How to check a Bronica S2A

[juno_lau]

I am sorry,
I know it is not a RF,
but I got a deal of the Bronica S2A...

I have never handle a MF SLR and I know the S2A is quite complicated, right?
So what should I check and what to be aware of?

Thanks

 

[eric rose]

The biggest problem with the S2A's were the backs. Lots of spacing issues.

 

[Abbazz]

You can find a great resource about Bronica cameras (including user manuals and info posted on various photography lists) at the Medium Format Photogrqphy Megasite.

Here's an informative post from Sam Sherman quoted from the page there about the S2A:

I just got another Bronica S2A in nice condition and I upgraded the finder foam - as per my articles on Bob Monagan's Bronica site-

http://medfmt.8k.com/bronica.html

Some of this is a repeat of information I have posted elsewhere:

The Bronica S2A is one of the all-time great medium format SLRs and still can work great today. It was the last and fully debugged version of a classic design and that is why it works well. All of these cameras have old deteriorated foam in the finder screen cover plate which has allowed the viewing screen to drift out of focus alignment being pushed up by underneath springs (crazy design).

Replacing this foam with Moleskin (adhesive backed felt) corrects this problem, but does not always solve everything. I just realigned my new Bronica S2A and the test results with it and the 100MM f2.8 Zenzanon lens are super sharp and crisp.

However, I had to remove two ledges the viewing groundglass rested on in addition to replacing the foam. That means that this camera, and maybe all Bronica S2A cameras were NEVER in true sharp/crisp focus. The finder foam must have compressed right after installation allowing the springs under the screen to push it up and out of focus even slightly, and if not, the screen was sitting up too high by resting on these metal ledges at the north and south positions.

With the great Nikkor optics that were offered with these cameras, only stopping the lenses down to f8 or lower would yield sharp pictures of any kind and the poor test results the Nikkor lenses had in photo magazine tests had nothing to do with the lenses, but the fact that all of these cameras were out of focus alignment. Was this a result of stupidity, sloppy work or somebody's deliberate attempt to sabotage these cameras and Nikon supplying lenses for them? I have no idea what is true, but find it incomprehensible to believe that a camera so well designed and upgraded could be sold to buyers out of focus alignment.

A good condition Bronica S2A which today has the finder foam replaced (and maybe the ledges removed - leaving only two thin shims in place) is capable today of some of the best quality Medium Format photography when using good condition/clean Nikkor and Zenzanon lenses. I have heard that the Komura lenses were less good, but with a properly aligned camera they may be very good too.

Another mystery is that some Bronica S2A focusing helicals, all of which have a front 57MM screw mount, have these screw threads improperly cut so that they do not accept Bronica 57MM accessories. I know all of this sounds like Bronica did sloppy work, but that is not true in the design and precision of the camera mechanics.

I would like to hear more comments from Bronica S2A users who are having good use from this camera.

Cheers!

Abbazz

 

[Dektol Dan]

Bronica Quirks

Bronica Quirks

I own an S and a C (non removable back). I've never experienced any focusing problems.

The S2A has steel shutter/advance gears and is a very durable camera. The S and C had brass gears. The Nikkor glass is the best and still readily available used.

Just make sure everything cock and advances, not all the backs interchange so make sure you check that and that the dark slides match the back.

The biggest issue with them is the focal plane shutter, when they fire off birds take flight and small children begin to cry. Slow hand held speeds of 1/60th can be had by way of the shear mass of the camera, but it's far from being a street shooter. It's probably more convenient than a press camera on a hike, but not by much as they are darn heavy.

I love mine and would never part with them (I have a lens collection now), but just remember that when it dies its dead, there aren't any parts left.

 

[Trond]

Old thread, but just some comments on the S2A. I have used this camera for some years now, with many lenses (Zenzanon and Nikkor), many backs and some backup bodies. I've never had any spacing issues, even with old battered backs and they have all been very reliable. The older S backs don't seem as nice, and are internally a different construction.

The bodies are solid and reliable, but should of course be checked for the focus screen/foam issue.

Also, the lenses are usually very good too. My favorites (used the most) are the Zenzanon 80mm 2.4, Zenzanon 100mm 2.8 and the Nikkor O-C 50mm 2.8.

Trond

 

[jwc57]

I missed this thread before. I have an S2a, but I've haven't shot with it for almost two years.....focusing issues even after foam replacement. I refuse to get rid of it, because it is such a great camera and I keep thinking that someday, I'll take the time to work the old age bugs out of it.

This is with the S2a: