Bronica GS-1

Review Date
December 12, 2009

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Reviewed by
_lou_ , Expert

Price Paid
$500.00 at ebay

Photography Experience
21+ years , Outdoor

Summary
Lots of good reviews for this camera are very positive. I can only approve them, since the Bronica GS-1 really is a wonderfull camera. I have been using it for three years, it has been my first medium format, and probably will remain my prefered.

This is a very serious camera. First of all it is an entire system, and the camera can be made fit for different purposes : from a minimalist WLF+100mm configuration to a larger prism finder + extension tubes + lens hood + grip + flash setup where it looks monstruous. Given the proper accessories, this camera can shoot anything from candids to macro, portraits, landscape, whatever.

Second, this camera is pretty straightforward, very little nonsense in its design, it really is down to the essential.

Third, this camera's quality is very good. The build is very solid (although there is plastic covering over the body). Electronically controlled shutter seems very reliable. Mirror shake is very moderate. Optics are superbly sharp. In fact it is more likely for you to miss the focusing or have motion blur than for the lenses to show their weaknesses.

All in all, probably the best 6x7 SLR out there if you have budget limits. Light enough to carry around on hikes, very good in the studio, no major design flaws or quality issues, a very recommended camera.

Strengths
Versatile system
Very sharp lenses across the field, even wide open
Flash sync at all speeds (leaf shutter lenses)
Light and compact for a 6x7 SLR
Reliability and solid build
Bargain prices on the used market
Accessories sold at decent prices
Good metering with AE prism
Selection of formats (645 to 6x7)

Weaknesses
No fast lens (but DoF is thin enough at f/3.5 on 100mm), making focusing difficult in low light.
Sort of bulky as a camera (but stilll compact as a 6x7 SLR)
No character in bokeh (the lenses don't have a personality like Rolleiflex's)
Some CA in the longer lenses (200mm)
TTL flash are scarce and I know not of a compatibility with Metz flash (might exist though)
Mirror lock-up could have been a bit better designed, but you get used to it eventually
Separate backs for 120 and 220
No self timer (Bronica's RF645 has it)
No revolving back (Mamiyas have this)

Similar Products Used
Rolleiflex & other TLRs
Agfa isolette 6x6 rangefinder

Customer Service
Never needed it. I once fixed myself a back that had been abused. Also had to fix the lock pin hole on the AE prism. I read somewhere Tamron will support the gear until 2012.

Review Date
March 26, 2006

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 2 votes

Reviewed by
nikon_junkie , Intermediate

Price Paid
$0.00

Summary
I've been sucked in by the big negative. The GS1 is a wonderful camera. With the speedgrip it is handholdable for a fair anount of time. Used witth a monopod and /when I add the waist level viewfinder it is every bit as versatile and suprisingly mobile.as any 35mm manual camera. Works nicely with a tripod. Mamiya rotating back may be really nice but a pan tilt head does just the same. I have yet to break it in at a wedding but plan to use it for formals and B+W. The GS1 is a wonderful portrait camera whether handheld or on a tripod. One must really slow down and think, I don't use a metered prism so I can't speak to the TTL abilities. It takes time to learn some of the quirks, but overall a really nice camera. The lense selection are SLOW, so if available light is your thing then the SQ might be a viable choice with its motor and f/2.8 glass. I have probably overpaid by $1000 buying minty like new from Keh, but my 3 lense/3 back setup is a suprisingly versatile. I've shot a motorcycle rally, sports, portraits, and landscape on and off the tripod/monopod. My next venture will be architecture and high end B+W portaiture. Weddings once I feel more comfortable. It can add something special to your photography and when entire systems like mine can be had for $1000, even the Canon/Nikon super digicams have a hard time competing in image quality.

Strengths
Ergonomic. Battery is not an issue. Multiple Exposure. Mirror lockup. Flash sync. 6X7 negative. A 645, 6X6, and ^x& in on system. Fairly easy to use handheld. CHEAP!!!!

