Bronica S2A 'known' flash sync issues?

[Eric S]

Hello,

I'm considering the purchase of a Bronica S2A. I want to shoot it in a home studio doing portraits (b&w). My intention is to use a sync cable to fire a wireless transmitter for studio lights.

Someone mentioned to me that the Bronica S2A is "known" to have a faulty flash sync: "Sync port fails, flash does not sync when it does work."

Can anyone offer some context on this, dispute it, or validate it? If it's true, how hard is it to remedy (fix)?

I know the sync speed is 1/40th and I'm contemplating how I work within this limitation. I've read that there's a way to put a leaf shutter lens on this camera which would extend the flash sync to all shutter speeds? Is this true?

Thank you in advance for your kindness and patience with my ammature-ness.

 

[itsdoable]

105mm f3.5 Nikkor-Q leaf shutter lens was made specifically for the S/EC series, it's a Tessar design.

Using the 57mm thread, you can adapt many leaf shuttered LF lens, but you lose the instant mirror operation - you have close the leaf shutter, to trigger the body in B, trigger the leaf shutter, then close the FP shutter. OK for product photography, not so practical for models.

 

[fatboy22]

Hello,

I'm considering the purchase of a Bronica S2A. I want to shoot it in a home studio doing portraits (b&w). My intention is to use a sync cable to fire a wireless transmitter for studio lights.

Someone mentioned to me that the Bronica S2A is "known" to have a faulty flash sync: "Sync port fails, flash does not sync when it does work."

Can anyone offer some context on this, dispute it, or validate it? If it's true, how hard is it to remedy (fix)?

I know the sync speed is 1/40th and I'm contemplating how I work within this limitation. I've read that there's a way to put a leaf shutter lens on this camera which would extend the flash sync to all shutter speeds? Is this true?

Thank you in advance for your kindness and patience with my ammature-ness.

Hello,
I have had my Bronica S2A cameras almost 20 years now and have never had any problem with the flash sync not working. There is the a 105mm leaf shutter lens which will sync to 1/500 of a sec. They are a little rare, it took me several years to find one at a decent price on ebay. You have to cock the leaf shutter in between shots.

Jamie

 

[Cholentpot]

Hello,

I'm considering the purchase of a Bronica S2A. I want to shoot it in a home studio doing portraits (b&w). My intention is to use a sync cable to fire a wireless transmitter for studio lights.

Someone mentioned to me that the Bronica S2A is "known" to have a faulty flash sync: "Sync port fails, flash does not sync when it does work."

Can anyone offer some context on this, dispute it, or validate it? If it's true, how hard is it to remedy (fix)?

I know the sync speed is 1/40th and I'm contemplating how I work within this limitation. I've read that there's a way to put a leaf shutter lens on this camera which would extend the flash sync to all shutter speeds? Is this true?

Thank you in advance for your kindness and patience with my ammature-ness.

I'm that someone.

From my research this seems to be a problem with these cameras. However, if you get one with a sync that works go for it. It's an excellent camera and I should use it more often. I lost my darkslide a year ago so it's got even less use than it had before.

 

[fatboy22]

I own several medium format systems , been collecting and shooting for years. You might want to check out a KOWA Six or Super 66. Lens is already a leaf shutter and very sharp. You can pick them up fairly cheap, Have it CLAD at Ros Yerkes in LA. The Kowa cameras are very light and easy to hand hold compared to the Bronica S2A. The Kowa prism is easy to view image through where the S2A prisms are heavy and very dim.

Just a thought .

Jamie Brown
Iowa City, IA

 

[Eric S]

Thank you very much for the thoughtful responses.
The Kowa Super 66 looks like a nice kit for my intentions. This has given me lots to ponder and I'm very grateful.

 

[Cholentpot]

Kowas are a beaut. I'm waiting to stumble across one.