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TomHayward
8th November 2009, 07:32 PM
Hola amigos!

I have recently purchased and am awaiting delivery of the 500mm EII lens. Anyone had any experience of this lens, good or otherwise?

Cheers :)

Thomas

Rob Archer
8th November 2009, 09:09 PM
I borrowed one a few years ago and was impressed. It is, however, quite heavy, and I found I needed a tripod/monopod combination to keep it steady and to prevent too much strain on the lens mount. It's very sharp. I didn't end up buying it as I probably wouldn't have used it enough to justify it.

Rob

TomHayward
9th November 2009, 12:49 PM
Yes, i'm expecting it to be heavy. I believe it weighs in at over 6lbs... It should also double up as a handy kosh!

TomHayward
13th November 2009, 10:59 AM
Any idea at how much these normally retail for second hand? They seem to be pretty scarce. The lens i have bought is the only one i've seen for sale since i started collecting my Bronica kit (eight months ago).

Rob Archer
13th November 2009, 07:43 PM
I've only seen one recently (and it's probably the one you've got!). The 'holy grail' of Bronica tele lenses is the 500PE (the white one). If you need to ask the price you probably couldn't afford it! The one I'd like to get my hand on is the 30mm - although I know I can't afford it!

Rob

TomHayward
16th November 2009, 11:46 AM
Yes, the PE would have been lovely, but i had already decided early on that i wasn’t going to spend £3000 on a second hand lens!

Therefore, it was always going to be the EII. I read that the PE was autofocus, which to me doesn’t seem feasible. I would be very interested to know how that would work!

My EII actually arrived on Saturday, so i am looking forward to giving it a run and seeing what it can do.

The 30mm is the fish-eye lens isn’t it. I wouldnt mind that one either, I think they are around £450 second hand - so its pricey, but still considerably less than when brand new! At some point, I would like the 250mm as well, as there is quite a jump in focal length from my 150 to the 500!

I buy quite a bit of my kit from KEH, although i do pick up the odd bargain on EBay. I have noticed there appears to be a renaissance of Bronnie buying on there, and prices have definitely gone up since when i first started collecting.

Which of the ETR series cameras do you use Rob? I have the ETR-S, and Si.

Thomas


Thomas

Rob Archer
16th November 2009, 06:35 PM
Yes, the PE would have been lovely, but i had already decided early on that i wasn’t going to spend £3000 on a second hand lens!

Therefore, it was always going to be the EII. I read that the PE was autofocus, which to me doesn’t seem feasible. I would be very interested to know how that would work!

My EII actually arrived on Saturday, so i am looking forward to giving it a run and seeing what it can do.

The 30mm is the fish-eye lens isn’t it. I wouldnt mind that one either, I think they are around £450 second hand - so its pricey, but still considerably less than when brand new! At some point, I would like the 250mm as well, as there is quite a jump in focal length from my 150 to the 500!

I buy quite a bit of my kit from KEH, although i do pick up the odd bargain on EBay. I have noticed there appears to be a renaissance of Bronnie buying on there, and prices have definitely gone up since when i first started collecting.

Which of the ETR series cameras do you use Rob? I have the ETR-S, and Si.

Thomas


Thomas

Same as you, ETRSi, with a ETRS body as a backup. I've just had the ETRSi serviced and the cable release socket replaced - all for a very reasonable £39. Intro2020, who (I believe) are the original importers, too. Excellent service. I use the 40, 60, 75 and 150 lenses, although 90% of the time I use the 60 these days. I find the Bronnie a great very versatile camera.

Rob

TomHayward
17th November 2009, 09:06 AM
Thank you for the heads up on that company. It would probably be wise for me to have both my cameras serviced, as i have no idea if that was done often - or at all - by their previous owners.

I own the 40, 75, 150 & now the 500. As stated above, I want the 250 as well, but i'll hold fire for the time being, as my wife has only just recovered from the fiscal shock of my last purchase!

Do you find the 60 a better quality lens than the 75? I am assuming this is the case, because there is very little difference in the focal length.

B&W Neil
17th November 2009, 09:08 AM
Yes I have to agree they are great cameras and lenses - the whole system is excellent. I used both Bronis 645 and 66 for many years (not at the same time!) but sadly I no longer own one. My favourite lens for the ETRSi / ETRS was the 40mm, although I occasionally used a 50mm and a 150mm. In all the years I owned them I never experience any problems at all. The 500mm lens much be a big beast !

Neil.

TomHayward
17th November 2009, 11:40 AM
Yes, the 500 is pretty big, but surprisingly not as big or heavy as I had imagined. It will definately have to be a tripod job though!

Rob Archer
30th November 2009, 07:28 PM
Thank you for the heads up on that company. It would probably be wise for me to have both my cameras serviced, as i have no idea if that was done often - or at all - by their previous owners.

I own the 40, 75, 150 & now the 500. As stated above, I want the 250 as well, but i'll hold fire for the time being, as my wife has only just recovered from the fiscal shock of my last purchase!

Do you find the 60 a better quality lens than the 75? I am assuming this is the case, because there is very little difference in the focal length.

I think it is better quality. I've got the later PE version of the 60, but my 75 is the older EII version. It just 'feels' nicer and is a bit more contrasty (although I've not done a definative test). The main benefit for me is that it's slightly wider, which suits my type of shooting. It fairly analogous to comparing 50mm and 35mm in 35mm format.

How are you finding the 500. I look forward to seeing some images from it!

Rob

TomHayward
3rd December 2009, 12:04 PM
Well, thus far I havent had a chance to use the 500 (or any photography in general), which is a shame. However, i am off to Peru for Christmas, so i may take it with me - if my hand luggage will allow it.

We'll be visiting the inca ruins in Cusco, and Machu Pichu whilst we are there, so i hope to have some nice photographs to upload on my return.

TomHayward
27th January 2010, 11:19 AM
Well, this weekend i should be using my 500 for the first time ever. In addition to this - and providing it arrives in time - I will be taking the latest addition to my Bronnie kit. A Schneider Variogon 125-250 PE zoom lens.

Do you have any experience of this lens at all?