mervyn_wilmington

I have both Yashicas (with the Yashinon lens) and Autocords. Both are very good, but in my experience the latter produce better images. However, as others mention, the Autocord's curse is the focussing lever. Don't touch one if this is stiff. It will eventually break.

Perhaps I am biased (!) but if you could find a good Microflex, you would see what sharp really means. I still remember opening my first set of prints (12"x12")and being startled by the sheer quality.

Mervyn

I can't comment from personal experience of Rollei or Hasselblad, but in May 1992 the AP published a report by the much respected Stewart Bell. The report comprised tests of the 40mm, 50mm, 75mm and 150mm Bronica PE series.

In his conclusion Mr Bell said:

"...Hasselblad has long enjoyed a reputation for legendary optics that are unequalled in the world of medium format photography"

"At last Bronica has come up with a set that match Hasselblad for image quality..."

Earlier in his report, in relation to the 150mm, he said:

"...Optical performance at all aperatures and over the whole field can only be described as delightful. Someone one day will improve on the performance of this lens but I wonder if I will be able to detect that improvement in the print. I doubt it."

Rather powerful stuff.......

Mervyn

Stewart Bell of the AP tested three PE series lenses in 1992, including the 40mm.

He said "The new PE series...are a marked improvement over the previous (and still fine) E series, both in optical performance and in mechanical design". I understand that the MC and E series were essentially the same.

From contributions I have read on this issue from time to time, my impression is that at the shorter focal lengths the improvement of the PE series is rather greater than at the longer focal lengths. For example, there is little to choose between the 150MC and the 150PE.

Regards,

Mervyn

You've all had me worried! I recently bought an ETRSi and it had its first film in it. I looked at the instruction book, Cheung's manual, and DiSante's Medium-format cameras, when I came to load the film. I can't remember which was best on this subject!

Anyway, I've just taken the film out, and it's right. But I'll try not to get complacent!

I'll now await the prints..............

Mervyn

Very many thanks for these helpful answers.

Mervyn

I've recently bought an ETRSi with the speedgrip.

I have a Vivitar 283 gun (and probably a 285 hidden somewhere!). The

question is whether these guns can be safely used with the ETRSi? The reason

I ask is that there have been issues about high trigger voltages - I seem to

recall Nikon predicting the end of the world if you used a gun such as the 283.

Help/advice would be much appreciated.

Mervyn