Introducing the Zenza Bronica S2 Medium Format Camera

[@Caballeroshot]

When I had one I absolutely loved it....until the times I didn't. It's beautiful and that chrome shines in the sunlight like nothing else. It's like a giant Cadillac and just as loud. After dealing with its well known focusing issues and upgrading all the foam seals it truly became a great camera to use. I have now switched to a SQ-A and absolutely love shooting a Bronica again without throwing my back out carrying it outdoors!

[@patternsinsand]

Thanks for the comment. I think you've summed up the appeal and issues of this camera really well.

[@devkulkarniphoto]

I own a SQ-A with 80mm and 50mm lenses. I simply love the simplicity of this camera and the quality of negatives I get from it. Loved the pictures Mark!! Would definitely like to see more from the Bronica. May I ask, which developer did you use to develop these negatives?

[@RogerMunoz-ci7it]

I loved this review! I also loved the photo shoot. Mr. McMahon offers great inside and his experience shine brightly. Oh, by the way I love Bronica medium format too. great video and his sense of humor too.

[@patternsinsand]

Thanks for the kind comments, Roger!

[@blobbicus]

Great review Mark. Yet another camera on my radar. Appreciate the work you put in to these videos. Regards from Texas.

[@patternsinsand]

Thanks so much. This is a beast of a camera but the quality of some of the images and the ability to use a range of reasonably inexpensive lenses makes the weight worthwhile

[@JulianStokesIt]

I have a Bronica SQAi. Came on here to say how much I loved your explanation on how you found / framed the pictures. I've somewhat struggled with the square format up to now. I'm now enthused to go out again and give it another blast and see what comes up. Thanks!

[@patternsinsand]

Thanks for the comment. Like shooting black and white, you kind of have to train your eye to see in the square format. Definitely doesn't come naturally to me.

[@BelowZero]

I’m sold…searching for one but I’ll likely option for S2A. Fantastic images and delightful narrative.

[@patternsinsand]

You won't regret it. The S2A is reputedly more robust so if you find it for not much more expensive, go for it.

[@danienelphoto]

Something gives me the idea you love writing script as much as shooting! Really entertaining. I think I will love that camera. Loved your urban landscape images! The wheat belt images (also really lovely) could pass as images of the South African Swartland in the Western Cape. The grain train shot is my pick.

[@patternsinsand]

We have many South African immigrants here in Western Australia - both people and flora. I visited Cape Town once and found the climate very similar. Thanks for the feedback.

[@bd048]

I owned three of these, 6 lenses, and 5 film backs for my wedding business from 1974-1994. I sold them in 2005 on ebay. They took a lot of care but they worked beautifully. 6x6 was great. I should have kept one of them.

[@patternsinsand]

Fortunately the cult of Hasselblad has left this one a little in the shadow and you could probably reinvest now without too much expense. Film seems to be be coming back into popularity as a wedding 'extra' too. Perhaps communicates a sense of permanence and timelessness.

[@raidriar01]

Hi Mark. Just stumbled across this channel having just purchased an s2 (hasn’t arrived yet though). Great and funny review! And you gotta love those hole in the wall camera stores! Best wishes from Hawaii.

[@patternsinsand]

Thanks! You live in a beautiful part of the world

[@darrenjennings]

Roof shutter for me. Great contrasts. I must be elite with an S2A😆😇 Haven't had it long but learning to love it and especially the shutter sound. There is no doubt when you have taken a shot🤭

[@patternsinsand]

After the initial shock I’ve come to love that shutter sound too

[@benjaminheaney6341]

1:17 made me spit out my tea laughing

[@patternsinsand]

I think we've all been down that ebay rabbithole. Thanks for watching.

[@tonym9635]

Great video and thanks for sharing, I own a S2 and I love it! everything you described in the video is true, but once you get the scans back it's worth lugging that brick of a camera lol. thanks agains

[@patternsinsand]

The quality is amazing and yes, it's a brick but quite a dense and comparitively small one, particularly when you think of that tiny 75mm lens. Thanks for the comment.

[@Fun4me75]

I enjoyed your thorough review and view points on the S2. I picked up the S2A from a EBay Vendor in Japan probably where you visited. I totally agree it’s by far the poor man’s Hasselblad and it boils down to one thing with medium format, IMO it’s the composition, what are you trying to accomplish and reinforcing muscle memory for yesterday camera technology… I own the high end Nikons 810 and 850 which are my go to cameras. But the simplicity of getting back to the basics of setting up and running your light meter to get that shot is a sense of accomplishment when you have the patience and understanding for medium format photography….Well done Cheers 🤙🏽🌺

[@patternsinsand]

There are some quite reputable Shinjuku shops selling on eBay so while I'm not a fan of their "Mint ++++ Please Read" condition categories I'm sure you got a keeper, the S2A having a good reputation for reliability. And yes you are so right, it's about getting in tune with the unique characteristics of the format and lack of automation. Thanks for watching.

