Bronica ETRS review and shoot

After reviewing the Mamiya 645, I had to go and try its major competitor, the Bronica ETRS (or ETR or ETRSi).

I don't want to spoil anything, but for me this is a better camera than the M645. Now, there were many iterations of the Mamiya 645 of course, and the one that I tested was a lot older than this Bronica that I now have, so that may be a factor to consider here.

Also worth considering is that I am something of a Bronica fan boy. There I've said it. I admit it. I love Bronicas. I'm not usually the gushing fanatic type, but Bronicas just seem to suit me. Nothing I can do about that.

So, I think this one is a cracking camera. Interestingly, since this video I have come by a Bronica ETR, and I don't think I would have been quite so effusive if I had been reviewing that. The ETR and ETRS were only released two years apart, but the difference in overall design, materials etc., feels decades apart.

Little things of the ETR remind me a lot of the S2A - the quality of the finish, the leatherette material and how it has weathered over the years, the lenses and finish of the lenses etc. So who knows, maybe big things were happening at Bronica around 1979.

One thing that is clear is that this ETRS is a camera on the cusp of a new era. Electronics were advancing at crazy speeds, and enabling camera makers to remove a lot of the super fiddly mechanics in favour of microchips and electronics. Materials were starting to enter the modern era, manufacturing was clearly advancing quickly.

So from a historical point of view, this is a fascinating camera. From a technical point of view, it's just wonderful.

It feels sturdy and reassuring, I'm getting a far higher than average number of good shots, it seems easier to get super sharp with this than some other models.

So, all in all, I really like this one. This is a keeper.

Let me know what you think in the comments!

If you want to see the damage i did to this camera, and a brief summary of the repairs, go check out my TikTok channel - @the120ist - oops.