Bronica GS-1 Review - The Overlooked 6x7 Film Camera

[@BraeHunziker]

Hey everyone! Thanks for watching. I know this wasn’t a super in depth review of the technical functions or walkthrough of how to use the camera, so if you have any questions that I didn’t answer in the video just leave me a comment and I’ll be happy to answer.

[@НиколайСемёнов-н5ф]

Brae Hunziker hi, what do you think about Bronica EC with 75mm lens f/2.8?

[@BraeHunziker]

Николай Семёнов haven’t done much research on the EC, looks like it uses the s2 and s2a lenses which I know to be very high quality. The 75mm nikkor lens is renowned!

[@НиколайСемёнов-н5ф]

Brae Hunziker thank you for your answer and for your work!) Pice!

[@happyhome41]

Might you share how to trip the shutter on the lens off camera ?

[@TheMannificent]

Hi, how does it work with the Canon cable release? If I remember correctly, the cable release has three functions, half-pressed, pressed through and locked. Does the shutter release when half-pressed? Does the shutter stay open in bulb mode when the button is locked? I have read that an open shutter drains the battery quickly. Are there any rechargeable alternatives to power the camera?

[@leemccomish1923]

Owner of GS-1 for the past 30 years. It's M.F photography's best kept secret, grab one while you can, prices are starting to creep up.

[@francescolavilla271]

I got one for free !!! Someone was throwing it away!! Can you believe that..

[@fangxusun1723]

I use it with the 80mm 3.5. Absolutely love it. It's a nice piece of equipment.

[@BraeHunziker]

fangxu sun where did you find an 80mm? That’s one of the rarest lenses in all of medium format! Super cool.

[@Raevenswood]

the holy grail of lenses for this system. the only lens more rare is the 500mm that had to be made to order.

[@oudviola]

Nice quick review. A couple points. The battery is a standard size, but I had one alkaline that wouldn't work, it had the required voltage but not enough current. For a few extra bucks I use silver oxides. Also, the light meter won't be correct after you lock up the mirror, so need to either set shutter speed manually or use the AE lock on the viewfinder, before flipping the mirror up. Also, note that you can mount a dslr flash (like a Canon speedlite) or a remote trigger (like a Godox) on a hot shoe on the Speedgrip. It won't give you TTLmetering but it's convenient. There is a Bronica TTL speedlite accessory but very hard to find as a standalone itsem. Cheers from Montreal!

[@randallstewart175]

Good presentation of your GS-1. I think you are right concerning the relative quality of lenses in the 6x7 format. The film image is so large that there is no practical difference, particularly if you are scanning the image to a digital presentation of some sort. Feature set, convenience of use and durability seem far more important to me. At 4675, you got a terrific deal on your equipment. Enjoy.

[@gregderozier3846]

I use the 6x6 back and love it for portraiture.

[@maxhernie8053]

I have the SQa-i model, whats great about the GS-1 (that almost makes me want to switch over) is the ability to have 6x6, 6x4.5 and 6x7 just by switching the film back

[@BraeHunziker]

Yea this is a super nice feature!

[@masanthar]

Nice presentation, just starting with mine and it is a handfull but very satisfying to use. Any opinions on the 65mm, as an avid 35mm user Iwonder if it is worth getting.

[@abrahamz1032]

Smooth and chill introduction, no bullshit. Great work buddy.

[@BraeHunziker]

Thanks dude

[@brianrae1624]

just want to add that the A setting only works if you have the metered prism finder.

[@wahyuprasojo5148]

really love your content bro, keep shooting with Bronica GS, or other model 😄

[@BraeHunziker]

Wahyu Prasojo thank you!

[@succulentstir9907]

Love seeing a spotlight on this -- I'm excited to use mine soon again. Cool trick with the multiple exposure lever, but either way you'll lose a frame after you disengage it right?

[@BraeHunziker]

You can fully save the frame after you disengage! So you won't lose any.

[@Robin-mq4bp]

Great video! I’m in the UK and trying to get my hands on a 6x7 camera and didn’t think of the Bronica. Thanks for the overview.

[@BraeHunziker]

Happy to help!

[@Raevenswood]

So now that you have a Pentax 67 what do you think about image quality vs GS-1?

[@carlinifoto]

I shoot with the Bronica GS-1... The Godox wireless release shutter for Canon works on this camera.

[@juliandavid4842]

Thanks for the video, in youtube there is no much review about this camera, i have a question when you shoot with the cable release it's necessary to use the mirror lock-up? or just use the camera normally? and we can shoot long exposures with that cable? like 3 minutes exposures, i'm interested in Todd Hidos photography and he shoot like that, thanks for the review!

[@BraeHunziker]

Julian David yep you can shoot however long you’d like! Just flip the camera into “bulb” mode on the shutter dial and then you can lock the shutter down on the release cable for however long you’d like to shoot. No need to use mirror lockup but I would recommend using it when possible for exposure times from 1/8 to 4 seconds and when using lenses longer than 100mm in focal length.

