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first impressions: bronica etr

For some time now, I have been wanting to venture into the world of medium format--however with so many choices between formats and cameras, it can be quite daunting. I started my daily browsing through eBay with three things in mind: cost, portability, and ease of use. What would be easiest transition from 35mm to the big world of 120mm.

WHY 6x4.5?

I initially had my eyes on the 6x9 FujiGS690, otherwise known as the "Texas Leica". It's a rangefinder beauty at a very affordable price. This would very well be the easiest transition for me as a Leica shooter and it is the same aspect ratio as 35mm. However, with the rising prices of film, I wanted to get more than the 8 shots per roll.

This is where the 6x4.5 came in. It's a similar ratio to that of the 35mm that will make the transition easier and a roll of film can capture as many as 16 frames. Not only that, 6x4.5 has some of the more affordable systems in the realm of medium format.

Then the search for the perfect camera began. I knew I wanted something light and easy to carry, something along the lines of a Fuji GS645, however $500 was still outside of my budget.

OVERVIEW OF THE BRONICA ETR

The Bronica ETR, first of the ensemble of models that the company released, is a modular SLR. Think of it like a baby Hasselblad with its interchangeable lenses, film backs, focusing screens, and finders. The camera came with the standard kit Zenzanon MC 75mm f/2.8 lens and a waist-level view finder.

With shutter speeds ranging from 8 seconds to 1/500s and no "bulb" setting, it can be quite limiting. This can be simply solved by thinking out what your shooting environment is going to be like and shooting with the appropriate film speed.

So, WHY CHOOSE THE BRONICA ETR?

This is unlike any camera I have used in the past 2 years. With most of my experience in rangefinder cameras, why in the hell would I choose an SLR camera with a waist-level viewfinder?

The modularity of the camera is what attracted me to it in the first place. Being able to carry around different film backs will allow me shoot in both B&W and color at the same time. A dilemma I would often run into shooting 35mm is that sometimes I'll see something that would look better in B&W film and be 15 shots into a roll of Portra 400.

Another aspect in its favor is the camera's weight. It's much lighter than its closest rivals--the Mamiya 645 and Pentax 645--however, it does start to add up once you add lenses, a grip winder, and other accessories.

The low, low price of $300 also made choosing this camera over the others much easier.

SHOOTING WITH THE BRONICA ETR

I'm not quite sure what I was expecting when I first shot with this camera, it was both heavy and light at the same time. What I knew is that it's definitely not an everyday-carry kind of camera. The aperture and focusing rings were both buttery smooth, for an old user camera, but what made me drool was the sound of the shutter clacking. It's no Hasselblad, but it's close enough.

One thing I noticed was that framing is a bit hard to get used to. When using an SLR with a waist-level finder, the image reflected back to you is a laterally reversed image. Framing and focusing takes me ages on this camera, but that's all part of the process and the fun. If I'm being honest, after the first roll that I've shot with this camera, I had a headache for the rest of the night. I certainly wouldn't be able to shoot any street photography with this camera.

Due to the camera being a 6x4.5 aspect ratio, and photos are shot in landscape, portraits are certainly out of the question AT LEAST if you're planning to shoot with a WLVF. It is IMMENSELY difficult to attempt shooting portraits due to the fact that the viewfinder reflects a laterally reversed image. I tried on my first roll and I believe this is why I had a massive headache after.

CONCLUSIONS

The Bronica ETR, if I'm being completely honest, wouldn't be in my forever arsenal of cameras. It's simply a stepping stone for me to enter the world of medium format, and a great one at that. It's a great camera for the prize and truly, it's all you would ever need. However, I don't think the 6x4.5 aspect ratio is for me.

However, this is also only my second week with the camera.

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