Professional Bronica Photographers

TheToadMen · Sep 10, 2013

When I started seriously with photography in 2001, I bought a Bronica SQ-B with a 80 mm lens new. My first MF camera. Later I bought some extra lenses 2nd hand.
It's a wonderful piece of equipment with excellent glass, in my opinion. Thus, I never went over to Hassy. Later I aslo bought a new Bronica RF645 as a "point & Shoot" camera with 3 lenses. Still love & use them both (among others).
I used the AQ-B at two weddings and one funeral. And on a lot of other occasions.

Here is one of my very first shots, on Fuji NPH400.

MattKing · Sep 10, 2013

hoffy said:
I was under the impression that any medium format SLR, regardless of brand, was the territory of Professional photographers before the mass exodus. The only reason mere mortals like myself can afford them now is that in reality they are dirt cheap.

Prior to the "mass exodus" there was reasonable availability of older, used 645 equipment (Mamiya and to a lesser extent, Bronica) for the serious hobbyist. It wasn't cheap, but it was certainly worth considering.

And Mamiya TLRs as well.

MDR · Sep 10, 2013

pasiasty said:
That's why

Well, plenty of photographer had no choice...

And nowadays some art photographers use them (when they sell their pictures, they are professionals, aren't they?), but for a serious, commissioned work, you needed reliable tools, while Kievs, famous for 50% dead-on-arrival rate, were rather not.

Bernhard Grzimek sure did have a choice west german, fairly well off flew across Africa and Europe with his own plane (Dornier Do-27 in Zebra livery) also those Cuban photographers could afford a Hasselblad and there was no Embargo to trade with Cuba at least not from ther German and Swedish side.
Is the Pentacon on par with a Bronica, Hasselblad or Rollei no way is it a catastrophy no. But I agree with you that most Eastern photographers would have prefered better tools. Incidently Russian Movie cameras seem to have made a comeback in Hollywood ultra low budget productions and they are not bad at all.

ScarletBrown · Dec 10, 2013

Bronica camera's is too much famous and most of the people like to used this in their own profession. I also give a Bronica camera to my brother on his birthday.

benjiboy · Dec 10, 2013

This sort of question is about insecurity, and validating ones status, whatever talent a notable photographer has who uses a particular brand or model doesn't rub off on anyone else, and a crap violinist is still crap, even using a Stradivarius. A good photographer can shoot good pictures with the cheapest cameras.

doughowk · Dec 10, 2013

The OP question is about who uses the system and how (what sort of images are they making with the system). Its a guideline for those who are considering the systems.
I've only recently purchased the SQ-A system, and find it to now be my 1st camera of choice when heading out the door.

wiltw · Dec 10, 2013

I went to a WPPA national workshop in NV once. Had lunch with a wedding pro, and after mentioning that I shot with Bronica he mentioned that all the wedding pros in his area (of FL) used Bronica, rather than spending all of their money on capital equipment purchases (Hassy)

Truzi · Dec 10, 2013

I wanted an Hasselblad - and for obvious (money) reasons could not get a good used one. I'd considered Bronica, Mamiya, and Pentax (67II), and two factors influenced my final decision.

1) In my price range
2) Meets my basic needs (not desires)

One need was removable backs, so that ruled out the Pentax. While I still kept my eye on Hasselblad, I started leaning toward Bronica GS-1 because it offered what I wanted and because of the weight. Then a good deal appeared on ebay - so now I have one.

I learned Bronica was quite a workhorse for weddings. I'd never learned of any notable pros who used it, but never even cared to look for that kind of information.

I understand the OP was just curious, no problem with that... and I still want an Hasselblad

mporter012 · Dec 11, 2013

benjiboy said:
This sort of question is about insecurity, and validating ones status, whatever talent a notable photographer has who uses a particular brand or model doesn't rub off on anyone else, and a crap violinist is still crap, even using a Stradivarius. A good photographer can shoot good pictures with the cheapest cameras.

Point taken. Although I'm still curious.

Professional Bronica Photographers

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