DIY Zenza Bronica Waist Level Finder for ETRS

Miel Verbruggen · Feb 16, 2021

Hi there!

I'm Miel Verbruggen (Belgium) and I'm a new member of this forum. I've been shooting analog for over a year now. Normally I drag my Canon A1 with me but recently I bought a Zenza Bronica ETRS. I'm hoping to get a good taste of shooting medium format so this camera is ideal to start with. I prefered a waist level finder but I got a good deal on a Bronica with the AE-2 finder so I went with that.

I've looked around for a WLF but I have concluded that these are sold for A LOT. Some are even priced around 200 dollars, which is almost as much as the camera itself (if somebody has one laying around and wants to sell it for a lot less hmu).
So I figured that it might be possible to 3D print my own. It might not be collapsible but as a student id rather print it then paying over a 100 dollars for it.
So my question is this. If anybody has any suggestions on a 3D printed WLF or can deliver some exact measurements for it, that would be great!

Thanks in advance. Greetings,
Miel

(instagram: morpheus_c41)

wiltw · Feb 16, 2021

Back in 1990 the WLF was $135, so accounting for inflation that same product would be just under $270 !
Given the fact that the WLF was often not on most cameras due to awkward shooding when camera in Portrait orientation, most cameras were sold used with an AE-II prism.
Given the fact that the WLF locks to the body via thin metal that slides into the body's slides, my guess is that it would be difficult to 3D print a thin enough substitute

grat · Feb 16, 2021

If you look on thingiverse, there's a Bronica SQ body cap, and waist-level adapter. Unfortunately, I do not know the differences between the SQ and the ETRS, only having an SQ available to me.

wiltw · Feb 16, 2021

grat said:
If you look on thingiverse, there's a Bronica SQ body cap, and waist-level adapter. Unfortunately, I do not know the differences between the SQ and the ETRS, only having an SQ available to me.

There is little difference, with regard to WLF, between the ETR vs. SQ...the dimension in the vertical frame distance (front-back, 42.5mm vs 56mm) of the WLF. -- the 56mm frame width is identical for both camera

reddesert · Feb 17, 2021

I'd suggest trying to make a mock up of a fixed WLF hood (or a rigid chimney finder) out of cardboard or foamcore first. You will find that a WLF generally needs a magnifier for critical focusing. A simple magnifying lens of focal length about 75-80 mm will work.

grat · Feb 17, 2021

While browsing for parts for my SQ-A, I noticed that diopter lenses, while not plentiful, are somewhat more common than WLF assemblies-- and much cheaper.

My original plan was to 3D print a finder (maybe folding, maybe rigid), and add an OEM diopter lens to it.

reddesert · Feb 17, 2021

Generally, a diopter eyepiece lens will be much longer focal length and lower magnification than the magnifying lens one needs for a WLF. The reason is that diopters adjust your vision to look at the virtual image of the eyepiece which is projected as if ~1 meter away, while the real image on a WLF is much closer.

I suggest trying a magnifying lens out of an inexpensive loupe or magnifying glass. If one likes the results and wishes to use a slightly nicer glass lens it's possible to get one from an optics supplier. I measured the focal length of the lens in a factory WLF to be about 75-80mm before writing the above post, to be sure.

The focal length of a lens measured in diopters, like reading glasses, is 1000mm / diopter.
But the focal length of a loupe or magnifying glass is 250mm / magnification (just the way loupe magnification is defined). So a WLF magnifier is about like a 3-4x loupe, but it would be about a 12x diopter, which is not a stock item.

grat · Feb 17, 2021

Perhaps I wasn't clear.

I was suggesting a replacement eyepiece made by Bronica for that particular WLF. Bronica made replacement lenses with various diopter strengths, such as this:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bronica-1-...evel-Viewfinder-E-ETR-ETRS-ETRSi/254267947936

reddesert · Feb 17, 2021

Does it replace the original lens? That would be perfect, my apologies.

I don't really understand why WLFs for medium format (Bronica, Mamiya, etc) have gotten relatively pricey, other than the limited supply. Perhaps the people who are taking up medium format cameras are wanting to use a "traditional" mode of operation, vs the speed that would have driven, say, a wedding photographer in the 1990s to use the prism. WLFs are still cheaper than new, but often now they are more expensive than the prism. When new, the prism cost more than the WLF.

Carlini Fotograf · Feb 17, 2021

reddesert said:
I don't really understand why WLFs for medium format (Bronica, Mamiya, etc) have gotten relatively pricey, other than the limited supply. Perhaps the people who are taking up medium format cameras are wanting to use a "traditional" mode of operation, vs the speed that would have driven, say, a wedding photographer in the 1990s to use the prism. WLFs are still cheaper than new, but often now they are more expensive than the prism. When new, the prism cost more than the WLF.

