Bronica S2A Focusing Screen Question

[James Bleifus]

I’m the unexpected and happy owner of a ”late model” Bronica S2A. The focusing screen has a square inside of it, which I'm finding confusing. Visually the lines look like the parallax correction lines on my Mamiya C220, but the ones are in the Bronica are square. Do I compose using the edges of the finder or by the lines? I hope my description makes sense!

Cheers, James

 

[Pentode]

It’s been many years since I owned my S2a but I seem to remember the lines being for framing with a 645 back and the entire viewing screen being for 6x6.

Hopefully someone who’s used one more recently can confirm this. I’m a little suspect of my memory.

 

[Dan Daniel]

I am not certain what the guidelines indicate, but that is what they are- guidelines, or framing lines for a back that isn't 6x6.

Use the full screen for 6x6 shooting.

 

[James Bleifus]

Pentode and Dan,

Thanks for clarifying that for me.

Cheers, James

 

[Neil Poulsen]

Congratulations on your purchase. I had an S2a for years and got excellent results. The Nikon optics that are available with this camera are very nice.

The one caution would be the 1/40th second sync. I sued mine regularly on a tripod, with or without flash. Even though faster speeds (e.g. 1/250th) are possible, due to the slow sync, handheld can lead to some distortion.

I had to sell mine, because my aging eyesight interfered with focusing. I currently have an RB67 with a diopter corrections in both my waste-level finder and my prism.

 

[James Bleifus]

Hi Neil,

Thanks for your observations. Fortunately, I don't use flash, so all is good. Have fun with your RB. It’s one of my favorite cameras.

Cheers, James