OT: Is it worth upgrading an ETR to ETRSi?

[smudwhisk]

This is well OT and probably in wrong section, but as I know some members have MF SLRs, just wondering on whether it is worth upgrading my ETR to an ETRSi, since its possible at present to get a body quite reasonably with 12 month warranty (not from e**y I should add). When I say reasonably, I mean well under £100 ($165) which is good for UK. The ETR I have is in albut mint condition and works fine, so just wondering if its worth it or whether I save the pennies for something else.

Any advice appreciated. 🙂

 

[Sean Chan]

I think people here generally don't mind anything as long as its photo / camera related.

I would like to know more about this topic too as I am considering to purchase my frist MF SLR system.

Bitter expereince yesterday on eBay , check this link out:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7576445106&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWA:IT&rd=1


I did not manage to place my bid before bidding end........ha ha ha

 

[sf]

only worth it if you plan on using it. A good value isn't of any real worth unless that value is tangible. Man, what IS it with me today and the guru sounding cruddy dialogue. . . yikes. Basically, I'd go for it if you love your Bronica stuff enough to keep up the MF SLR fight for a few more years or more even.

But, if the current body still works . . .and I am not sure what the benefit of the Si is, exactly, perhaps the money would be well spent delving into some new gear territory. But, really, our opinions are only opinions.

Do what makes you happy. Even if something isn't practical or "worth it", if you feel good about doing it, what the heck.

 

[Sean Chan]

Comparing the specs of both. I find the MLU function on Si alone is worth upgrading if you do lanscape photography but I never touched either, so please don't rely on my saying.

What is wrong with me today that I just keep browsing RFF.com all morning. oh......well.....it's Friday!

 

[RJBender]

This is well OT and probably in wrong section, but as I know some members have MF SLRs, just wondering on whether it is worth upgrading my ETR to an ETRSi, since its possible at present to get a body quite reasonably with 12 month warranty (not from e**y I should add). When I say reasonably, I mean well under £100 ($165) which is good for UK. The ETR I have is in albut mint condition and works fine, so just wondering if its worth it or whether I save the pennies for something else.

Any advice appreciated. 🙂

The ETRSi has an improved Ei back that's supposed to keep the film flatter, SCA/TTL flash capability, mirror lock up, Bulb (B) setting (ETR only has T) and a multiple exposure indicator that you can see in the viewfinder. There's an ETRSi manual here: http://www.tamron.com/assets/pdfs/ETRSi.pdf
Check out these prices from the largest used camera dealer in the USA:
http://www.keh.com/shop/product.cfm?bid=ET&cid=01&sid=newused&crid=13119764
The prices on this stuff are about 20% of what they were 7 or 8 years ago. 😱

R.J.

 

[jamiewakeham]

An ETRSi for less than £100? Where?

Oh damn. This is gonna cost me a fortune, isn't it?

Jamie

 

[smudwhisk]

An ETRSi for less than £100? Where?

Oh damn. This is gonna cost me a fortune, isn't it?

Jamie

Don't get too excited - it's the bodies themselves that are under £100 - see www.mxvphotographic.com. I bought an AEII Metered Prism off them last month much cheaper than they are going on ebay, in fully working order (it was EXC but it looks much better than a lot on ebay) and it has a 12 month warranty. They've been advertising in Amateur Photographer for some years since I found a 2002 edition the other week while looking for something else. So far I cannot fault them .... The ETRSi bodies start at £64 for an EXC (which I suspect is fine for most people) so I'm sorely tempted to upgrade my ETR body.

As for using it - I like medium format and Bronica are the most reasonable around - and in any case I've only had it a few months!!

Thanks for the suggestions/comments, as a landscaper/architecture it may well be worth the money. 🙂

 

[sf]

about $180 bucks or something like that - that is about right. You can buy Mamiya RZ bodies for not too much more than that . . . used, of course. But then you have the back, prism, lens and that adds on another $300 at least.

 

[smudwhisk]

Ah, but I already have two backs, a metered prism and a couple of lenses - the idea is to get the newer model. You can purchase an ETRSi body from about $100 and I suspect these are perfectly suitable, I need a reasonably good condition user model if I buy one, doesn't have to be immaculate. I purchased an AEII metered prism from the website I posted earlier - and to date that is fine. The MF SLRs can be expensive but the Bronicas are about the best value at the moment - and not necessarily on ebay although often they can be the cheapest.

What I use, whether MF SLR or RF, is really dependent on what I want to photograph and where I'm going. The ETR series are realtively big and combersome, but take great pictures, the RFs are smaller but depends on what type you have as to whether you have the facility to change lenses - personally I cannot afford anything other than a fixed lens RF or if I could afford something else I doubt I could afford extra lens. Now there's the problem....! :bang:

 

[bellyface]

ETRsi also has limited digtial back compaitibilty. In case you ever go that route. Personally, IMO, I was very happy using an ETR, ETRS with newer lenses. ETRS bodies are a dime a dozen now... but that's me. Need the MLU? Get the ETRsi.