To purchase a manual photocopy, see dealers such as those listed at Dealers/Ads

Where can I read indexed and organized Bronica related net postings?

I have posted a number of Bronica related postings and 'net wisdom' for your review. I also welcome short or long email items for posting, along with tidbits and personal experiences related directly or indirectly to Bronica classic cameras. EMail me with your notes and suggestions. Thank you!!

If these cameras are so great, why did the Bronica S2A/EC camera line end?

Good question. By all odds, Bronica finally had a ruggedly reliable all mechanical camera with the S2As, and a real lead in electronic technology with the innovative EC and EC/TLs, the first integral metering and auto-aperture priority cameras respectively in medium format. So what went wrong if the cameras were so great?

Judge for yourself. See Those Awful Bronica Ads for my personal view. Bronica changed marketing strategies and distributors several times, along with major model changes, adding confusion in the marketplace. Their ads were often negative and cryptic. Finally, they were up against an awesome marketing machine in Hasselblad USA. They got clobbered. So they came up with the ETR, a much smaller 6x4.5 camera at lower cost in a different pro/amateur niche.

What is the rarest Bronica item?

Information! The importance of the Bronica classic camera web site is increased by the lack of other (factory) sources of information due to 'lost' paperwork and the many changes in distributors over time. Chances are good that any odd instruction sheet, manual, or brochure that you have could be a unique resource badly needed by both users and those of us interested in our Bronica camera's history.!

Please contact me at [email protected] if you have any information item not posted on the Bronica classic camera site. I am happy to pay for photocopying and mailing costs. Thank you!

P.S. As for rare hardware, Bronica Historian Michael Beard (Email) is looking for information on "6X8 S2A's or left hand S2A's, 6X9 backs for the Ec's.." and other stuff I didn't even know existed ;-)! Please email him if you have info to share on these rare items. Thanks!

As for lenses, I would bet the 1000mm f6.3 nikkor for the Bronica Deluxe was the rarest lens. While mentioned in a 1962 Popular Photography listing, it appears all of the 110 lenses made were in Nikon F or rangefinder mounts. Perhaps the prototype Bronica mount adapter still exists? But cheer up, you can roll your own as the last one produced is available for a mere $12,000.

What does the P in Nikkor-P lens stand for? Zenzanon MC? EC-TL?

The letters correspond to the number of lens elements in the nikon lens constructon. We observe U=1 (uni), B=2 (bi), T=3 (tri), Q=4 (quadra), P=5 (penta), H=6 (hexa), S=7 (septa), O=8 (octa) and N=9 (nona) elements (per Nikon FAQ).

The MC after zenzanon lenses simply highlights their use of multicoating. While a single coating may transmit 95%+ of the light, a multicoated lens can reach 98%+, an advantage that becomes more useful with each additional lens element and glass to air interface in the lens.

The Bronica EC is the first electronically controlled camera, hence the EC model name. The Bronica EC-TL added through the lens exposure metering and control with automatic aperture priority options. See Bronica EC/TL pages for more details.

Which lenses are available for these cameras?

1. 40 mm f4 Auto-Nikkor
   
2. 40mm f4 Auto-Zenzanon
   
3. 45mm f4.5 Komura
   
4. 50mm f2.8 Auto-Nikkor
   
5. 50mm f2.8 Auto-Zenzanon
   
6. 50mm f3.5 Auto-Nikkor
   
7. 50mm f3.5 Komura
   
8. 52mm f3.5 Kaligar (preset)
   
9. 75mm f2.8 P Auto-Nikkor
   
10. 75mm f2.8 PC Auto-Nikkor
    
11. 75mm f2.8 HC Auto-Nikkor
    
12. 75mm f2.8 MC Auto-Zenzanon
    
13. 80mm f2.4 Auto-Zenzanon
    
14. 85mm f1.8 Auto-Nikkor=
    
15. 90mm f2.8 Zoomar Macro Kilar (1:1 macro)
    
16. 100mm f2.8 Auto-Zenzanon
    
17. 100mm f2.8 Komura
    
18. 105mm f3.5 Auto-Nikkor (large bayonet)[leaf shutter]
    
19. 125mm f2.3 Astro-Tachar (manual)
    
20. 135mm f2.3 Komura (may be f3.2 typo?)
    
