Homebrew your own Medium Format Lenses for Bronicas
|
There are about 3 manufacturers of the Lenses: Nikkor, Zenzanon(Bronica)
and Komura. The Nikkor 150mm is perhaps the sharpest lens I own,
including the Hasselblads... if you can get sharp enough lenses the difference is slight. For less than a thousand dollars you could have the same picture taking capabilities as it would take 3 to 4 thousand in a Hasselblad. |
| Russ Thornton (quoted in MFD) |
Bronica Lens Resolution
Tests
Lenses for classic Zenza Bronica
Cameras by Myron Allan Seiden (local article...)
Special thanks to Bill Barton for providing
detailed Nikkor lens specs and accessories info!
Special thanks to Mike Bond for providing S2A manual
based details
Table of
Bronica Lenses with Equivalents to 35mm Lenses
Ed
Scott's Equivalent Lens Focal Lengths For Different Film Sizes
Jump to Consolidated Listing of Bronica
Mount Lenses Below
Jump to History of Bronica Lenses (with Dates)
Below
Nikon's Long Tele Lenses Mounts for Bronica
Notes (Rich Kurtz)
There are only two types of Bronica Nikkor and Zenzanon lens mounts, as follows:
Small Bayonet
40 mm F4 Auto-Zenzanon
|
Date: Sun, 14 Dec 1997 From: MBeard36 mbeard@camera-workshop.demon.co.uk To: rmonagha@post.cis.smu.edu Subject: 40mm lens serial number Hello Bob,
Just coming back to you with some answers to questions that have been posted
to me through you.
The 40mm F4 Zenzanon lens that one of your readers bought and wanted some
info
on. I'm still researching the element/group aspect**,
but I can tell you that
the serial number holds the key. The s/number was something like 40239. 40
indicates a 40mm lens, while the remainder of the number indicates the
number
of lenses available for manufacture. Not that they made 999, but they
had the
scope to do so if necessary....
I hope this helps and I'll come back to you when and if I get more. [editor's note: see details in listing provided by Mr. Michael Beard above], |
Large Bayonet
| 50mm Nikkors - Design Issues |
|---|
|
From Bob Shell in Radford Virginia, a regular and valued contributor: You still haven't got the Bronica stuff quite right. The down and forward mirror... was on all Bronicas from the first down through the S2A. I work on tons of these brutes and I never quite figured out why old man Zenzaburo went to all that damn trouble to design so horribly complex a mechanism when there were easier ways to do it. For some reason, the Nikon lens designers did not give sufficient rear clearance on even their retrofocus designs to use a flip mirror. The 50mm Nikors came first in an f3.5 and about 1967 in an f2.8, but both extend a good 1 1/2'' back into the mirror cage and were retrofocus designs. (I stand corrected. My 50mm f3.5 had a tapering back end like the 40mm retrofocus Distagon. It was the protrusion rearward that lead me to think it was a standard design. However, the standard design usually has a rear element that mirror-image the large front element.) ... [n.b. Mr. Shell is now the editor of Shutterbug Ads] |
| Medium Format Notes and Ideas SA July 1983 p.24 by Dave Blocher |
Third Party Lenses:
| Zeiss uber Alles Lenses for your Bronicas? |
|---|
| I have a review (in Amateur Photographer, November 1978) of the newly released Bronica ECII which describes the standard lens as a Zenzanon MC 80mm 2.8 by Carl Zeis Jena DDR. Performance of the lens was described as very good in all respects. |
| Mick
Doe Mick.Doe@Smallworld.co.uk |
| 4/15/99 Update: Mr. Marc Small, noted Zeiss lens historian, suggests that this CZJ label corresponds to licensing to raise cash for CZJ, a practice also followed with some M42 and similar 35mm lenses, but this is the only Japanese Med Fmt example? |
Lenses for classic Zenza Bronica Cameras (Rev. 3)
by Myron Allan Seiden
Nikkor Lenses Basic Data
Focal Length
On early Nikkor lenses the focal length is specified in Centimeters. This was also the practice with lenses for Nikon Range Finder cameras. During the product run this was changed to Millimeters, in most cases with no change to the opti cal or mount design.
Elements
On most Nikkor lenses a letter or letters indicated the number of elements used. This was abandoned at approximately the time that Ai lenses were introduced for Nikon 35mm SLR cameras. I have never encountered a Nikkor for a classic Bro nica without the element designator.
|
U for 1 element B for 2 elements T for 3 elements Q for 4 elements P for 5 elements H for 6 elements S for 7 elements O for 8 elements N for 9 elements D for 10 elements UD for 11 elements BD for 12 elements |
Coating
All Nikkor lenses are coated. The C on the lens ring was added to indicate this, some believe this indicated multi coating on some elements. There is evidence to support this belief with Nikon 35mm SLR lenses. The C was used on Nikon Ra nge Finder lenses that were not multicoated. How this applies to Bronica lenses is unclear. What is known is that the C was added mid way through production and was in at least one instance accompanied by a change to the lens mount. The C was not added to all lenses.
Mount
Early mounts used a Chromium plated filter attachment element that included the threads and as a result displayed a chrome band that was visible on the barrel. On later mounts this feature was black. This was also true of Nikkor Range F inder and 35mm SLR lenses.
Construction
I use the strict definition of construction that is applicable to fixed focal length lenses. Zoom lens groups are often defined as elements that move together, some people consider elements in contact are part of a group, in the definit ion I use groups consist of cemented element groups plus individual elements.
Special Lenses
There are always lenses that appear in the literature that are never found in the market place. This results from prototypes shown at major Photographic Shows like Photokina in Germany and PMA in the USA. Some of these never reach store shelves, or reach store shelves in a form different from that shown. There are many business reasons for this, but it does complicate the task of determining what was really available. Photo magazines are not reliable in this endeavor as they often publi sh from show press releases.
Nikkor Lenses
NIKKOR-D 1:4 f=40mm
This lens is of 10 element 8 group construction and appears to have remained unchanged during its production run. It uses a 90mm filter thread and there was a square section hood available for this lens.
NIKKOR-O 1:2.8 f=50mm
This lens is of 8 element 7 group construction and appears to have remained unchanged during its production run. It uses a 77mm filter thread and there was a square section hood available for this lens.
NIKKOR-H 1:3.5 f=5cm
NIKKOR-H 1:3.5 f=50mm
This lens is of 6 element 6 group construction. It uses an 82mm filter thread and there was a square section hood available for it. This lens was superceded by the NIKKOR-O 1:2.8 as it disappeared from Bronica Catalogues.
NIKKOR-H C 1:2.8 f=75mm
This lens is of 6 element 4 group construction and uses the Bronica standard 67mm filter thread. It was introduced as a premium normal lens at the introduction of the EC and was referred to as DX in some of the literature though this wa s not engraved on the lens. A round section hood and a rubber hood were available for this lens. These hoods were shared with several other normal lenses marketed by Bronica.
NIKKOR-P 1:2.8 f=7.5cm
NIKKOR-P 1:2.8 f=75mm
NIKKOR-P C 1:2.8 f=75mm
This lens is of 5 element 4 group construction and uses the Bronica standard 67mm filter thread. There were minor mount changes and may have been optical formula changes during its life time. Initially a square section metal hood was av ailable for this lens. This was replaced by round section metal and folding rubber hoods during its production life.
NIKKOR-Q 1:3.5 f=105mm
This lens is of 4 element 3 group construction and mounts to the outer bayonet of C and later cameras after removal of the focusing mount. It uses the Bronica standard 67mm filter thread. It shares the square section metal, round sectio n metal and rubber hoods used with the 75mm lenses. This lens incorporates a Seiko No. 0 leaf shutter and requires some care in use. On the EC-TL and EC-TLII it can not be used with the TTL light meter, or in the A mode. For shutter speeds of 1/15 to 1/50 0, the camera shutter must be set to 1 sec or B. For 1 to 1/8 the camera shutter should be set to B. On B the release should be held until the leaf shutter closes. This leaf shutter contains a self timer which requires the use of the B setting on the came ra shutter. The sync terminal on the lens should be used for flash photography. There are timing issues associated with the use of this lens that should be considered with EC and later cameras. It would be wise to test the operation of this lens with individual samples as the timing issues involved may result in problems with some combinations of cameras and lenses. When the shutter is released the focal plane has to be fully closed until the leaf shutter closes, and then fully opened before the leaf shutter opens to make the exposure. This works on the cameras I have te sted, but with EC-TL and EC-TLII there are no guarantees.
NIKKOR-Q 1:3.5 f=13.5cm
This lens is of 4 element 3 group construction and uses the Bronica standard 67mm filter thread. It shared the square section metal hood with the 7.5 cm lens. This lens disappeared from Bronica catalogues during S2 camera production.
NIKKOR-P 1:4 f=200mm
This lens is of 5 element 5 group construction. It uses the Bronica standard 67mm filter thread. It is equipped with a built in hood and came with a supplementary close up lens. There were several esthetic and functional mount changes a nd possibly some lens formula changes during its life.
NIKKOR-P 1:5.6 f=300mm (NEW)
This lens is of 5 element 5 group construction. It uses the Bronica standard 67mm filter thread. There is limited information available and this may not have been produced for sale.
