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Bronica ETRS/ETRSi:
As much as I enjoy using TLR's and old folders, there's nothing like a true SLR, and the Bronica is all that and more. I've been quite impressed with the results from the camera. The ETR/S/Si are excellent cameras that are very easy to use, especially when you add an AE prism and speed grip. My Bronica literally handles like a large 35mm camera, and the weight is quite reasonable given the size of the camera. I'm finding the Bronica to be my camera of choice - my 35mm system still sees a great deal of usage for my work with the school newspaper, but for my personal work I find the larger negatives from the ETRSi are well worth the loss of AF. The 75mm MC lens was OK, and my only complaint is that the aperature setting are in full stops only. This is no longer a concern as I have upgraded to the much sharper 75mm PE with half stop settings. I also have a 150mm f3.5 MC, which is hands down one of the sharpest lenses I own and does an exceptional job on portraiture and short telephoto work. To round out my system, I picked up a 50mm f2.8 MC in August 1999, thus giving me the classic 50-75-150 medium format set. My body is an ETRSi, the current offering in the ETR series from Bronica. I originally started with an ETRS, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to get a used ETRSi in October 1997. The ETRSi adds mirror lockup and TTL flash metering (though I can not yet afford the appropriate Metz flash to use this feature ;-). While I'm not particularly worried about the TTL flash, the mirror lockup is a welcome addition over the ETRS. In the field, the ETRSi is a wonderful camera. The interchangeable film backs allow me to switch back and forth between 100 and 400 speed film without difficulty, and I particularly like the leaf shutter in the lens. With the leaf shutter, I can sync at all speeds, which is something I got used to with my TLR's. With negatives I have taken with the camera, 11x14 or larger prints are no problem. All in all, the Bronica is an excellent camera, and I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in purchasing a medium format SLR. Here's a list of features you will find on the Bronica ETRS, ETRSi, lenses, AE Prism, and other goodies I have for my Bronica cameras. Feature lists are complete, though if you have something to add or if I made a mistake, please e-mail me. Bronica ETRS:
All the features of the ETRS plus the following:
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Medium Format
Cameras - User's Guide to Buying and Shooting
by Peter Williams is
now available from
Amherst
Media!! [1/2001]