21. 135mm f2.8 Komura
    
22. 135mm f3.5 Auto-Nikkor
    
23. 135mm f3.5 Komura
    
24. 150mm f1.8 Astro-Tachar
    
25. 150mm f2.3 Astro-Tachar
    
26. 150mm f3.5 Auto-Zenzanon
    
27. 150mm f3.5 Komura
    
28. 150mm f4 Kaligar (preset)
    
29. 180mm f2.5 Nikkor
    
30. 180mm f3.5 Primotar
    
31. 200mm f4 Auto-Nikkor
    
32. 200mm f3.5 Auto-Zenzanon
    
33. 200mm f3.5 Komura
    
34. 200mm f4 Auto-Zenzanon
    
35. 200mm f3.5 Astro-Telastan
    
36. 240mm f4 Kaligar (automatic)
    
37. 240mm f4 Kaligar (preset)
    
38. 250mm Nikkor (f4 preset - special mount)
    
39. 300mm f3.5 Telastan (manual)
    
40. 300mm f4 Pan Tele Kilar
    
41. 300mm f4.5 Nikkor
    
42. 300mm f5.6 Nikkor
    
43. 300mm f4.5 Auto-Zenzanon (large bayonet)
    
44. 300mm f5 (preset) Komura
    
45. 300mm f5.5 Meyer Tele-Megor
    
46. 300mm f5.6 Kalimar (preset)
    
47. 350mm f4.5 Nikkor (special mount - preset)
    
48. 400mm f4.5 Tele-Nikkor with focusing mount
    
49. 400mm f6.3 Komura
    
50. 400mm f6.3 Konwa
    
51. 400mm f6.3 Sankyo-Kohri
    
52. 500mm f5.5 Nikkor (special mount - preset)
    
53. 500mm f5.6 Zoomar Reflektar
    
54. 500mm f8 Komura
    
55. 500mm f5 Astragon (manual)
    
56. 500mm f5 Astro-Fern (manual)
    
57. 600mm f5.6 Tele-Nikkor with focusing mount
    
58. 600mm f5 Astragon (manual)
    
59. 600mm f5.6 Kilfitt Sport-Fern Kilar (preset)
    
60. 640mm f5 Astro-Fern (manual)
    
61. 800mm f8 Tele-Nikkor with focusing mount
    
62. 800mm f5 Astragon (manual)
    
63. 800mm f5 Astro-Fern (manual)
    
64. 1000mm f6.3 Nikkor (special mount - preset)
    
65. 1000mm f8 Zoomar Reflektar
    
66. 1000mm f6.3 Astragon (manual)
    
67. 1000mm f6.3 Astro-Fern (manual)
    
68. 1200mm f11 Tele-Nikkor with focusing mount
    
69. 2000mm f10 Astro-Telestan (manual)
    

Optical Accessories:

• 2x teleconverter Komura
  
• 2x teleconverter (Vivitar)
  

  Zooms:
  

• 170-320mm f4 Zoomar
  
• 135-300mm f4.5 Sun Dionar
  

Why are there so many different lenses available for the Bronicas at such low prices?

How can I check my camera body and lens focusing?

Check postings on this subject in our Netwisdom Postings Page. Several discussions detail ways to check focus, and easy fixes for some common problems your repairperson may not know about!

Another approach is to use our handy Lens Focus Chart to relate the standard 75mm lens distance markings (e.g., on S2 or S2A focusing ring) to equivalent distances for the 40mm, 50mm, 100mm, 135mm, 150mm, and 200mm lenses.

How does the Bronica deluxe bellows tilt and shift provide view camera style perspective controls while retaining lens infinity focusing?

One unique feature of the later Bronica classics (S2, S2A, C,...) is the ability to use the deluxe Bronica bellows featuring tilt and shift with many lenses while retaining infinity focusing! This feature means you can use the tilts and shifts of the deluxe bellows to provide a degree of view camera style perspective controls on the later Bronicas.

Since perspective control lenses for medium format SLR cameras are rare and pricey items (e.g., Rollei SL66), this trick adds a really unique perspective control capability to the Bronica classic cameras. The removable helical focusing mount of the later Bronica cameras (S2/C/S2A..) provides enough room to retain the infinity focusing point with the regular auto-diaphragm lenses when the deluxe bellows is mounted.