A group of lenses, which were designed for use with a reflex housing on Nikon Range Finder Cameras, were remounted for use on the Bronica classics. All of these came with hoods that retained Series IX filters. Very few of these lenses w ere actually made with Bronica mounts though they are listed in early literature and some are illustrated in Tony Hilton’s book. Tony Hilton’s book illustrates and other sources list adapters for the D and S large mount that allow the use of the Nikon Ran ge Finder variants of these lenses. Tony Hilton’s book also illustrates an adapter for this purpose that fits the C and later large mount. A mount adapter also exists for the S2 that adapts its large bayonet mount to the large bayonet used on the D and S camera lenses. This adapter was supplied with some Nikon lenses that used focusing mounts that fit the D and S cameras. The existence of Range Finder Nikon to Bronica adapters is realistic since the film plane to flange distance is greater on the combinat ion of Range Finder Nikon 35mm camera and Reflex Housing than on any of the Classic Bronica cameras. The film plane to large bayonet mount distance is longer on the D and S cameras than on the C and later models with removable focusing mount. This makes t he use of the Bronica mount adapter practical for mounting D and S large bayonet lenses on later cameras though a mount adapter for the reverse is not. I have listed these lenses below.
NIKKOR H 1:2.5 f=18cm
This lens is of 6 element 4 group construction.
NIKKOR Q 1:4 f=25cm
This lens is of 4 element 3 group construction.
NIKKOR T 1:4.5 f=35cm
This lens is of 3 element construction.
NIKKOR T 1:5 f=50cm
This lens is of 3 element construction.
REFLEX NIKKOR 1:6.3 100cm
This was a mirror optic that used a bellows for focusing. It had a built in filter wheel that used 52mm filters. It would be useable with the adapters mentioned above, though it is doubtful if any of these were ever made for the Bronica as they never appeared in Bronica literature.
The following lenses, which were designed for Nikon SLR cameras, are used with a focusing unit that is mounted on the camera. For Bronica special focusing units were produced which attached to the large camera mount. Two versions of the focusing unit exist, the first focusing unit fits the D cameras and was supplied with an adapter at some point that allowed its use on C or later cameras. A second version only fits the C and later cameras. All lens heads could be used with a single focu sing unit, but this required changing the focusing scale to match the lens head in use.
NIKKOR-Q Auto 1:4.5 f=400mm
This lens is of 4 element 4 group construction. It uses a 122mm filter thread and has a built in hood.
NIKKOR-P Auto 1:5.6 f=600mm
This lens is of 5 element 4 group construction. It uses a 122mm filter thread and has a built in hood.
NIKKOR-P Auto 1:8 f=800mm
This lens is of 5 element 4 group construction. It uses a 122mm filter thread and has a built in hood.
NIKKOR-P 1:11 f=1200mm
This lens is of 5 element 4 group construction. It uses a 122mm filter thread and has a built in hood.
The following lenses, which were designed for Nikon SLR cameras, are used with a focusing unit that is mounted on the large bayonet after removal of the standard focusing mount. These lenses were never sold by Bronica but can be used wi th the older focusing unit.
NIKKOR ED 1:5.6 f=600mm
This lens is of 5 element 4 group construction. This lens uses Extra Low Dispersion glass resulting in excellent color correction. It uses a 122mm filter thread and has a built in hood.
NIKKOR ED 1:8 f=800mm
This lens is of 5 element 4 group construction. This lens uses Extra Low Dispersion glass resulting in excellent color correction. It uses a 122mm filter thread and has a built in hood.
NIKKOR ED 1:11 f=1200mm
This lens is of 5 element 4 group construction. This lens uses Extra Low Dispersion glass resulting in excellent color correction. It uses a 122mm filter thread and has a built in hood.
Zenzanon Lenses
These lenses were made or procured by Zenza Bronica to provide a broader lens line at a lower cost. Some were procured from Ziess in East Germany and are marked to indicate this.
ZENZANON MC 1:4 f=40mm
This lens is of 9 element 7 group construction and is multi coated. It uses the Bronica standard 67mm filter thread. A square section and later a circular section metal hood was available for this lens. The circular section hood is a sh ortened version of the circular section hood produced for the normal lenses.
ZENZANON MC 1:2.8 f=50mm
This lens is of 8 element 7 group construction and is multi coated. It uses the Bronica standard 67mm filter thread. A square section and later a circular section metal hood was available for this lens. The circular section hood is a sh ortened version of the circular section hood produced for the normal lenses.
ZENZANON MC 1:2.8 f=75mm
This lens is of 5 element 4 group construction and is multi coated. It uses the Bronica standard 67mm filter thread. The circular section metal hood and circular section rubber hood was available for this lens and shared with other norm al lenses.
ZENZANON MC 1:2.8 f=80mm KARL ZEISS JENA DDR
This lens is of 5 element 4 group construction and is multi coated. It uses the Bronica standard 67mm filter thread. The circular section metal hood and circular section rubber hood was available for this lens and shared with other norm al lenses.
ZENZANON MC 1:2.4 f=80mm
This lens is of 6 element 5 group construction and is multi coated. It uses the Bronica standard 67mm filter thread. The circular section metal hood and circular section rubber hood was available for this lens and shared with other norm al lenses.
ZENZANON 1:2.8 f=100mm
This lens is of 6 element 4 group construction. It uses the Bronica standard 67mm filter thread. The circular section metal hood and circular section rubber hood was available for this lens and shared with other normal lenses. Serious w arnings are provided by Bronica about the dangers of mirror damage if this lens is installed with the focusing mount in the infinity position. This is a particular issue with the EC series of cameras. Using care this should not be a problem.
ZENZANON MC 1:3.5 f=150mm
This lens is of 6 element 6 group construction and is multi coated. It uses the standard Bronica 67mm filter thread. There is a unique circular section metal and a unique rubber hood for this lens.
ZENZANON 1:3.5 f=150mm
This lens is of 5 element 4 group construction. It uses the standard Bronica 67mm filter thread. There is a unique circular section metal and a unique rubber hood for this lens. This lens was superceded by the MC variant.
ZENZANON MC 1:4 f=200mm
This lens is of 5 element 5 group construction and is multi coated. It uses the standard Bronica 67mm filter thread.
ZENZANON 1:4.5 f=300mm
This lens is of 6 element 5 group construction. It uses an 82mm filter thread and has a built in hood, and a rotating tripod boss.
Third Party Lenses
Komura lenses were marketed by the USA Bronica importer but not by Bronica in Japan. They were never included in official Bronica literature in Japan. Komura produced a full line of lenses and a 2X TELEMORE95 rear lens extender. KENKO i n Japan marked a similar product they called the TELEPLUS MC6.
Use of Enlarging Lenses
Enlarging lenses when reversed make excellent macro lenses. Fortunately this is easily accomplished with the Bronica small bayonet which has in its interior a 57mm thread. Bronica marketed a reversing ring which mounts to this thread an d allows reverse mounting of the Bronica lenses which use the 67mm filter thread. By using a step up ring of the correct size an enlarging lens is easily adapted to this reversing ring without custom machining. This works with all camera bodies and Bronic a bellows. Since enlarging lenses are designed to produce large images they will cover the Bronica format easily when reversed. Obviously there is no diaphragm automation. Using longer focal length lenses will increase the working distance between the len s and subject but limit the maximum magnification obtainable. Exposure determination and lighting are major issues with all macro photographic efforts. Using one of the add on TTL metering finders, or the EC-TL or EC-TLII should help, but you may not be a ble to illuminate the subject sufficiently for this to work. A few Polaroid test shots may be your best bet.
The Bronica Camera and Accessories
Much has been written about the complexity of the earlier non electronic cameras, particularly related to the mirror motion. I have never seen a description that fully explains this motion as all I have read neglect a key item. After th e mirror falls to the bottom of the mirror box, and before the shutter opens, a thin metal panel, cut out to clear the rear of the lens, swings down to cover a good part of the mirror. If this did not occur some of the image forming light that is outside the 57mm film square would reflect from the mirror and create a serious flare image on the film. I understand the desire of the camera designers to increase the lens design freedom by providing the opportunity to bring the rear lens element close to the f ilm plane. While this was a great idea for wide angle lenses, I doubt it justified the mechanical complexity. As you will note no one copied this idea.
There are many accessory variants for this line of cameras, many of which were the result of field experience. It is interesting to look at the progression in design of the hood for the normal lenses. From the square section to the roun d section to the folding rubber hood there were many intermediate steps resulting from tool or user problems. The use of polarizing filters influenced the switch to a round section hood as an instance. The square section hoods for Wide Angle lenses are co nsiderably more effective, but as Wide Angle and Normal lenses proliferated adjusting the depth of the round section hood for the Normal lens to accommodate this was cost effective for lenses with 67 mm filter threads.
Early Lens Hoods were clamp on square section products. Some were supplied with a threaded ring that matched the filter thread of the lens and served as a retainer for series size filters.
It should be noted that as new lenses were added to the list Zenza Bronica changed the focusing scale on the mount. In some instances there were commercial interests at work, but fortunately these scales are interchangeable. I have the following and expect that others exist.
