Re: Bronica worth repairing?

[Don Roberts <droberts@inav.net>]

FWIW, and I know this will irritate the Bronica S lovers, I bought a 
Bronica S many years ago.  I wanted the Nikkor lenses and was impressed 
with the design and engineering.  I had the camera for 16 months but 
could only use for about a month of that time.  The rest of the time it 
was being repaired (3 times in 16 months).  Beautiful camera but very 
loud, heavy and prone to breakdown.  If it were me I would investigate 
selling to one of the many Bronica S, S2 fans.  The 400mm lens might be 
in high demand.   BTW, since then I have acquired an extensive ETRSi 
system and love it.  They are everything the S was not.  Still you have 
gotten quite a bargain considering the pittance you have in the cameras. 
If you like the camera and don't mind putting out some money and have a 
lot of patience, you might be intrigued by the S2.  I wouldn't mess with 
the S based on my experience.
Don Roberts

Gregory Fraser wrote:

> A serious question if I may.
>
> At a recent auction I purchased a boat load of camera gear. In the lot were two Bronica SLRs and lenses for same. I got an S and an S2 (with focusing helical), 2 75mm Nippon lenses, a 55m (maybe 50) Nippon lens and a 400mm Nippon lens and 3 film backs. I paid $20 US for each of the cameras (including 75mm lenses) and $5.00 for each of the 55mm and 400mm lenses. 
>
> When I fired the cameras, they both froze mid-stream after the mirrors dropped down. I think this may just be from lack of use. I would like to keep one of the cameras if the cost of getting it running is not too high and its not likely to crap out again in a year.
>
> Does anyone have knowledge of the reliability of these machines? How about the cost of cleaning, lubricating and adjusting? 
>
> Just so you can be super jealous, I also picked up a Leica IIIf with 50mm and 35mm lenses for $20. Quite a lot of corrosion on the outside but glass is clean and the shutter has fires cleanly at all speeds. Very, very impressive.
>
> Greg Fraser 
>
>
>  

--
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Don Roberts ** Bittersweet Productions ** Iowa City, IA
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         When our memories outweigh our dreams
         we become old. -----William Jefferson Clinton
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