Putting together a Bronica ETRS Kit

Suzan · May 29, 2013

I decided recently that I wanted a medium format kit. Hasselblad was a little too rich for my retired income stream and I never really liked the Mamiya 645 never had the level of appeal for me that a camera with an interchangeable back did. Yes I know they also made a body with an interchangeable back.

But also the Bronica seemed to be cheaper to get into.

So far I have a body, two backs and two lenses a 75 and 150 as well as one of the speed grips.

All for less than 300 US$.

I'm looking for either a 40mm or 50mm lens for the wide end. Seems like a really good buy.

Alan Gales · May 29, 2013

My first medium format camera was a used ETRSi with 75mm lens. They are great cameras and a real bargain nowadays.

I hope you enjoy your ETRS!

Suzan · May 29, 2013

My first was a Mamiya C33 followed by a Rollei and then a Yashica 124G. I had a Mamiya 645 for a few months and played with a Hasselblad wide fro a while.

one90guy · May 29, 2013

I have the SQ-A with a 60 and 80mm, I mainly use the 80mm but would like to have a 150mm. I enjoy my TLR's more, Yashica A and Rolleicord III, so much lighter to carry.

David

RichardH · May 29, 2013

i've been wanting the ETRS system also. I shoot the RB67 cameras and also the twin lens yashica's. RB is getting heaver each time I take it out with a couple of lenses.
I would like to know the difference between the MC, Ell, and the PE lenses though.

Richard

Alan Gales · May 29, 2013

RichardH said:
i've been wanting the ETRS system also. I shoot the RB67 cameras and also the twin lens yashica's. RB is getting heaver each time I take it out with a couple of lenses.
I would like to know the difference between the MC, Ell, and the PE lenses though.

Richard

The MC's were the first lenses made for the ETR system followed by The Ell and then the PE.

There is a lot of argument on the internet about the quality of the lenses. Some claim the PE's are the best and some say they aren't any better than the MC's. Anyway, the PE's are the newest and the most expensive.

RichardH · May 29, 2013

Thanks Alan
Without starting an argument over them, I figured there wasn't much difference between any. It would be a matter of how much use they have had.
Thanks
Richard

Suzan · May 29, 2013

The MC is the earliest followed by the EII and the PE. The PE supposedly has half stops. The 75MC should be avoided as should the 150 F4 EII The 150 F3.5 MC is supposed to be very good. I lucked into the 75 PE and 150 3.5 MC combo with zero research other than price to buy it now on e-Bay.

To complete my kit I want a good hand held meter that uses modern batteries which rules out the Gossen Luna Pro, which was a stand by from the old days. A waist level and a wide angle lens, maybe another back or two.

absalom1951 · May 29, 2013

I have a ETRSi kit which I'm very happy with. My lens are the 60, 100, and 150. They are all PE lens so can't compare with the older lens , but all 3 lens take tack sharp photos. I print 11 x 14 so I need a good sharp image , and am very pleased with the quality of prints I've gotten.

Have fun and shoot lots of film, its a great camera !!!

Phillip P. Dimor · May 29, 2013

From what i've read, there is little difference between the MC and PE lenses aside from physical things (rubber vs. metal, etc.) I had a hasselblad 503cx and sold it for a etrsi kit, and after having gotten completely used to the victor h. way of things I am completely screwed.

whowantstoast · May 29, 2013

I'm a regular ETRSi user, and I love my 50 MC. I do use a spot meter a lot, but I have the AEII prism and it meters perfectly.

Suzan · May 29, 2013

I too have an AEII prism but also work a lot with light and shadow going for details in high light areas while letting shadows drop into darkness and an incident meter helps a lot with that.

thatguychad · May 30, 2013

Suzan said:
To complete my kit I want a good hand held meter that uses modern batteries which rules out the Gossen Luna Pro, which was a stand by from the old days. A waist level and a wide angle lens, maybe another back or two.

The Luna Pro SBC and Luna Lux both use 9v batteries, though I wouldn't recommend the Luna Lux.

Noble · May 30, 2013

Phillip P. Dimor said:
From what i've read, there is little difference between the MC and PE lenses aside from physical things (rubber vs. metal, etc.) I had a hasselblad 503cx and sold it for a etrsi kit, and after having gotten completely used to the victor h. way of things I am completely screwed.

There are multiple differences between MC and PE glass. If given a reasonable price go for PE. It is newer has half stop detentes and upgraded lens design. I believe the MC glass is the oldest. There is EII glass and PE glass. I may be missing some iterations. I am just mentioning what is currently rolling around in my camera bag. Besides the half stop settings some I've read there is no noticeable difference in prints between PE glass and EII glass in some focal lengths. There is definitely a difference between a 150mm PE and a 150mm 3.5 MC.

ETRS lenses have gotten so cheap recently I would go for the newest models. The reason is they are less likely to need servicing. Servicing an ETRS lens now is not a great idea because it costs more to service than just buying a new one.

absalom1951 · May 30, 2013

I use the Luna Pro SBC with my Bronica. I have an unmetered prism and the SBC has done me well.

Putting together a Bronica ETRS Kit

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