Zenza Bronica S User manual

~e.ZA
- INSTRUCTIONS FIR@NICA-S
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+

FEATURES OF THE
In s tant Return Automatic Mirror ..... .. ...... ...... . ...... . ... .... .. 4
ZENZA BRONICA-S Instant Re
open Automatic Diaphragm ............. .. ..... .. ........ 5
Depth-af-fleld Pr
ev iew Button .... .. ........ .. .... .. .. .. .. ...... .. ... 5
Interchangeable Filminder Back .... .... ............ .. .... ..... ..... 6
New Exclusive
Film Tension System.. .... ...... .... .. ........ .. ..... 7
Nikkor Lenses
............ .. .............. . .... . .. ...... . .... .. ...... ... .. 7
HOW TO USE YOUR
Removing the ' F il mi nder ' Back ........ ........ ............ ....... 9
ZENZA BRO~ICA - S
Loading the 'Filmi nder' Back .. .... .......... .... .. .... .. ...... .. ... 10- 11
Removing the Exposed Film .. .. .. .. .... . .... .... ...... .... ...... .. ... 11
( 1 ) Winding the Shutter and Advancing the Fi lm .. .. .. 12
( 2 ) Presetti ng the Diaphragm and Focusing the Lens... 12 -13
( 3) Using the Depth-of- fl eld Pre vi ew Button ... ........ . 13
( 4) Selecti ng the Shutter Speed .. ...... .. ................. 14
(5) Mirror Lock- Do wn Button ...... ... .. .... .. .... .... ...... .. 15
(6) Making the Exposure .. .............. .... .... ..... .. ..... 15
( 7) Making Double or Multiple Ex po su res .. .......... .... 16
(
8) Interchanging Lenses .... .. ...... .. .. .. ...... .. ........ ... . 16
(9) Using Flash .... .. .... ...... .. .... .. .... .. .... .. .... .. .. .. .. 17
Close-up Photograph .... .. .................. .. ...... .... 17
Using the Broni
ca Ne ck Strap ........ .. .... ... .. ........ .. .......... 18
Lens
Spec iflcations ......... .... . .. .... ........ . .. .. ..... .. .... ... .... 18
Filters .. ............. ....... .. .... ... ...... ...... .. .. .. .... ..... . ........ .. 19
Speciflcations .. ...... . .. .. . ..... ... ... ..... ..... .. . .... ........ .......... 20

·- -. ..

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Your ZENZA BRONICA S is 0 precIsion instrument which has been designed with the utmost of humon ingenuity ond skill.
It
is unique in its field. possessing conveniences and automatic features not found in any other instrument of its type. The
ZENZA BRONICA S was designed to extend th~ scope of photographic expression beyond the limitations imposed by
conventional equipment. It was designed to serve you - to help you create the fine picture results you have often
conceived yet found to be beyond the ken of ordinary camera equipment. The ZENZA BRONICA S is an integrated tool
in which automatic · operation and quality of performance combine to equip and assist you in achieving notably superior
pictures.
It is best that you become familiar with your new ZENZA BRONICA S at the very beginning. Devote the extra minutes
it will toke to know your ZENZA BRONICA S. Read the instructions carefully. Your efforts will be reworded by the pride
you will have in the ·pictures it will give you.
INSTANT RETURN AUTOMATIC MIRROR
The reflex mirror of the BRONICA S is on exclusive original. It does not fiip up for the exposure as in other single
lens
reflex cameros. but it moves forward and down with greater clearance provided for deep seated lenses per-
mitting shorter focal length to be used without mirror interference. (Fig. 21 Using this exclusive method. th e BRONICA S
con be equipped with a normal 75mm lens or with a 50mm super wide angle. After on exposure. the mirror in st ant-
ly automaticall y retu"ns to viewing position. (Fig. 11
Fie . I

INSTANT REOPEN AUTOMATIC DIAPHRAGM
Lenses for the BRONICA S have fully automatic diaphragms. Simply focus and view with the lenses wide open. (Fig. 31 When an exposure
is made, the diap hragm automa iical ly closes dawn to the pr ese lec ted aperture for the correct exposure. (Fig. 41 Immediately after the
exposure . the diaphragm autom atically reopens to full aperture ( Fig . 51 to pro v ide a bright clear image on the fo cus ing screen-read y
for the n ext pic ture wit h no readju stmen t.
DEPTH·OF·FIELD PREVIEW BUTTON
The lens on the BRONICA S is al ways wide open for f oc using and view ing. This p rovi de s ma xi mum image-screen brightness for greater
ease and acc uracy. H owev er it is often desirable to see the depth . of-field at 'taking' ap er ture. This is done by pre ss ing the Depth-of-
F ield Pre view Button. The diap hra gm aut omatic all y st o ps down. (Fig. 41 Relea se the button and the diaphragm instantly returns to full
aperture. IFig. 51.
(
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

