bronica AE11 finder

[Tony F]

Hi im thinking of getting a bronica AE11 finder for my bronica ETRS can anyone tell me if the meters are accurate or not the one ive seen is £75 used but looks like new.
Thanks Tony

[Larry]

Hi and good evening Tony F

First off the ETRSi camera system is great and I have one myself but use a plain non-metered prism.

However, I did try out the AE-II for a 2-week trial but didn't keep it. I found was OK but does drain the camera battery even when switched off. When meter is off it's not really off more like in stand-by mode. The AE-III adjusted the designed flaw and the issue was resolved.

Now as to the metering the AE-II has Average (full-frame) and Centre-weighted measurements which are fairly accurate - but not like matrax metering accuracy in 35mm cameras. Depends where you point the meter to ensure a good exposure.

The AE-III is better version (more money and has spot function added).

The difference between the AE-II & the non-metered version in weight is very slight but the latter AE-III is much bigger and heavier.

Mind you any prism is a must for portrait mode shooting, landscape are fun with WLF. All will accept diopter adjustment lenses. It should come standard with a -1 strength.

On the whole I decided not to get a metered version and buy a plain prism and spend the money on a seperate hand-held meter. What you go for depends on how fast you want to shoot. The AE_II does speed up the picture taking experience.

Hope I haven't put you off but just some tips to think about.

Good luck whatever you decide.

Larry.

[Bill]

Hi Tony,

I have been using one of these for the last 20 years or so. I find it to be fine as far as exposures go once you have determined your personal film speed just as with any other meter.

As I understand it the meter is centre weighted only and I use it as such. If you do not switch the meter off it will drain the battery quite fast. It takes it's power from the main camera battery. There is a 3 position switch on it operated by pressing in the centre section and rotating the outer part. The settings are for Automatic exposure based on the aperture chosen and manual which gives recommended shutter speed again based on the aperture. There is a read out in the finder. The centre position switches off the meter. I must admit to often forgetting to switch the meter off. One of the problems of advancing years!

Combined with a speed grip the meter makes the ETR-Si into an overlarge 35 mm in ease of use and as has been said is essential if you regularly shoot in portrait orientation.

On the opposite side is the dial for setting the film speed plus compensation. This is locked in place by a small tab.

Hope this helps

Bill