Bronica ETRS

I am considering purchasing a Bronica ETRS medium Format Camera.

 

Could anyone tell me if this camera would be suitable for weddings

 

and portrait work ????

 

Thank you

 

David Capstick

The simple answer to your question is YES. Before you purchase a

medium format camera, YOU must decide what "format" (6x4.5; 6x6; 6x7)

you desire to work with. Some say that 6x6 is the best because it is

square and you don't have to turn the camera for verticals; some say

6x7 is the best because it is a much larger neg; some like the 6x4.5

because it still produces a neg that is 2.7 times larger than 35mm,

and the 4x5 and 8x10 print is almost full frame.

The 645 ETRS is generally a few dollars less than the SQ (6x6) and GS

(6x7). The Bronica is a (IMHO) great camera. Leaf shutter to sync

flash at all speeds, interchangeable backs, great tool for weddings or

portraits. Polaroid and 35mm backs are available. On the other hand,

the SQ has 645 back, and the GS has a 6x6 and 645 backs available so

that you can shoot the other formats.

Remember that your camera is a tool. Do you choose a Craftsman

screwdriver over a Stanley screwdriver because of the NAME alone?

Choose your tools because of the function and your needs, not based on

what a salesman or a chat room says you need. It's your money.

BTW, I have a Bronica ETRS and have a nice business shooting senior

portraits. Sell your business based on your finished product, show the

customer some samples, they usually don't care about format, they only

care about the finished product. The ETRS works well for me. Best

wishes.

I own two Bronica ETRS camera bodies and several lenses and backs. I have the regular prisms and use a handheld meter. I also use them to shoot weddings and use various flashes, including Vivitar 283 (two of them) Sunpak J120 TTL and 544, and a Metz 45 CT1. I don't use TTL, but the ETRS doesn't either, however, this camera is way, way underrated! It's easier to use than any other MF SLR camera; The winder and the motor drive(s) are great; the quality is excellent (I rate quality on the need of repair; I've sent one of my ETRS bodies in for repair in 10 years and it turned out to be the lens that was broke). The ETRS is a hard working camera that produces excellent results. Ironically, I almost didn't buy this camera because of the negative things I heard about them. But after handling one in a store the owner let me borrow it for a wedding I was shooting that week. I used the ETRS and a Metz 45 CT1 flash. The results were astonishing! I bought the camera and later bought a use Metz CT1.

Obviously there is a quality difference between Hassleblad and Bronica, but I don't know what it is, unless my friend's Hassy which has been in the shop on numerous ocassions as compared to my Bronica's one time.

It is a wonderful camera to use - one of the best I've tried recently. I'm not sure about weddings or portraits, but for landscape and 'fine art' (hate that phrase) it's suiting me fine. Do give it a try - the 75mm f2.8 is a nice piece of glass too.