Bronica PG 100mm f/3.5

Review Date
August 21, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

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

Price Paid
$299.00 at KEH

Photography Experience
2-5 years , Outdoor

Summary
One word: incredible. This is the sharpest lens I've seen, period. Slides show incredible detail under an 8x loupe -- it's just like looking at the real thing. There is no reason to avoid buying this lens.

Strengths
- Low price (used)
- Sharp
- Lightweight
- Standard 72mm filter
- Works well with generic screw-on rubber hoods ($5 on eBay)

Weaknesses
I can't find a single thing wrong with this lens. Out-of-focus areas are good, but nothing special.

Similar Products Used
35mm lenses

Customer Service
Not needed

Review Date
December 30, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by
Q , Expert , from UK

Photography Experience
21+ years , Outdoor

Summary
An excellent, sharp, well made standard lens. Mine is quite old, and was bought s/h with the body.

As a newcomer to the GS-1, and a user also of a Mamiya 7II, whose lenses are renouned for their sharpness, I have not been disappointed by the GS-1 and 100mm lens combo.

Strengths
Sharp, light, well built, superb bokeh, good contrast.

Weaknesses
None so far.

Similar Products Used
Various

Customer Service
Not yet tried

Review Date
June 10, 2000

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 2 of 5

Reviewed by
Chang-ho Choe , Expert , from Woodside, NY

Photography Experience
6-10 years , Fine Art

Summary
not sharp, mine may have a problem

Strengths
none

Weaknesses
Other people say this is the sharpest lens and they may be correct, but I just want to say that in my case it is not. It is OK but not as sharp as other professional lenses.

Similar Products Used
Pentax 55mm, 90mm, 105mm, Hassel 80mm, 150mm, 120mm M, 250mm, Mamiya, 55mm, 110mm, 180mm, 250mm

Review Date
January 22, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 2 votes

Reviewed by
Ron Kerkhove , Professional , from Middelburg, Zeeland Netherlands

Photography Experience
6-10 years , People

Summary
Sharpest standard lens I ever used in MF.
Beautifull unsharpness.
Great for everyday use on every subject.

Strengths
Sharp sharp sharp !
Small and light.
Smooth and fast focussing.
Strong design (not weak)

Weaknesses
Not yet :-)

Similar Products Used
Hasselblad 80mm T*
Mamiya (7) 80mm
Mamiya (RB) 90/127mm

Customer Service
Not needed till this day :-)

Review Date
December 20, 1999

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by
Rick Rieger , Expert , from Columbus, OH USA

Summary
This lens is about as good as anything you can put on the front of a MF camera. It's too bad the GS-1 system suffers from bad marketing.

Strengths
Outstanding sharpness and contrast. Good bokeh.

Weaknesses
None.

Similar Products Used
None

Customer Service
Had Tamron service the shutter (after quite a few years' use). Extremely fast service and good quality, too.