75mm, 50mm, 135mm, 200mm meters
75mm feet and meters
75mm, 80mm, 100mm meters
In addition to the focusing screen pattern variants, each of these are provided in two EC-TL and EC-TLII variants. One of these is for the waist level finders and one for the eye level finders to assure that they read correctly. This is necessary since the eye level prisms reverse the finder screen right to left making the image right reading through the finder, but reversing graphics on the screen.
Polaroid Film Holders
There were available Polaroid film holders that interchanged with the roll holders on Classic Bronica cameras. There were two that fit the D through S2a models and one for the Electronic cameras that were Bronica branded. The first of t he models that fit the D through S2a was based on the Polaroid CB100, a product that had a die cast aluminum frame and vinyl covered sheet metal doors. The CB100 was a derivative of the Polaroid folding pack camera line that was supplied to OEM manufactur ers including Bronica. The second was based on a molded plastic Polaroid product called the CB101, which was introduced when production stopped on the consumer folding pack camera design. This second variant was redesigned to mount on the EC and later ca meras. All utilized 3 ¼ X 4 ¼ Polaroid pack film. The development was initiated by pulling tabs and completed when the positive print was peeled from the negative, which in most cases was disposable. There is a product that produces a monochrome positi ve and a useable negative. There were also non Bronica branded Polaroid film holders available, one of which is described on this site.
There were some statements made in the material on the web site that are not correct, a few follow.
Someone stated that the 75mm NIKKOR P was 5 elements in 5 groups. This construction was never used, what is stated in the Bronica manuals is correct.
Someone stated that the 105mm lens could not be used on the electronic shutter cameras due to mirror interference. This is not correct, the restriction is use of the TTL metering which will not function with this lens as its shutter is released by the action of the stop down lever. The metering systems are actuated by the stop down system so you can see why this won’t work properly. It would be wise to test the operation of this lens with individual samples as there are timing issues in volved which may result in problems with some combinations of cameras and lenses. When the shutter is released the focal plane has to be fully closed until the leaf shutter closes, and then fully opened before the leaf shutter opens to make the exposure. This works on the cameras I have tested, but with EC-TL and EC-TLII there are no guarantees.
[Ed. note: Wow! Special thanks to Mr. Myron Seiden for sharing this very interesting information based in part on his extensive collection of Japanese photo literature and related experience with Nikon and Bronica systems...]
Bronica Lens History
First lenses were Nikkors (1958-1965):
Special mount preset lenses included:
(fitted to outer bayonet of Z, D, S)
(adapter required to use on S2, S2A..)
Nikkors (1961-65):
Komura Lenses (1965-66):
Zenzanon Lenses (1966 on):
Some early Zenzanon lenses were
made by Carl Zeiss in Jena!
| 35mm Nikkors on Bronica? |
|---|
| ''With the use of adapters, the Bronica now can take many of the 35mm Nikkor lenses.'' |
| Editor: I believe that this refers to the use of short-mount Nikkor lenses on adapter mounts. |
| Source: The Camera in the Middle by James Zanutto, Popular Photography Oct 1962 p. 54. |
Consolidated Listing of Bronica Lenses:
30 mm f3.5 Nikkor Fisheye (Hilton*)
55mm f4 Auto-Zenzanon (see note)
80mm f2.8 MC Auto-Zenzanon (Karl Zeiss Jena DDR)###
85mm f1.8 Auto-Nikkor=
90mm f2.8 Zoomar Macro Kilar (1:1 macro) %
100mm f2 Auto-Komura)*(
100mm f2.8 Auto Sankyo Kohki(*)125mm f2.3 Astro-Tachar# (manual)
150mm f1.8 Astro-Tachar#
150mm f2.3 Astro-Tachar#
150mm f3.5 Auto-Zenzanon |*(MC version)
150mm f4 Kaligar# (preset)
150mm f3.5 Primotar (see posting)
200mm f3.5 Auto-Zenzanon+**
200mm f3.5 Astro-Telastan#
240mm f4 Kaligar# (automatic)
240mm f4 Kaligar# (preset)
300mm f3.5 Telastan# (manual)
300mm f4 Pan Tele Kilar %
300mm f5.6 Nikkor+**
300mm f5.6 Kalimar# (preset)
400mm f5.5 Meyer Optik Telemegor#-#
500mm f7 Komura Sankyo Kohki (manual)
500mm f5 Astragon# (manual)
500mm f5 Astro-Fern# (manual) 600mm f5 Astragon# (manual)
600mm f5.6 Kilfitt Sport-Fern Kilar# (preset)
640mm f5 Astro-Fern# (manual)
800mm f5 Astragon# (manual)
800mm f5 Astro-Fern# (manual)
1000mm f6.3 Nikkor (special mount - preset)##
1000mm f6.3 Astragon# (manual)
1000mm f6.3 Astro-Fern# (manual)
2000mm f10 Astro-Telestan# (manual)
See Tony Hilton's new book (6/98) for tables listing more available
lenses!
Sam Sherman's Adventures in adapting Zeiss 180mm
Sonnar to Bronica Mount
+* - Thanks to Mick Doe's
Posting 2/24/98 listing four variants of the normal Bronica lens,
including
two new ones, and proof of the Carl Zeiss Jena licensing and labeling of
some Zenzanon lenses! (see table above)
+** - Thanks again to Mick Doe for supplying Bronica EC-TL manual
page listing with new lenses and related information on two new
lenses! See ECTL Accessories List
for details.
# Kaligar lenses use Kaligar Reflex 660 SQ using Bronica adapter
(automatic/preset/manual 6x6 format)
Astro- lenses from Ercona Corp. using Bronica adapter mount (preset/manual
6x6 and 35mm formats)
Astrogon lenses from Sterling and Howard Inc. using Bronica adapter
mount (manual 6x6 format)
Kilfit lens from Kling Photo Corp. using Bronica adapter mount (preset 6x6
format)
Source: Nov. 1966 Pop. Photo. Lens Guide for 35mm and 2 1/4 Cameras
pp.33b-46b
(*) from Ebay
Ad of 9/21/98 for 100mm f2.8 Sankyo Kohki lens for Bronica S2a
mount...
#-# from ad placed 10/98 on Bronica
For-Sale pages
|* Date: Mon, 22 Feb 1999
From: RITTHAMMER ritthamm@euro.de.mew.com
To: rmonagha@post.smu.edu
Subject: Zenzanon
I know the 3.5/150mm Zenzanon to fit the S2/EC in a "normal" and in a "MC"
version.
and in a follow-up
The 150mm "MC" might be a different one because it is a little bit smaller
than the "normal" one.
Jvrg Ritthammer
)*( from Simon Says, Modern Photography pp. 74, 76, November 1967 - article includes photo of Bronica with 100mm f/2 Komura mounted. See article summary below.
Zooms:
Bausch and Lomb 20" (508mm) f/5.6 Telephoto for Early Bronica S and D
Models
Photos courtesy of Masao Kobayashi (starhana@po8.lcv.ne.jp) - Thanks!
Date: Sun, 19 Nov 2000
From: masao kobayashi starhana@po8.lcv.ne.jp
To: rmonagha@post.smu.edu
Subject: bronica Lenses
Masao Kobayashi
Japan
RE: Bausch&Lomb; 500mm for Bronica D and S
Last month, I got a "Bausch & Lomb Telephoto anastigmat focal length
20 inch (508mm) F5.6" for Bronica S & D. I'm interesting this home page
sight. I have D, S, C2, S2, S2a, EC, EC-TL bodies and 30 pieces [of
Bronica gear]. I don't [have] a Nikkor
Fisheye 30mm F3.5. But I [have heard about] this lens. I want to see
Nikkor
Fisheye detail and photo.
[Ed. note: Special thanks to Masao Kobayashi for sharing photos of his B&L;
500mm for early Bronica S and D models! Sounds like that is quite a
collection of Bronica models too!]
(11/98) From Simon Says, Modern Photography
November 1967 (pp.74, 76).
Mr. Simon Nathan decided to investigate the coverage circles of Nikon
lenses, starting with the 180mm f/2.5 Nikkor lens, for use on a
Hasselblad 1000f. Mr. Nathan had determined that removing the deep
"sunshade" for the lens by cutting it off (evidently meaning the rear
lens protector?), the lens would work on his 6x6cm camera.
Mr. Nathan claims that Nikon technical staff stated the 180mm f/2.5 wouldn't
work with 6x6cm, until it learned of his trick. So we can thank him for
adding to the available number of Nikkor lenses (from 35mm) which can be
used on Bronica 6x6cm format cameras.
He also used the 125mm f/2.5 Leitz Hektor which covered 6x6cm very well
too. Again, here is another example of 35mm fast tele lenses which can
also be mounted and used on 6x6cm (Hasselblad 1000f).
Other lenses mentioned are the 7 inch f/2.5 aero-ektar from WWII surplus,
and the 125mm f/2 Schneider lens from the 80mm German aerial camera. The
focus here is on finding fast lenses for 6x6cm users,
obviously!
Another fast 6x6cm mounting lens is the 150mm f/1.8 Astro-Tachar from
Astro-Berlin. This lens is actually a movie! lens that almost
covers 6x6cm. At least one German sports photographer is known to have
used this lens on 6x6cm too. A later 150mm f/2 astro-color lenses was
reportedly even better on 6x6cm for coverage, but only a modest number
were made.
