I've just read every post of this amazing thread. The talent on display here is fantastic and some of the photos shared are nothing short of awesome.
I'm also hoping you lot are fairly knowledgeable on the camera itself - I managed to get myself a 6x7 MLU with wooden grip, TTL prism finder, Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 105mm f/2.4 and SMC Pentax 45mm f/4, with Hoya 81B filters on each lens, what looks to be the standard microprism screen, a manual or two and a lens case with a few caps for just $250AUD. If you'll excuse my language, it is a f@#$*&g steal. Even had some Velvia (the original kind, in 220 no less!) with five odd exposed frames in the back.
There is some definite brassing, the ubiquitous prism dent, the shutter button looks like it copped a whack at some stage, one or two rusty screws and some oxidisation around the lens mount, but everything seems to work. Even the meter. Actually, anyone know what area is used to meter with the TTL prism? Average or centre weighted?
I do have a question for those of you more experienced with the camera. I must remove the eyepiece in order to be able to properly focus the thing through the TTL prism. Otherwise, no matter what I do, whatever I am focusing on is fuzzy - I can tell when it should be "focused" but it is still fuzzy! Hope you can follow that. My guess is that the eyepiece is not standard but corrected for near/far sight?
That aside, I only seem to be missing the keys for firing the shutter with the back open, the little O-ring thing that makes changing shutter speeds with the TTL prism easier and pretty well anything that resembles a light seal. 😀 Still can't wait to give it a go.
P.S. If you think the 6x7 mirror whack is loud, you probably haven't heard a Bronica EC in action!