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  #11  
Old 18th July 2019, 01:46 PM
Svend Svend is offline
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Guys - thanks for the feedback. The lack of swappable backs is really not a deal breaker for me, so doesn't rule out either the m645 or P645. Along with a TLR or 6x9 folder, I usually carry a little Isolette (Solinar lens) loaded with Ektar or Pro 400h, and this is probably not much bigger and certainly no heavier than a film back.

I've always liked both the m645 and P645, but have recently been considering the ETRS because they are so reasonably priced and the system is so flexible. My only concern has been reliability, and availability of good service outlets for Bronicas. But from what I have been reading elsewhere, and as Paul says here, it seems my concerns for reliability may be unwarranted, and these are actually more solid and durable than I thought.

So from all your replies so far, nothing really stands out as a problem spot with any of these. No major failures or common issues. In the end it will likely come down to choosing what suits my shooting style and needs the best. Then the job will be finding a good one with low miles, not thrashed for decades by a pro.
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Last edited by Svend; 18th July 2019 at 01:54 PM.
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  #12  
Old 18th July 2019, 03:47 PM
marty marty is offline
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Hi, there. If you decide for the Bronica I advice getting the speed grip, the right hand handle that is. When you shoot handheld with a prism is an invaluable help for balance the camera. Plus you get the hot shoe and the faster film wind lever.

Cheers, M.
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  #13  
Old 18th July 2019, 04:12 PM
Svend Svend is offline
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Hi Marty - good advice. I would only get a 645 SLR with a prism, and the ETR and m645 with prism mounted on top look like they would be really awkward to hold without a grip. From photos I've seen, the ETR prism seems like a rather large unit, and I imagine it would make the camera topheavy. That rapid-wind grip looks like a handy thing to have.
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  #14  
Old 18th July 2019, 05:20 PM
marty marty is offline
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I have the "plain" prism, the non-metered one, and it's more compact that it might seem, in my opinion. Only 5 cm above the top of the body and just the rubber eyecup protruding behind the film back. The rapid wind lever is very convenient, it can be operated with the thumb without taking away the fore finger from the release button.

M.
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  #15  
Old 18th July 2019, 08:21 PM
Svend Svend is offline
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Thanks Marty - good to know. There's an ETR for sale in our local classifed ads with a metered prism, and the thing looks very large. It's an AE unit, I assume...was there ever a manual exposure metered version?
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  #16  
Old 19th July 2019, 01:09 PM
marty marty is offline
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Hi. The ETR is the oldest version which is missing some features that appeared in the later models. I have an ETRSi, so the the latest. If I remember well in the ETR there were no locks on dark slide, so it was possible to fire the shutter with the slide inserted and remove the back without. In later models this was fixed. Also the mirror lock up I think was missing.There are more versions of the metered prism but I have no one of them. They give aperture priority and I think also a manual mode in which only the shutter display is given as a reminder. The speed has to be selected manually with the knob, that is.

Cheers,M.
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  #17  
Old 19th July 2019, 02:44 PM
Svend Svend is offline
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Great info -- thanks Marty!

I've also just found the camera-wiki page for the ETR, and there seems to be very complete details there about the various models.

Do you find the mirror lock up feature is necessary for this camera? Do you see much camera shake in your negs at slow shutter speeds? Or is the mirror well damped?
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Last edited by Svend; 19th July 2019 at 02:47 PM.
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  #18  
Old 19th July 2019, 04:49 PM
marty marty is offline
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I think MLU might save the situation in low light and you go low rapidly. Slower than 1/125 or 1/60 tops you likely get shake. Then if you think that medium format lenses tend to have shallow depth of field and you might want to close well down the aperture, you get the idea. Then maybe a filter...It's a bit laborious to use but doable if you're not in a hurry.

Cheers,M.
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  #19  
Old 19th July 2019, 04:52 PM
marty marty is offline
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And if you think to do macro then I believe it'll be paramount...
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  #20  
Old 19th July 2019, 05:02 PM
Richard Gould Richard Gould is offline
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I ave a etrsi, and it is indeed a very good camera indeed, in 15 or 20 years the biggest problem I have had is the battery dying, I used the es it with a plain prism, prefering then as now a hand helg meter, and I would use a monopod to support it, and was able to use it with the monopod down to 1/5 of a second without problems, It is not the neaviest 634 slr and has survied a lot of abuse at my hands, even had an Escort car roll over it, (Don't ask how) so is a tough cookie, If yo do go for one then I would suggest hat a monopod would be a good investment, sadly today I use it very little, it goes outh 2 or 3 times a year, but after using my olr folders and TLR's I find it heavy to carry sith a couple of lenses spare back in a large Billingham bag,
Richard
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