[@peterkin1010]

The Bronica PG lenses are right up there with the very best optics money can buy for 6x7 firmwt. Get a 150mm PG, stop it down about f8 , mount camera on a tripod and load up with Ilford Pan F+ snd you'll be getting razor sharp 20x30 prints off them, no problem.

[@jnrickards]

Very cool, I'm looking at the rb67 but this is a consideration

[@BraeHunziker]

Haven’t shot the rb but the Bronica is fantastic!

[@EpicDubstepManiac]

Also, cheap off brand remote for 2-3 bucks will work just as fine :) you can also get wireless kit (remote and reciever) for 20-30 bucks

[@sclewi]

Please explain how the mirror up works

[@texasbesterrapper8072]

hi, i have a question on the light meter. i just purchased a gs1. through the prism finder it always shows the flickering 500... whether the camera is in direct sunlight or inside... changing the apperture also doenst change the showed shutter speed. is the light meter broken? or may there be a setting on the bronica that is wrong? thanks a lot

[@aman681]

Nice video mate. Have you used any of the extension tubes ? I am planning to buy one to use with my 150mm just to reduce the close focussing distance.

[@BraeHunziker]

I never did on my GS-1 unfortunately.

[@harlhequim]

at the end you made the relation betwen the higher price of the Mamiya and Pentax with higher qualiy of image over the Bronica,. Ive worked with the Mamiya RZ67 and own 2 GS-1....there is no observable difference in image quality between the 2 cameras, just that the Mamiya and Pentax were marketed much better..........In the early 90s you could find a ton of ads for the Mamiya and Pentax, on the other hand I only saw 1 quater page ad for the GS-1 on American Photo Magazine (the one with a brick)

[@MSV94]

Great video, I think the only reason I bought the rb over this one is the rotating back which come in handy if you are using the ground glass only. But the lightmeter in the bronica sure is a huge pro and if its reliable its nice to not carry two thing and handheld lightmeters are kinda expensive too..

[@BraeHunziker]

Yea still need to test drive the rb. The Bronica’s ergos and features are great.

[@oudviola]

The light meter is very accurate when compared to my dslr or spotmeter, but it does average over the scene so can be fooled in some situations. B&W film is pretty forgiving so rarely lose shots. For color slide film a spotmeter is probably better if used correctly.

[@nevillewinsley537]

Thanks for video, good stuff. Am seriously considering GS-1 but have read negative comments re difficulty in focusing ( at least with the standard screen) and / or a dim viewfinder. Do you have any comments on that? Cheers

[@BraeHunziker]

If you get a split image focusing screen with yours it’s fantastic. I have the Pentax 67 now and it’s much more difficult to nail focus than with my Bronica gs-1.

[@nevillewinsley537]

Seems like all that are available have the standard matte screen and the split image screen is near impossible to obtain. Have you used the matte screen and if so, is it ok in your opinion? Am on verge of purchase but don't want camera that I can't focus!😀

[@BraeHunziker]

I haven’t used the matte, only the split image. I wouldn’t say it’s a deal-breaker, but keep an eye out for the split image screen on eBay as it will be a nice upgrade.

[@nevillewinsley537]

Thanks, appreciated

[@chronicfish]

@@nevillewinsley537 did you end up buying it? Impressions? How is the focusing? Did you need the split image screen to focus properly? I have found a good deal but on the fence as I too dont want to purchase a camera I cant focus on

[@Dv0rak404]

I'd love to get one for some landscape shooting. How does it fare in inclement weather like tropical rain or sub zero temperature? Got pampered by the weather sealing of my D7100

[@BraeHunziker]

Ooh I am not too sure. I'd imagine it'd be okay if it stayed relatively dry. Doesn't help that there are a lot of electronics inside though

[@spacecatalyst]

What camera bag/backpack are you using? I've had trouble finding (not huge and/or expensive) bags that neatly fit my GS-1 kit with the finder + speed grip attached.

[@BraeHunziker]

I was actually thinking about making a vid about this haha, but i use the canon deluxe 200. It’s so affordable and the perfect size in my opinion. I fit my gs-1 with speedgrip and prism, two extra lenses, an extra film back, my 35mm camera with two lenses, and a small flash.

[@ArcticxBeaver]

How is focusing with the prism finder? Is it fairly bright and accurate? I mostly shoot on tripod with deep DoF, but I struggle with the Pentax 67 viewfinder

[@BraeHunziker]

I found the gs-1 with the split image focusing screen to be quite a bit easier to focus than the Pentax. It was also slightly brighter.

[@rcraigbateman]

What’s your favorite film stock with the Z-Bron ?

[@edoschena]

Hey man great video first of all! Can I ask you what's the sync flash speed on the GS1? Thanks 😊

[@BraeHunziker]

Thanks! 1/60

[@oudviola]

The lenses are leaf shutter so supposedly they can flash sync at any speed. In studio I use 1/125.

