Is My ETRS Broken?

[spleenrippa]

Hi all,
Sorry to ask a question in my first post here, rather than give a proper introduction- just feeling a little despondent and hoping for some help

Okay, so I picked up a Bronica ETRS from the post office this morning. Came with 75/2.8 lens and the AEII meter. Everything appeared to be in lovely shape...

Until I went to cock the shutter.
Tension on the crank gets tighter as you approach a full turn... And then it just makes a 'sprong' noise and keeps on going! It should stop, right? I'm not forcing it or anything- silly thing just keeps turning.

Also, when I hit the shutter release... Nothing. Nice readout in the prism, but no shutter. I'm guessing that it's not cocking properly?

I am a MF n00b, but here's what I've checked on the camera so far:
- shutter safety is in 'down' position
- darkslide not present (back on or off makes no difference so far)
- no film loaded anyway.. Holga ate my last 120
- lens is locked in place

Yeah, it was a purchase from the 'Bay, but the seller said everything worked and his feedback is excellent, so I'm hoping it's just me
I have contacted him, but I thought I'd try and tap into the huge knowledge base here too
Thanks guys

 

[wiltw]

The ETRS only cocks correctly if there is a roll of film and the back can tell the body that the film is advanced to the next frame, via an interlock pin.

The ETRS has a multiexposure lever on the right side of the body, above the film advance. If that is flipped to reveal a red dot, then the body will not need for the interlock pin to be triggered, and you can cock the shutter to dry fire the camera.

 

[spleenrippa]

OMG, thanks so much Wiltw! It works!
I'd gone through the manual a couple times, but never saw that it needed film or the bit about the multiple exposure lever.
Thanks again!

 

[Shaggysk8]

Do enjoy your ETRS I have only had mine a few months and its my first try at medium format and real go at photography and I love the thing.

 

[Steve Weston]

Hi

i have just had a look at my ETRS and tried to reproduce the symptoms. in normal mode yours appears to be working correctly. In front of the wind on lever is the multiple exposure lever. Push this forward (should reveal o red dot) If you now try the wind on it should rotate once and stop. Pull the darkslide and the shutter should fire. remember to reset the lever when you do put a role through. Another thing to bare in mind is the AEII head seems to drain the battery. Either remove the battery or the head when you stow it away. i have just picked this camera up myself and haven't put a roll through yet. I want to get a dev tank first. Missed the process having used digital for a while. Would love to set up a darkroom again but no room at the moment. Good luck with the camera.

Steve

 

[Chris Lange]

I also have an ETRS as my main MF camera and I quite like it. I can strongly recommend getting the speed grip "E" for your camera though, it made a world of difference in terms of ergonomics, for me. Won't add much weight either considering it just adds a thumb wind lever versus the comparable motor grip "E"s. Really a great system. I too have the 75/2.8 (MC version), and am looking at getting the 150/3.5 one of these days, along with the 40/4...

 

[cooltouch]

+1 to Chris's comments regarding the Speed Grip E. I bought an ETRSi off feeBay about a month ago, and bought the Grip later, which in fact, arrived yesterday. Wow. It makes a big difference regarding hand-holdability, especially for vertical shooting. Very comfortable. The double-stroke lever is placed perfectly, and having the flash hot shoe is also a nice addition. If you're patient and shop around a bit, you can pick up a reasonably clean one typically for under $40 (I paid $33 for mine). Such a deal.