[Swift1]

Another point about the Bronica S2 that I had for a few years not long after the camera was introduced. The website about the S2 says it has an internal "helicoid" focus mechanism. I don't think so. I think it has rack-&-pinion, working on normal and WA lenses which do not have any focusing mount, with telephotos fitting into the big outside bayonet mount and utilizing the lens' helicoid. I found that watching the camera and normal lens from the side then cranking the focus knob fore-aft, I could see a slight tilt up/down of the 75mm lens, which suggested the rack-&-pinion mechanism was not as tight as it should have been and allowed a little wobble that might have impacted top to bottom of frame focus under some critical conditions (flat object photographed at a short distance with the lens wide open). I doubt there would be any visible effect at normal focusing distances and typical apertures, but the fact that I could see the shift bothered me.

The cameras that came before the S2 (D, Z, and S) had the focusing system that you're talking about. With the S2, Bronica did away with that system and changed the body/lens mount so that a focusing helicoid was mounted to the body, then the lens was mounted to the focusing helicoid. The system was designed so that all the lenses retained the original Bronica lens mount.
I suspect that your camera a Bronica S, and not an S2.

---------- Post added 02-08-20 at 10:08 AM ----------

Thanks for the link, Colton! Great write-up with superb photos!

Thanks I'm glad you liked it.

[WPRESTO]

The cameras that came before the S2 (D, Z, and S) had the focusing system that you're talking about. With the S2, Bronica did away with that system and changed the body/lens mount so that a focusing helicoid was mounted to the body, then the lens was mounted to the focusing helicoid. The system was designed so that all the lenses retained the original Bronica lens mount.
I suspect that your camera a Bronica S, and not an S2.

You must be correct as mine definitely had the rack & pinion system, and I know they changed it later probably because of the problem I described.

[tuco]

Fuji pair. 65mm and 90mm versions.

[K-Three]

Fuji pair. 65mm and 90mm versions.

To paraphrase Pink Floyd "Are all these your cameras?"

you have some very nice toys, and you know how to show them off well,
Bravo

[yucafrita]

How much wider is the GSW in daily use? I am always tempted to get one to complement my GW... For landscape or city tours it should be better?

[tuco]

To paraphrase Pink Floyd "Are all these your cameras?"

you have some very nice toys, and you know how to show them off well,
Bravo

Thanks. Yes my gear. The GW690III is a recent addition. I've been shooting the other one for a while now.

[tuco]

How much wider is the GSW in daily use? I am always tempted to get one to complement my GW... For landscape or city tours it should be better?

The 65mm on a 6x9 is like a 28mm on small format. It's a focal length that can both take pictures of people and do okay on scenery. Often it's just not wide enough though. But I've been using it for a long time now just fine and take a lot of pictures with it. It's one of my most used cameras. I concentrate on the pictures it can do rather than what it can't and that helps.

Here is a cross section of examples what I've done with the 65mm on the GSW if it's any help

People:
https://flic.kr/p/KGLQkZ
https://flic.kr/p/URnXEv
https://flic.kr/p/yp9Wzu
https://flic.kr/p/2adZE4p

Cars:
https://flic.kr/p/2abu37W
https://flic.kr/p/27v6KuQ
https://flic.kr/p/RU5JXD

Structure and Buildings
https://flic.kr/p/23cksge
https://flic.kr/p/YNJWgh
https://flic.kr/p/2ikCfHU

Walking Around
https://flic.kr/p/TSyfuc
https://flic.kr/p/RUSMiP
https://flic.kr/p/285UNdC

Fair Atmosphere:
https://flic.kr/p/27RPLnN
https://flic.kr/p/2in5pr3
https://flic.kr/p/2h848CP

Hiking Scenery:
https://flic.kr/p/2gg2kw5
https://flic.kr/p/Wncxyo

---

Last edited by tuco; 02-13-2020 at 01:04 AM. Reason: One more

[yucafrita]

The 65mm on a 6x9 is like a 28mm on small format. It's a focal length that can both take pictures of people and do okay on scenery. Often it's just not wide enough though. But I've been using it for a long time now just fine and take a lot of pictures with it. It's one of my most used cameras. I concentrate on the pictures it can do rather than what it can't and that helps.

Here is a cross section of examples what I've done with the 65mm on the GSW if it's any help

Thank you, that helps feeding my GAS. I think I will look out for one.

[steamloco76]

I dunno...looks pro to me.

The obvious clues are that it appears to be unfriendly to anyone not capable of making a living with the camera. It also looks like it might take a blow with less damage than the person holding it. I can imagine that if I were holding one, I might look pro too.


Steve

My first five years as a local newspaper photojournalist, I used two chrome Super Programs and a 5 FPS motor equipped chrome MX. People didn’t think I was a professional because I had chrome cameras. Of course, those same people were in awe when the school yearbook photographer was using a gigantic Bronica RB67.

[Swift1]

Fuji pair. 65mm and 90mm versions.

Beautiful pair of cameras.

[tuco]

Beautiful pair of cameras.

Thanks. Your first GW roll is looking good.

[Swift1]

Thanks. Your first GW roll is looking good.

Thanks. So far I am really happy with the GW690. How do you like the 90mm compared to the 65mm. I can see how it makes sense to have both. I'm impressed with the lack of distortion in the 90mm.

[tuco]

Thanks. So far I am really happy with the GW690. How do you like the 90mm compared to the 65mm. I can see how it makes sense to have both. I'm impressed with the lack of distortion in the 90mm.

I haven't used the GW but on a few trial rolls. I'll be using it a lot more during the course of the year. Up close for candid people pictures, shutter speed is usually my concern ( I wish it had 1/2-stop shutter speeds) and the extra DOF you get from a 65mm makes focusing often easier/forgiving than would be on the 90mm.

[tuco]

... I can see how it makes sense to have both. ...

I'll add when I take my Pentax 67 out for finding pictures to take, I carry the 55 and 105mm most often. Similarly, on my 500C/M system it is the 50 and 100mm. I'm building a padded frame to hold the GW/GSW cameras stacked in tandem that will fit in a one of my day packs with room to spare. I figure I can easily compensate for the weight increase by shedding the equivalent from body fat

[nickthetasmaniac]

Olympus OM1n and OM Zuiko 50/f1.4