Bronica GS-1 Film Camera

For a long time, I was trying to look for a nice medium format camera. I bought some folding cameras, but I find the 6x6 slides too small. In addition, it does not give much of a feel except that I like it for travelling being compact and able to give 6x6 slides.

I then decided on a Mamiya RZ. It is a good camera except that it looks bulky and invite alot of stares when I carry it out on the field. The size of 6x7 is good as I find it just the right size for a slide picture.

I then decided on a Bronica GS-1 much coincidentally. The price was right and the camera size was better than the Mamiya RZ being less bigger or bulkier. It fitted well into my hand and it is a suitable size for moving around. You don't get much uncomfortable curious stares around you when using it. The picture quality is also good as in most Japanese camera. However, most important of all, the lenses and accessories are also about just right and they can be easily available in the E-bay.

I bought this 6x7 medium format camera second hand few weeks ago and I like it. I was surprised about its size and weight when I first saw it as I only shoot digital and not even tried 35mm film camera. Thank God I bought a speed grip by which I was able to hand held the camera. But it's still on heavy side. With 50mm wide angle lens, AE prism finder and standard 120 film back, it weighs about 5 lbs. I tried to attach a NPC Polaroid back with Polaroid 690 instant print film and it produces amazing photos. Even my wife, a Sony point-and-shoot camera shooter, really liked it. I don't know how to say, however, using this camera gives something that digital cameras can't do. It is a bit hard to find all the accessaries but it's not impossible because there is Ebay and people who moved on to digital are dumping this decent camera at reasonable price. I used KEH.com too to buy some accessaries. My recommendation is to buy AE prism finder, 50mm, 100mm(or 110mm macro), 200mm lenses and Polaroid back(it's fun to use). I'm using standard 6x7 120 film backs and trying to buy 6x6 backs too because that's what Hasselblads and Bronica SQ-Ai medium format cameras use and I sometimes think it's a good format too because you don't need to turn the camera for vertical composition. For landscape shots and even for portraits you may want to add a decent tripod and head in your shopping list if you don't own one yet. It's not easy to buy 120/220 format films these days. I went to Wolf camera and they didn't carry them. I ordered them from Adorama.com. I'm going to develop Black and white films myself and will use processing lab in nearby city for color(E-6) films.

This camera is convinient. You can carry it all over the place without tripod. also I like the right grip.