First MF camera: Bronica VS. Hassy

I used to have a Hassy with 3 lenses kit.
Sold it when I find myself using the Mamiya Universal Press more often.

Then I found out about the Bronica + Nikkor lenses -- which (I think) only available for the older S, S2, EC series. They switch to Zenza Bronica lenses only since the ETR and SQ models.

At the height of curiosity, I looked for a working copy of S2, but ended up with the S model instead. After I had that one serviced (sliding mirror is a common problem with these), I like it as much as I did the Hasselblad.

The Nikkor lenses are sweet and since the Bronica S/S2/EC has on-body focusing, you can experiment with old folder lenses using extension tubes. That is something I'm going to do in the near future.
 
I've never shot with the Bronica. I've rented a hassy a number of times but right now I shoot a Pentax 67. You may want to stick with the 6x6 format... But after shooting with the 67 for year... I really love it. The price cannot be beat. For the price of one hasselblad I got a great condition body and 5 lenses. I know there are guys on here that downplay costs but to me that makes a world of difference and means that I can shoot more often.

The 105 f2.4 is a fast lens and a great for portraits as well.
 
I can only talk about the rather modern SQ-Ai, but while being a bit plasticky, it is very easy to use, offers great handling, the lenses are very good, all area leaf shuttered, accessoires are plenty and cheap, just like the lenses. I would go with a Bronica again.

Yes, the Hasselblad feels nicer, due to the high level of workmanship, the materials, etc., but the Bronica is very well designed, very usable, cheap and just works as designed.

For a user body: get the Bronica
If you enjoy sexy gear: get the Hasselblad
 
Go for the Bronica SQ-A w/ PS 50mm + PS 80mm

$235 for body+waist level finder (KEH)
$99 for the 120 film back (KEH)
lenses are no more than $200 each
 
or, buy both from KEH and shoot a roll of each and return the one you like less.

IMO, in order of likeliehood:

1. Keep 'blad
2. return both
3. keep bronica
4. keep both

sorry to be negative but I am all about haptics with cameras and here the Bronica is one of the worst I've ever personally used. but, you may love the Bronica, so really the best course of action is to try both if you can. if not, go for the one with the easier resell.
 
You don't really need a lot of lenses with the Hasselblad. For my style of working (portraiture and landscape), the 50 and 80 are all I need. Look around and you can def find a 500 and 80 for a good price, which is buyer dependent ;)

fwiw, I know people who were Bronica users who never really got on with them and now are totally sympatico with Hasselblads. ymmv
 
kanzlr said:
[...]
For a user body: get the Bronica
If you enjoy sexy gear: get the Hasselblad
Click to expand...

I have to disagree with that! The Bronica S2 is sexy, with great chrome lines--IMHO, more beautiful than those black, boxy Hassies.


S2 hood closed by Argenticien, on Flickr

That said, I'm not sure Scott's original question was re: camera sexiness. I concur with what's been said the the Bronicae and their lenses give more bang for the buck, and that the build quality is quite good. I will admit that when I've fondled Hassies in camera stores, their winding-on was so effortless that it made my S2's winding-on feel like running walnuts through a meat grinder. But at twice or thrice the price, so that's a trade-off I'm willing to make.
--Dave


S2, Nikkor 75/2.8, Portra:

Centerpieces by Argenticien, on Flickr
 
Argenticien said:
I have to disagree with that! The Bronica S2 is sexy, with great chrome lines--IMHO, more beautiful than those black, boxy Hassies.
Click to expand...

I was talking about the modern SQ-Ai which is plastics. But the ergonomics are superb, the camera is easy to use, lightweight, etc.

its DIFFERENT to a Hasselblad and in some ways inferior (really?), but it just works and is still a professional camera system.
 
kanzlr said:
I was talking about the modern SQ-Ai which is plastics.
Click to expand...

I know -- I changed the subject. :) Actually when the original post was written, I thought the question was going to be problematic. "Bronica" without naming a model -- who knows. Paleolithic Z and D if you can find them, ancient S/S2/S2A, old EC*, several varieties of modern SQ* ... and that's only the 6x6s! (the presumed focus given the Hassie comparison). I've thought of getting some kind of SQ plasticube myself since the S2, while beautiful and also fun for slow, contemplative shooting, lacks some of the modern conveniences.

--Dave
 
At this point I'm still more swayed toward Hasselblad, although I'm considering a modern Bronica a bit more after seeing the results and hearing testimonials. But I agree with Frank that the feel of the camera is really important, and that I'd really rather just end up buying one MF system and leave it at that, so until I can try and handle both (probably next time I'm in New York) I'm unsure of my decision. Again, I'm in no big hurry so it's one I'll continue considering for awhile.
 
I feel like a good 6x6 MF SLR is the last camera I'll have to buy in order to do everything I'd want with photography. My GAS is at bay pretty well at the moment, and I don't want to rush into something too soon. I have my Bessa R3A with the lenses I want for it; a Canon FD system with a New F-1--lots of lenses, and an AT-1 body as backup; a K1000 I got for free, with enough lenses that it's also taken care of, as a backup/beater SLR system. With an MF SLR, I can't imagine having any more cameras or lenses as I already feel like I might scale down before that.
 
for portraits, i prefer tlrs or slrs with an auto-return mirror, e.g., hassy, bronica, or mamiya w/motor drive or rollei 6001/3/8, or pentax 67 or 645...etc.

if you've got the itch for a classic, beautiful, or delux camera, hassy and rolleiflex sl66 are your best choices. it is easier to find local repairmen for hasselblads if you're in la or ny, though there are excellent rollei specialists on both coasts.

if i were on a budget, i would cheap out in style with pentacon six tl.
 
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