Bronica GS-1 instant return mirror?

[andy_scott]

Does the Bronica GS-1 have an instant return mirror, or does it have a mirror

that only returns to viewing position after one cocks the camera? I have

checked around on the web -- including on this forum -- and I can't find the

answer. Any insights from actual GS-1 users would be much appreciated.

[john_cooper9]

The Bronica GS-1 does NOT have an instant return mirror - perish the thought. Stick with

35mm SLR's if you must have that feature. It does take some getting used to, but restoring

the view after winding on seems natural after a while.

[richard baznik]

John is right, though you can also get the constant view with a MF rangefinder such as the Bronica RF645 or the Mamiya 7II. I've been using a GS-1 system for about eight years now and have never found the vanishing image to be a problem, particularly with the speed grip (almost a necessity if you're going to shoot hand-held).

[raczoliver]

The trick is that you have to learn that taking a shot does not end by pressing the shutter release button, but by winding the film and cocking the shutter for the next shot. If you do that after every picture (it gets instinctive after a couple of weeks), you won't miss the next one because you had to wind the film after you saw the opportunity and before you can actually release the shutter. Unless you are doing fast action photography, I highly doubt the mirror's not returning instantly could be a problem if you do it the way I described above.