Bronica S system photo thanks
to Allen Weiner
Bronica S side view (thanks to Fred
Boutin)
Bronica S Ads (from 1961)
Bronica S Page (Stephen
Gandy)
|
Bronica S Manual Thanks to Michael Beard |
The Bronica S was a major upgrade of the model D or Deluxe camera
introduced by Zenza Bronica in 1961. It
was available in chrome only and can be identified as follows:
The S model was introduced while the Deluxe was still in production and
represented a simplified version of that camera. Top speed was lowered
to 1/1000 second and the self-timer / long exposure control, double
exposure control, and focus lock were eliminated.
LENSES AND ACCESSORIES
All small bayonet mount Bronica Nikkor lenses fit the S body. The 105mm
F3.5 Nikkor and 300mm F4.5 Zenzanon will not fit. A special
focusing adapter for tele-Nikkor lenses was made for the S fixed mount,
but was not sold in the U.S. The present focusing tube will not fit the
S camera. This model also requires a special extension tube set and bellows.
The current tubes and bellows do not fit the S mount.
All prisms, hoods, and grips as well as the sportsfinder for the present
S2A will fit the S.
Special thanks to Mick Doe for providing this review information!
Source: British Amateur Photography Magazine Fact-Sheet
(See Cameras - The Facts - A Collector's Guide 1957-64 for
originals)
Model P - simpler model with fixed film magazine has been announced
(Model C in U.S.).
Bronica mirror movement is unusual, sliding downward rather than upward.
This movement requires much less space than regular upward swinging
mirror. This design permits using lenses with much shorter back focus.
An auxiliary shutter covers the focusing screen so light doesn't enter
from the top during exposures.
When you press the shutter, the diaphragm stops down, the mirror slides
out of the way, the auxiliary shutter blocks the focusing screen, and only
then does the focal plane shutter open. After the exposure, the mirror
pops back up, the diaphragm opens up, and the auxiliary shutter moves out
of the way again automatically.
In the model S, there is a button that lets you lock the mirror down, but
only after you have advanced and cocked the shutter. This mirror lockdown
permits less vibration during time exposures.
There is also a preview or depth of field button. The automatic diaphragm
action works on all auto-nikkor lenses up to 135mm. Longer focus lenses
use either a manual aperture pre-set system or a semi-automatic control
approach. You move the pre-set ring to manually stop down before taking
the exposure. The 350mm telephoto lens has a semi-automatic operation
using a small spring loaded diaphragm lever. Immediately before making the
exposure, press on the lever to close down the lens iris. The diaphragm
has to be opened by hand, while resetting the spring lever.
There are three lens mounts, inner bayonet mount with focusing tube for
lenses up to 135mm. A second bayonet mount in the camera body itself is
for longer focus lenses from 180 to 500mm. These lenses are focused by
rotating the focusing ring on the lens itself (after first setting the
body focusing knob to infinity, fully retracting it). The third lens mount
is inside the focusing tube and consists of a 57mm in diameter by one mm
pitch mounting for screw mounted lenses.
The model S uses a focusing knob that also performs the film advance
functions. You can create an intentional double exposure by advancing and
cocking the shutter while the back is off the camera (which leaves the
film unadvanced). A series of interlocks prevent losing blank frames or
fogging film. The shutter cannot be fired unless the dark slide is
completely out as well.
The film back has a film tensioning design using a hinged bar which
presses forward on the film against the film rollers during exposures.
During film transport, this tension is released, which reduces the chance
of scratches greatly. The hinged bar drops automatically in place once the
film is advanced so a new frame is in position.
A separate winding knob makes it possible to advance the film by hand,
very useful when winding up the backing paper to the red arrow marker at
the beginning of a roll.
The model S has a shutter release button on the front of the camera, with
a cable release socket, and a second shutter release socket at the base of
the camera below the depth-of-field preview button. There is a rotating
shutter release lock which can be used to prevent exposures, during setup
or moving the camera, as well as for keeping the shutter open during long
exposures.
On the model S, electronic flash can be synchronized up to 1/15th of a
second (not a misprint) and also 1/50th second (marked by X for x-synch).
Larger class M bulbs synch at up to 1/250th second, while focal plane
bulbs synch at all shutter speeds.
The shutter speed dial is color coded - red for bulb, green for 1 to
1/15th, white from 1/30 to 1/1000, and X in yellow. A special bayonet
mount on the shutter speed dial takes the Bronica flash gun mounts.
Besides the waist level finder, there is an eye-level prism finder and a
penta-prism finder that fits on top of the waist level finder, showing a
reduced view of the screen.
