First MF camera: Bronica VS. Hassy

[Bob Michaels]

I guess my main question is that are Bronicas really "second-best"? How's the build quality? I love my Voigtlander Bessa R3A, but I sometimes wish I went Leica, especially after dropping it and smashing the viewfinder and breaking some of the internal RF mechanism.

My local camera repair guru swears that the Bronicas are more reliable. Mine looked like a NYC taxi with 350,000 miles on it when I bought it. But it performed perfectly for the 7 years I used it.

I'd rather drop a Bronica than a Hassleblad. Both will break and need repair. But the Bronica can be repaired or replaced much more inexpensively.

Are the Bronica lenses as good as a Hassy Zeisss lens? Probably not. But they come close. The difference is like having a car that will go 135MPH vs. one that will go 145. Either will suit the needs of 99% of the people, 99% of time. I never found a Bronica lens that was not really really good. I never made a photo with my Bronica that I thought would be any better with a Hassy.

A Bronica will not have that pzzaz or wow factor of a Hasseblad. Nor will it have that same silky smooth feel. But it will make photos just as good and at a much lower cost. It depends on your priorities. Your Bessa / Leica analogy is a good one.

 

[newsgrunt]

Never used a Bronica, always been a Hasselblad shooter so my biased opinion is go Swedish. I don't think you can go wrong with the 5xx cameras. I'd suggest avoiding the 500c (unless it's a newer version) since you can't change the focus screens in them.

I have the 40, 50 and 80 but the 50 and 80 (with 10mm tube if needed) see the most use.

 

[taskoni]

I vote for the swede if you are looking for 6x6.
My 500CM looks like as if was on the moon, but it's running like a beast. I rarely use it now but I always get back to it when start missing the famous "flap flap" sound. Wonderful handling and wonderful glass. It takes digital backs too if you decide to go that route one day.

My 2c

Regards,

Boris

 

[kehng]

For the money you could spend on a 500c, I would get a Bronica RF 645
If you're into rangefinders, street photography, quality lenses and MF real estate, this is a a great camera. I found the Hasselblad better for studio, still life etc. Loved the RF645 but traded it for a Mamiya 7. Still miss the RF645 but rarely miss the blad.

 

[awbphotog]

I love to use the Bronica SQ-A. It can easily frustrate the user if he/she does not read the manual first, but it really is a great camera with some extremely cheap/high quality glass.

 

[FrankS]

Hasselblad is the premiere brand here, as Leica is in RF cameras.
Sorry if this ruffles any feathers, just my opinion.

 

[Murchu]

Try before you buy if you can, I would say. Very different ergonomics between the different types of medium format cameras.

 

[Shab]

I decided for Bronica one year ago and I'm really happy:

 

[Dektol Dan]

How Much are you Going to Use the Thing?

How Much are you Going to Use the Thing?

.

If you factor in servicing, well I spent $450 to service/repair my Hasselbald body and 2 backs and I could have bought 2 mint Bronica bodies and backs for the same price.

I own a Bronica S2 and a C. I have used the older model Hassys.
There is no repair available for the Bronicas but mine have soldiered on from the time I acquired them in the '60's. I must admit that I do not regularly shoot medium format, I'm more of street shooter. However, I have acquired a very nice compliment of lenses, backs and viewers over the years for a song. I used to think the best buy in cameras was an OM Olympus, but the Bronica very well may be a better value. They are built like a tank. My only issue with them is firing one off. Children will cry, an old vet will dive for cover, and birds will take flight.

 

[Moto-Uno]

If you go with the Bronica,you can start taking pictures sooner 'çuz you can actually
buy it now and use it. Some photo ops just don't wait.
Regards,Peter
A happy Bronica user!!

 

[Bob Michaels]

Hasselblad is the premiere brand here, as Leica is in RF cameras.
Sorry if this ruffles any feathers, just my opinion.

No debate there. Very few are impressed that you are shooting with a Bronica. And one does not see the "pride of ownership" like with a Hassleblad.

The only thing the Bronica has going for it is the ability to make the same photos but at a much lower purchase price for the equipment.