The tilt and shift bellows is most useful with standard Bronica mount lenses when used with closeup or macrophotography. You can adjust the plane of focus using tilts and shifts directly. Using remounted lenses on the front of the tilt and shift bellows, such as those from old folder cameras or view cameras, provides useful ranges of tilts and shifts at infinity focusing at low cost.

For a view of the deluxe tilt and shift bellows, see Bellows Photo (jpg)

Where can I get more information about Bronica Macrophotography?

Bronica cameras have a number of macrophotography accessories, ranging from the deluxe tilt and shift bellows, to a standard bellows, to a set of four extension tubes (CA, CB, CC, CD) and a lens reversing ring for bellows use. There are also closeup lenses for the 200mm f/4 Nikkor, plus a set of Bronica 67mm closeup lenses. Finally, the basic lenses feature surprisingly close focusing capabilites (e.g. under a foot with the 50mm Nikkor).

See S2/C Manual and S2A Manual sections on Bronica macrophotography, including magnification ratios with various extension tubes and bellows options. See standard bellows 2 and extension tube set (jpeg photos).

What is the X-synch speed of these Bronica classic cameras? Flash bulb options?

Being a focal plane shutter and 6x6 camera, the X-synch of the mechanical S2/S2A Bronicas is a modest 1/40th of a second. The earlier model S Bronicas listed a 1/50th second X synch speed. On the electronic Bronica EC and EC/TLs, the X-synch was a respectable 1/60th second. That's about the same as a 35mm SLR but for a much larger film format. The Bronica shutter curtain travels across the 55mm film gate in 15-16 milliseconds.

A handy S2A manual chart indicates that X-synch can also be used with speeds from B, 1 to 1/15th second, but not with 1/30th second as you might expect! Use 1/40th second or the X-sync setting instead.

However, a leaf shutter 105mm f3.5 Nikkor lens is available for wider flash synch speed needs from 1 second to 1/500th. You can also readily adapt other flash synched leaf shutter lenses to mount on your Bronica camera (see lens adapter related items below).

You may also use F (Bulb to 1/15th), M (B to 1/125th), and FP (B to 1/1000th) bulbs with your Bronica camera at shutter speeds detailed on a handy chart. Don't ignore flashbulbs, they are a compact light source for some situations. The red (Bulb), white (1/30th - 1/1000th), green (1 sec-1/15th) and yellow (1/40th or X) colors of shutter dial numbers are color codes for flash synchro photography.

What intermediate settings can I use on shutter speed? aperture?

Per the S2/C and S2A manuals, intermediate shutter speeds can be selected between the following speeds: 1-1/4 1/8 -1/30 1/60-1/1000. There is also provision for a bulb or time exposure, including a convenient locking device to hold the shutter open. These three speed ranges correspond to three sets of timing chains in the cameras.

Aperture can also be varied essentially continuously between click-stops on the lenses at standard and maximum aperture settings.

How can I decide between square (6x6cm) or rectangular (6x4.5cm) formats?

With the Bronica classic cameras, you don't have too. Just buy a model E back and you can have 16 (on 120 film) or 32 (on 220 film) exposures in a 6x4.5cm format. Just be sure you get a replaceable back camera model (i.e., not the model C)!

A user asks if you need different prisms and finders with the rectangular format backs. No. You cheat, usually by putting a thin clear plastic sheet with the 6 x 4.5 markings on it under the finder. You can also do this to highlight the areas likely to be masked out by slide mounts on the edge of the viewing screen. A grid can help with getting straight lines and horizons with wide angles and fisheye adapters. Others prefer to mark the rule-of-thirds points or other composition aides.

Can I shoot superslides with the 6x6 backs? 6x4.5 backs?

You can shoot super-slides using any film back. Superslides big advantage is that they fit into regular 35mm projectors.

The superslide mounts are 4x4cm in size, so you have to compose and crop your images with this purpose in mind (or dupe 6x6 slides down to this format).

The superslide is intermediate between the full 6x6 slide and 35mm slides. Superslides have about twice the useful film area and impact of 35mm slides.

