S2 Manual Online
S2 Sales Brochure Online
Bronica S2A Hi-Resolution Images (Thanks to Oleg Volk!)

Bronica "S2"

The Bronica S2 followed the S in 1965-6 and incorporated a number of new features. The primary change was the switch to a removable helical type focusing mount. Identifying points are:

S2 Left/Right Views and S2 Top/Bottom Views

1. Removable helical (rotating focusing mount has black knurled knob for focusing on front of camera body
2. No distance scale or focus control on advance knob
3. Small release button for focus ring on front of body
4. No mirror lock switch on bottom of body
5. Body now available in black or chrome
6. PC contact now on left side of body

LENSES And ACCESSORIES

With the change in design to a front helical focusing mount, the accessory systems for Bronica were also changed.

Lenses - All Bronica Nikkor and Zenzanon lenses fit the S2, including the large bayonet 105mm and 300mm. The focusing tube for the Tele-Nikkors is the current #81505 unit.

Accessories - All prisms, hoods, grips, etc. that fit the current S2A will fit the S2. For differences between the older Deluxe and "S" accessories and the current versions, see the separate section on accessories.

Thanks to Bill Barton for providing this information!

S2-BL:

The S2 has been widely used by many amateurs and pros alike... throughout the world. The consensus of all, have been the same... "Bronica, is indeed the finest of the 2 1/4 SLR field." With the "Cry for Color," especially, the demand of the BRONICA has been great. Interchangeable lens, interchangeable viewing prisms, interchangeable film backs... make the BRONICA... a "system camera."

Standard lens

Nikkor 75 mm F2.8 fully automatic preset diaphragm, Bayonet type (Bronica mount)

Shutter

Vertically operating focal plane shutter - non-rotating single shutter dial, B, 1 to 1/1000, and "X" (1/40) "T" (Time) shutter release lock device

Film

120 roll film, 12 exposures and 220 roll film, 24 exposures

Filmback

Interchangeable film back fully coupled with camera body

Finder

Fresnel lens and large magnifier, interchangeable with prism finder or magnifying hood

Synchronization

Automatic switch-over synchronization system:
FP class bulb- synchronized at all shutter speeds except "X"
M class bulb- B, 1 to 1/125
F class bulb- B, 1 to 1/15
Electronic Flash "X" (1/40)- B, 1 to 1/15(!)

Focusing

Helical focusing system with focusing stroke of 14 mm
Rotation of the focusing ring through 250 degrees permits focusing from minimum to maximum range
To use long focal length interchangeable lenses (400 mm and over) equipped with their own focusing systems, focusing ring is completely removalble.

Mirror

Flip down, instant return, automatic mirror system

Camera Body

Made of 18-8 Stainless Steel

100mm x 100mm x 140mm

Weight

1.780 kg

S2 BLACK

Bronica S2 Black has features identical with the standard Model S2 BL, except for the special black finish, and accepts the same range of interchangeable lenses and accessories.

S2 Specifications

From bronica mailing list:
Date: Wed, 25 Dec 2002 
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re:S2

The S2 is a wonderful and a very finely made camera. The "bad" reputation for
its gears stemmed because they can strip if jammed or forced. However the
camera was made to stand up to repeated use and as long as you don't abuse it
by "forcing" the gears, you should be fine. The loud ratchety noise you hear
is perfectly normal, and you do have to cock it I believe each time before
firing-it's a bit awkward but works and wait until you see the gorgeous
pictures this camera produces. Show stopping!!! Everything from studio work
to drop dead snapshots. Take it to your next party-Happy New Year. You can
use any flash with a sturdy flash bracket and a good flash cord. You want to
make sure your flash works because when I got my S2 off ebay, my flash synch
worked briefly and then went out on me. The flash only works on the X flash
setting, so don't even try it with the shutter speeds.

I recommend Frank Marshman highly in fact over Bald Mountain. When I first
contacted Bald Mtn, the guy told me he didn't have that much experience with
Bronicas. Frank ended up fixing the camera for $100 less than he told me it
would cost, which earns him A+++ in my book.

I use my S2 as my backup camera, but this is because it's so darn heavy-it's
main drawback in my opinion. Oh yea-you might want to invest in an eye-level
prism if you don't already have one. It makes a world of difference when you
use the camera.

Marie Brandes
BRONICA RULES

Marie



From bronica mailing list:
Date: Thu, 26 Dec 2002 
From: Steve Bittles [email protected]
Subject: Re: New to forum

I have the same focusing problem and I believe that it
is the mirror. I have the Popular Photog Lab 1969 Lab
report for this camera (s2) in which they note One
problem: "Mirror has steel rollers riding in brass
tracks - wear can DEFINITELY be predicted at this
point sooner or later". Also, I believe it was very
difficult to adjust the mirror. It's logical, too; the
groundglass doesn't move although the mirror moves a
LOT; this is where you would expect to find wear, if
the parts were less than ideal, and that is what they
said. Certainly you could compensate for a misaligned
mirror by moving the groundglass. However, I have
developed a 'dodge' for this that allows me to get
100% sharp pictures without touching the ground glass
or anything. I will be posting my test results from my   
S2, and you will see it there.    
...


From bronica mailing list:
Date: Thu, 26 Dec 2002
From: "slbitt [email protected]
Subject: Bronica S2

My Bronica S2 is finished in GREY Leather - and Stainless Steel!   It
is a beautiful camera. Where else can you find cameras this well
finished, and with a slashed "Z" on the finder hood that looks like
Zorro? Mine was up for sale to be replaced by a Contarex, then I
realized 'Wait - this is better than a Contarex'. So the reason for
this post is to note that these cameras have an Esthetic aspect
Inherent in Themselves, which it is possible to be distracted from by
overcontentration on technical functions, etc. 


From bronica mailing list:
Date: Fri, 27 Dec 2002 
From: "martinnorberg [email protected]
Subject: Re: Bronica S2

Mine's grey/stainless too, serial 552xx - and ever since I saw a
picture of one like that I decided I wanted one. When I finally got
the chance I couldn't stop myself from buying it ;-)
The overall finish and feel of the camera has not exactly made me
disappointed either, what a wonder of engineering skill. Thanks to
those who have assured me that it's working properly, I'll treat it
carefully and hope it will last forever.

Talking medium format, I've owned a Mamiya 645, a Kiev 88 and a few
TLR's (Rollei, Yashica) but never really felt they had that special
something. I've also gotten training on Hasselblads, and while
they're really well made cameras I'm not sure they're worth the cost
for a semi-pro like me.

Had this been a general photography group, I'd proposed a thread
about which is the coolest, best designed camera in 100 years...;-)
I'd vote for the Zorro.

Martin
...