Medium format lenses TESTED - 50mm, 75mm and 150mm on the Bronica S2A - wide, standard, tele on 6x6
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ต.ค. 2024
- I have somehow managed to go for almost five years without ever trying out different focal lengths for my medium format photography! How has that happened?? I have no idea.
The standard focal lengths for medium format are usually between 75mm and 90mm. This is roughly a 50mm equivalent on 35mm film, what's considered "standard" focal length not wide angle, not telephoto.
Well, I have finally managed to get my hands on some more lenses for the Bronica S2A. I'm now the proud owner of a 50mm, a 75mm and a 150mm (35mm equivalents are about 28mm, 50mm and 90mm).
So I took all three out for a shoot with the awesome Ashely Robson - www.ashleyrobson.com - and tested them all to see which I like best!
Spoiler alert - I frikkin love a wide angle lens....
My favourite S2A youtuber
Ha! Thanks!! 🙌🙌🙌
@@the120ist i have a S2A with the focusing problem, idk if i can solve that, but with your videos maybe i can.
@@sebvz89 I'm actually going to be posting a proper "how to" video on changing the foam and fixing the focus issues soon. The last one I did was me sort of finding my way with it, but I've done the foam 5-6 times since then, so I reckon I am finally in a position to do an informed how to. Coming very soon!
@@the120ist do you have the video right now?
@@sebvz89 Hey, I was actually going to shoot that today! So should be up on the channel maybe wednesday.
50mm is my fave focal length. It looks fantastic on this setup 🙂
It does look goos doesn't it? I'm definitely more interested in wider lenses, going to be having some more fun with this 50mm.
Proper necktie knots must be some kind of lost art.
I think you may be right! I'm no help, I haven't worn a tie in probably three years. Haven't worn a cravat since I got married!
I recently picked up a mint S2A after watching your videos and I love it! I have the 75mm f2.8 and the 50mm f2.8.
Ahh amazing! I'm glad you're enjoying it. When they work there's nothing better!
That 50mm 2.8 must be pretty fun. There is also a Nikkor 40mm f4, but they're hard to find and tend to be pretty pricey. One day!
Wow, nice video, some real nice photos here. Love the colour range you seem to be getting with the lenses, especially from the Super-Komera - so a quick one here, do you know if that lens is single coated or multi-coated. Also just as an aside, most people on TH-cam always find an opportunity to mention the 35mm equivalent of their medium format lenses, which is par for the course, but almost always skip past the 35mm aperture equivalent of the lenses they are using. So if the medium format lens is a f3.5 they tend to equate it as not being a fast lens, but when you do the math you quickly see that this f3.5 medium format lens translates into an f1.8 35mm equivalent ... which is hella fast if you ask the average photographer.
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the video!
You know what? I actually deliberately dodged the equivalent f stop discussion, because I've searched a few forums looking for information about it, to make sure I'm getting my facts straight, and it really causes some arguments! You're right of course, that from a DOF point of view, f3.5 ain't the same on MF and 35mm!
Google medium format 35mm f stop equivalents and read the heated rows that it causes! I thought I would just steer clear of all that!
I got the Komura 50mm 3.5 for my S2A, however I cannot mount it on helicoid. It is too tight. I don’t understand what is the difference. Were there various Bronica mounts of Super-Komura?
There aren’t various mounts. The Bronica S has a different mount altogether, without the helicoid. But from the S2 through to the end of the EC they should be uniform. Can you send me a photo to my email address? It’s in the about section of my channel, or it’s hello at the120 dot ist.
@@the120ist I’ve sent you couple photos. Basically, I suspect that the lens was serviced poorly, probably assembled incorrectly.
この動画のおかげでブロニカs2を買おうと決心しました
素晴らしい決断です！ がっかりすることはありません！ 彼らは素晴らしいカメラです。 乗り方を教えてください！
I have a 50mm 2.8 very nice lens. Thanks for your youtube. Cheers
What film were you using? I don't think you mentioned it.
Both rolls were Ektar 100.... but my developer may have been on its last legs! So the colours were a little off.
I enjoyed the video. Got recently my S2a with the standard 75mm Nikkor and a 200mm/f3.5 Komura with two filmbacks on eBay. It was pretty dirty and the light sealing wasnt good. One filmback wasn't working. I cleaned it, repaired the second film back, and the lenses, once cleaned they are nice and sharp and they have no fungus, so I was lucky.
Some may say that the Ektar100 isn't perfect for portraits, but you prooved them wrong, if the colors are off they are in a good sense. Thanks for sharing
Hi, thanks! As you'll have figured from my channel, I'm a huge fan of the S2A, I think it's a great camera! Haven't tried the 200mm Komura actually, I'd be interested to hear what you think of it. Great that they had no fungus! I just picked up a lot from an auction, some beautiful cameras in there but fungus on everything. Time to get the peroxide out!
