Bronica s2
I know I only did the Bronica ETRS a few weeks ago but I have good
reason for revisiting similar. Firstly, one of the reasons for this year long
G.A.S. indulgence is to find what I like, how it might suit the direction of my
hobby and fit my work flow. Second, my sister has asked if I could cover some
photography at her wedding…NOT I might add as pro type photographer and while
most will be shot on a digital I wanted to mix in some film. The Bronie s2 as a
6x6 would be easier than the ETRS's 4.5x6 when it came to composing the shots.
Third, I have been questioning why I own 2 TLR's and would something a little
different in MF give me fresh approach! Lets see…
With the wedding in mind and my complete terror of this responsibility I
decided to shoot in a certain way, those closer to mid-range shots that would
be required. Having several colour rolls, chemicals mixed I chose the dreaded
colour for the first 2 rolls. NOT my comfort zone, both a little expired and
have given me a headache before with colour shift. Roll 1 was Kodak Portra
160vc which I would shoot and develop as normal. An afternoon family day at
Saltram House gardens in the sunshine would give me plenty of interesting possibilities.
Roll 2, Kodak Portra 160nc which I would rate at 400asa and pre bath in
Rodinal, something a few have been talking about on twitter recently. I also
shot a 3rd roll as portrait practice, an FP4+ that I hoped to shoot
on the day and roped my 2 available youngest in as models… I have included a
few below.
I will admit this behemoth monster of a camera really caught my eye. She
has sweet lines, classy chrome trim on the fat black body, no fuss, no
batteries, just a straight up and honest MF SLR, 4lb in weight so heavy, but
lovely in the hands. Easy to manoeuvre the focus ring on the 75mm Nikkor lens
which at f2.8 is fast enough! Couple that with a shutter speed topping out 1000th
and running down to 1 second there is ample play time right there! Removable
film back for 120 & 220 with a Polaroid option out there I saw lots of fun
ahead!
I really enjoyed using it, it felt playful, comfortable and quite
different from the TLR. Small issue with the advance, wound on fine, frame
spacing good on 12 of them but insisted on 2 false frames every roll that wound
off! Odd, but talking today to an experienced repairer it is likely to be a
quirk to that particular back and shouldn't present a problem. The results were
however more concerning! I had missed focus across all rolls… not by a bit but
by a few feet. Beautifully sharp but not where I wanted it! PANIC! I really
thought I had lost the plot, maybe my eyes? Maybe I just wasn't seeing it right
on the ground glass? Anyway today I had to assist Russell retrieve stuff from
the above mentioned repairer who took a look at Big Bertha and immediately
spotted that the critical focus was way off along with infinity focus, he can
reset it so this isn't over just yet. I will keep you posted! In the meantime I
shot most of the below pics knowing where I was focusing but to the unknown eye
they are ok. Take a look.
