Bronica S2 in colour this time

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>I have been experimenting with my Bronica S2 again. This time I used Fuji Color Professional ISO 100. I scanned the photos with my brand new Epson GT-820. WOW! Because of the scanning results I am now more motivated than ever to shot film.</p>

<p>Back to the camera. It is fun camera to use. It is all mechanical. No meter. No electronic gadgets. Focusing is a breeze. The viewfinder is clear and bright, so there no fretting focus. I have become enamored with with the 75mm f2.8 Nikkor lens. The background bokeh is wonderful. The following photos have little bokeh to speak of, but I mention the bokeh because I enjoy using the camera to take portraits or or up close photos. I have not had great result with landscape photos. The landscapes just do not seem pop off the page like the portraits or close-ups. I am on the hunt for a Nikkor 50mm f2.8 or 3.5. I hope the wide-angle will produce better landscape results than the 75mm. I just missed a 50mm f2.8 at a local camera shop. ;-)</p>

<p>Anyway here are some of the colour results. I hope everyone enjoys the photos.</p>

<p>Oh, this time I added a photos of the beautiful beast.</p>

<p>Mike</p>

<p> </p><div></div>

<p>Photo 1</p><div></div>

<p>Photo 2</p><div></div>

<p>The above photo is the local Catholic Church. The church is made of Oya stone. `Oya-Stone (Oya-Ishi) is a igneous <a title="Rock (geology)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_%28geology%29" title="Rock (geology)">rock</a> , created from lava and ash. Oya-Stone was famously used in the facing of <a title="Frank Lloyd Wright" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Lloyd_Wright" title="Frank Lloyd Wright">Frank Lloyd Wright</a> 's <a title="Imperial Hotel, Tokyo" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperial_Hotel,_Tokyo" title="Imperial Hotel, Tokyo">Imperial Hotel</a> <a title="Tokyo" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo" title="Tokyo"> Tokyo</a> . One reason this stone was used is because it has a warm texture and is easily carved, which allows much versatility.`(Wikipedia.org). The Imperial Hotel was one of the few buildings to survive the devastating 1923 Tokyo earthquake.</p>

<p>Now, back to the Matugamine Church. The church, built in 1932, is full-dress Romanesque cathedral. The parishioners are local Catholic Japanese, Philippinos and Brazilians. The Phillipinos are particularly dedicated parishioners.</p>

<p>The church also runs a very popular private kindergarten.</p>

<p>Currently, it is harvest time in Japan. Japanese farmers, like their counterparts all over the northern hemisphere, are reaping the rewards of a good harvest.</p>

<p>As a Canadian, who spent a lot of time visiting his grandparents in rural Canada, I have a hard time not snickering at the combines. It is hard not to think the Japanese combines are not toys instead of machines. A Japanese combine is 1/8 the size of a combine back home.</p><div></div>

<p>Whoa! Stunning scans. Good work.</p>

<p>Film scanners and medium format. Figital, a match made in heaven for sure!</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Les, the French parish priest saw me composing the photo and suggested that take some interior shots. I declined at the time because I was pressed for time, Sunday service was about to begin and the lighting inside was not what I wanted. I want to capture the lighting streaming through the stained glass windows. I also want to use slide film to capture the beautiful colors.</p>

<p>Downsizing the photos is depressing. I only scanned the negatives at 1200 dpi. On my computer screen the photos look great. I scanned some 35mm black and white negatives at 4800 dpi and was blown away. I can scan up 12800 pdi. WOW! I cannot wait to try scanning 35mm and medium format slide film.</p>

<p>Guys, thanks for the positive comments.</p>

<p>Mike</p><div></div>

<p>Excellent photographs! the Bronica S2 is an superb and underrated camera. The build quality of these was very high. The weight, and the amount of machinery packed into it is something else. I had one for 10 years and would be pleased to use it again. It had a complete extension tube set, even a lens reversing ring(!). When I bought a Hasselblad, I compared the cameras side by side with slide film and there was no difference. the 75MM Nikkor is really an excellent optic.</p>

Excellent Photos. What a nice tool to work with.. the Bronica. I'd like to try it or the Hassy someday!

<p>That is indeed a beast with a beautiful eye! I remember a friend who had one years ago, and we always taunted him about the size, calling it a "Bronicasaurus"! But when he brought his photos in we all began to admire that beast. Excellent color shots.</p>

<p>Beautiful shots, Michael. Could you elaborate on your new scanner (Gt 820) . Epson only lists a Stylus Photo 820 which is a printer. Thanks</p>