The model P is similar to the model S (see Model C) but lacks the
interchangeable backs and related operating controls.
The first Bronica (Z or Deluxe?) introduced in 1959 had a focusing knob
without a film transport crank, but with a shutter speed setting dial. The
original Bronica also had a self-timer and a range of shutter speeds from
1/1250th to 10 seconds. The Model S appeared in 1960, and the model P
(model C?) was announced in 1962.
The Model S backs were for 120 roll film only, not 220 film capable.
Lenses for the Model S included 50, 75, 135, 180, 250, 350, and 500mm
lenses only.
Two cable release sockets were provided, one in the shutter release, and a
second in the base of the camera.
Scale of image in viewfinder is natural size (6x6).
Weight of model S- 3 pounds, 6 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 3 3/8 inches
From: Bob Martin [email protected]
[1] Re: WTB:Bronica "S" dark slide
Date: Thu Sep 03 1998
Philip Quaife wrote:
> > Chuck Desper wrote: > > > > Need a dark slide for a Bronica "S" series 6x6 camera (196? vintage) > > KOH's sells them. Look in Shutterbug.
Sells two kinds... original and a flat metal piece with a glued
on plastic handle... ask first.
Bob
Date: Tue, 11 May 1999
From: Pete Kiefer [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Bronica S focusing method
The Bronica S (contrary to published information) does not have helical
focusing. It has cam-follower rack and slide focusing.
Date: Tue, 11 May 1999
From: Pete Kiefer [email protected]
To: Robert Monaghan [email protected]
Subject: Re: Thanks - Re: Bronica S focusing method
a rack and pinion uses a geared flat track and a pinion gear attached to a
shaft. The pinion shoves the rack in alternative directions. (See a Speed
Graphic or Zeiss Ikon) The cam follower is a much faster action. (The
human hand on a trombone slide is an example, though obscured by the skin on
the wrist and carpus.) The Bronica is a cam-follower/slide variation on the
rack and pinion
Pete Kiefer
-----Original Message-----
From: Robert Monaghan [email protected]
To: Pete Kiefer [email protected]
Date: Tuesday, May 11, 1999
Subject: Thanks - Re: Bronica S focusing method
>Thanks Pete, for your note - I added it to the bronica S page postings ;-) > >You are right, the earlier versions often used what was called then a >"rack and pinion" after the auto version focusing method. The helical >mounts came in the later models. Some folks like the "rack" method better >and prefer the older bronicas for that particular reason... > >regards bobm
Bronica S with Full Kit
Photo Thanks to Richard Gillenwater!
From Bronica Mailing List:
Date: Fri, 09 Mar 2001
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Bronica S.
Ray,
I have some experience with Bronica S.
This was the poorest of the focal plane shutter cameras. However they did
work at one time as many pros gave them hard use, but the cameras did not
stand up.
They should take all of the S2A prisms and backs, although I am not so
sure about the backs as the camera was originally made to work with a 12
exposure only back - so tests would have to be made as to how the 12/24
exposure or the 6x4.5cm back would work.
In my opinion if you get get one that is almost Mint and does not look
like it lived a hard life- it might work well.
Then your experiences with the S would be good information for the rest of
us to learn.
- Sam
From bronica mailing list: Date: Mon, 1 Jul 2002 From: "[email protected]" [email protected] Subject: RE: Re: Bronica S and S2 The Bronica S, with mirror pre-release was the most problem-laden of all early Broncia cameras. The models S2, C and S2A have no mirror pre-release. - Sam Sherman
[Ed. note: can anyone provide some insight on this unusual modification? Thanks!] From: johnwire [[email protected]] Sent: Fri 2/28/2003 To: Monaghan, Robert Subject: Re: Bronica C Repair Hi Bob, Looks like you had much work getting things going again. I have been getting on your site for several days, but now it is busy again. I have been trying to find more info on this Model C I purchased but as I "dig into it" further it becomes more puzzling. I assumed it was a model C since it didn't have a replaceable film back (at the time I couldn't tell a Bronica from a Hassy) but when I took it into the repairman today for a CLA, he said it was an S model...... and he'd never seen one with a fixed film back. After looking at all the pictures of C's on the web site I am sure now it is an S, The serial number is CB31181 so it is an early S (according to Michael Beard's serial number listing) with what appears to be a modification that has a special dark slide (with a hole in it) that cannot be removed. Have you ever heard of that kind of modification? The repairman was surprised it was still cranking and I am wondering if this camera might have had some special modifications, perhaps factory, to keep it cranking all these years (it is very well used). Just wondering...... Have a nice weekend. John Wire
