advice needed

[cp_ste.croix]

well, because of my recent aquisitions, I have decided to forgo my 'evil slr'.

I put an ad up locally for my EOS 1v (with both grips) and have recieved a few bites, but recently got an offer that I wanted to run by you fine folks.

I was offered 2 bronica etr-si bodies, 3 backs (2 x 120, 1 x 220), and 3 lenses. The lenses are a 40mm, a 75mm, and a 105mm.

Since I know very little about med format and the value of gear I was wondering what your thoughts on the trade were? Without getting into a 'film is dead' discussion, is the future of 120/220 film and processing going to be ok? Could I use this camera as a street camera? I'm not sure what exactly I'd use the camera for, but I guess I could always sell it if it collects too much dust.

thanks for any thoughts...

Chris.

[cp_ste.croix]

anyone? echo echo echo?

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

The Bronica is a 645 camera. You get 15 exposures, 2.25x1.6 inches each. I have a Mamiya 645 that I use extensively for my work. I use mine for landscapes, portraits, and photographing old buildings. Here's some photos from my 645:









If you shoot 645 you'll get a level of fine detail resolution and tonal smoothness that is simply not possible to achieve with any 35mm system no matter how slow the film or how sharp the lenses you use are. I know, I shoot both formats, and I mostly use my 35mm for street photography and other candid type work.

645 gives superior image quality, but it is slow to work with. The lenses are slower, the viewfinder is dimmer and harder to focus, and there is a lot more time-lag between the pushing of the shutter release and the actual exposure on medium format SLRs compared to a pro-level 35mm SLR like your Canon 1V. You'll have a hard time capturing fleeting expressions. I don't use my medium format stuff for street photography...just too much of a pain to use and just doesn't work well. These cameras are for tripods and non-moving subjects.

If you like street photography, keep your Canon or trade it for a 35mm rangefinder. If you like landscapes, posed portraits, and architecture, then get the Bronica.

[cp_ste.croix]

Thanks that's exactly the sort of feed back I was looking for!

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Glad I could help

[zuikologist]

Very nice shots - every time I see MF scans it causes some GAS.

Chris (cp) - I wish you luck if you pick up the MF system and get results like these.

[shadowfox]

Originally Posted by cp_ste.croix

Without getting into a 'film is dead' discussion, is the future of 120/220 film and processing going to be ok? Could I use this camera as a street camera? I'm not sure what exactly I'd use the camera for, but I guess I could always sell it if it collects too much dust.

thanks for any thoughts...

Chris.

Chris, do it while they still produce 120 format. It's a very versatile format that you can still use on cameras made in the 30's to 2008.

And, you'll be joining us to ensure that they still produce it for the long time to come.

As for development, I develop B&W myself, have a Wolf lab do my C-41, and drop at Wal-mart to be sent somewhere for slide (E-6) ones.

[kuzano]

The ETRSi is the last body of the series. All the bells and whistles. Very reliable and Superb Glass. All the Bronica lenses are shutter in Lens, which means they sync to all flash and as a result are more expensive (read valuable). I'd peg that system in nice condition and with a couple of backs at about $800 to $1000 conservatively. They made some interesting backs for this camera. There is a back that takes 35mm film in a panoramic mode. Probably takes similar panoramics to the Hasselblad 35mm pano,,, but much better because of the superior lenses and lens choices.

The ETRSi is relatively compact for a changable film back, SLR medium format, but it would be a bit of a handful for street photography. I'd use it on the street with a waist level finder as that would be less off-putting for subjects on the street.

The Bronica's I have had with metered prisms have been very accurate, although I tend toward the waist level and a hand held meter.

Regarding the future of 120/220.... I don't think it's going away in the near future, but the convenience will be an issue, unless you develop yourself. The local last medium format processor where I live just closed their doors, so I am going to have to start mailing. But, given the image quality of MF over 35mm film AND ANY and ALL digitals I have yet to see a contender for matching Medium Format shot right.

I have many great 35mm cameras, a couple of nice DSLR's, and yet I always grab one of my Fuji medium formats 645 or 690 when I venture out.

Hope this helps.