Since you are just cropping the larger negative, you can get this extra ''free'' format from either the regular 6x6cm or model E 6x4.5cm backs.

Where can I locate a medium format slide projector?

See Medium format slide projectors for new and used options. This page also covers larger than 6x6 projectors that can be used for 6x6 too.

How can I make a deliberate double exposure on my Bronica camera?

A. After making one exposure, insert the dark slide and remove the back.

B. Turn the film/shutter crank until the shutter is wound. Replace the back on the camera body and withdraw the dark slide.

You can now make the second exposure

Is a Polaroid back available for the Bronica classic cameras?

Yes! See Bronica S2A Polaroid Film Pack Back Manual available on-line thanks to Robert Lai for details. But be aware that these Polaroid backs are relatively rare items.

Color prints are obtained with Polaroid Polacolor type 108 Land pack film, which has a film speed of ASA 75 (DIN 18), while black-and-white pictures are possible with Polaroid type 107 Land pack film, which has a speed of ASA 3,000 (DIN 36). Should you also require negatives, in addition to the black-and-white prints, there is a Polaroid Type 105 Land pack positive/negative film which delivers eight shots of both. Film speed of Type 105 is ASA 75.

The Polaroid packs produce eight prints measuring 8.5 x 10.5 cm but since the Bronica cameras have a format of 6 x 6 cm only, the actual image area will measure 6x6 cm within the 8.5 x 10.5 cm print area.

What can you tell me given the serial number of my camera?

Bronica historian and author Mike Beard ( EMAIL Mike Beard) has been collecting Bronica Serial Number and related information on Bronica cameras he has repaired and worked on at his UK Camera Repair facility. You can check Mr. Beard's serial number listings for your own Bronica camera(s). This data is very useful as only by checking serial numbers can you know which model of EC/TL you have or if you have a late model S2a and so on. Unfortunately, this serial number production data has evidently been lost by the factory, so we can only learn some of these facts if users provide us with serial numbers from their Bronica cameras, bodies, and lenses.

In a recent response to a query about a recently purchased 40mm lens, Mr. Michael Beard noted:

The 40mm F4 Zenzanon lens that one of your readers bought and wanted some info on. I'm still researching the element/group aspect, but I can tell you that the serial number holds the key. The s/number was something like 40239. 40 indicates a 40mm lens, while the remainder of the number indicates the number of lenses available for manufacture. Not that they made 999, but they had the scope to do so if necessary....

Where can I get my Bronica repaired?

See Bronica Repair List for contact information of repair persons known to work on classic Bronicas. Shutterbug Ads also has ads from camera repair persons. Check the WWW using your favorite search engine for online camera repair places as well. We also solicit contact information for other repair resources not on this list! Email us your additions.

How can I get fisheye effects using my Bronica classic camera?

Some 180 degree fisheye adapters can be mounted on the front of lens, using the filter ring, to provide fisheye effects at relatively low cost ($50US-$100US+). Prime fisheye lenses would have better contrast, light falloff, and flare resistance than these adapters, but none are available.

See fisheye adapters for sample photos, review, and related postings on building medium format fisheye adapters.

How can I get moderate telephoto or wide angle effects while I am looking and saving for prime lenses?

Again, some wide angle and telephoto adapters are available that mount on the filter ring of your prime lens to provide wide angle and telephoto effects. Cost is very low ($25US to $50US+). All such converters are lower quality and more flare-prone than prime lenses, but the costs for these adapters are much less (e.g., $25US-$50US+). See auxiliary wide/tele adapters

Finally, remember that the Komura/Vivitar 2x Telephoto converter can provide additional telephoto factors for your prime lenses with some losses in light (e.g., 2 stops) and contrast.

How can I use my Bronica classic camera for medium format underwater photography?

See Ikelite Medium Format Bronica Underwater Housing photos and article. There is also a related article on the Rolleimarin Underwater Housing for Rolleiflex 3.5F Twin-Lens Reflex camera.

How can I use my Bronica classic camera for astrophotography? photomicrography?

Bronica classic cameras can be used with both telescopes and microscopes. The main thing you need is a simple adapter to go from the camera to standard sized tubing. Adapters are easily built using Mike Bond's body cap approach or the alternative 57mm screw thread lens mounting. See Homebrew Bronica Lenses article and 57mm Screw Thread adapter article for details.

