It's hard not to see resemblance between Bronica EC and Rolleiflex SL66. Did Bronica took clues from Rolleiflex to make its own? Rollei started production 1966, Bronica in 1972, so certainly they had few years to see what Rollei was up to. But then Bronica prior to EC had the C, the Z, the D, and eventually the S. All of these had similar look, EC departed from it somewhat, while introducing electronic shutter to the mix of some great engineering and form. In other words, Rollei's SL66 draws very close on looks to EC, Bronica had things coming out of similar nature years before Rollei. Neither of these brands compare to Hasselblad, which I won't go into here. I'm after how was first, both cameras are simply great part of photographic gear history.
When I got my mind set on the SL66 not long ago, I could only think of the EC, which I've owned for several years now. So I was also curious how they would compare. Now I can put them side by side.
Both with standard lens. Both weigh just about the same around 2 kg. Size wise there is hardly a difference.
On function there are obviously some differences, not all in favour of either one, most a matter of getting the hang of how it stacks up in the hand. One clear difference is Rollei's bellows focusing with one of the kind macro capabilities, as well as front tilting up to 8 degrees up/down. But the bellows vs. helicoid focusing has an entirely different feel, and for those who would draw comparison to how Mamiya's RB67 works, no it's not like that, likely due to overall size of everything.
Both, SL66 and EC, have focal plane shutters to 1000, with main difference being electronic timing on EC vs. mechanical on SL66. Both have instant return mirror, but they work differently and here SL66 does feel smoother somewhat and/or quieter. EC never bothered me with it's mirror action or noise it makes and so far have had zero issues with 3 bodies I own.
WLF on EC folds noticeably easier than on SL66 with its auto fold-down, on SL66 side pinch is needed. Nothing to fret overt but difference is there.
Cocking is different enough to mention. EC is a one way turn with resistance felt when it changes over from shutter tensioning to film advance. On SL66 it's a clockwise 270 degree for shutter cocking and then back again to advance film. In this sense SL66 is MUCH slower, and well ... awkward, to get to next frame.
Interestingly, Rollei makes a huge operational point in the manual, right at the start: BEFORE you do ANYTHING with the camera, make sure crank is swung 270 back and forth. Apparently this is critical to avoid any mechanical malfunctions, and it needs to be followed religiously. It activates safeties built in. I'm not sure if not doing so and trying something else (like dark slide removal/insertion, removing film back, trying to trigger shutter) is always a guarantee of a problem, or just a precautionary note to ensure routine is always followed. Usually manufacturers start their manuals with a simple "read it before first use".
Even more interestingly, this front page "thank you for purchasing SL66, you are playing with fire you know" was moved down some pages in the SL66E/SE/X manual. Change of management ??
Focusing screen of SL66 is on a bright side, but I don't think it compares favourably to Hasselblad's Acute Matte D. It appears to work well, no complaints here.
EC screens are on a darker side though.
Film magazines, both 120/220 capable (not that it matters much these days, but at least you won't buy a 220 if you did not mean to). I favour what EC has in (which applies to most interchangeable back cameras), and for several reasons:
Shutter release is on same side and has locking built in - both work pretty much exactly the same. SL66 has the button angled out and I'm not sure if that improved handling. Possible this was done to keep hand clearer of the moving bellows close by.
Overall I see mostly same camera between EC and SL66. Balance will change significantly when SL66 is used with its extended bellows (it's rather tripod kind of work anyways).
Macro capabilities of SL66 are one and only, lenses can be reversed mounted for some astonishing ratios without any extra gear (50 Distagon takes things down to 3:1).
Focusing knob on the SL66 has DOF scales for 50/80/150/250 lenses, which is also an interesting add-on, easy to change / easy to see.
While I know my SL66 has some focusing smoothness issues, turning the left knob to work focus vs. playing with helicoid on EC is incomparable. EC feels tight as body is cradled in the hand while focusing is done with same. Trying to do the same of SL66 is quite a change, and somewhat awkward by comparison.
I would say SL66 is in its own league due to what bellows and reverse lens mounting allow. It is mechanically complex, although on similar level as EC, despite shutter on the latter being electronically controlled.
Tripod mounting on the SL66 is probably not the best thought out idea. It is a rather small foot print dovetail engagement that protrudes slightly below camera's bottom plane. Mounting camera directly on a tripod plate, one needs to see if plate padding has enough give to compensate for that difference in planes with compression. While dovetail joint is a quick way to mount, I have doubts how such a small foot print affects its own integrity over time, given overall weight, and dynamics of handling. I have seen some reports of the dovetail piece getting loose and is mounted with one nut from the inside (somewhat accessible). This should not be ever the case IMO. In comparison EC (as majority of any other) has flat bottom for secure mounting on any Bronica system gear or any tripod plate one wants to use. And compare the size of SL66 dovetail to Hasselblad mounting plate. SL66's solution does feel out of place, given the rest of its engineering.
Well, I'm done here. Need to run a test roll through SL66.