 

[Sejanus.Aelianus]

In my experience, "feel" is an important part of the experience. I rate the feel of the Hasselblad V series above either the Bronica S or SQ series, which I have also used extensively. Others will have a different view and that's as it should be.

One thing that sticks in my mind is the "Cameras: the Facts" review of the Hasselblad 500C. Of the 100 or so cameras in the final edition (1981), it is the only camera that receives the the accolade "Outstanding precision workmanship for life-long service".

 

[dshfoto]

I used a Bronica ECTL with the Nikkor lenses. Those lenses were exceptional. I gave it away, and later regretted it, so when I went back to medium format, I went with Hasselblad.

- Easier to get repaired.
- More choices in lenses and other equipment, like Filters, lens shades, bellows,
- Automatic film advance bodies are very low priced now.
- I like the EV exposure system
- Possible digital upgrade later
- Easy to use lenses on digital SLR Cameras,
- Higher resale value.

Probably easier to get a Hasselblad C and an 80mm lens and try it, and if you want, move to a Bronica, then the other way around.



That said, I would still like to try an 80mm Nikkor Bronica lens on the Nikon 800e digital.

 

[PatrickT]

Cheers - John

What lens was this shot with? I love the perspective.

If it were me (I own a 500CM, Rollei 2.8F and Bronica ETRS), I'd go for the Bronica. I love how my ETRS handles and is built. The lenses are fantastic.

As far as I can tell, the Bronica SQ range is built very similarly to the ETRS range and they look quite close.

For the price, the Bronica can't be beat. If you get it, use it and then decide you want a Hasselblad, go for it!

 

[taskoni]

In the end whatever you buy is good, there are no bad MF cameras from those you are considering. As for the pictures posted - I think there can not be used as a reference and examples because they just show how good the photographer or/and post process of the negatives is and the photos are all great! 🙂
I don't want to talk you out of Hassy by posting this:

Just reshot the other day the negative from the light table and inverted in in PS 😀

Regards,

Boris

 

[Johnmcd]

What lens was this shot with? I love the perspective.

If it were me (I own a 500CM, Rollei 2.8F and Bronica ETRS), I'd go for the Bronica. I love how my ETRS handles and is built. The lenses are fantastic.

As far as I can tell, the Bronica SQ range is built very similarly to the ETRS range and they look quite close.

For the price, the Bronica can't be beat. If you get it, use it and then decide you want a Hasselblad, go for it!

Hi Patrick,

It was the 65mm. It was on the first SQA I purchased. I just picked up the 80mm, basically for the 2.8.

Cheers - John

 

[steveclem]

In the end whatever you buy is good, there are no bad MF cameras from those you are considering. As for the pictures posted - I think there can not be used as a reference and examples because they just show how good the photographer or/and post process of the negatives is and the photos are all great! 🙂
I don't want to talk you out of Hassy by posting this:

Just reshot the other day the negative from the light table and inverted in in PS 😀

Regards,

Boris

Life through a lens, a great picture speaks volumes without requiring debate.

 

[grapejohnson]

Thanks so much to everyone for all the recommendations!!! It's a big decision so I'm going to sit on it for awhile before I buy and regret. Of all the beautiful pictures I'm seeing posted, there's absolutely no doubting that Bronicas take amazing pictures. As for 6x6 vs. 6x4.5, I feel like if I'm going MF I might as well go all the way, that enormous negative is what I'm after, and being a huge fan of Diane Arbus, I'm really intrigued to try the square format. I want to do well-composed and slower-paced portraits of people, and I feel like a 6x6 SLR is the perfect tool. I'll definitely take the advice to try out one of each if I get the opportunity, as I agree that ergonomics ARE very important in a camera. When they stink and I'm stuck with it, I never want to use that camera.

 

[FrankS]

How each camera feels to you is a very important consideration in making your choice.

 

[ChrisN]

No debate there. Very few are impressed that you are shooting with a Bronica. And one does not see the "pride of ownership" like with a Hassleblad.

The only thing the Bronica has going for it is the ability to make the same photos but at a much lower purchase price for the equipment.

And in turn, perhaps the only things the Hasselblad has going for it are the availability of a wide range of system components, and on-going servicability.