ETR Series, 645 format
     Of all current Bronica systems, the ETR series cameras are undeniably the most popular. Wedding photographers in particular like the cameras for the additional exposures provided by the 645 format, and also because of the leaf-shutter lenses. Accessories such as the Speed Grip and AE prisms also make the ETR cameras among the easiest handling of the current medium format SLRs, and I have enjoyed using mine for a wide variety of applications. For both studio and field use in 645 format, the ETR cameras rank among the very best.
Bodies:
  • ETR: The original ETR series camera, introduced in 1976. Electronically controlled leaf-shutter, 8 sec to 1/500 sec with T setting on lens. Accepts all ETR backs, lenses, and finders, but will not have automatic exposure with AE-III finder (all metering functions will work). Multiple exposures by switch on the right side of the camera above the wind crank.
  • ETRC: Same as the ETR, but using only film inserts instead of interchangeable backs.
  • ETRS: Essentially the same as the ETR, but adds two features - an additional electronic contact in the viewfinder to work with the metering display on the AE-II and AE-III finders, and a two position shutter release lock - locked, front release locked (for use with speed grip or motor winder), and all releases unlocked. The ETRS can be found in two versions - the early metal version with locking front lens release and the later "plastic" ETRS with the lens release on the left side of the camera. Users have found that the later plastic bodied ETRS tends to have a rough advance that needs more routine maintainance, so the early metal version is preferred.
  • ETR-C: This camera has all the features of the ETRS, but lacks interchangeable film backs. Essentially, it is an updated version of the ETRC.
  • ETRSi: The ETRSi incorporates a number of advances over previous models, most notably mirror lockup and TTL flashmetering. A warning flag in the viewfinder when using multiple exposures was also added (very useful!), and a Bulb shutter setting was added. In addition, the advance mechanism was redesigned and greatly improved.
Lenses:

     All lenses feature electronically controlled leaf shutters with speeds from 8 sec to 1/500 sec, and are compatible with all ETR cameras. MC are the earliest lenses, E-II are the second series (mostly minor updates to the MC lenses, except for the 75m f2.8 E-II which is a major redesign of the original 75mm f2.8 MC), and PE are the current computer designed lenses. MC and E/E-II lenses offer aperture adjustment only in full stops, where the current PE lenses provide adjustments in ½ stop increments.
     Avoid the 150mm f4 MC and the 75 f2.8 MC - the 150mm f4 because it is a poor performer, and the 75mm because of mediocre performance and a 58mm filter thread when virtually every other ETR lens has a 62mm filter thread. The 150mm f3.5 MC which replaced the f4 lens is a true standout, with quality that matches the latest PE version.

Fixed lenses: 30mm f3.5 fisheye, 40mm f4, 50mm f2.8, 60mm f2.8, 75mm f2.8, 100mm f4 Macro (no longer in production), 105mm f4 1:1 Macro, 135mm f4, 150mm f3.5, 150mm f4 (MC only), 180mm f4.5, 200mm f4.5, 250mm f5.6, 500mm f8 (PE version has ED glass and a hefty price tag)

Special purpose and zoom: 45-90mm f4-5.6 PE, 100-220mm f4.8 PE, 2x and 1.4x teleconverters, 55mm f4.5 PE Super Angulon Tilt/Shift (no longer in production), Schneider Variogon PE (no longer in production),

Accessories:
  • Film Backs: 120, 220, 35mm, 35mm Panoramic (24x54 format, the only available interchangeable full-frame panoramic back in medium format), 70mm (used only), and Polaroid. Early backs are 1-latch, later backs are 2-latch and offer locking darkslides.
  • Finders: WLF, Prism, Sportsfinder, High Eye Point Prism, Rotary Finder, and AE Prisms (I - original, II - updated version of the original which uses additional contact of the ETRS and later models to light up metering display when shutter release is depressed slightly, III - current, offering spotmetering, centerweigted, and averaging meters).
  • Other: 8 different focusing screens, Speed Grip E for 35mm-like handling, Motor Drives (E for use with ETRS and earlier, Ei for ETRSi), extension tubes, and bellows unit.
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