for that purpose, and since the shiny side of the mirror is facing up while the film is exposed, the mirror has to slip into a black sheath so light isn't reflected from the mirror back onto the film, and then you've got a regular focal plane shutter, and an instant return mirror. That's why it's so loud, but fortunately, much of the vibration happens at the end of the exposure, rather than the beginning.