Ektar isn't usually recommended for portraits, I know. But I've been having some real problems with Portra recently. Something in my workflow just isn't suiting it, and I'm finding the colours are all over the place. As soon as I have used all my C41 chems I think I'll try a new brand.
Let me know how that 200mm is. And keep watching, I've got loads more S2A videos coming.
@@the120ist very nice that you are still working on the S2A videos :-). would be nice if you made a video abt how you remove the funguns from a lens
@@marxoniomizu I am actually about to start exactly that! I've recently picked up a big auction lot of cameras, some of them are in good condition apart from lots of fungus, so I'll be shooting that video in the next few days!
I have almost the same lenses. Only the 150mm is a komura 3,5.
I think the Komura 150 is supposed to be a bit better than the zenzanon.... who knows! (I still have a film back for you, just haven't had a moment to get out and test them all, make sure they work. But it's coming, I haven't forgotten!)
spoiling us with all these videos lately...
I know right? I got a bit slack on it back in feb/march and I sat myself down and gave myself a stern talking to...
I have the Super Komura 50mm for my Bronica EC. I haven't used it enough to have a firm opinion on it.
I'd be really interested to know what you think of it! Drop me a message when you've run a few films through with it on!
Dig the style of delivery )
thanks!
Tail-end Charlie here and late to the party as usual.
My S2A is on the way! It will be my first square format camera. The seller claims they replaced the mirror and finder foam during cleaning and inspection of the camera, so I hope that I've avoided that particular problem. Now I'm thinking about adding a couple of lenses to the kit and this video was perfect for showing the perspective of the 50mm and 150mm offerings.
Nikon made a 50mm lens for Bronica that is *reputedly* a bit better than the Komura. I *thought* I noticed a bit of contrast loss in one of your Komura shots that had a brighter background, but nothing that I would consider a deal killer. Both Nikon and Bronica made a 40mm f/4 lens for the S2 cameras that would be interesting.
Thanks for the demo. I hope you did a video of your cleaning process for the fungus in that 150mm. That's something I need to learn.
Hey! Better late than never, and congratulations on your incoming S2A, good choice!
The 50mm is definitely my focal length of choice, and I am happy with the performance, but it's not the best lens, for sure. But I still have it and still use it regularly, and it still makes me happy!
I didn't actually do a video of the fungus cleaning, I didn't really think about it. But I guess it's something I could show. It's super easy, as long as you have the right tools (lens wrench etc.). Easier than the foam fix I'd say.
I'll do one soon, watch this space!
@@the120ist The 50mm Nikkor lenses sell for a bit less than the Bronica, so I might opt for one of those.
I'd also like to have something mildly telephoto, maybe the 135mm or the 150mm as I favor those focal lengths for some subject/background separation.
Thanks for getting back to me. I'm enjoying your channel.
Hi again. I just bought the 100mm f2.8 Zenzanon on ebay. Have you tested one? AND don't you find the prism finder very dark? Like you, I would like the chance to go to my eye level but the prism I have is just not great.
Hey, sorry it has taken me so long to reply! Missed this one. I haven't tried the 100mm 2.8, but the focal length plus fast lens sounds like it should be a winner. How have you got on with it?
Yeah I found the prism finder dark, and a little tricky to focus because you don't have that magnification option. I love the idea of it, but I don't think I've taken it out again since this video. Straight after the shoot I had the WLF back on and haven't taken it off since.
@@the120ist I really like it. Amazing for portraits. I will catch up with you channel again.
How do you scan with the borders on your 120 frames?
By doing everything wrong!! I scan using a DSLR shooting vertically down on a light board, but I don't use any kind of frame or holder, I just pin down the negatives with my fingers, matte side down to avoid newton's rings. It's scrappy, but it's the only way I could get a scanning process that moves fast enough to stop me getting bored.
I have both 120 and 35mm Lomography scanning frames, but I don't have the patience. It's bad I know.
I love my 200mm Nikkor-P f4! Any thoughts on it? Found the depth of field SO. pleasing IMO ✌🏽
Interesting, I haven't come across one of those. Another one to look out for. I also want to get my hands on a 40mm, but they seem pretty hard to find. I've read that the lenses for the S2A went up to 600mm! Definitely never seen one of those. Will keep my eye out for that 210 though. Watch this space!
@@the120ist Sorry, I meant to write 200mm but my brain and fingers let me down 😂
*fixed in original comment
@@the120ist that 40mm would be incredible. Especially for S2A, would make a beautiful image in so many settings. Plus I'm sure it's SUPER fast. (f2.8 on the standard 75mm lens was always a bit too slow for my liking).
