Any Bronica ETRS* users?

[cosmonot]

I was recently given an ETRS kit and pulled it out during lunch today. While working through the manual, figuring the 'system' out page by page, the shutter speed dial stopped clicking into each speed setting. It's like the detents are gone, and I'm not sure what I did to make that happen. :bang:

Is it time to start looking for a CLA (or just find a new body...) or did I disable the detents somehow?

The AE prism seems to still control things correctly, but setting manual speeds is hit & miss. Sometimes the shutter fires correctly, sometimes it sticks open. There's no rattles or roughness when I turn the dial...

Everything is pretty much in EX condition, all three lenses, backs, etc. Is a repair worth it? Essex seems to want ~$120 for a ETRS CLA, which seems to be about double the cost of a rough user body off of ebay. Does Bronica (Tamron?) still service these things? Their website is a little unclear.

 

[kmack]

That does not sound good.
The shutter will only fire at 1/500 if the battery is dead, I was going to suggest you check the battery. I checked my ETRS and the shutter speed dial has a very positive feel to the detents.

As for repair, ETRS and ETRSi bodies are cheap right now. if the body is bad it may be cheaper to just buy another body.

 

[cosmonot]

Thanks for the reply. I've been playing with the kit all weekend, and it looks like the erratic shutter speeds were either a sticky shutter in the 50mm lens, or dirty contacts between lens/body/prism. Shutter speeds are now correct and reliable, but the detents are still gone 🙁

I'll run a few rolls through it before the spring arrives to test it all out. Never shot 6x4.5 before...

 

[Doug]

Hi Cosmonot -- I have and enjoy several 645 cameras, RF and SLR; I hope you'll enjoy your Bronica when you get it fully sorted. My inclination would be to have the camera serviced; the current cost of the gear should not relate to one's willingness to pay the labor cost of the service. If you simply bought another cheap body, it's as likely to have its own problems, and even if not, you have the original as "junk" cluttering the closet! If it was worth buying, I figure it is worth servicing to get the best use, and confidence that it's in proper form. Have fun!

 

[cosmonot]

Doug - thanks for the advice. I got a response from Tamron/Bronica and it sounds like they will still service the ETRS. I'll have to see how the test rolls come out, but I want to wait for the weather to get a little nicer before I start lugging this camera around... This body was being used pretty regularly before I got it, so I'm hoping for the best. I'm also looking at ETRSi bodies, since mirror lock-up is one of my favorite things.