See Bronica S in Astronomy posting on how this mirror-lockup Bronica is used. My own 1987 article from Astronomy magazine on making inexpensive telescopes and other nift lens uses is also posted now.

Can I use my Bronica classic camera for infra-red photography?

Sure. In fact, Bronica S2, S2A, and C camera focusing mounts feature 4 red dots to the right of the infinity focusing mark that are meant for using with the four standard Nikkor (50, 75, 135, 200mm) lenses for focusing with infra-red film. See the online Bronica S2 S2A C manual for infra-red details.

Can I use my Bronica classic camera for ultraviolet light photography?

Ultraviolet light photography is possible if you have the older single coated Bronica lenses, or adapt uncoated lenses for such an application. Sorry, but the multi-coated lenses block too much UV light to be useful here. A simple Wratten #18A or Hoya U-360 filter passes only ultraviolet light in the 280nm to 450nm range. Conventional films such as Tmax or other black and white films are very sensitive to UV, as are some Fuji tungsten lighting color films among others.

How does depth of field compare in medium format lenses versus 35mm? Field of View?

Medium format photographers have less depth of field when comparing their normal lens (75mm) to an equivalent 35mm normal lens (50mm) at the same distances and settings, and so on for other lenses.

See Michael Gilletts Depth of Field Calculator (plus Bronica lens figures) and See Bronica Lenses' Field of View calculation using Rui Salgueiro's Field of View Calculator

How can the close focusing distance of medium format lenses be improved?

Many photographers are dismayed to discover that close focusing distance on most medium format lenses is significantly less than 35mm lenses with similar angular coverage.

Bronica offer two approaches to solve this problem. You can use an accessory fractional diopter closeup lens that threads onto the lens filter thread mount. The 200mm lens uses just such a fractional diopter lens to extend its close focusing range. The same closeup lenses can be used on multiple Bronica lenses which share a common 67mm filter thread (see lenses).

The second approach is to use either a thin extension tube or bellows. The extension tube is cheaper, sturdy, light-weight, simple, and rugged in field use. But since the extension tube is used with the standard helical focusing mount, you lose infinity focusing when the extension tube(s) is mounted. The Bronica bellows offer a more flexible approach, with a continuous range from infinity to extreme closeups. This extra flexibility costs more, weighs more, takes more calculations, and does more.

Why isn't there a macro-lens in the Bronica lens lineup?

Most medium format systems have at least one very pricey macro-lens for closeup work. Why not Bronica?

The surprising answer is that by using the Bronica bellows, all the standard lenses can be used for both closeup and macrophotography. Since the Bronica bellows provides a unique range from infinity to extreme closeup (e.g., 1:1), all the bellows mounting standard lenses can be used as macro-lenses.

You can use a lens reverse mounting adapter with the Bronica bellows for optimum larger than life size macrophotography. Finally, it is easy to mount true bellows macro-lenses (such as the bellows nikkors) on the Bronica bellows using an adapter. Since macrolenses have great coverage, the bellows lenses commonly used with 35mm bellows usually work well on 6x6 too. You can also homebrew inexpensive bellows lenses for Bronica's focal plane shutter using 16mm and 8mm movie lenses too. If you simply must have a pricey macro-lens, there is a 90mm f2.8 Zoomar Macro Kilar lens (1:1) in a Bronica mount.

Was there a Military version(s) of the Bronica classic cameras?

Yes! During the Vietnam war, some green camouflage Bronica S2 models were issued. The Bronica classic cameras were also used in special configurations with the Sun Dionar zoom lens for photographing military aircraft.

For an interesting and highly entertaining article, see Robert Denham's posting on using his Bronica in military aerial photo chase operations!

Why are the Bronica classic cameras so easy to use with odd-ball barrel lenses and older leaf-shutter lenses, long telephotos, and flat-field macrolens designs?

The Bronica classic cameras have a unique trio of features that make building and using homebrew lenses very easy.

Mike Bond has also suggested a simple lens mounting approach using a Bronica body cap to mount lenses onto Bronica bodies.

See 57mm Screw Thread Lens mount adapter article and Bronica Homebrew Lenses article

What size filters do I need for Bronica mount lenses?

