Bronica Zenzanon 100mm f2.8 (for S2/EC series) - Opinions

RichardJack · Oct 23, 2016

Hi,
I am considering adding one of these lenses to my collection and I'm wondering if anyone here has any first hand experience with one? I own a 75mm HC and 135mm Nikkor, this lens would fill the gap. It would be used mainly for B&W landscapes. If you've owned one or used one please let me know your impression.
thanks in advance,
Rick

TheTrailTog · Oct 23, 2016

Hi Rick,

I've been using the 100mm for a couple months now. It came with my S2a instead of the standard 75mm. It's a nice sharp lens. My main issue is the focal length itself. I find myself wanting either shorter or longer. I would say that about 75% of my history of taking pics has been using a standard focal length (either Rolleiflexes or 50mm's for 35mm), so the 100mm just feels a touch "off" to me if that makes sense. I'm weird, I admit it. I just picked up the 75mm and 135mm Nikkors, so playing around with those and may end up selling my 100mm (NOT a sales pitch).

A few taken with the 100mm:

RichardJack · Oct 23, 2016

Kia_Ke (sorry I don't know your name),
Those are nice images. I usually prefer a 80mm lens as my "normal" for 6x6. My 75mm is very sharp but I wish it were longer. My 135 (actually a 13.5cm) is a bit soft but perfect for portraits. I like the perspective in your images. The 105mm Nikkor is another option but for some reason it is not recommended for use on a EC-TL.
If you decide to sell your 100mm let me know.
thanks,
Rick

Alan Gales · Oct 23, 2016

I owned the 75mm Nikkor but I have read good things about the 100mm Bronica. They are both sharp but some prefer the 100mm focal length.

I did own the 150mm Bronica. It's a great portrait lens and I highly recommend it.

Trond · Oct 24, 2016

I have one and use it. It's one of my favourite lenses. I think this is shot with the 100mm 2.8:

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Trond

RichardJack · Oct 24, 2016

Hi Trond,
Thanks, nice shot! Now I think I want one even more.
regards,
Rick

RichardJack · Oct 24, 2016

Hi all,
I just ordered a 100mm, couldn't wait. I did find something of interest that I thought I'd pass along. According to Tony Hilton's book "Bronica: The Early History and Definative Collectors Guide", he states that on EC models this lens must not be removed with the heliciod still attached to the lens or mirror damage will occur. Most users probably remove the lens from the helicoid first but if swapping to a large lens like a 300mm you might damage your mirror. This only applies to EC/EC-TL models and only this lens. Just good to know.
Thanks for everyone's replies and photos.
Rick

TheTrailTog · Oct 24, 2016

Will be interested to hear/see your thoughts on it. I do like the results I get from mine and it weighs a fraction of most lenses in this system. I'm still new to this system myself and am looking forward to playing more with it this winter

RichardJack · Nov 28, 2016

Xia_Ke said:
Will be interested to hear/see your thoughts on it. I do like the results I get from mine and it weighs a fraction of most lenses in this system. I'm still new to this system myself and am looking forward to playing more with it this winter

Hi Xia_Ke,
I purchased the 100mm f2.8 Zenzanon and love it. It's sharp and contrasty. I also came across a 300mm f5.6 Nikkor P.C. which is fantastic.
I started a Bronica album, the photos are not the greatest but they show what some of the old lenses are capable of. These are only new images my old Bronica images are posted elsewhere.
http://www.pbase.com/rick_jack/bronica
regards,
Rick

TheTrailTog · Nov 28, 2016

Hi Rick,

Glad to hear you've been enjoying it! I've packed mine out a couple of times, but haven't used it since this thread. My typical set-up lately has been a 50/75/135 Nikkor trio. Some nice shots in your gallery. Very jealous of the 40mm! I've been lusting over one, but it's just not in the budget any time soon as I still need some more gear for the mountains this winter. Here are a couple of my recent shots...

Nikkor 50mm f/3.5

Nikkor 135mm f/3.5

Alan Gales · Nov 28, 2016

Xia_Ke said:
Hi Rick,

Glad to hear you've been enjoying it! I've packed mine out a couple of times, but haven't used it since this thread. My typical set-up lately has been a 50/75/135 Nikkor trio. Some nice shots in your gallery. Very jealous of the 40mm! I've been lusting over one, but it's just not in the budget any time soon as I still need some more gear for the mountains this winter. Here are a couple of my recent shots...

Nikkor 50mm f/3.5
View attachment 168240

Nikkor 135mm f/3.5
View attachment 168241

They don't turn up very often. If you really want one then you better buy it when you see it. I sold mine to a collector who all ready had 5 or 6 of them. It is a peach of a lens!

Neil Poulsen · Dec 20, 2016

I liked mine, when I had my Bronica S2a outfit. It's fast, and it nicely fills the gap between the 75mm and 135mm Nikkors.

RichardJack · Dec 20, 2016

Hi Xia_Ke, Alan, and Neil,
Very nice images Xia, I like the lighthouse taken with your 50mm the best.
I'm having fun with these old Bronicas just wish I had more time. My wife is very ill and I've been passing my time shopping on the web for "toys" to play with in the future. I've recently added a 300mm f5.6 Nikkor -PC which is superb and 500mm f7 Komura (untested) and I have a black EC-TL (type2-not TLII) with a 50mm f2.8 Zenzanon MC on its way. I also bought a 105mm f3.5 Zenzanon S and a 200mm f4.5 Zenzanon PS for my SQ-A. I hope to get out and do some shooting and post new images to my Pbase Bronica album in the future. I've found some of these lenses as low as $70 in excellent condition it was hard to pass them up.
About the 40mm Nikkor: it is a fantastic lens but I don't recall seeing one for under $450 lately. A cheaper alternative is 40mm f4 Zenzanon PS and a SQ-A body, with some luck you can get both for under $300 and my personal tests show the PS 40 is just as good. The "S" version is soft.
Happy Holidays!
Rick

Deleted member 88956 · May 15, 2019

RichardJack said:
Hi all,
I just ordered a 100mm, couldn't wait. I did find something of interest that I thought I'd pass along. According to Tony Hilton's book "Bronica: The Early History and Definative Collectors Guide", he states that on EC models this lens must not be removed with the heliciod still attached to the lens or mirror damage will occur. Most users probably remove the lens from the helicoid first but if swapping to a large lens like a 300mm you might damage your mirror. This only applies to EC/EC-TL models and only this lens. Just good to know.
Thanks for everyone's replies and photos.
Rick

It is actually Bronica that makes it clear in the EC manual NOT to remove the 100 lens "while mounted on the focusing ring (as) this WILL DAMAGE the mirror" and this ONLY applies to the 100 lens. I do not have the 100 (yet) but it appears the removal process has inherent backward movement before it comes out, which causes back end of the lens to touch mirror surface as it twists out.

When I saw this bit in the manual, several bodies of EC came to mind being offered with mirror scratched up , the likely cause of which Bronica warned clearly about.

Bronica Zenzanon 100mm f2.8 (for S2/EC series) - Opinions

Deleted member 88956

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