The 100mm f/2 Komura speed lens for Bronica 6x6cm was one of a number of
lenses developed. Unfortunately for Rollei SL66 users, the Rollei mirror
blocks these lenses and prevents infinity focus on Rollei SL66 - but not
on Bronica thanks to its falling mirror design! Moreover, the Komura
focusing mounts can also be used to mount various other lenses on
Bronicas quite easily too.
How about a low cost 110mm-160mm f/3.5 medium format zoom lens built out
of a Rollei 2 1/4 inch slide projector zoom lens? This lens is from Isco
of Gottingen (Germany). Mr. Nathan managed to get a iris diaphragm
provided for the zoom projection lens, and mounted it on his Rollei SL66.
As a varifocal zoom lens, you have to refocus after zooming. But for a
low cost medium format zoom option, who cares?
|
These adapter based preset/manual lenses should be relatively easy to get
remounted for use on
the Bronica classic cameras, perhaps using a simple 57mm x 1mm pitch
screw thread mount as on
the Bronica S2a lens mount. Some of these adapter based lenses offered
terrific speed (e.g.,
150mm f1.8 Astro-Tachar) for a 6x6 lens, or come in focal lengths not
otherwise available on the
Bronica lens line.
These adapter mount lenses remind us that Bronica third party lenses
include more than just
Komura lenses, but also a wide range of adapter based lenses by many
third party manufacturers.
Besides these official adapter mounts, other users report buying special
or custom modified Telyt
and other lenses which have been modified to mount on their Bronicas. So
the listing of official
Bronica lenses depends on how you define these adapter and custom mount
lens conversions. But
at over 60 lenses and counting, the number of lenses available for
Bronica continues to amaze me,
even as it continues to grow.
Finally, if you couldn't find the lens you needed in a Bronica mount, you
could buy a Bronica lens
blank mount and mount the lens yourself. This possibility relied on the
Bronica focal plane shutter
and helical lens mount in the later cameras to provide these basic
functions. As these
preset/manual adapter lenses demonstrate, all you needed was a lens, a
diaphragm, and an
apropriately sized Bronica lens mount.
|
| Lens Adapters Provide
Bronica's Missing Fisheye and Wide Angle Lenses | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adapter | Factor | Equivalent 6x6 Factor x 80mm | 35mm equiv. Equiv x.651 | Effect | Mfg. | Cost |
| Fisheye | .18x | 15 mm | 12 mm | Circular 180 degree Fisheye | Kenko | ~$100US+ |
| Superwide | .42x | 34 mm | 22 mm | approx. full-frame semi-fisheye | Sakar | ~$25-50US+ |
| Wide | .75x | 60 mm | 39 mm | moderate wide angle | Telesor | ~$10-25US+ |
[Leaf Shutter Nikkor 105mm Q and A:]
From: gardner811@aol.com (Gardner811)
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Leaf shutter for Bronica EC
Date: 21 Dec 1997
How does the 105mm leaf shutter lens re-cock when the film is advanced
and how
is the shutter release coupled to the camera body. Does anyone have any good
experiences with this lens. I'm considering buying one to use with fill
flash
environmentals.
Thanks
-----
Date: Wed, 14 Jan 1998
From: James Honeyman JOHoneyman@worldnet.att.net
Subject: Nikkor 105mm Leaf Shutter Lens
Does anyone have any information on the correct operations procedure for this lens. What shutter speed should the body be set at to get the timing right with the lens shutter. I would appreciate any information someone might have. I would really like to get a copy of the instruction sheet that originally came with it.
------------
From: "Charles Marshall" cmars@worldnet.att.net
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Leaf shutter for Bronica EC
Date: 24 Dec 1997
The lens is cocked manually by a sliding lever. The shutter is fired by
the coupling from the body for stopping the lens down. Also the flash
sync socket is on the lens.
Also there is a depth of field preview lever. I've used it on a S2
which is what it
was originally designed for. Also been able to use it on a ECTL in manual
mode. The shutter timing on mine has heldup.
charles
| Our 40th Bronica Mount Lens Entry |
|---|
|
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 1997 From: James Honeyman JOHoneyman@worldnet.att.net Subject: 40mm f/4 Zenzanon for Bronica S2
I recently purchased a 40mm f/4 Zenzanon that is Multicoated in Bronica
S2a mount. This is a very compact lens, with a front filter mount of 67mm.
|
Interested in Getting into UV Photography?
W.J.
Markerink's site posting
About Ultra Violet Photography
Not everybody would be interested in paying the elevated asking price for
the UV Nikkor. Alternatives exist however. Old non-coated or
single-coated lenses can function well. I have used a multitude of Zeiss,
Leica, Canon and Nikkor lenses to this end.
So single coated lenses may have some advantages over multi-coated lens, at least if you like the diffusely beautiful landscapes and color effects of ultraviolet photography. And the cost is a whole lot less than the commercial UV specialty lenses. It is a whole new kind of light!
(This 67mm Zenza Bronica UV filter was made by Asahi Opt. Co.
- Surprise!)
Zenza Filter Brochure front and
rear (158kb 300dpi)
| However, I also have one of the most curious lenses ever made for this camera. It is a SUN "Dionar" zoom 135~300 f:4.5 that is about 15 inches long and weighs a "lot" Would you believe that I used this thing for photo chase when I was in the Air Force? from article by Bob Denham |
Small bayonet lenses will fit all Bronica cameras regardless of focusing mount type.
Large bayonet lenses and focusing mount #81505 will fit only the "C", S2, S2a, and EC
See individual pages for comments on C, Deluxe, S, S2, S2a, and EC cameras lenses and mounts.
| Getting into Hassie can be very expensive even in the used market as prices have risen very sharply. In about 1986 I bought my 80mm, 150mm, and my 60mm, all CF. I paid about $550 for my 80, and about $800 or so for my 150 and 60, all new prices. Now a new 150 is around $2700 NYC price. Now that's what I call inflation. |
| Rich Foley - Aug. 17, 1997 (Medium Format Q and A) |
rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
From: Philip Quaife pquaife@cisco.com
[1] Re: Bronica lenses
Date: Fri Feb 06
Wilt W wrote:
Since the Nikkors for Bronica are early lenses, are the Bronica Nikkors
pre-multicoating?
Sorry, but my Bronica history doesn't go back that detailed.
--Wilt
All my Bronica Nikkors (50, 75, 135, 200) are coated the same as my 35mm
Nikkors of the same vintage (1970s). The Bronica Nikkors I have are all
superbly sharp and contrasty. The 75mm is somewhat subject to flare when
pointed into the sun the others are not.
Subject: FS or Trade: Kilfet 300mm F/4 Macro Kilar
From: dkfletcher@aol.com (DKFletcher)
Date: 1998/01/05
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
300mm f/4 will focus to 6 feet with out having to add tubes! Rack and Pinion
focus with extention handle. Covers 2 1/4, presently in a custom Bronica S2A
mount but can accept any Kilfet WE adapter. Comes with origonal lens cap and
factory case with origonal paperwork. I would preferably want to trade even
for a 47mm Super-Angulon.
eMail for more info,
DKFletcher@aol.com
Date: Tue, 10 Feb 1998
From: Richard Knoppow dickburk@ix.netcom.com
Subject: Re: [Rollei] Kingslake Books
At 10:11 AM 2/10/98 -0800, you wrote:
Two parts to this one:
1. What are the better Kingslake books? (I know this is subjective so
I am
looking for the opinion of people who have actually read them)
For example, is "Lenses in Photography" more informative than say "Lens
Design
Fundamentals." I am trying to educate myself more about the rationale
behind
some designs.
All of Kingslakes stuff is well written and worth reading. The difference is in the scope of the books. "Lenses in Photography" and its
later edition "Optics in Photography" are fairly elementary books aimed at
practicing photographers. Two more advanced texts by Kingslake are
_Optical System Design_ and Fundamentals of Lens Design_ both published by
The Acedemic Press. A must for anyone interested in lenses is Kingslakes
_History of the Photographic Lens_ 1989, the Academic Press, now sadly out
of print.
An example of his writing may be found on the Graflex web site at
http://www.graflex.org where there is an essay entitled "Rochester Camera
and Lens Companies".
Another good book is _Modern Lens Design_ Warren J. Smith, 1992,
McGraw-Hill Book Co., ISBN 0-07-059178-4 This book shows several hundred
worked out examples of lenses with performance date. It shows how revising
a design changes the performance.
Another book by the same author is: _Modern Optical Engineering: The
Design of Optical Systems, 2nd ed, McGraw Hill, 1990. I believe both are
still in print.