Weaknesses
Slow glass and no specialty glass. No motor. No digital back capability. All of these weaknesses make the SQ or ETR series viable. For this reason I hate to do it but I rate it 4 overall, but a 5 in terms of $$$xalue.

Similar Products Used
Rollei 6008 Pro

Review Date
October 7, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
4.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by
western-exposure , Professional

Price Paid
$1500.00 at camera store

Photography Experience
21+ years , Fine Art

Summary
I have used Bronica's for 30+ years and the GS-1 for at least 10 years and it is the best of all Bronicas used by me. It really is not heavier then the 6x6's and has the advantages of a bigger negative. I actually have two bodies, the second bought used recently as a back up, as my first one is getting a bit old. However, in reality, I have no reason to believe I will have a mechinical problem. Buy used for the bargins and believe you will get good quality lenses too. I was worried when I sold my ECTL and Nikkor lenses but GS-1 lenses are equil in my opinion.

Strengths
Durability, relitively small, excellent lenses, simple to use.

Weaknesses
No revolving back, thus harder to use for verticle composition.

Similar Products Used
Earlier Bronicas and Mamiya twin lens,Graflex 120's.

Customer Service
None needed yet!

Review Date
August 23, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by
Mark , Expert , from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Price Paid
$200.00 at eBay

Photography Experience
2-5 years , Outdoor

Summary
The GS-1 is an incredible camera. The body, waist level finder, 120 back, and standard 100mm f/3.5 lens cost me a total of $650 USD on the used market, and everything was in mint condition. Take everyone else's advice and purchase it used!

Strengths
The camera is a dream to operate and simpler to use than any 35mm SLR. The body has a very solid build but isn't too heavy given the 6x7 neg size. The GS-1's best strengh, however, is the images it produces. I tested this camera using Velvia 50 and E100VS chromes and the results are stunning to say the least. My eyes did not capture more detail than the film! A 10x loupe shows no grain whatsoever. Good technique (tripod, mirror-lockup) is required.

The camera is small, but it isn't something you want to lug around all day.

Weaknesses
I found the leatherette peeling on the body, but a bit of glue solved that problem.

Mirror slap seems a bit loud but I haven't had problems with handheld shots yet. I have nothing to compare this camera to (RZ67), so for all I know this is a very quiet mirror. Regardless, always use MLU when you can.

Similar Products Used
Yashicamat 124G

Customer Service
Not needed - doubt I ever will need it.

Review Date
February 16, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
2.60 of 5, 5 votes

Reviewed by
mtputnam , Expert , from Michigan

Price Paid
$2500.00 at E-Bay

Photography Experience
21+ years , Outdoor

Summary
First let me begin by saying that I have owned this camera for a little over 6 months now. This is also only the second time that I have taken the time to write a review, the first time was to share my accolades for my Nikon F 100. After using this camera for some time I have concluded that this is clearly the finest value in photography today. If you were to purchase a new Bronica GS-1 system at the current Bronica pricing you would be getting a great value. However, as many others have stated, the way to buy this camera is used. The camera and its lenses do not for some reason hold resale value. As a result you will literally steal this camera from either E-Bay or a used camera store. I have owned both a Bronica SQ-Ai and a Mamiya RZ67. I feel that the 6x7 format is truly the way to go if you want to shoot landscapes or make truly large size prints. The Mamiya while an excellent camera is just too large and heavy for any kind of field use. The optics of the Bronica system are as good as anything I have seen. I currently own the PG65mm, PG100mm, and PG200mm. I will compare these lenses against anything on the market today. When the Bronica GS-1 is used with the speed grip and AE Finder it will feel like a oversized 35mm in your hands. In summary, if you have been thinking about a 6x7 camera this is truly the best camera that your money can buy. Log onto E-Bay and click Buy It Now!

Strengths
Extremely well built.
Excellent optics.
Small and light enough to be carried by hand.
Fantastic value on the used market.

Weaknesses
Most undervalued camera on the market.
Most camera stores have limited selection of GS-1 accessories and lenses.

Similar Products Used
Mamiya RZ67
Bronica SQAi

Customer Service
No experience with Bronica service.