WLF for Bronica ETR/ETRSi

Edwinv · Feb 8, 2021

Hello,
Where can i get a normal priced WLF for my ETRSi. eBay is asking ridiculous prices. I get it that these things were expensive to begin with, but these days, second hand stuff gets overpriced. For a student it is not nice. Ideally form Europe (because of customs/shipping), hope somebody has a spare. thank you !

neilt3 · Feb 8, 2021

There a rare item so have always commanded a disproportionate price .
I got mine complete with a camera body from a shop who had two bodies , one with a WLF and one with the standard prism .
I got the one with the WLF for less than the other (?!) Then I bought a prism finder for £30 .
That's when WLF's were selling for about £75 .

So looking out for a body complete with the WLF might be the cheapest option , then selling on the body if it's surplus to requirements .

Either way , you seldom come across them .
On 6x4.5 there only if use for landscape orientation , portrait orientation needs the prism , so I rarely use mine . ( But not for sale ).
Is there a reason you want one ?

moto-uno · Feb 8, 2021

They tend to be really handy when using a macro lens on flowers and the sort . Peter

neilt3 · Feb 8, 2021

moto-uno said:
They tend to be really handy when using a macro lens on flowers and the sort . Peter

You can also get an angle finder that clips on the prism and AE2 prism .
The other thing you can get us a rotating prism finder .
Both of these can be turned 90° for using in portrait or landscape shooting , allowing you to still look down on the body for the low down shots .
And in the case of using it with the AE2 , still retaining auto exposure .
I have both of these as well , and both are cheaper than the WLF , though not often seen .
Maybe having these is also why I don't use the WLF so much .

Danner · Feb 10, 2021

For a lot of the Bronica gear, it appears that the Japanese dealers have been bought most of the used inventory, and now control the offer prices, keeping them high. The ETR finders, in average condition, commanding US$200, which seems crazy.

grat · Feb 10, 2021

Same with the SQ-A bits. I paid far more than I wanted for a WLF for mine ($150).

The winders for the SQ-A are typically priced at $110 + $30 shipping, so I 3D printed one instead.

abruzzi · Feb 10, 2021

When I bought my ETRSi, I made sure it was one with the folding WLF because the price on them was crazy for what they were. Funny thing, at the time the WLF was selling for ~$150, and I got my camera (with PE 50mm) for $250. I did the exact same thing when I bought into a GS-1, again because the WLF sells for what I consider to be crazy money. I have, on rare occasion, seen the ETR WLF list for $100, but it gets snapped up quickly, so I don't thing there are sources for cheaper, you just need to decide what you're willing to pay, and just keep on the lookout until you find one. If you need one and can't wait, then you're stuck paying the common prices.

wiltw · Feb 10, 2021

WLF were priced at $135 in 1990 dollars. Inflation computation puts each 1990 $1.00 at $1.99 in 2020, so those WLF would be $270 at today's inflated price. So the prices on eBay are not so rip-off when that is considered.

WLF for Bronica ETR/ETRSi

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