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles,Ca.
dickburk@ix.netcom.com
Date: April 10, 1998 From: "clcmp" mjc.clcmp@hol.fr Subject: Nikon lenses on medium format Bronica cameras There have been some posts about 35mm vs Medium Format, where some people seem having problems to choose between their beloved Nikon and nikkors, and a MF camera/lenses of another make. Being myself a total Nikon buff, but also interested in MF results, I found an interesting compromise in the use of old Bronica cameras (EC-TL, EC, S2A) with their NIKKOR LENSES. Nevertheless, if some of my MF Nikkors are quite impressives (50/2.8 N.C and 75/2.8 H.C), I found the 200/4 Q just very good, and the 135/3.5 Q truly disappointing. (The Bronica 150/3.5 is better... what a shame !) Is any reader of the list using these lenses ? I would be happy to read some comments. Michel Porcher mjc.clcmp@hol.fr (4 RF Nikons, 5 F, 3 F2, 1 F3, Nikonos II, III, V, and about 40 lenses, more for pleasure than for photography /3 Bronicas with 5 Nikkor lenses, for both) ------------------------------ End of nikon-digest V3 #275
Hello Bob,
I recently had the luck to find a camera dealer who gave
me another Nikkor 75 mm lens for testing, and I did some
rolls of film with both nikkors vs. the Planar.
It was indeed the first lens that made the colours look so
weak; when I did not look at the marks on the side of the
slides, I cannot say which images have been made with
Hasselblad and which of them were taken with the Bronica.
I was able to give away my old lens to the dealer for paying
a minimal fee, so i do now have a fine standard lens.
The old one was marked as "Nikkor P-C", and my new one
is market "Nikkor P". I see that the lens diameter on the P
lens is siginficantly larger than on the P-C lens. Does this
affect the image quality, or have i only gotten a damaged
lens ? What do you think ?
BTW: On your great web site, there are some Q+A4s from
the Bronica mailing list - where is this list, and how can I
subscribe to it ?
Thank you very much in advance !
-Michael Buchstaller
[Ed. note: Regarding Lens Softness...]
My personal expectation is that the earlier uncoated or single coated
lenses are very nearly as sharp but somewhat less contrasty than the
later multicoated lenses. However, rough lens handling will uncenter and
unalign lenses, so it pays to carefully check out lenses before buying if
you can. See http://www.smu.edu/~rmonagha/bronfaults.html for details on
lens faults and http://www.smu.edu/~rmonagha/broncameratest.html for
lens testing information...
Date: Fri, 24 Apr 1998
From: "Kotsinadelis, Peter" Peter.Kotsinadelis@octel.com
Subject: RE: [Rollei] Off-subject: Plaubel Makina 67 folder
The only caution I might offer, I am told by older Bronica
users (the age of the camera, not the photograper) such as the
S2, that the Nikkor lenses, especially the 135, of that era are
a bit soft. Not sure if it carries over to the Plaubel but
this is not a bashful bunch so I am sure you will get more than
an earful.
Peter K
Date: Sat, 25 Apr 1998
From: "R. Peters" torx@nwrain.net
Subject: [Rollei] Soft Nikkors on early Bronica
There may have been some soft ones (I doubt it) more likely some shade tree
mechanic tampered with either the camera or lenses. I had a Bronica EC
with a full battery of Nikkors and they were needle sharp. I sold the
camera only because it was getting difficult to find anyone who would
service it. The largest photographic repair shop in Seattle wouldn't
touch the EC. I am not sure that GMI, the importer, even services any
Bronica with focal plane shutter. I really loved the EC for the type of
photography I'm interested in (landscapes), but when only GMI serviced the
EC/EC TL, they had you by the you-know-whats when it came to pricing
repairs. This is one of the reasons I went back to Rollei TLRs. Get one
serviced and it's generally good for many years of trouble free use.
--bob peters
Date: Sun, 26 Apr 1998
From: Bob Shell bob@bobshell.com
To: rollei@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
Subject: Re: [Rollei] Soft Nikkors on early Bronica
I used an S2A outfit in the early 70s, with 40, 80 and 150 Nikkors. All
were razor sharp. The images I shot with them still look great today,
although the colors in the old E-3 and E-4 Ektachromes have faded a bit.
No problem with sharpness, though.
Bob
[ed. note: from a 4/28/98 EBAY Listing]
BRONICA 600mm NIKKOR F5.6 TELE-LENS IN EXCELLENT ++
CONDITION. THIS MOUNT IS FOR THE S2-S2A-EC-ECTL, HOWEVER, A
FOCUSING MOUNT WAS MADE FOR THE NIKON F SERIES CAMERAS.
THIS LENS IS GREAT FOR NATURE & SCENIC PHOTOGRAPHY. THE
GLASS APPEARS PERFECT - ONLY A FEW MARKS ON TRIPOD MOUNT.
Date: Fri, 12 Jun 1998
From: HIURA Shinsaku shinsaku@vision.kuee.kyoto-u.ac.jp
To: rmonagha@mail.smu.edu
Cc: shinsaku@vision.kuee.kyoto-u.ac.jp
Subject: information about Bronica
Hi,
I am a manager of Japanese mailing list, named "Nikomat-ML"
where we are talking about old Nikon.
We also love medium-format cameras with Nikkor,
Bronica and Makina67 very much.
I am very interested in your site about Bronica.
So, please feel free to use my images, or link at
http://vision.kuee.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~shinsaku/medium/medium.html
I have Bronica EC and 40mm/F4, 50mm/F3.5 and 75mm/F2.8.
you can see and compare two types of 75mm lens here.
Just a comment:
the usual 75mm standard lens, "NIKKOR-P" type,
consist of 4 groups, 5 elements.
And you know, "NIKKOR-H" type consist of
4 groups and 6 elements.
Multi-coated type is exist for each types,
"NIKKOR-P.C" and "NIKKOR-H.C".
Best regards,
Shinsaku Hiura
Kyoto University
Hi:
I've been enjoying your Bronica web page since I discovered it. I
currently use an S2A in black. The lens I have and haven't found on your
list is a (Komura){its been ground off} Sankyo Kohki 500mm f7 #1234945.
What is different, apparently from the 500 f7 that you have pictured is
that mine has a tripod mount, no focus mount, and a rotating threaded
mount that screws into the camera focusing helical (likely is the 57mm x
1 thread). Diaphragm is manual from f7 to f45, click stopped at each
numbered setting.
Is this one that you are aware of?
Thanks,
Bob Tescione
mogman@rpa.net
[Editor's Note: Thanks, Bob, for your post, which adds yet another lens
to the Bronica line-up. I wasn't sure if the pictured Komura 500mm lens
really was f/8, as on other lists, or an f/7 variant. Your posting makes
clear not only that this is a distinct lens entry, but that it may have
come in several mechanical variants too. It is also possible that these
are distinctly different lenses, although I suspect they were probably
closely related optics.
To be fair, I need to add a few words about lens variants. Lens makers and
marketeers
sometimes cheated by listing the +/- 10% value of their lenses, so an
f/3.5 Sigma 18mm lens might be listed as a Spiratone 18mm f/3.2 lens. Users
would prefer the
''faster'' lens at a similar price, not realizing that it was really the
same lens using the most favorable upper limit of the aperture range in
the ads. Similarly, some wide angle zooms are rated 17-35mm when they
are really 17.8mm to 32mm range. But doesn't 17-35mm sound better than
18-32mm? Such tricks give importers a
range of values to use in their ads, when it is often the same lens
under a variety of names! So while an f/7 and an f/8 lens might seem to
be different, it is possible that they are the same lens using liberal
versus conservative interpretation of their specifications.
Another point is that Komura, as with other optical manufacturers, could
release geographical variants of its products, depending on what it
thought the local markets might want (including cost sensitive changes).
And designs obviously change over time. So I am not surprised to see a
variety of mechanical mounting items. On my 500mm f/8 homebrew lenses,
the tripod mount is a ring that is easily removed, along with the
T-mount rear of the lens (allowing you to substitute a 57x1mm tube
mount). Such changes are easier and much cheaper to do than optical design
and tooling for a given low-volume medium format lens design.
Personally, I suspect that many of these Komura lenses are closely related to Komura's 35mm lens offerings too, and so may have varied stylistically with those lens variants. Conversion to a Bronica mount could be as simple as switching in a 57mm x 1mm pitch adapter tube. We have seen (lens hacking article) that many generic 500mm f/8 style tele-lens intended for 35mm service have sufficient extra coverage to qualify for both 6x4.5cm and 6x6cm service. Many of the better quality Leitz and Nikon RF 35mm lens heads (optics and preset diaphragm optics intended for bellows focusing mounts) also work well in covering 6x6cm, and some lens listed above for Bronica are dual format 35mm/6x6cm lenses. I emphasize this point because many folks falsely believe that no 35mm lens can be used on 6x6cm, while many longer tele lenses have the needed coverage for either 35mm or 6x6cm formats.
But your lens is obviously labeled and setup differently from both the f/8
and the f/7 variant pictured in this page above.
So I have added another entry
for this 500mm Komura f/7 lens to the still growing list of Bronica
lenses. Wonder if we will ever get them all catalogued? ;-) Grins Bobm!]
The Hektor was a converted LF lens and will actually give coverage greater
than 6cm square. All Leitz (and to my knowledge, all Zeiss) lenses longer
than 13.5cm (135mm) will yield MF coverage.
