Lomopedia: Zenza Bronica ETR-Si

Simplicity is the name of the game with the Bronica ETR-Si camera. This medium format camera (along with other Bronica ETR cameras) was dubbed as the “poor man’s Hasselblad.” Its similarities with the Hasselblad came in the form of basic features and entry-level pricing that made it an affordable alternative for professional photographers back in the day.

The Bronica ETR-Si is a no-frills kind of camera. It shoots 15 frames on 120 film (yes, 15 instead of the usual 12 frames) and can be had for a relatively lower price than other medium format cameras in the market (such as Mamiya, Contax, and Hasselblad.)

What the ETR-Si lacked in aesthetics, it made up for in dependability and heft. The Bronica ETR-Si was built tough for rough and rugged use, a trait that photographers often look for in a workhorse camera. If you’re looking for a camera that can put up with frequent and rugged use, the ETR-Si will prove to be a great contender. With finesse and grace out of the picture, one may think that the ETR-Si is only capable of so-so images. That’s where most people are wrong. The Zenzanon-PE 75 mm f/2.8 multi-coated lens that comes with a basic body and lens kit set up can produce high-quality images in the right hands.

Sharp, detailed, and crisp photos are what you can expect from the ETR-Si. A nice icing to the cake for this Bronica ETR flag bearer is the wide array of accessories like backs, lenses, grips, viewfinders and many more that can be used for a more complete pro-like setup.

Photos Taken by Our Community Members

Technical Specifications

Film Format: 120
Material: metal (with plastic panels for the Bronica ETR-S “plastic” camera)
ISO Setting: ISO 25 to ISO 6400
Viewfinder: waist-level
Flash: hot shoe optional (with certain accessories like speed grips)
Lens: Zenzanon-PE 75 mm f/2.8 multi-coated lens, Bronica ETR mount
Shutter Speed: 8 to 1/500 sec, Bulb mode
Aperture: f/2.8 to f/22
Focusing: standard: matte, options: split-image, microprism, grid-lines depending on accessories
Meter: can be equipped with meter accessory
Power: PX28A
Weight: 480 g (body only,) 1285 g (body + 75 mm lens + back + waist-level viewfinder)

Information used in this article was sourced from Ground Glass and Camerapedia.

Scritto da cheeo il 2014-10-13 in #gear #Lomopedia #medium-format #120 #review #zenza #lomopedia #bronica-etr-si