[@koby1960]

A great looking camera and shots!

[@patternsinsand]

She’s a beauty ❤

[@bernardkealey6449]

What a roller coaster of amusement and insights. Thank you. For me, the chevrons and the roof panels; the rail bridge came in close tho. Given the colours of the roof, shooting in colour could have been great too, but then the question is “what stock” - and since Kodachrome is no longer developable my brain whirs like a methed out hamster on a unicycle. The eBay dig hit like a flounder to the face, thanks for the laugh.

[@patternsinsand]

Haha thanks for the comments Bernard and the feedback on your favourites helps me think about my practice. Just wistfully thinking what colours and resolution could be squeezed out of the camera with old school slow slide film

[@IngaFreitas]

Nice videos! The Nikon you were talking about. Is it a lens you can fit on this bronica?

[@patternsinsand]

Hi Inga, thanks for the comment. Nikon made several lenses for the Bronica system. Other than the 200mm which is known for being a bit soft, they have great reputations. The 75mm that comes with it is a Nikon and they have a 50mm wide angle that's got great reviews and is on my shopping list. Can't imagine Nikon making lenses for a third party system these days.

[@IngaFreitas]

@@patternsinsand :) Thank you! :) Know I have to buy one :) Love the photos you took with it.

[@breezenz]

How do you scan your 120 film? currently developing 120 film but not confident on our scanner. any advice is greatly appreciated.

[@patternsinsand]

I'm lucky enough to have a Plustek 120 film scanner which produces great quality. Perhaps a little better than a flatbed scanner but at the university I work at, we use Epson flatbeds and they do a very decent job. A flatbed film scanner will allow you to go 4x5 and larger, as well as including things like film edges in the scan if you have the right holders.

[@breezenz]

@@patternsinsand thanks! Awesome shots

[@andrewwright9512]

Thanks for this Mark. I have an S2a, but it’s in need of some tlc. When I have it back all fixed up I’m planning on more landscapes. I have the 75mm and a 210 zoom. Tbh I think I also need a 150 in between. My Bronica will have the tripod adapter firmly attached to its base and a release cable close at hand while I transport it in the back of the jalopy along the highways and byways of the Great Dividing Range. But, if I was in the west, I’d be heading Into the tall timber, and across to wave rock. I think the S2a would have a blast. Love the blinds at the end. That’s a really crisp shot.

[@patternsinsand]

Thanks Andrew, good luck with your S2A!

[@JosephClayThompson]

'Trypophilia' is the word you're looking for. Great video!

[@patternsinsand]

Love me them circles.

[@studiojege287]

Good! I have 2 S2A's but need to fix the seals under the mirror I'm afraid. But a joy to use!

[@patternsinsand]

I've heard it's not too challenging a fix and you've got a spare if you screw up.

[@studiojege287]

@patternsinsand haha, indeed. The foam at the ground glass is easy. Bought the 2nd because the mirror bolds are stuck... previous owner was a bit to enthusiastic and the head is damaged so the screwdriver can't catch... Currently testing the 2nd body 🙂 Good point about the 6×6, other mindset for framing.

[@stefanieholt2722]

I just inherited my grandma’s S2 and am wondering what the best digital film back is for it?

[@patternsinsand]

That’s a cool idea but a rabbit hole I’ve never personally gone down. Maybe there’s an adapter for phase one or Hasselblad. Can’t imagine it would be a cheap option. For me, part of the magic is shooting with film.

[@ComblessMan]

The trees and the roof panels. My choices for portfolio pieces. Really love the camera but I am shamed. I have a Rolli sitting in the closet not 10 (3 meters) feet from me, that I haven't touched in years. I am lazy and just use the digital. I recently added to my carry weight by buying a near 2 pound (1 kilo) vintage, 1977, lens. Although I shoot mostly with the digital I am smitten with vintage glass. The Bronica camera is really impressive. The quality of the lens is spectacular. The sharpness and clarity of the trees photo is so pleasing and I would imagine for you so satisfying.

[@patternsinsand]

Thanks. Yes the photos just pop. Just zooming in at a pixel level in Lightroom reveals so much beautiful detail too

[@TristanColgate]

Composing for square format is definitely a real challenge. There's definitely something to be said for bunging stuff bang in the centre of the frame, and going for more outright symmetry. I've found wide angles (the 50mm on my hasselblad), to be quite striking for my usual "get up close, and embrace the forced perspective". It always feels a bit like starting again, but I think having all this variety really is part of the advantage of analogue with these old cameras.

