Bronica ETR Series

[Dzerzhinski46]

Yes I know it has a battery, but just one second. It says it will do both 120 format and 35mm format, with the appropriate backs of course. Now, is this really that great, or is just some gimmick that doesn't work out? Help would be appreciated.

Drew

[another view]

You'll probably need a different film insert to do 35mm with it (instead of 120 or 220). I don't know why you'd really want to use that, but they're available for a lot of MF cameras.

Not sure what this has to do with the battery - the battery in it should be for the electronic shutters built into the lenses (camera body doesn't have a shutter). It may also power a light meter if you have one built into a prism viewfinder. (Hint: Make sure to turn the meter off, it will make those expensive little batteries last longer... ).

[Dzerzhinski46]

You'll probably need a different film insert to do 35mm with it (instead of 120 or 220). I don't know why you'd really want to use that, but they're available for a lot of MF cameras.

Not sure what this has to do with the battery - the battery in it should be for the electronic shutters built into the lenses (camera body doesn't have a shutter). It may also power a light meter if you have one built into a prism viewfinder. (Hint: Make sure to turn the meter off, it will make those expensive little batteries last longer... ).

Sorry for the battery jab . I mean, even though I would prefer a camera without batteries, this one looks nice, even if it has a battery.

My line of thinking was, would this be a better deal than getting a meduim format camera and a 35mm camera. A better deal in the sense that this camera would be easy to use and worth the trouble. Sorry for the confusion.

Drew

[another view]

MF cameras handle differently than 35mm cameras. One really doesn't replace the other unless you're always using say 28-80mm lenses and not shooting things that are moving fast. They're just more cumbersome to use. 35mm SLR's are quicker and more efficient to use. You'll also find more lens and accessory options and automated features. Of course, these are generalizations - a Mamiya 645AF compared to a vintage Nikon F would be a different story.

The upside is that the negative is much bigger with 645. Start making 16x20's and the difference will be huge.