Bronica ETR-Si 45mm SLR Film Camera with Zenzanon-PE 75mm lens kit

Having just purchased this camera on eBay, I am still learning about the camera. So far, I am very impressed with the quality of construction, the feel of the camera and the way it feels while taking photographs.

This camera like any other "professional camera" is not for everyone. It is designed for people who are serious about photography, who are aware of the photography basics and have patience to learn the operation of the camera.

The hardest part I have found so far after only a week of using it is the loading of the 120 roll film into the film inset in the back of the camera. I have ruined several rolls of film by setting the film in backwards believe it or not! And I have 45 years of photographic experience!!!

Finally, after checking the internet and You-Tube, I think I now understand the process. The process is a bit delicate at first and patience is needed.

The camera feels great to use. It is on the heavy side but one certainly feels like they are using a "real" camera and not some "point and shoot".

The camera manual is free online and is a MUST to read if you want to get the full use of the camera's functions. For example, make sure the Bronica's double exposure switch is off before you start shooting. Little things like that are all there in the manual.

I would suggest this camera to anyone who is really keen about photography who has experience with manually operated cameras.

There are many options for the camera was well since it is a "pro" system like the Mamiya cameras. The film winding handle just arrived and I really like to help balance the camera while using it. A metered prism viewfinder is also on the way. So far, I have been using an inexpensive handheld meter with great success.

Over the years of using digital cameras such as the D70 I have, a certain loss of the "photographic eye" gets a little lost in the process in some ways. The idea of composition, the reason for taking the photograph, the complete thought process begin to return when using the Bronica. There are a very limited number of exposures on each roll, each photograph taken is going to cost you money to develop and print. All of a sudden one becomes much more selective, more questioning, more conscience of composition. All these lead to better photographs.

The Bronica is a camera that will not go out of style. Will not be out "megapixiled" by next year's model. It is a classic camera. It will be around for a long time.

Happy photographing !

I have been a photograper for over 25 years and have always wanted to purchase this camera, but since I had so much invested in the Pentax line, which I love,I decided to stick with that line. Now that the Bronica line has been discontinued for some years, I decided to check out the used market on ebay.

To my surprise, there is a large number of the ETR cameras being sold at what I would call a "steel". I have managed to acquire the entire line with all the lenses plus the zoom lenses.

Well on to the camera, I had the opportunity to take it on a small trip and really try it out. I love the feel of the camera in my hands, especially with the speed grip attached. It fits my hands perfectly and every control is easy to reach and operate, except for the double exposure lever. With the speed grip attached, the double exposure lever is almost completely inaccesible. If you have tiny fingers, it probably is easy to push down. This is really the only complaint about this camera set up.

I personally never had a need for the changable backs with the dark slide, but I can see where some pros would need this feature. The nice thing about the dark slide is that the camera will not take a picture unless the dark slide is removed or partly pulled out. Rememeber to pull it all the way out, or you will be taking small slices of life on each frame.

I really enjoy the Auto Meter III metered prism. It seems to be dead on in all of my exposures. I had installed a Beattie Inten Sceen in the body and it will change your meter reading by about one stop. All I had to do was change the I
SO setting to compensate for the increased light transmission.

I have read some of the reviews about this camera and some people seem to have a problem with loading the film in the insert. I personally do not see how anyone could load the film the wrong way. All you have to do is look at the insert and picture where the film has to be in order to load it properly. The emulsion has to face the front of the camera in order to be exposed properly. This camera will not cock the shutter without film in the back, but you can fool it by pushing down the double exposure lever and it will cock the shutter every time you wind the speed grip.

I know there are a lot people out there that have never shot film in their life. All you have to do is take a photo with your digital camera and take the same photo on a medium format camera and look at the results. Every time I scan a medium format neg and see it for the first time on the monitor, I am amazed at the clearity and the contrast range that film provides. With digital most highlights will blow out if your exposure is off by 1/2 f stop. Film handles it much better. The exposure latitude is much better with film, espeacially with the latest films available today.

I would pesonally recommend this camera system to anyone wanting to try their hand at film photography. With the super low prices this equipment goes for on ebay, you can not go wrong. It is a real shame that Bronica does not hold its value any better than it does. I know that they were never advertised as heavily as Mamiya and Pentax models. It is true that Bronica never had as large a selection of lenses as the above mentioned lines, but there are enough lenses to cover just about any photography you want to try.

I bought this camera with the metered prism II, speed grip and standard lens for $200 via Buy it now. This is my second ETRSI and the reason I bought it was, I had several lenses left over from my first Bronica. These I couldn't bare to sell for 1/10th of what I paid back in 2000, so I have held on to them.

THE GOOD:
What I like most about this camera is that it works much like a large 35mm film SLR. If you have used a manual 35mm camera and are comfortable with it, then you should feel right at home with the Bronica. Its easy to use, has aperture priority shooting with the metered prism and produces wonderful 6x4.5cm negatives. The aspect ratio is similar to 35mm so again its very familiar to use, as well as enlarge/scan.

THE BAD:
As far as dislikes, Id have to say...not much. Ive found these cameras to be durable, lightweight, reliable and currently very inexpensive. Just remember to carry a spare battery, as they always seem to run-out when you are the furthest from a store.

THE UGLY:
One thing to consider is the size and weight of this camera and its accessories. Although it has provisions for a strap, at 4.5lbs it can get heavy by the end of the day hanging around your neck. I don't mind carrying it, but then again I shoot large format 8x10. My wife on the other hand, hates it, and says it too heavy. So now she has me carry it...problem solved.

So...If your looking to try Medium Format on a budget, but still have a nice durable camera with tack sharp optics.....give the ETRSI a try. Ive tried the others and for the $$ and ease of use, this one is hard to beat.

The Bronica ETRSi 2 1/4 camera. is a vary cost effective way to get into the
real film side of photography.
I have been a photographer for 25+ years,and although digital is a good way to go,there are some draw backs to it that you dont get in real film.
mainly,with film you have to make sure that your getting a good shot befor you touch the shutter release, the price of film makes you be certain of that,
with Digital, you can throw mud at a wall and get SOMETHING to stick.
Kodachrome 64 has been the benchmark,by wich all other films have been measured for 75 years at least,maybe longer.
for the serious photographer, who can't yet handle the expense of a hasselblad,
or a Contex 2 1/4.this is the way to go.
with years of production of the ETRSi line from the very earliest ETR. the line has been tested by the photographic industry for years,and has stood the strong in the field or studio all this time.
Parts are readily available in the U.S. even with the Discontinuation of the line in the states.(note. I am not sure that the line it self was Discontinued,
you cant get NEW stuff here in the good'ol U.S.)
but parts abound in E-BAY as well as other sites on the net.
you can asily get the lens,backs,focus screens,and view finders.
all it takes is patients,you will find the parts you need,at YOUR price.

I still love film cameras. I appreciate the tangibility of film. I think developing film is an art in and of itself. I know you can create wonderful effects with digital--but the darkroom is true art.
With that said, this camera works great. It is not too heavy--not as heavy as a Hasselblad--yet sturdy. You can use it without a tri-pod considering the speed of the film and the shudder speed.
It allows sharp detail and the lens are precise. It works great for fashion photography. Unless you are blowing up to billboard size (in which case you'd use a 4x5 or and 8x10) I love a Hasselblad and I am fond of Hasselblad created portraits. This Bronica is also great for weddings though because you can take super portraits as well as the spontaneous photos at the reception. It travels well.
Needless to say--the price is fantastic. You can get 2 1/4 negatives which blow-up huge and clear without paying thousands. If you work in photography professionally, this will pay for itself.