[@patternsinsand]

Thanks Tristan the square format does afford different compositional opportunities, for sure. And the relative value of the lenses for this system was a real attraction. I see a Nikon 50mm in my future

[@andresgsur]

Did you use an SL66 Rolleiflex? Cheers from Argentina. You´re a funny old men.

[@patternsinsand]

Thanks. Never used one but I suspect it's much better built and more elegant than this beast.

[@marksmodellingmadness]

Automatic thumbs up for Totoro ;) Seriously tho, I have been browsing modular medium format cameras, something reasonably priced and this one seems to fit the bill. Yes, the Hass is too pricey for me but then the only Hasselblad I've handled that I actually liked was the fixed lens super-wide but they are a bit out of my budget. Also, I particularly like the fact that this is a fully mechanical machine, no pesky electronics to get in the way of the photography. I've been put off by the later Bronicas as they need a battery to work, small wierd little batteries that are hard to find... (actually, I work in a camera shop so they are very easy for me to find, it's a regular stock item but that's beside the point 😅) I enjoyed your photos too 👍

[@patternsinsand]

Camera electronics are ticking time bombs, for sure. This version of the Bronica gets me where I need to go and I know I can find someone to repair it if it does get issues. Thanks for the comment.

[@CalumetVideo]

The Nikon manufactured lenses are stellar on the S2 series. I never owned the Bronica S2 series, but did use the Bronica SQ series and never had an issue, I sold my Bronica’s for the Hasselblad 500 C/M and will say the quality out of a Bronica is very close if not the same as a Hasselblad. The only reason I chose Hasselblad was the serviceability is easier to find.

[@patternsinsand]

Makes sense. Yes I don’t think you lack for image quality with the Bronica but a Hasselblad does give the confidence that you’ll be able to use it forever

[@robdido]

I like the lomo ones. Love the art deco look of that brick and that clunk is the best sound. Hughey Lewis was right.. its hip to be 1:1

[@patternsinsand]

Thanks Roberto. Agree about Lomo. Underrated. Not very realistic colours but they really pop

[@kevin-parratt-artist]

I had the S2A. Good 75mm lens on a noisy tin can. .. sold it and bought a Hasselblad. Never looked back.

[@patternsinsand]

I do suspect that if the Bronica ever dies the pain in my heart will start to be replaced by the pain in my wallet as I start looking at the hasselblad system

[@GOLDDYNACO]

Have you compared the image quality from your cameras? Carl Zeiss is fantastic, but the Nikkor and Zenzanon optics weren't really that bad, was it? (We have to stay away from Komura!) ...and by the way, have you seen the innards of a Hasselblad house? I don't think it was just Bronica who made "tin cans"...

[@jw48335]

Hilarious and insightful - I'm still torn between the S2 and a Hartblei 88. The fact the 88 can focus to 60cm and shoot 645 is a pretty big deal.

[@patternsinsand]

I was pleasantly surprised at how close the 75mm Nikon focuses and old school extension tubes are always an option. But yes, 645 backs for the Bronica seem rare and expensive

[@theangrymarmot8336]

I have an EC, with the waist down viewfinder and the metering viewfinder add-on that I think was actually periscopes from decommissioned russian submarines. I do quite enjoy the ol' ticking time-bomb.

[@patternsinsand]

You're talking about the Kiev viewfinder? getting very interested in. that now.

[@theangrymarmot8336]

@@patternsinsand It is the "Bronica Meter Finder" - since the Bronica EC camera has an electronic shutter - it the "meter finder" can control the shutter.

[@michaelliu7404]

Once you get your S2 or S2A, the first thing to do is to replace the foam at the back of the mirror and under the focus screen. These affects the accuracy of focusing. Those old foams cannot perform as designed after 50+ years. It just needs patients to do it by yourself. I have 40mm 50mm 75mm 105mm 150mm and 200mm with one single focus helical which is a smart idea. Will get a 300mm soon. 😆

[@patternsinsand]

So far the foam seems ok but with a wider angled lens, I'm probably not hitting that critically shallow depth of field to notice. Those longer focal lengths with the helical sound tempting.

[@michaelliu7404]

@@patternsinsand Just for your information in case you need it in the future. The replacement mirror and dark slide are still available in the market. Can stock the mirror first in case you need it later. You are right. The 300mm is just $300 which is a great performer. 400mm to 600mm are too big to carry.

[@jlyn8228]

Great review Mark. Yet another camera on my radar. Appreciate the work you put in to these videos. Regards from Alaska.

[@patternsinsand]

So cool for this video to make it to the frozen beauty of Alaska. Thanks so much for watching