[@arttafil6792]

The conversion factor for ALL 6X7 cameras is 50%

[@starling1360]

This is great! Bought mine with 110mm, I consider purchasing 65mm, do you have some 110/65mm samples somewhere?:)

[@BraeHunziker]

I have a wide variety of work on my website braehunziker.com. I don't shoot on the 110mm really at all because I prefer the 100mm. I shoot the 65mm all the time on my Bronica SQ, it really is a beautiful lens!

[@inside_jun]

Thank you for the great video. I have a question about the micro jitter. Does it show even though we use a steady tri-pod?

[@BraeHunziker]

No problem, and I haven’t quite come to a final verdict on that yet. The only scenario I think the micro-jitter shows up is if you’re using a 100mm+ lens and shooting at speed ranging from 1/8-2 seconds. I definitely have seen micro jitter appear on my 150mm lens. Try to weigh down your tripod and use mirror lockup if possible 👍🏻

[@inside_jun]

@@BraeHunziker Thank you for your kind reply!

[@BraeHunziker]

KyeongJun Yang no problem, take care!

[@arttafil6792]

You forgot to add the TTL flash for the GS

[@justthebobby1190]

When should you change the battery

[@BraeHunziker]

Not sure what the usual protocol is, but I keep an extra one on me so that when the shutter stops firing, I can just swap it out and I'm good to go.

[@kylestey]

This greatly informative

[@richardhodonicky]

Great job, thanks!

[@BraeHunziker]

Richard Hodonicky no problem!

[@linzscape]

Hi, I wanna ask that where you buy the GS-1, such as eBay or Amazon? Since in China, the price is much higher than yours

[@BraeHunziker]

I got mine on Craigslist, prices are indeed higher now.

[@linzscape]

@@BraeHunziker It’s really a shame. One gossip I heard is that Chinese businessmen buy bronica and mamiya from all over the world, which drives up the prices of these cameras.

[@MISTERSLLIM]

Inspiration🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@BraeHunziker]

Mistersllim 🙏🏻

[@dustinsearle]

Enjoying the videos man. Keep it up. -dusty.fresh

[@BraeHunziker]

Dustin thanks!

[@skywithoutend]

Bought my gs1 from ebay from japan. Was a bit pricier than yours with all your accessories. You got yours for a steal with all those lenses and stuff!

[@BraeHunziker]

skywithoutend definitely lucked out!

[@KevinEscobarCo]

You’re awesome

[@BraeHunziker]

No you’re awesome!

[@sy495513352]

$675 for a kit is the price of when? Never seen that cheap in the past year. (based on eBay)

[@BraeHunziker]

I got mine on Craigslist. Not saying all kits are going to be that cheap, but if you keep your eyes peeled you can probably find a really good deal on one.

[@sy495513352]

@@BraeHunziker Thanks for the input!

[@TheFredPalakon]

I bought this camera because I wanted a 6x7 camera that is light, I looked at ton of articles describing this camera as a super good one with great lenses. I'm not sure the lenses are really sharp as described, I shoot with a 65 mm one and never had good results for landscape photography. So for me this camera is a but overated by all reviews, it will never have as good lenses as the mamiya or pentax or an hasselblad. So for me if you want precision, sharp details, good colors that's not really worth it.

[@Foxglove963]

Brae Hunziker. You got to realize you can't have a negative prior to development of the exposed film. Whay you have after exposing the film is a LATENT image which requires development to obtain photographic images.

[@chunkyBOBA]

I recently purchased my GS-1 a few months ago and ive been looking for some kind of tutorial of the equipment! im from socal and idek of any places that develop 120 film (that i know of) around me. Do you or anyone know of any places i can go to get the 120 scanned or anywhere i can send it to??

[@BraeHunziker]

You can send it to thedarkroom.com. You can also send it to the lab I go to in Portland: blue moon camera. Enjoy the GS-1!

Hello, I just use my dslr with enlarger lens on a copy stand, you can see that in my IG silent.fabrik

[@mathewrupp8568]

This camera isn't cheap anymore, plus it's going to break and nobody works on them. I've had to many film cameras fail wasn't bad when they were cheap but those days are over. I'm not going to spend several hundred dollars on a camera that can't be fixed.

[@TXLorenzo]

Current prices of a body with lens is headed to $1000 now.

[@BraeHunziker]

Craziness

[@TXLorenzo]

@@BraeHunzikerIt's just supply and demand. People are realizing that there are no more cameras of this quality being made and demand is going up.

[@orion7741]

the thing is.... this camera is NOT in any way "overlooked"! seriously. I think by using that term in regards to this camera is from youth and ignorance. Bronica has been a major influence and has a multitude of pros using their systems for many many decades. Also, just upgrading to Pentax or Mamiya is not going to give you ANY better quality of images. it has nothing to do with the manufactures, it is all about the lenses, and each one of those systems has lenses that are flawless. you can achieve the exact same results with any of those systems.

[@Being_Joe]

If you are looking at this camera just for social media probably not the right camera. Images from MF cameras beg to be printed.

[@BraeHunziker]

I agree! Always try to print my favorite images taken on 6x7. Nothing beats it. But it’s just easier to share your work on social media these days...

[@gibcoprobe66]

...in a very small footprint. Lay off the drugs...