INTERCHANGEABLE .FILMINDER' BACK
This convenient feature offers mony advantages. It is possible to change foIm in the middle of a roll (b lack-and-white to co l or, co l or to
black-and-white, indoor to daylight, etc.I without the loss of a single exposure. It permits you to preload several backs (Fig. 61 and shoot
continuously without stopping for reloads .
The filminder back is fully automatic and foolproof. It is equipped with a metal dark slide to prevent the film from being exposed while
the back is off the camera. The back cannot be removed until th e dark sl ide is inserted and while the back is off the camera, the dark
slide cannot be withdrawn. (Fig. 71
When a filminder back is attached to the camera, no attention need be paid as to whether the film or the shutt er has been previously
wound.
The film advance crank, which normally winds the shut ter and the film simultaneously, automat ic ally pe rforms only the r equired function.
For example, if the shutter is wound and if the film in position has been exposed, turning the crank will only advance the film to a fresh
unexposed section. Also, when the
back is on the camera, the dark slide must be completely withdrawn before an exposure can ·· be made.
F il. "7

NEW EXCLUSIVE FILM TENSION SYSTEM*
The BRONICA nlm tension system makes the nlm s urface perfectly
nat at the focal plane. All tension on the nlm is removed
during the winding process. IFig. 81 The instant the nlm is in
place, tension is automatically applied. IFig. 91
The system not only adds much greater tension on the mm
during exposure to assure perfect nlm natness but also eliminates
dangerous nlm scratches which occur if the mm is advanced
while under tension .
Patent applied for
Fig . 9
NIKKOR LENSES
Nikkor lenses are standard for the BRONICA S. IFig. 101 Today,
no nner optics are available. Nikkor lenses are the most com-
patible for the superb performance of the BRONICA S. They
have proved to be the nnest .in the 35mm photography neld in
which optical qual ity means almost everything.
The availab le focal lengths range from 50mm super wide an-
gie to 200mm telephoto. The 50, 75, 135, and 200mm lens·
es are equipped with instant reopen automatic diaphragms
and
are designated as Auto-Nikkors.

HOW TO USE
YOUR
ZENZA BRONICA·S
REMOVING THE 'FILMINDER' BACK
Insert the dark slide into the filminder back. Ifig . 11) Hold the camera in the left hand. With the right hand,
hold th~ filminder back with the thumb on the protruding edge of the dark slide. Pre ss the dark slide
inward with th e thumb. This will release the filminder bock from the camera. Remove the back by tilt i ng and
lifting
it off the open hinge at the bottom . Ifig . 121
Note , The dark slide is only necessary for removing the filminder back from the comera and should be
withdrawn when the bock is attached to the cemera.
Fig. I

LOADING THE 0 FILMINDER 0 BACK
The BRONICA 5 uses 120 roll nlm and may be loaded with the nlminder back either on or off the camera.
a. Open th e film type indicator window and slide the lock in the direction of the" 0 ". IFig. 131 The back cover will pop open.
b. Remove the film holder from the nlminder back.
c. The nlm holder consi sts of two assemblies. (F i g. 141 The lower spindle assembly, which is marked with red arrows, holds the
roll of unexposed film and the other assembly hol ds the take-up spool. Note that one end of both spindles is spring-loaded
and can be pulled or pushed out for inserting the nlm rolls.
d. The unexposed roll
of film should be loaded onto the spindle marked with the red arrows. Push one end of the film onto the
spring-loaded side of the spindle. (Fig. 1 41 The film roll will then slip into place. Make sure that the ins ide of the leader paper
faces outward.
e. Draw the leader paper across t, he film pressure plate and over the rollers. Insert the end of the leader paper into the wide
slot of the take-up spool and secure it by manually turning the take-up spool until the film start mark is in line with the red
arrows. (Fig. 151
f. Place the fi lm hoider into the open filminder back so that the gear on the ho lder and the gear in the back mesh together.
To engage the two gears correctly, it may be necessary to turn the manual film winder and push down on the nlm holder .

g. Close and lock the back cover by sliding the lock in the direction" C ". If the back cover does not lock fully, check and make
certain that the fil'l' holder is properly set in the filminder back.
h. Place an end of the film carton , bo x in the film type indicator window and snap closed, IFig. 16) Th is exclusive film type
indicator window is designed so that you can indentify the name, the type and the speed of the film in each filminder bock.
i. To coordinate the loaded filminder bock with the camero body, pull out the winding cronk and wind the cronk until it stops.
IFig. 171 The first exposure number 11) will appear in the exposure counter window.
If the filminder bock is not attached to the camero body, film can be wound by turning the monuol film winder on the bock.
IFig. 18)
Caution : Handle the filminder bock carefully . Do not exert pressure in use and avoid hard shocks.
REMOVING THE EXPOSED FILM
After the 12 exposures are made, the winding crank will wind only the film. Wind until there is no resistance. Then open the back and
remove the exposed film
from the film holder .
Fig , 18

TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS
(1) WINDING THE SHUTTER AND ADVANCING THE FILM
Pull out the winding crank in the focusing knob. Turn the crank in a forward direction to wind the shutter and advance the film.
(Fig. 171 If the film has been pre viously wound, only the shutter will be wound or vice verso. After the shutter and film have been
fully wound, the crank can be folded back into the focusing knob. Be sure to keep turning the crank until it stops to insure that the
shutter and film are fully wound.
(2) PRESETTING THE DIAPHRAGM AND FOCUSING THE LENS
a. Set the diaphragm fo r t he selected exposure or 'taking' aperture by rotating th e diaphragm preselector ring on the lens until
th e desired aperture opening number is in line with the white do t. (Fig. 191 The preselector ring may also be set for intermediate
aperture openings (between numbersl.
b. Slide
hood lock in the di rection of the arrOw. IFig. 201 Hood will unfold and open.
c. L ook at the image on the focusing screen. No te how uniformly bright it is from corne r to corner and h ow readily you can see
the image in
'infocus' or 'out-of-focus'. The focusing scale is calibrated on the focusing knob. (Fig. 211 If the 75mm lens is used,
read the
green calibrations; the red is for the 50mm lens a nd the whi te scale is f or the 135mm len s. To set the scale fo r the
le
ns you are using, rack the focusing tube back to infinit y. Us ing the raised pin in the focusing scale collar, set the correct color
scale in position. The 'infinity' setting on the scale you are using must line up with the ind icator mark on the side of the camera
body .

d. If a magn ified · image is d es ired , push back on the hood co ver . IFig. 221 This will release the magni fier into position. Keep the
ey e clo se to th e magnifier for a clear vision of the entire field of the focusing Screen.
e. To replace the magnifier, pre ss down on the metal frame of the magnifier until it locks against the under-side of the hood cover.
f. To clo se the hood , fold in the sides, then the back and finally bring the front cover down until it locks.
g. To remove
th e fo cusing ho od for cleaning the screen o r interchanging wi th sports or other finde rs , lift the hood retaining lock
ab ove th e cam e ~ nam e plat e. I Fig . 231 The hood will spring fr ee.
h. To replace
th e h oo d, slide it on so that the two me lal tab s on th e camera fit into the slots on the re ar of the hood frame.
Pr ess h oo d d ow n to lo ck.
(3) USING THE DEPTH-OF-FIELD PREVIEW BUTTON
In · the BRONI CA S, the lens is always wide ope n for viewing and focusing reg ar dl ess of the aper tu re you have se lected for the
exposure. H
owever, after h aving foc used, yo u may wa nt to see the depth· of- fi el d at ' taki ng' ape rture. W hile l oo king at the
foc using sc reen, press t he red bu tto n with th e fo refinger of your left hand. IFig. 241 Th is wi ll in st a nt ly close th e di aphra gm d ow n to
your preselected 'tak i ng' aper ture ope ning a nd th e im age on t he sc reen will show th e exac t depth -o f- fi eld at that apertur e.
Re lease the red butto n and th e diaphragm w·ill instantly spring ba ck to full a per ture.

(4) SELECTING THE SHUTTER SPEED
A sh utte r speed ma y be selected eith er before or after the shutter is wound.
Rotate the speed selector dial until the desired . s hutter speed 'cli cks' into p~sition und er the red dot indicat or. IFig. 251 The selecto r
ma y also be set for interm ed iate shutte r speeds Ib et wee n markings!. IFig. 261
The numerals represent shutt er speeds of 1 second, 1/ 2, 1/ 4, 1/8, 1/ 15, 1/ 30, 1/ 60, 1/ 125, 1 /250, 1/ 500 and 1/ 1000th . "X"
repres ents 1/50th of a second and is the fastest shutter speed with w hi ch el ect r onic flash units may be used. Isee Using Flash)
"B" is for bulb.
The shutter release button (Fig. 27) . is equipped with a safety lock.
Turn the tip of the release buttam' clockwise. When the red dot on the button is in the side position, the shutter is locked.
Wh e n 'time' exposure is desired, set the di al at 'B' . Depress the shutter release button and turn the tip of the button counter-
clockwise . This will lock the shutter open . To close the shutter, turn the tip of the button clc;>ckw ise .