Marc
msmall@roanoke.infi.net FAX: +540/343-7315
[Ed. These comments relate to some lens listed from Burleigh Brooks
above]
Date: Sat, 14 Nov 1998
From: Peters torx@nwrain.com
To: rollei@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
Subject: [Rollei] Astrogon lenses
"Astro" or "Astra" was a prefix that identified lenses and maybe other
accessories imported by Burleigh Brooks. I had a 180mm "Commercial"
Astrogon and a 90mm f6.8 Astrogon. These were made by Yokohama Optical who
make the Congo lenses. The Astrogons I had had small initials on them,
"Y.O". Congo confirmed to me that they made them. Personally, if it were
me, I wouldn't have admitted it, and with this one exception, I wouldn't
use "Zeiss" and "Astrogon" in the same sentence. Maybe Burleigh Brooks
got a super deal on rejects, but while I've had very few lenses I'd rate as
downright BAD, these were two of them. I was getting sharper prints from
my Rolleicord IV than with the 180 (snicker) "commercial" Astrogon.
I've read other discussions about these lenses, There was a general
concensus that at least in the early lenses, Y.O. had some very real
centering problems. So, while the new Congos may be better, I'd
recommend that no one buy one of these without an opportunity to try it.
Unless maybe they're looking for a portrait lens. Of course, a good one
might have sneaked in now and then.
bob.
Date: Tue, 24 Nov 1998
From: Stephen cameras@jetlink.net
To: rmonagha@post.cis.smu.edu
Subject: 85/1.8 Nikkor
Hi,
Unless there is a photo of the lens to prove me wrong, I am virtually
sure the listing of a 85/1.8 Nikkor in Bronica mount is in error. I
believe it was made in regular Nikon F mount only, never in a short
mount. Even if it was, it would not have covered 2 1/4.
I just bought a EC and ECTL over the weekend. Future profiles will be
up on both cameras.
interestingly, I got two 75/2.8 Nikkor P with them.
Regards,
Stephen Gandy
long time Nikon collector
http://cameraquest.com
Date: Fri, 09 Apr 1999
From: Marc James Small msmall@roanoke.infi.net
To: Robert Monaghan rmonagha@post.cis.smu.edu
Subject: Re: thanks! Re: Your Bronica Page
>a related tidbit - re: Karl Zeiss Jena DDR "Zenzanon MC 1:2.8 f=80mm" lens >for the bronica S2a/EC cameras -
This is almost certainly an early '80's Japanese lens. To raise foreign
capital, Zeiss Jena allowed their name to be used on some Japanese lenses
then. The M42 ones are more common -- I'd never heard of the Bronica ones
before this!
Best wishes,
Marc
Dear Bob,
some weeks before I wrote to you because I was happy to find a Nikkor D
1:4/40mm in good conditions to fit my Bronica S2a.
Now I write to you because of some informations which might be of
interest to other guys, too:
When I got my Nikkor D 1:4/40mm I was looking for a UV- or a
Skylight-filter. "Everywhere" I found the information that the filter
thread of this lens is 90 x 0.75mm.
The only one (!) who offered me a 90mm-filter was Heliopan.
So I ordered a 90x0.75mm Skylight-filter at Heliopan.
Two or three days (!) later I got the filter. An excellent filter. But it
did not fit my 40mm Nikkor! So what to do? Return to sender. At that time
I supposed that the filter of my Nikkor might be a 90x1mm!
And Heliopan was able to help: Some days later I got a 90x1mm filter. And
it fits.
Conclusion: Either the information of a 90x0.75mm filter to fit the
40mm-Nikkor-D is wrong or there are different lens with different
filters: 90x75mm and/or 90x1mm!?
With best regards Jörg Ritthammer
Last at least: Thank you very much to Heliopan. Fine filters, good
quality and super service!
Robert,
An update to your consolidated lens listing. Just bought the subject lens on
ebay. The 2.3 aperture is not a typo. Lens is a preset in a 'Komura Uni
Helical Focusing Unit I'. Focusing mount uses the same thread mount as
Bronicas but the rear lens element is too large to pass the auto lever.
Focusing mount has two scales on the focus ring '2.3/135' & '3.5/200' Lens
has 72mm filter ring, 50mmø rear element, is 92mm o.a. out of mount, is
coated and came with a Komura hood. Will get a photo off to you one day
soon.
Thanks,
Larry Life
Hello Kevin,
I have that one, Nikkor-Q 105mm/F3.5LS.
It has a mechanical leaf shutter in the lens. Shutter speed
is set to the lens barrel. The shutter dial on the camera must
be set slower to pass through the light.
The shutter speed is 1 sec to 1/500 sec.
The shutter in the lens is released by the "stopped-down" links
between the lens and the body. So that, the shutter timing is
coupled and you can release the shutter via release button on
the body. However, the shutter charge must be done independently
to the lens before yourelease the shutter. After the exposure,
finder is black-out such as hasselblad.. so you may not forget
charging shutter.
Because of that mechanism, you can not use the "stoo-down"
button on the body (if you press it, the leaf shutter runs
but the shutter in the body remains.. film is not exposed).
Do not worry, the lens has its own stop-down lever.
The lens has a flash sync. terminal. The flash syncs for all
speed. It has also a switch to change the sync. timing to
X and M. If you set the switch to "V", the self-timer
in the lens works. (When you use self timer, set the shutter
dial on the body to "B" and lock the shutter button not to
close the shutter curtain).
The lens is attached to the body via "large bayonet".
The helicoid ring must be taken off.
This lens can be used with S2, C2 and EC camera.
(EC-TL and EC-TL-II can not be adapted)
> How would one use a leaf shutter lense on any Focal plane shutter camera ??
Mamiya also supplies leaf shutter lens for Mamiya645.
(I do not have it)
> How does the leaf shutter trip ?? > > Why do fools fall in love ??
I love it :-) It is extremely sharp.
Regards,
Shinsaku Hiura
Osaka University, Japan
----
B!!Shinsaku HIURA (Dr. Eng.)
B!!Department of Systems and Human Science,
Graduate School of Engineering Science,
Osaka University
B!!1-3, Machikaneyama, Toyonaka 560-8531 JAPAN
B!!http://www-inolab.sys.es.osaka-u.ac.jp/~shinsaku
[Ed. note: an update on the 105mm leaf shutter and the EC issues...]
Date: Wed, 24 Nov 1999
From: Ooffy@aol.com
To: rmonagha@post.cis.smu.edu
Subject: Infor for the List
Dear Bob:
I'm working on a piece for the Pages about the three different helical
focusing mounts used during the life of the Bronica series and will have
that to you in a week or two.
One pet peeve - I'd to somehow like to kill the "old-wives-tale" that the
105 leafshutter lens does not work on an EC/EC-TL. It works just fine with
the ECs contrary to what Mr. Shinsaku Hiura and others have posted. The
only limitation is that you have to used the lenses stop-down preview to
make an exposure reading with either the metering finder on an EC or the
built-in metering of the EC-TL, but since most people using the 105
leafshutter lens are using strobe for studio or fill, they would not
normally be using these metering systems anyway.
Ron Bennett
[Ed. note: some interesting points about a 400mm f/5.6 for Bronica..]
From: ooffy@aol.com (Ooffy)
Newsgroups: rec.photo.marketplace
Subject: FA: 400mm for Bronica S or Pentax 6x7
Date: 06 Dec 1999
400mm f5.6 Tele-Optika Actinar telephoto lens for either Bronica or Pentax
6x7 (high bidder's choice of mounts). This is a very light and compact
true telephoto design lens. It features a rack-and-pinion style focusing
system (knob and lever, which is repositionable, on the right side of the
lens), which is very fast focusing for action work. Stops down to f32.
Includes a built-in tripod mount. It currently has a Bronica S mount, but
we have a mount for a Pentax 6x7 which we will supply in lieu of the
Bronica mount. The Pentax owner would only have to screw in the mount
until they achieve infinity focus and tighten three screws. Includes a
leather front lens cap.
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item;=215351456
Hello Bronica users. Well, I've used my "new" Brinica C with the 75
Nikkor now and I'm very pleased with the results. I like the way
this camera handles.
I just got a new lens that I saw on eBay from Midwest Photo
Exchange. It is a Primotar 150 f3.5 from Meyer Optik Gorlitz. The
post said it was "mounted in a tube with a 57 or 58mm thread". This
sounded suspiciously like it would fit the Bronica, so I bid on it
and got it for only $26. Sure enough, the lens arrived with a
Bronica cap on it and it screws right in to my C. It seems to focus
from somewhere around 10 feet to close to infinity. I think it was
indeed made for the Bronica. By shining a light through, the glass
is good. There are three groups - I can't tell if any group has more
than one element, but a faint seventh reflection makes me think so.
It has a preset ring for the diaphragm, going from 3.5 to 22. I'm
still cleaning it up, and haven't used it yet.
Has anyone here heard of this lens? Anybody used it? Opinions?
Information about the history of Meyer lenses for Bronica?
I see that it is one the list of Bronica lenses at Bob M's web
site, but there isn't any more info than the listing that I could
find. It is interesting to have a German made lens made for a
Japanese camera. I know that Meyer is not Zeiss, but this is still
interesting.
By the way, I just returned to Dallas from a job interview in
Seattle. There sure are a lot of interesting things there to
photograph that are very hard to find in Dallas.
-Mark Walberg
[Ed.note: see above list; there are also 180mm, 300mm, and 400mm Meyer
Tele-megor optics
in Bronica S mounts (as well as the Primarflex early medium format SLR...]
