Pro Tips from a long time ETRSi user: 1) Always turn off both the AE Prism AND put the shutter in locked position...for some reason it will drain the battery more quickly if both of these aren't off and locked 2) I like using a smaller hood and Amazon sells a nice 62mm square screw-on one that works great with the ETRSi 3) The ETRSi is the only 645 system that has a 50 and 60mm lens selection. This is like a 31mm and 42mm equiv and I love the 31mm focal length 4)They made a 135w back and it is the closest you are going to get to an X-Pan...it shoots panorama but costs $700...still cheaper than an X-pan 5)Some models and backs shoot 16 shots on a roll, others are 15. My two 120 backs and the ETRSi I have do 16.

It's my absolute favourite camera, love it so much that I bought a second one last year. :P

I was a Bronica ETRS shooter when I was a working photographer forty years ago. I now run an SQ-Ai. Bronicas, particularly the ETR series and onward, were all extremely good cameras. To call them a cheap Hasselblad or deride them as only used by portrait and wedding photographers is to sell them way, way short. They are excellent workhorses. The biggest problem I’ve seen with them is the tendency for balsam sep. The Zenzanons seem to be more prone to it than some others.

I love my ETR... got some great glasses over time, for me it's one of the best 645 cameras ever built...

I agree about the Bronica system. I have a SQA, which is basically the square format version of the ETRS. Same versatility and handling. You have almost convinced me to look for an AE prism finder, although I love the waist level finder!

Thank you for making and sharing these. I always really enjoy all of your videos!

The ETRSi was my first medium format camera. It's a great system to start with. Highly versatile and more usable than my Pentax 6x7 and Mamiya C330f. I miss it, on occasion.

Spot on Jonathan! I have one of the last etrsi models to come off the line based on the serial number. The PE 50/75/100 + 1.4x TC make up my bag. All of them tack sharp with great close focusing distances. Add a Rick Oleson focus screen to mitigate the one weak point (dim focusing screens) and it's a dream to use. I had the 45-90mm zoom as well, but in the end that was too heavy and awkward. Cheers.

Thanks for your review. As a pro, I generally shoot digital. However, I was weaned on film. I started in the '80s. I have been pulling out my Bronica ETRSi recently using my film stash. I have the PE 50, 75, MC 150 and 250 mm lenses and a few backs. I have the split focussing screen. I use the AEll prism finder and shoot in aperture priority when outdoors and manually when in-studio or indoors with available light or flash. I used to have Blads and Pentax 6x7s as well as the tilt-shift Fujifilm 680 which is a monster of a camera. IMHO, the Zenzenon lenses are as good as the blades and better than the Pentax and on par with the Fujifilms.

always wanted a bronica since i started photography in 1983 finally sold loads of my cameras over the last few weeks and focused on finding an ETRS guaranteed for a fair price ,,,,,,, can i now justify keeping my fuji digital selection of kit when my (im ashamed to admit it) iphone can take almost as good pics effortlessly . great video keep up the good work

Couldn't agree more! Been saying this for years :-) I wish the 35mm panorama backs weren't so expensive though. Would love one of those.

You are an absolute star! Thank you for going through this camera. And I loved the animal shots!

Good review. I have the older ETR, and the 75, 65, and the 150 mm lens. While I haven’t dusted it off in quite some time, I still could never sell it, because of the quality of those lenses and the detail that you talked about in your video. Do it right and you just have to keep looking at your shots, they are quite superb! 🙂📸

Had this in the mid 1990s great camera used Fuji film velvia50. Lovely results had a few published in magazines. Happy times. Good video !!

Excellent, I’m looking at buying one as I’d like to get back into medium format. I had a TLR. onwards and upwards cheers thanks for a great informative video

Although the ETRSi sure is a great deal, I'd say that the best deal in medium format would be the Mamiya Press/Super series! I have a kit that is incredibly versatile and modifiable. Basically I can shoot 6x9, 6x7, 6x6, and 6x4.5, as well as Polaroid Land Film like FP100C, etc. all natively just by changing backs. You could even put Graflok/Graflex backs for sheet film and get an extra focusing screen/hood. You have a wide array of interchangeable prime lenses from 50mm f6.3 to 250mm f5.0 (which you'll need external viewfinders for the extremely wide and telephoto), all of which are leaf shutters from what I recall. I can also use the Polaroid Land Backs with a few 3d printed modifications/holders/masks on thingiverse to house Fujifilm Instax Wide, Square, Mini, Polaroid 600/SX-70, then put it in a darkbag and develop it in their respective bodies using the chemistry rollers. My kit has a Mamiya Universal Press body, 105mm f3.5 lens, Instax Wide, Square, and Mini masks. I have a K back that can shoot 6x9, 6x7, and 6x4.5 with masks. Additionally I also have a body grip that came with the camera. I got all of this for under 200 USD but prices range regularly from 150 to 350 USD for a similar setup depending on the inclusions.

Top work mate. I shot weddings on the ETRSi back in the day awesome camera system. As didge exploded I wrapped up the Bronny and stored her away. A few years ago literally just to use as content on my channel I dug her out dusted her off and fell absolutely arse over tit back in love with her. Made so many keepers with that babe. Sadly a rouge wave ended her life my back up ETR is some comfort but one day I’ll have another ETRSi. 📷❤️📷

Thanks Jonathon, great video as usual. Have a great deal of ETRSi gear and LOVE the different backs. I was thinking of a Pentax67ii but realize after watching your video that I should just stick with the Bronica.

I enjoy your reviews v much. Thanks for this one 😎🎞️📸

You should do the video holding and looking into the Zenzanon as though you are talking to the Bronica.

Nice review of this system! I'm thinking of getting back into film a bit and since I could never afford it back in my 35mm film days, medium format would be fun!! I'm still debating what to get. I like the idea of 6x9 just for the shear size but you made a great argument for this system.

Another Notley banger

had this camera for the longest time and didn't realize it has aperture priority omg

Nice review, thank you!

Great video! Testing one of these as we speak, my friend lend me his ETRSi 😁, my question is: Using it in “Auto Exposure” mode, does the lens have to be set in any specific aperture? The lens I’m using doesn’t have a “A” mode to set. Thank you !

great review, but one point against this and for the H1/ 500 series (6x6) cameras is that unlike each of the mamiya and bronica brands, the Hasselblad doesn't rely on Tilt shift lenses, it uses an adaptor in between ANY lens and the body, so even a 120 macro will work, SAME for tele-convertors & extension tubes, ALL lenses will fit this, so it can save some money, by not having to get the special lens, only a $75-300 accessory; but for an introduction to the MF lifestyle, Yes, a good first type to own.

Excellent review. You mention slide film a couple of times -- do you just scan that too? What's the advantage, compared to negative film?

Very informative. Great work. Just curious, what camera you use to capture your videos? Cheers

one other negative with Bronica's, that is to up your game into MF, by 6x6 or 6x7 format, you MUST re-buy everything, lenses, prisms, backs, they are SPECIFIC to the ETR/SQ/GS models; Hasselblad on the converse, you CAN get 6x4.5 backs, so you can use 6x6 &6x4.5 with the one system, as the lenses and accessories cover 6x6 they WILL cover the smaller format, so two formats, for the price of one (excluding the cost of the extra format backs).

This video made me dust off my etrsi, I bought it 2.5 years ago and only shot one roll lol. Bought a whole kit to just have a good set for when I am done toying with camera's from the 20's.

Well done

Ok can you help me....I have an ETRSi I want a digital back.....Im sick of the run around...Do they make one or not...If so, who makes it and how much....I can't find anything at all....Help

1/500 max shutter speed is pretty limiting.