@@noirceur_ I don't know you know, from memory it was maybe an f4... I'd have to look it up though. I just like the idea of being able to get close and wide, getting right up in the face of the subject. I'll find one, one day!
@@the120ist You're right it is f4! I had never looked at that one specifically before (I'm more a 150mm and above kinda guy).
eBay has one now for $400+ (WOW) and it's basically a 25mm lens (on 35mm format equivalent). That's INSANELY fished eye. Would get some absolutely CLASSIC shots! Total "Skate" magazine vibes. And you have the talent to pull off that kind of shot.
Best of luck ✌🏽Happy shooting 😊
I much prefer eye level viewfinders, so your prism finder would be ideal for me personally as I find they make it easier to compose a shot. Most of my Ihagee Exacta's had waist level interchangeable finders when bought, I had to buy a couple of prism finders. TLR's are a problem though, especially when you track one way and the image is going the other, it is dissorientating :-) so I use the simple sports finder method. I can see from your gear generally that I am out of your league, apart from my digital camera which was 40 quid used, the most I have ever spent on a single camera is 26 pounds, so quantity over quality is my attitude, not really, I can't resist a bargain or a really old camera. I liked the shots you took very much, Tetbury and the Cotswolds generally are a photographers dream, I still have a problem liking 6x6 or square pictures generally, far prefering 6x9 format, but I do have a Bencini Koroll 24s which takes 24 vertically oriented shots on 120 roll film roughly 35mm size. I'm rambling again aren't I, that's what us oldies do, rabbit, rabbit, rabbit. I really enjoy your "down to earth" approach and quick decision making. Cheers.
So I reckon I've been using waist level finders on TLRs and SLRs for maybe 3-4 years now, and I am still not totally comfortable with them. Literally last weekend I got myself in a complete tangle trying to quickly frame a shot on a C330. Missed it completely! The prism finder was definitely a revelation, I really enjoyed the speed with which I could frame... but it loses out on focus accuracy because it doesn't have the flip out loupe like a WLF. So I missed focus on a couple of those frames.
I know some of the gear that I use is on the more expensive side. I'm not made of money! But I had some cash when I started the channel and used it to buy the S2A, and I tend to be one in one out now. So I'll buy a camera I want to try, and then I'll either sell that once I've tried it and done a video, or keep that one and sell another one. I do however have an ever growing queue of very old, low cost cameras awaiting repair! I'll get to them, one day!!
I hear you on the 6x6. In fact, I'm just finishing a review of the C330 where you'll see me struggle a little with the square frame. Good for people, portraits, street etc., but I find it hard with landscapes. I find I get a lot of frames with what is essentially dead space top and bottom. Now, is that because a square frame doesn't suit most images? Or is it because my brain is hard wired to frame in a rectangle and I'm not thinking in squares? I suspect it may be the latter... I'm trying to fit a rectangular peg in a square hole!
So much to learn still!
@@the120ist It has to be how brain percieves the image because it is not symmetrical amd wants to reshape the image into a rectangle to be "correct". I bought one of these fish-eye cameras and shudder when I think of the results :-) I don't do enough actual photography with guaranteed film and a proven camera. I am so involved with messing around with and collecting said cameas and experimenting with weird or outdated film, only ocassionaly do I get an image to be really proud of, no one gets to see them but me anyway, so seeing what film and camera will acheive I find interesting. But I do find your pictures inspiring and would love to emulate them on a budget :-) Even the old pop-up sports finders to me are better to use than a waist level finder, but in the end it is personal preference. Although I love to see analogue cameras brought back from relative obscurity, I think there is a certain amount of "elitism" at play with certain aspects of photography, wanting to be seen to be different, me included, but if it helps to inspire others to take up the hobby then that is great, my grandson Marshal is one of them, lately he wanted a basic 120 for College and chose my Ferannia Eura. I find it difficult being inspired by the area I live having been here for 60 odd years as i know it so well, but I do love old Churches and graveyards, I have one opposite me, so I live in the dead centre of town, I know feeble joke. How do you get on wth zone focussing cameras in your lust for focussing perfection ? :-) Cheers
@@ianwilkinson4602 You'll find my next video interesting... it's a review of a Mamiya C330. I won't ruin it for you, but it is a really technically incredible camera, but my reaction to that was not what I expected!
Zone focusing cameras are a really interesting one for me. I actually prefer, and would choose to go out and shoot with, fixed focus cameras over zone focus. So I would pick up a box camera sooner than I would some of the late 70s early 80s 35mm point and shoots. And I think it's down to this control issue I appear to have!! If I can't have complete control over my images, then I would rather have no control at all, than a small amount of control that doesn't go far enough for me! Get a psychologist to analyse that one!!