From Bronica Digest:
Date: Tue, 28 Dec 1999
From: "Koeman, Kosta" kosta.koeman@intel.com
Subject: [BRONICA] Bronica S2A lens flare recommendations?
I have 2 lenses for my S2A: one Nikkor 2.8 75 mm, the other Nikkor 3.5 50
mm. The first one suffers from lens flare pretty badly when coming to
sunsets, the other is okay. I was wondering if anyone has any
recommendations for S2A lenses that don't have a lens flare problem or can
tell me what other ones to avoid.
Thanks,
Kosta
Date: Tue, 28 Dec 1999
From: "S. Sherman" flexaret@sprynet.com
To: bronica@topica.com
Subject: Re: [BRONICA] Bronica S2A lens flare recommendations?
Kosta,
The 75MM f2.8 Nikkor for Bronica S2-A is a relatively low flare lens in
good samples.
Be aware that this lens was upgraded from a "P" model to a "PC" model as
noted on the lens ring- which is the multicoated version with less flare.
You mentioned sunsets. Are you shooting into the sun? Any lens will
exhibit some flare when shooting into a light source.
For general use I suggest a good lens hood. Bronica made an excellent grey
square hood for this lens early on. It is good if you can find one - or a
rubber folding hood should do the job.
I use the 75MM without any hood as it had its own hood and the front
element is recessed.
I have several of these 75MM lenses and have never had flare problems.
On the other hand you could have a poor sample of these lens and may want
to purchase another- and if you find a PC version it is even better. Still
better is the Rare "HC" version.
- Sam Sherman
From Bronica Mailing List;
Date: Mon, 26 Jul 1999
From: NSAtkiss@aol.com
To: bronica@ilist.net
Subject: Re: [BRONICA] Unusual Bronica S2-A lenses
The Zeiss 80mm 2.8 was the standard lense for the EC-TL II I believe..I've
never seen one sold seperately, but have seen 2 EC-TL II's with this lense
for sale in the last year..one of which was for sale on either KOH's or
The Camera Traders webpage..good luck.
[Ed. note: if anyone gets access to one of these lenses, please contact
Sam! Thanks!!]
Date: Mon, 26 Jul 1999
From: "S. Sherman" flexaret@sprynet.com
To: bronica@ilist.net
Subject: Re: [BRONICA] Unusual Bronica S2-A lenses
from: flexaret@sprynet.com (Sam Sherman) 7-26-99
I am interested to get that lens to analyze and test it. Being a member of
Zeiss Historica, and a Bronica collector/user, this ties in both
interests.
My belief is that this lens is actually the 80MM f2.8 Biometar for the
Pentacon 6.
I am anxious to compared both lenses physically, back focus, element size
and quality on film.
Keep me in mind if you find one.
Best, Sam Sherman
----------
>From: NSAtkiss@aol.com >To: bronica@ilist.net >Subject: Re: [BRONICA] Unusual Bronica S2-A lenses >Date: Mon, Jul 26, 1999, 1:33 PM > >The Zeiss 80mm 2.8 was the standard lense for the EC-TL II I believe..I've >never seen one sold seperately, but have seen 2 EC-TL II's with this lense >for sale in the last year..one of which was for sale on either KOH's or The >Camera Traders webpage..good luck.
From Contax Mailing List;
Date: Sat, 15 Apr 2000
From: "Bob Shell" bob@bobshell.com
Subject: Re: [CONTAX] 645 flash
They looked really good. I still have files of images shot in the
early 70s with 40, 80 and 150 Nikkors on a Bronica S2A. The longer
Nikkors from that era are much in demand since people have them
converted for use on Hasselblad 2000 and 200 series cameras.
Bob
From Rollei Mailing List:
Date: Wed, 10 May 2000
From: Bob Shell bob@bobshell.com
Subject: Re: [Rollei] Re: Rollei Users list digest V8 #19
I've seen, handled, and shot with this lens. I was a Zoomar dealer in
the 70s. Never sold one of these, but borrowed one from the rep for a
day to try out. The one I tried was in Bronica mount, and used on an
S2A. It was pretty decent, but a little soft around the edges wide
open, as you would expect. I have no idea what they are worth. I
recall them being expensive new.
What I sold several of was the Zoomar 50-100 zoom macro for 35mm.
That one was really nice and was announced as coming out in an auto
diaphragm version, but never did to my knowledge. Each lens came
with a MTF chart made from that specific lens.
Bob
----------
>From: Jan Decher jan.decher@uvm.edu >To: rollei@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us >Subject: [Rollei] Re: Rollei Users list digest V8 #19 >Date: Wed, May 10, 2000, 1:41 PM > > How about a Rollei-related question: Has anyone on this list actually > used/seen /handled the Zoomar lens (100-320mm, I believe) for the Rollei > SL66? What are they worth?
Date: Fri, 16 Jun 2000
From: Michel Porcher michel.porcher2@wanadoo.fr
To: rmonagha@mail.smu.edu
Subject: Bronica / Nikkor-P.C 300/5.6
Subject: Nikkor-P.C 300/5.6
I just bought a mint Bronica-mount Nikkor-P.C 300/5.6 on a fair in
Bievres (France). The lens, in large bayonet mount, is surprisingly
light and fairly compact (153 mm overall out of mount, 181 mm with
shade extended), and smoother to focus (4 m to infinity, scale in
meters and feet) than a normal focusing unit. Filter size is the
standard 67mm. Lens is multi-coated, stops down to f:32, has the
colour-coded depth of field markings typical of the seventies' 35mm
Nikkor lenses, has a slipping hood and came with a Bronica rear
cap (large bayonet size). The serial number is 731XX. I am going
to scan a photo to you later, with some comments about
performance of the lens if I have time.
I found also a like new Telemore 95, seems much better than my
old Telemore 66. Speaking about teleconverters, I tried some
months ago a Cambron ; I found it fine, but unable to focus to infinity
with my Nikkor-P 200/4 (rear element touching the converter !)
Question : does exist a multi-coated version of the Nikkor 40 ?
Bronicas up !
Michel Porcher ( michel.porcher2@wanadoo.fr )
(EC-TL, EC, S2, Nikkors 40, 50, 75, 135, 200, 300, Zenzanon 150)
Date: Wed, 7 Jun 2000
From: Ooffy@aol.com
To: rmonagha@post.cis.smu.edu
Subject: 30mm Nikkor
Dear Bob:
Your email jogged my memory of my first job after high school. My father
was chief engineer for Todd-AO, and my first real job was maintaining the
camera inventory for Todd-AO. This was in 1965-66 time frame. Todd-AO was
then know for their 70mm widescreen format and had 65mm cameras and lenses
for rent (we provided the cameras for The Bible, My Fair Lady and Dr.
Doolittle for Fox and Dino De Laurentis during my stint).
We were also in
the process of developing a handheld 65mm camera with Mitchell Camera. We
were also looking to upgrade our lenses (most of which were cobbled up
from Hasselblads - I remember disassembling 10 SWCs just for the 38mm
Biogon). We had approached several optical companies to develop a
replacement for the two 28mm f2.8 lenses America Optical (the AO of
Todd-AO) had developed for Mike Todd for Around the World in Eight Days.
The 28/2.8 were truly impressive with hemisphere front cells about two
foot in diameter. I think Doug Turmbel and Harry Anderson ended up with
them when they bought up all the Todd-AO Thomas Color 65mm cameras and
lenses in the early 1990s.
Anyway, Nippon Optical was one of the companies we were talking to and
they felt they could afford to develop the 28-30mm fisheye for us because
the felt they had additional markets available to them for such a lens.
There was a one-off prototype built which was quit good and a whole lot
smaller than the AO lenses we had (you should have seen the
Harrison-Harrison and Polaroid glass filters we had for those lenses -
VERY manly). This prototype, which I assume ended up back in Japan, must
have been the source of the 30mm Nikkor/Bronica rumors.
The motion picture strikes of the late 60s put an end to the development
of the 65mm handheld camera after ten were built. And interesting side
note is that the engineer at Mitchell we were working with was a young
hotshot by the name of Eddie DeGulio, who left Mitchell and started Cinema
Products, who's CP16 and later CP35 look remarkable like a small version
of the Todd-AO handheld 65mm camera.
Best wishes,
Ron Bennett
[Ed.note: thanks again to Ron for this followup on the 30mm ;-) ]
Date: Thu, 8 Jun 2000
From: Ooffy@aol.com
To: rmonagha@post.cis.smu.edu
Subject: Re: 30mm Nikkor
Panavison used modified 8mm Nikkor fisheyes for their standard 35mm
cameras, but the wide screen processes required more coverage than any of
the lenses designed for 35mm still photography could provide.
The three
non-amamorphic widescreen processes - Ultra Panavision, Todd-AO (both shot
on 65mm stock and printed on 70mm release stock - wider to accommodate six
magnetic sound track) and Vistavision (35mm stock run horizontally wide a
double width film and printed on 70mm release stock) require lenses that
have an image circle of at least 100mm.
The two 28mm f2.8 American Optical
lenses made for Todd-AO were the only ultrawide lenses used for these
processes. Ultra Panavision and Vistavision only had 38mm Biogon-based
lenses for their widest angle lenses. The other wide screen processes,
mainly Cinemascope and Super Panavision, use anamorphic lenses, all custom
designed.