Most Bronica lenses in the 75mm to 200mm lineup take a 67mm screw-type filter. This clever standardization simplifies and reduces the cost of acquiring a full set of filters. This 67mm screw filter size is also relatively less expensive than the typical medium format filters using either bayonet or larger (72mm and above) filter sizes.

The 40 mm wide-angle lens requires 90 mm screw type filters; while the 50mm and the 300 mm, 82mm screw type filters.

The long focal length interchangeable lenses (400mm and over) require 122 mm screw type filters.

A number of inexpensive fisheye adapters, wide angle adapters, and other optical elements can be used with the Bronica 67mm screw type filter mount. This approach makes it possible to enjoy fisheye and super-wide photography at a fraction of the cost of prime lens. (see wide and super-wide adapters and fisheye adapter pages).

What is the Bronica Classic Camera - Lens Hacker Hall of Fame?

The Lens Hacker Hall of Fame ''award and recognition is available to anyone who has hacked lenses from another camera or format and made them work on one or more classic Bronica cameras..''

For more information on adapting lenses to Bronica classic cameras, see:

Are there any Internet news groups that discuss Bronica classic cameras?

Yes. See USENET news group rec.photo.equipment.medium-format for miscellaneous information related to medium format in general, with periodic items directly related to Bronica classic cameras. Similarly, see the Medium Format Digest [was at http://db.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a.tcl?topic=Medium%20Format%20Digest] for a modest amount of Bronica related information, and more medium format materials as well. Note that you can get an Email version [was at http://db.photo.net/bboard/add-alert.tcl?topic=Medium%20Format%20Digest, free signup to access as of 2/2003).

What about a Bronica classic camera users only mailing list?

A Bronica classic camera only listing (Bronysaur) was used in the past, but has discontinued (Email me if you have these archives - I'd like to post them! Thanks).

My personal view is that a separate Bronica camera list is not justified as there is not enough traffic on these Medium Format lists as they are. Moreover, many topics are of general interest and application to all medium format photography. Many current medium format users are former users of Bronica classic cameras with years of experience using them. So it would be a mistake to isolate ourselves from their input too.

But I am working on a online Bronica Question and Answer Forum, so watch future versions of this FAQ and the Bronica classic camera home page.

Where can I tap into some Internet commentary and problem/solution resources from the various discussion groups relating directly to Bronicas?

Bronica Net Wisdom Page consolidates, indexes, and organizes many Bronica related postings!

Another good resource for recent commentary is via searches on Dejanews - a USENET news search service that goes back a month or so on postings by keyword search in thousands of groups (including the rec.photo hierarchy). See http://www.dejanews.com to use this search tool online.

Are there other home pages featuring the Bronica classic cameras?

Yes! See Japanese site http://www.cosmonet.org/camera/brncs2_e.htm for an English version page on the S2, complete with sample black and white photo.

From Contax Mailing List:
Date: Thu, 06 Jul 2000
From: "Bob Shell" [email protected]
Subject: Re: [CONTAX] New Contax

The original Bronica cameras had focal plane shutters and lenses from Nikon. Mr. Zenzaburo who was the father of the Bronica line started out in the cigarette lighter business and designed the camera on the side.

He had no capability to build lenses, so partnered with Nikon to make lenses for him. The lenses were exceptional, actually much better than the cameras! Before switching to Zeiss lenses on Rollei SL66 in the mid-70s I owned a Bronica S2A outfit. The lenses were top notch but the cameras vibrated like hell and this killed the lens sharpness in hand held shots.

By the 70s the Bronica company had set up their own lens design and manufacturing department, and were producing Zenzanon lenses in parallel with the Nikkors. Komura also made a line of lenses for Bronica in those days, and there was a zoom lens from Zoomar as well.

When Bronica made the switch to leaf shutters they dropped the collaboration with Nikon and made all their own lenses. Now they are a part of Tamron and Tamron is designing the new lenses.

Ask Muchan about the "families". I don't know all that much about them.

Bob

Note: Please send updates, corrections, and additions to [email protected]

Caveat Emptor: While we have made every effort to ensure accuracy of the above information, we cannot guarantee complete accuracy in either our sundry sources or transcription. So please double check any critical items before buying or risking any time and money. Thanks! Bobm.