Ad from Modern Photography June 1962 p.106
Bronica P ad from p.106, Modern
Photography June
1962
Bronica P part 1 and part
2 ad from p.100, Popular Photography June
1962
Bronica P ad from p. 58 U.S. Camera
May
1962 and Bronica P photo
Thanks to Sam Sherman, we have the above ads and photos of the Bronica
model P camera from various U.S. amateur photography publications in
mid-1962. The material for the Bronica model C
are from 1965 and list a higher entry price. So my suspicion remains that
there may have been a model P that was marketed in the mid-1962 through
1965 time frame similar to the later Bronica model C.
On the other hand, Mr. Michael Beard, our WWW Bronica Historian, believes
that no such model was ever made (per email correspondence). We might
compromise by suggesting that Bronica's marketing arm in the US/UK may
have sent out announcements listing such a model P, but the camera was
actually released only some years later under the Model C designation. But
if you have or know of someone who has a model P (or manual for a model
P), you can settle this controversy by Emailing me!!!
An old early 1960s British camera handbook lists a Bronica Model 'P'
having
been announced in 1962 subsequent to the Bronica Model S camera
introduced in 1960. The book's description (The Bronica P largely
resembles the model S in its features but has no removable film magazine.
The magazine and body are one unit and certain operating controls (in
particular the dark slide) are thus absent.) suggests that the model
P is similar or identical to the Bronica model
C.
Similarly, the listing from June 1962 p. 100 of Popular Photography's
annual camera index lists the Bronica P with the following
description:
Bronica Model P
Bronica model P 2 1/4 square, single-lens reflex has same features,
accepts same lenses as current Bronica S, but has fixed film back. Among
its features are instant-return mirror, instant reopen diaphragm,
depth-of-field preview, and a removable focusing hood which interchanges
with new eye-level prism finder. It has shutter speeds from 1 to 1/1000
second plus bulb, rapid-advance crank, and independent mirror release.
Price with standard lens $299.50 - Distributor Caprod Ltd. 111 Fifth Ave.
New York 3, N.Y.
Evidently there was also a later or C2 version of the model C. In
addition, listings for the model P Bronica in 1960s Camera Guides in
Popular Photography magazine indicate this name was used in the U.S. The
camera described as above is similar or identical to the model C.
In summary, we have the ads showing a model P was announced in the
mid-1962 time frame. But we only have Bronica Model C and C2 cameras known
from the later mid-1965 onward time frame. So was the Model P announcement
a flyer to see if there was enough demand to make the camera? Or was the
Model P produced, but simply not sold under that name or in such small
numbers that few remain to come to our attention?