When I got my mind set on the SL66 not long ago, I could only think of the EC, which I've owned for several years now. So I was also curious how they would compare. Now I can put them side by side.
Both with standard lens. Both weigh just about the same around 2 kg. Size wise there is hardly a difference.
On function there are obviously some differences, not all in favour of either one, most a matter of getting the hang of how it stacks up in the hand. One clear difference is Rollei's bellows focusing with one of the kind macro capabilities, as well as front tilting up to 8 degrees up/down. But the bellows vs. helicoid focusing has an entirely different feel, and for those who would draw comparison to how Mamiya's RB67 works, no it's not like that, likely due to overall size of everything.
Both, SL66 and EC, have focal plane shutters to 1000, with main difference being electronic timing on EC vs. mechanical on SL66. Both have instant return mirror, but they work differently and here SL66 does feel smoother somewhat and/or quieter. EC never bothered me with it's mirror action or noise it makes and so far have had zero issues with 3 bodies I own.
WLF on EC folds noticeably easier than on SL66 with its auto fold-down, on SL66 side pinch is needed. Nothing to fret overt but difference is there.
Cocking is different enough to mention. EC is a one way turn with resistance felt when it changes over from shutter tensioning to film advance. On SL66 it's a clockwise 270 degree for shutter cocking and then back again to advance film. In this sense SL66 is MUCH slower, and well ... awkward, to get to next frame.
Interestingly, Rollei makes a huge operational point in the manual, right at the start: BEFORE you do ANYTHING with the camera, make sure crank is swung 270 back and forth. Apparently this is critical to avoid any mechanical malfunctions, and it needs to be followed religiously. It activates safeties built in. I'm not sure if not doing so and trying something else (like dark slide removal/insertion, removing film back, trying to trigger shutter) is always a guarantee of a problem, or just a precautionary note to ensure routine is always followed. Usually manufacturers start their manuals with a simple "read it before first use".
Even more interestingly, this front page "thank you for purchasing SL66, you are playing with fire you know" was moved down some pages in the SL66E/SE/X manual. Change of management ??
Focusing screen of SL66 is on a bright side, but I don't think it compares favourably to Hasselblad's Acute Matte D. It appears to work well, no complaints here.
EC screens are on a darker side though.
Film magazines, both 120/220 capable (not that it matters much these days, but at least you won't buy a 220 if you did not mean to). I favour what EC has in (which applies to most interchangeable back cameras), and for several reasons:
- dark slide works easier in and out on EC
- dark slide storage is in top slot on EC vs. bottom slot on SL66 (odd to stick it on from the bottom up)
- magazine release is a simple push in dark slide on EC (a natural move since slide must be in before magazine comes off, just continue on a bit more and take back off) vs. a small release on the side that protrudes out a bit all the time
- auto film sensing start on SL66 has been reported as problematic at times (Rollei got away from it on SL66E backs with standard film line up before closure), it sounded good no doubt when all one had to do was stick the film in, ensure it is wound onto take up spool enough, then close back and keep winding on to first frame for auto-stop
- first frame set up on EC can be done either on the back itself (when off camera) or with winding knob when coupled to body, not so with SL66 where back must be set to frame 1 with back's knob, regardless of whether it is camera mounted or off.
Shutter release is on same side and has locking built in - both work pretty much exactly the same. SL66 has the button angled out and I'm not sure if that improved handling. Possible this was done to keep hand clearer of the moving bellows close by.
Overall I see mostly same camera between EC and SL66. Balance will change significantly when SL66 is used with its extended bellows (it's rather tripod kind of work anyways).
Macro capabilities of SL66 are one and only, lenses can be reversed mounted for some astonishing ratios without any extra gear (50 Distagon takes things down to 3:1).
Focusing knob on the SL66 has DOF scales for 50/80/150/250 lenses, which is also an interesting add-on, easy to change / easy to see.
While I know my SL66 has some focusing smoothness issues, turning the left knob to work focus vs. playing with helicoid on EC is incomparable. EC feels tight as body is cradled in the hand while focusing is done with same. Trying to do the same of SL66 is quite a change, and somewhat awkward by comparison.
I would say SL66 is in its own league due to what bellows and reverse lens mounting allow. It is mechanically complex, although on similar level as EC, despite shutter on the latter being electronically controlled.
Tripod mounting on the SL66 is probably not the best thought out idea. It is a rather small foot print dovetail engagement that protrudes slightly below camera's bottom plane. Mounting camera directly on a tripod plate, one needs to see if plate padding has enough give to compensate for that difference in planes with compression. While dovetail joint is a quick way to mount, I have doubts how such a small foot print affects its own integrity over time, given overall weight, and dynamics of handling. I have seen some reports of the dovetail piece getting loose and is mounted with one nut from the inside (somewhat accessible). This should not be ever the case IMO. In comparison EC (as majority of any other) has flat bottom for secure mounting on any Bronica system gear or any tripod plate one wants to use. And compare the size of SL66 dovetail to Hasselblad mounting plate. SL66's solution does feel out of place, given the rest of its engineering.
Well, I'm done here. Need to run a test roll through SL66.
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