Hasselblad 500c/m versus Bronica EC-TL

[olddocfox]

I was lucky enough to own both of these fine 6x6 cm film burners. Read my (admittedly biased) comparison if you are thinking about making high-resolution scans from a 2-1/4 square film camera or simply going retro-rogue.

Click here to view my PDF file.

[belgiumreporter]

Hey Olddocfox, welcome on this forum and thanks for your well written Pdf's! Way back in the 70ties i've had a bronica C with the nikkor 80 and 150? mm lenses if i remenmber well. i liked it a lot but it was only there because i didn't had the budget for a hasselblad. Now things have changed and i've got a couple of 'blads with a series of lenses. looking back on the bronica i don't think it can be compared (at least to some extend) to a hasselblad for the simple reason it has a focal plane shutter wich restricts the flash sync to 1/30th. The better comparison in my opinion would be a mamiya RB67. Still in favour of the bronica its focal plane shutter makes it a less complicated design with the advantage of less shutter lag,less prone to mechanical failure and (maybe) some less camera shake.If camera size is inportant and you don't want to haul a beast like the RB 67 around a nice "little" mamiya 645 is in my bag but obnce again no central shutter on that (at least not on all lenses). Anyway the 645 and the blads are now allmost all the time on the shelve as they've become photographic dinosaur in this digital age.

[csaa]

Thanks, olddocfox, for the PDF write up. I'm a late bloomer as far as photography is concerned, even more so in film (I started out with digital). My foray into medium format started late in 2016 when I bought a Yashica 635 TLR. What followed was a fascinating journey of learning about analog photography.

I felt like I hit the jackpot the other day! A friend and amateur photographer bequeathed to me his Bronica EC kit -- complete with wide angle, standard and telephoto lenses, two film backs and two view finders. It's a hefty bundle, but I've had some experience with Bronica ETRS. So I know I can master this given time and patience. Your excellent PDF review helped firm my resolve that it'll be worth it.

Cheers!

[olddocfox]

Thank you for the kind words, CSSA (and BELGIUM REPORTER)!

That sounds like a wonderful gift! Enjoy it fully.

I took a few snaps of my Bronica gear yesterday - I'm thinking it is time to part with it. I'm hoping some enthusiast will make me a reasonable offer for the whole kit (EC-TL, 2 backs, 50, 75, 150 and 200mm lenses, chimney and 2 waist-level finders, 11 filters, strap, lens caps & shades, LowePro case). I have no interest in "parting-out" what took years to acquire. If interested, PM or email me. 

[olddocfox]

I'm very pleased to announce my Bronica system has found a new owner, but it will be staying in the Camera Collector family. The EC-TL will be traveling to Canada where it will be used by a new Camera Collector member. We may even get to see some new images from it!

[itsdoable]

It's been a year +, so I really should update this post - I bought olddocfox's Bronica EC TL, and it's taken me a while to clean up the old foam seals, and shoot some film with it. The meter is a little flaky, which appears to be a common issue with this model, it's a shame as TTL metering with the waist level finder is sweet. The shutter speeds are fine, and it is ergonomically very pleasant to use.


With the standard 75mm Nikkor-PC



With a Schneider 120mm Imagon H5.8 disc (I think...) adapted to the 57mm thread mount on the helical.

[maisie]

Great tips, I will use them for my photos! I often read fixthephoto.com/ to be aware of such interesting things.