Watch out for the C330 vid, I should be uploading either tonight or tomorrow, and I end up talking about a few things relevant to this conversation!!
How's your grandson getting on with the Ferrania? Is he enjoying it? Great to get the next generation into film!
Enjoyed the shoot and thanks for your efforts in producing another video. I don't own a S2A but great information and time well spent viewing.
Thank you. I appreciate it. 👍 Ever thought of looking into an S2A? I’m a huge fan!
@@the120ist My Mamiya M645, Mamiya C3, Mamiya C2, Mamiya RB67 SD, Sinar P, Sinar Norma, Sinar C, Linhof Kardan Color, Burke & James View 5x7, Two Burke & James Rembrandt 5x7, Crown Graphic, Anniversary Graphic, Pre-Anniversary Graphic 4x5, Wista 45D, and a partridge in a pear tree tells me I better not, but thanks for asking. It looks like a lovely system but I'm not tempted :) LOL
@@waynesimon7096 Ha ha!!! Yeah ok maybe your collection is not currently missing an S2A!! Some beautiful cameras on that list though, wow!
Great video! I have the same set up and like you I noticed a small bit of fungus in my 150mm. I would love to see a video on how you opened and cleaned the lens. Regards!!
Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it! I've got a few videos in the pipeline but I can add that to the list. As I recall it wasn't too tricky. Get yourself some of those cone shaped rubber lens unscrewing things, and start unscrewing stuff! So long as you make sure you keep track of which way around the lens elements sit, you can't go too far wrong! Take a quick look at my Voigtlander Bessa video to see some general info on fungus removal
@@the120ist That will be the next project. I changed the viewing screen and all the foam seals but I’m still having focusing issues, especially at infinity.
Since I’m in Japan. I just might try to find an old camera shop and have them make the adjustments.
@@ejacks3 Well you're in pretty much the only place in the world with more than one or two people who can repair Bronicas! So might be worth taking it to someone.
Out of interest, what focusing issues are you having?
@@the120ist Even stopped down, images from about 12 feet to infinity are soft.
That zenzanon 150mm is non MC version so you can clean it easy no worries about destroying MC layers. It will behave better with some lens hood and avoid pointing at light source as it will loose contrast. Otherwise it's a great piece of glass!
I definitely need a lens hood, that's for sure! I have one for the 75mm, will be looking for another.
That's really interesting that this 150mm is uncoated. I hadn't actually done much research on it, but you're right, there was a second version of the same lens that was coated, but this one isn't. Actually reading some more about the history of lenses, seems likely that there is possibly a single layer coating on the non-MC version, would that be right? What I'm reading suggests that from about 1958 onwards a single coating was common, but multi coatings were developing through the 60s.
Anyway, really interesting stuff, thanks for bringing that to my attention!
@@the120ist you might be right about that single layer 🤔 only information I could ever get there was MC and nonMC 150mm Zenzanons. Non MC doesn't mean it's not SC, ha! 🤟
@@whiteframe2745 I couldn't find any more information than that either! But I was surprised that a 1960s era lens wasn't coated, so I started reading about the history of lens coatings.... that's pretty slow going no matter how excited you might get about lenses!
Bit more research for me to do before I start taking the lens apart, but I will be doing it! That fungus ain't going away on its own.
@@the120ist They are a mystery, aren't they? I recently aquired one, with strange name on the front ring: ZENZAN (?). I susspect it might be one of first ones? it's exactly same lens, same built, dimentions, brand marking etc. even fungus on inner elements is the same! :D
@@whiteframe2745 All these old cameras and lenses have quite a bit of mystery to them! That's half the fun right? You never know what you're going to find when you open up a lens or camera, because not all updates were announced, and you never know who's been in there before you! Always fascinating!
Hi! What is the Prism viewfinder Model? I have the C Model but i can't put in on the camera :(
hey, I'm not sure actually. I'm away on vacation and I don't have it with me, I'll see if it has any markings when i get back. But I did a search for different models and it doesn't look like a C... any idea how you tell the difference?
@@the120ist in the s2a manual are two pentaprism viewfinder
Prism view finder Model A
Prism view finder Model C
i have the model C but doesn't fit :(
I'll have a read of the manual, see what it says. Is it an S2A you're trying to fit the prism finder to?
@@the120ist that's right, it's a s2a model, I was able to identify it thanks to one of your videos. The pentaprism does not have holes in the part where it is anchored to the body like the waist viewer does. It has some screws on the side
Ok, I've just checked the manual online, and I definitely have a model A. Not a C.
As you say, the manual lists both models as being compatible. But mine clipped right in after lifting the WLF off, no problem.
Could your be missing a section on the bottom? Or possibly not an S series model C??