You can feel free to post these fisheye articles.
Best wishes,
Ron Bennett
From Nikon MF Mailing List:
Date: Fri, 1 Dec 2000
From: jjfla@aol.com
Subject: Re: Digest Number 790 Bronica Nikkor lens info
NikonMF@egroups.com writes:
From: Robert Monaghan rmonagha@post.smu.edu
Subject: query re: Bronica Nikkor serial numbers
The new "Nikon
Handbook" by Peter Bracsko has about 7 pages of pictures & information
about these. There is nothing about serial numbers, but there is a lot
about production dates, specs, etc. If there is a specific lens or 2 that
you need information about, please e-mail me off list and I will try to
help.
Jerry--------jjfla@aol.com
Date: 15 Nov 2000
From: "Eugene A. Pallat" eapallat@orion-glop-data.com
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: where to upgrade from my broken hasselblad copy?
FLEXARET2 flexaret2@aol.com wrote
> from: flexaret2@aol.com (Sam Sherman) 11-12-2000 > > Bronica S2-A is excellent and has great Nikkor lenses. > > Read all about it on the extensive Classic Bronica site- > > http://www.smu.edu/~rmonagha/bronica.html
Don't overlook a good used Komura lens for the S2A. I had the 45mm and
150mm in addition to the 75mm Nikkor when I used to has an S2A. Both
Komura lenses were very good.
--
Gene Pallat
eapallat@apk.net
From Bronica Mailing List;
Date: Sat, 03 Feb 2001
From: zone05@earthlink.net
Subject: Re: what about the S2A 50mm's ?
--- In Bronica@y..., chamulot@t... wrote:
> how does the 2.8 zenzanon compare to nikkors 3.5 and 2.8? > what is the best one to get?
I have two Zenzanon MC (multicoated) lenses. The reason for this is
that all the Zenzanon lenses have a 67mm filter ring. I can't tell
the difference in clarity between the 80mm f2.4 Zenzanon and the 75mm
f2.8 Nikkor. I also have just gotten a 50mm f2.8 Zenzanon MC, and I
just love it.
Also, the Zenzanon lenses are from the end of production of the focal
plane model cameras (s2a, ec, ectl, ectlII). Multicoating at this
point is very good. Not all Nikkor lenses are multicoated. It all
depends on how old the lens is.
Also keep in mind that you will probably pay a lot more for the
Nikkor. I paid about $280 for my 50 2.8 Zenzanon, and a 50 2.8 Nikkor
in the same condition will usually go for about $400-$500.
I use it for Architectural work and am having a really enjoyable time.
I hope this helps,
Joseph E. Flis
From Bronica Mailing List:
Date: Sat, 3 Feb 2001
From: "Michael D Wilson" mwilso4@bellsouth.net
Subject: Re: what about the S2A 50mm's ?
I don't have any info on the performance of the Nikor 50mm 2.8, but one
thing to keep in mind; most of the lenses in this group have a 67mm filter
thread. The Nikor 2.8 is huge, not sure but I think about an 82mm filter
thread. I have the Zenzanon, in order to keep the 67mm thread for most of
my lenses.
Mike Wilson
Pinson, Alabama
From Bronica Mailing List:
Date: Sun, 04 Feb 2001
From: dgoldfarb@barnard.edu
Subject: Re: what about the S2A 50mm's ?
I have the Nikkor 50/3.5, and it does use an 82mm filter thread. I
believe the 2.8 uses 77mm filter thread.
I've heard that the Nikkor 50/2.8 represents a substantial improvement
over the 3.5, and I'm curious to try one if I can find it. The 3.5 is
a bit soft at the edges wide open. If I'm not mistaken, the design of
the 2.8 is based on the Zeiss Distagon.
From Bronica Mailing List;
Date: Tue, 20 Feb 2001
From: "Michel Porcher" michel.porcher2@wanadoo.fr
Subject: Re: S2A / EC teleconverters
Hello !
I own Komura 66 (older, single coated) and Komura 95
(multicoated) teleconverters. The later is definitely better.
IMHO, the Komura 66 is so poor that I throwed away all the slides
taken with it. The Komura 95 is much more useable. I shot some
wiith it mounted under the Nikkor 300/5.6, and found the results
correct but somewhat soft and not too sharp. (But these tests were
done hand held, which is not a good technique for such a focal
length...)
Hope this helps
Michel Porcher
michel.porcher2@wanadoo.fr
From: flexaret2@aol.com (FLEXARET2)
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Date: 28 Mar 2001
Subject: Re: Bronica S2 again--Komura, Zenza, Nikkor lenses
For Bronica S2- see Bob Monaghan's website and be sure your finder foam is
replaced and you are getting sharp finder images at infinity with normal
75MM lens--
see- www.smu.edu/~rmonagha/bronica.html
The Nikkor lenses are all very good to excellent - especially the normal
75MM and the 50MM wideangles.
Zenzanon are excellent too, especially the 100MM f2.8.
As for Komura - 200MM f3.5 and 300M f5 - are excellent - either in normal
Bronica versions or 35MM versions adapted to Bronica 6x6cm format.
Most of the other Komura lenses should be good too, but I have heard the
wideangles don't compare to Nikkor.
From Rollei Mailing List;
Date: Wed, 23 May 2001
From: QWhoZeiss@aol.com
Subject: Re: rollei sl66 zoomar 170-320mm f/4 was Re: [Rollei] Zoomar
T. Mike Fletcher, here--I had 2 of the 170-320mm Zoomar , one was the
production model, in the box with all the good things. Glass test plate,
mounting arm, and a strap. The other one was the factory prototype, the
only marking on the lens was the F-stops. No focus scale, no marks to
show how long or short , only you could guess between 170 to 320. It was
hand made and great!! I sold both to a collector. So when you find one,
it's like no other lens you have ever put on your MF. Buy it quick. Like
all the Kilfitt/Zoomars, it's money well spent.
From Rollei Mailing List:
Date: Wed, 23 May 2001
From: Marc James Small msmall@roanoke.infi.net
Subject: Re: rollei sl66 zoomar 170-320mm f/4 was Re: [Rollei] Zoomar
Robert Monaghan wrote:
>ah, there might be some interest in the medium format zoomar 170-320mm f4 >zoom which was available on the rollei SL66 and for hasselblad f/p bodies: > >see Stephen Gandy's great site - esp. http://cameraquest.com/zoomar1.htm
The 4/170-320 Rapid-Focus-Tele-Zoomar could accomodate the 6cm by 6cm
format; it could be used on Bronica, Hasselblad 1600F or 2000F, Hulcher,
Pentacon Six, Photoconic, or SL66. The Kilfitt/Zoomar order code was
RAFTE and the lens cost a cool $995 in 1976, on par with Zeiss MF lenses
of the era.
The 4/50-125 Macro-Zoomar MAZOM, which did not allow MF coverage, is still
a stunningly fine miniature-format lens for the all of it, and I do use
mine on my SL35E on occasion.
Marc
msmall@roanoke.infi.net
[Ed. note: long sold, ad here for info purposes re: 400mm lens...]
rec.photo.marketplace
From: ooffy@aol.com (Ooffy)
Date: Mon Jun 18 2001
[1] FS 400mm f4.5 Nikkor Q cells set for Bronica or Nikon
Here is a Nikon 400mm f4.5 Nikkor-Q lens assembly less the AU1 focusing
unit. This lens cell set will work with any of the Nikon focusing units
for the early or ED-IF lenses. These focusing units wer made in Nikon
mount and in Bronica mount. It is in new near condition and comes with the
original leather Nikon front lens cap, and a built-in lens hood. This lens
accepts 122mm filters. I do not folllow this group as often as i should
so respond directly to my email address and not to the group.
$475.00
I trade on eBay as OOFFY if you need to check me out. I can accept Visa/MC
through my business.
Ron Bennett
Monmouth OR
Date: Sun, 3 Mar 2002 From: Paul Raackow raackow@t-online.de Reply to: Paul Raackow paul@kuenstlerfoto.de To: rmonagha@post.smu.edu Subject: Lens specials for Bronica Hi today I found a set of 3 Carl Zeiss lenses for old Bronicas. Biometar 2.8/80, Biometar 2.8/120 and Flektogon 4/50. These lenses were obviously modified in the 60ies or 70ies in East - Germany. The work is done very well and is working exept the transmission of diaphragm on one of the lenses perfect. Best regards from Berlin/Germany - Paul Raackow kuenstlerfoto rattenscharf - paul raackow - http://www.kuenstlerfoto.com
[Ed. note: special thanks to Daniel Martin for sharing this interesting note on the 55mm f/4 Zenzanon for Bronica S2/EC!] Date: Sat, 23 Mar 2002 From: daniel martin fouinoflex@free.fr To: Robert Monaghan rmonagha@post.cis.smu.edu Subject: Re: merci! Re: 55 mmL'original n'est pas de bonne qualité mais on a toutes les information sur la construction optique . Si vous trouvez autre chose sur cette optique , informez moi. A bientot. Specification Sheet [1.3 Mb] includes Lens Info and Construction for 55mm Auto-Zenzanon lens for Bronica S2/EC...