Medium format gear in general has all gone up in price and from what Ive seen on eBay, 90% of it is being sold by
Japanese camera dealers. 4 years ago, I bought my entire Bronica GS-1 system (Body, 6x7 back, metered prism, speed grip,
bellows lens hood, 150mm and 65mm lenses) all in nice condition for under $500 on eBay. Now you cant get a GS-1 body
with a WLF and film back for under $800 and the only ones i see on eBay are from Japanese camera dealers.

I want a 6x6 film back for my GS-1 and there is only two on all eBay and the two sellers both from Japan want over
$350 each for them...

Miel Verbruggen · Feb 18, 2021

Thank you for all the response! Right now I have two other options. I can buy a Bronica ETR body with WLF (169 EUR) and try to sell the body itself. The other option is buying a Bronica ETRS body with WLF (195 EUR). If I get lucky I find someone who is willing to buy a body (maybe a reserve) without a WLF or prism finder. We'll see.
What do you guys think?

Miel Verbruggen · Feb 18, 2021

I want a 6x6 film back for my GS-1 and there is only two on all eBay and the two sellers both from Japan want over $350 each for them...[/QUOTE said:
Maybe take a look here? It's a dutch site which sells different parts. https://www.secondhandcamera.nl/?page_id=522

Carlini Fotograf · Feb 18, 2021

Thanks!! Yes there is one on there and they only want 199 euros plus 40 euros shipping to the US. That's not bad..

Miel Verbruggen · Feb 18, 2021

Carlini Fotograf said:
Thanks!! Yes there is one on there and they only want 199 euros plus 40 euros shipping to the US. That's not bad..

You have to send them an email first. They are very friendly and will guarantee a good quality.
If you do reach out to them could you mention that I recommended them to you? I'm trying to land a deal and swap my AE-2 prism finder with a WLF they have. It might put me on a good page

Glad I could help you out.

choiliefan · Feb 19, 2021

I made a rigid WLF for an SQ-A out of thin balsa wood. It was a friction fit to the camera body and did the job.

fabulousrice · Feb 19, 2021

I think you might be better off just making one out of a piece of cardboard. Basically you just want to make a box around the focussing glass once the AE2 viewfinder is removed to prevent light hitting the focussing glass from various angles and making it hard to see... I would just fold a cardboard box around it and tape it with easy to remove tape...

macfred · Feb 19, 2021

Miel Verbruggen said:
Hi there!

I'm Miel Verbruggen (Belgium) and I'm a new member of this forum. I've been shooting analog for over a year now. Normally I drag my Canon A1 with me but recently I bought a Zenza Bronica ETRS. I'm hoping to get a good taste of shooting medium format so this camera is ideal to start with. I prefered a waist level finder but I got a good deal on a Bronica with the AE-2 finder so I went with that ...

Miel, no DIY suggestion from me but if your looking for Bronica parts I can recommend Mr. Ian B. from the UK. He always has lots of fair priced Bronica and Mamiya items on his page. Unfortunately no WLF these days but he's very helpful if your looking for something not listed.
I bought several ETRS(i) parts ( lenses, AEIII prism and a speed grip ) from him and I was always satisfied.
http://ianbfoto.com/sales.php
http://ianbfoto.com/home.php

Carlini Fotograf · Feb 19, 2021

Miel Verbruggen said:
You have to send them an email first. They are very friendly and will guarantee a good quality.
If you do reach out to them could you mention that I recommended them to you? I'm trying to land a deal and swap my AE-2 prism finder with a WLF they have. It might put me on a good page

Glad I could help you out.

Will do.. I emailed them yesterday.. But still haven't heard back yet. As soon as I do. I will mention that you recommended them.

Miel Verbruggen · Feb 20, 2021

Carlini Fotograf said:
Will do.. I emailed them yesterday.. But still haven't heard back yet. As soon as I do. I will mention that you recommended them.

No need for it anymore.. I cut to the chase and just bought the ETRS body with WLF on it from those guys. Luckily I found someone who was looking for a spare body and sold the body to him! So I got a WLF for a little more than 60 euros. Not bad I guess! Looking forward to starting medium format..

Miel Verbruggen · Feb 20, 2021

macfred said:
Miel, no DIY suggestion from me but if your looking for Bronica parts I can recommend Mr. Ian B. from the UK. He always has lots of fair priced Bronica and Mamiya items on his page. Unfortunately no WLF these days but he's very helpful if your looking for something not listed.
I bought several ETRS(i) parts ( lenses, AEIII prism and a speed grip ) from him and I was always satisfied.
http://ianbfoto.com/sales.php
http://ianbfoto.com/home.php

I bought a WLF allready but I'll keep him in mind! Will probably need some other parts in the near future. Thanks!

DIY Zenza Bronica Waist Level Finder for ETRS

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency