Need Help with Bronica Speed Grip E

lomomagix · Oct 9, 2008

I've finally been able to dive into medium format after several years of interest. I have a Bronica ETRS and I recently acquired a used Speed Grip E for it. Before attaching the grip to the camera, I can see the winding connector turn when I stroke on the film winding lever. After attaching the grip to the camera, however, nothing happens when I stroke on the film winding lever (the attachment rod of the film winding crank does not turn). Please note that no film was loaded while I was doing this.

Is nothing happening (the attachment rod of the film winding crank does not turn) because I have not loaded any film? Or is the Speed Grip E that I bought broken? What normally happens when the film winding lever of the Speed Grip E is stroked with no film in the camera?

Thank you very much!

glbeas · Oct 9, 2008

Sounds like it's broke to me. The camera body controls how far you can wind it, so you should see it move until the frame advance stops it.

paul ron · Oct 9, 2008

To mount the grip to the camera you have to remove the crank handle and put the pin back in. That pin aligns with the winder groove. When you wind up one n a half strokes it will make one frame. Without film, put the camera in the multi exposure mode, the little lever by the crank is down. Now you will wind up one frame n shoot. If not... well it's broken, maybe the gear is striped or loose.

lomomagix · Oct 9, 2008

That was exactly how I mounted the grip to the camera (exactly as the manual said). I tried to do your advice of putting the camera in the multi-exposure mode but nothing happened. There's not the slightest friction or resistance when I stroke the lever (not like when the grip is not mounted where there's only very slight resistance but the winding connector turns). Oh my, I guess I got a broken item!

Any idea if those things can get repaired? My present inclination is just to send it back to the seller (I felt that it was a good deal when I bought it).

Thanks to both of you BTW!

Nick Zentena · Oct 10, 2008

Take the film back off the camera. With the crank on wind and look at the rear of the camera. You should see gears moving. At least IIRC -) With the winder on you should see the same thing.

Are you sure it's mounted correctly? I know with my motor grip it's a bit of a pain to align correctly.

jime11 · Oct 10, 2008

To check operation : Put the mulitple exposure lever in the forward position & turn the locking ring around the shutter button (on the camera body) so the red dot is down. Then try to fire the shutter (with the shutter button on the camera) to see if it was already in the cocked position. If the shutter fires then try stroking the lever on the grip twice & try the shutter button on the grip. If it still doesn't work then it may well be broken.

Uncle Goose · Oct 10, 2008

If the seller claimed it as working it would send it back. This winder is not a difficult item to come by and not terrible expensive. Otherwise you might see if you can repair it yourself. I never opened one but it can't be that complex, maybe something came lose inside.

lomomagix · Oct 10, 2008

Nick Zentena said:
Take the film back off the camera. With the crank on wind and look at the rear of the camera. You should see gears moving. At least IIRC -) With the winder on you should see the same thing.

Are you sure it's mounted correctly? I know with my motor grip it's a bit of a pain to align correctly.

Thanks Nick! Well, I think I mounted it correctly. The winding connector on the grip has meshed with the rod of the winding crank, and the safety stop on the base has sprung up.

I did your advice and took the back off the camera. Nope, no gear movement! Probably broken, oh my!

lomomagix · Oct 10, 2008

jime11 said:
To check operation : Put the mulitple exposure lever in the forward position & turn the locking ring around the shutter button (on the camera body) so the red dot is down. Then try to fire the shutter (with the shutter button on the camera) to see if it was already in the cocked position. If the shutter fires then try stroking the lever on the grip twice & try the shutter button on the grip. If it still doesn't work then it may well be broken.

Thanks! I did that and no, doesn't work! I guess that's it then!

lomomagix · Oct 10, 2008

Uncle Goose said:
If the seller claimed it as working it would send it back. This winder is not a difficult item to come by and not terrible expensive. Otherwise you might see if you can repair it yourself. I never opened one but it can't be that complex, maybe something came lose inside.

I've just communicated with the seller and he's willing to take it back and give a full refund, thankfully! It was simply a good deal at $15 but I guess you get what you pay for! Thanks anyway!

loman · Oct 14, 2008

I have a Speed grip E that I'll be more than happy to send to you for the cost of shipping. It is working perfectly (i've used it on an etrs and an etrsi without any problems). I can also send you a 90 degree Rotary prism finder, where some of the plastic shell is a little cracked, but it works fine. Only issue is that I live in Denmark, so Shipping would be 30 dollars. I no longer have any bronica camera to attach them too, so I would love to see these go to someone just starting out who will put them to use.

lomomagix · Oct 16, 2008

Thank you very much for the kind offer, Loman. I was actually able to find another one so I'm fine now (that is, until I get and inspect the item again). I am sure you already had a lot of PM's for that grip and finder of yours right now!

loman · Oct 16, 2008

Actually I haven't had any inqueries. But since you bring it up, if any one else are interested the offer still stands.
Best Regards
Mads

Need Help with Bronica Speed Grip E

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