(5) MIRROR LOCK-DOWN BUTTON
The mirror can be locked down in one action and the shutter
tripped in a separate action . After the shutter is wound, push
back on the mirror lock·down button. (Fig. 281 The mirrar will
move down and lock. The'n depress the body release button to
trip the shutter. This method will give you a steady and quiet
exposure.
(6) MAKING THE EXPOSURE
After winding the film and shutter, selecting the aperture
apening and shutter speed and focusing th e lens, you are now
ready to make an exposure.
a. If the dark metal slide has not been previously withdrawn,
do so at this time. The BRONICA cannot be . fired' with
the dark slide in the bock.
It must be complet.ely removed.
Simply pvll the wire handle until the slide is withdrawn . The
dark slide need not be reinserted after the exposure unless
you intend to remove the filminder bock.
b.' To make the exposure, squeeze the body release button
with the right or left forefinger . (Fig. 29) You will notice
that the image returns to the viewing screen immediately
after the exposure- bright and clear as before . This is the
result
of two automatic BRONICA features; the instant return
automatic mirror and the instant reopen automatic diaphragm.
It is desirable to use a cable release when slow shutter
speeds
are used. Cable release sockets are located in the
body release button IFig. 311 and below the depth.of·field
preview button. (Fig. 30)
When shootin.g at speeds slower than 1 /3 0th of a second,
it is recommended that the BRONICA be mounted on a
stable
tripod Or rested on a firm support.

(7) MAKING DOUBLE OR MULTIPLE EXPOSURES
As explained earlier, your BRONICA S has a built-in protection against inadvertent double exposures. However there ar e times
when deliberate double exposures ma y be desired.
a.
After mak ing one exposure, insert the dark slide and remove the filmind er back. (Fig. 321
b. Turn the winding crank until the shutter is wound . Rep lace the fi l mi nder back on the camera body and withd r aw the dark slide
You can now make a double exposure .
(8) INTERCHANGING LENSES
Lenses are quickly and easily int erchangeable on the BRONICA S. The standard 75mm, the 50mm supel wide angle, the 135mm
and
200mm telephoto lenses are equipped with quick-change 1/6th turn bayonet moun ts.
a. To remove a bayonet-mounted rens, hold the l ens front in the. right hand with the thumb on the milled ridges of the lens
bayonet lock . (Fig. 331
b. P ress th e bayonet lock with the thumb and simultaneously t urn the lens to the left !co unter-clockwisel 1/6th turn. Remove th e
lens. {Fig. 341
c. To mount the lens, insert the lens into the focusing tube lining up the red dots on the l ens ring and the focusing tube. Turn the
lens to the right !clockwisel until the bayonet lock snaps closed.
d . Lang tel
ep hoto lenses, with a focu si ng ring , should not be mounted an the focu si ng tube because of weight. Turn the focu si ng tube
back to infinity and mount the lens an the outside bayonet an the camera body .
Note, The inside of the BRONICA focusing tube is thre aded 157mm dia . X l mm pitchl to accept threaded lenses
you now have. The dist ance from the foremost front edge of the focusing tube to the film emulsi on is 102.0mm.

(91 USING FLASH
Your BRONICA S is in automatic s wit ch -ove r syn c hronizati on which is
coupled with the shutter spe ed.
The
BRONICA flash terminal acc epts a standard connecting cord
(German Type ). (Fig. 35)
~hu t ~ r
F lash Bl~ed
F Bulb
M Bulb
E le
ct ro nic
Fla sh
FP Bulb
S
hutt er Dial
(col or)
B 1 2 4 8 15 30 60 125 2 50 5 00 1000 X
red __ green ~
~whlt e _____ yell ow
(10) CLOSE-UP PHOTOGRAPHIY
With th e 75mm standard lens you can shoot as close as 50cm from
the subject
without using an attachment.
If you want to photograph the subje ct in clo ser than 50cm, USe the
BRONICA Extension Tube Set. IFig. 361
On e set consists of a "A" ring, a "B" ring and two "C" rings.
No. of Tube \
Magnification Role
E)t posure Multip le R ol e
75mm F 2.8 50mm F3.5 1 35mm f 3.5 75mm F 2.8 50mm F 3.5 135m m f 3 .5
"A" 0.22-0.45 0.35- 0.69 0.15-0.26
1.4-2.0 1.82-2.85 1 .32- 1.56
"A"+"S"
0.45- 0.67 0.69 - 1. 03 0.26-0.38 2.0- 2.77 2.85- 4.12 1.56- 1. 90
"A"+ 'S"+"C"
0. 67-0.88
1.03-1.47 0.38-0.57 2.77- 3.53 4.12- 6.10 1.90 - 2 .46
"A "+
' 8" + "C"+"C" 0.88-1.10 1 .4 7- 1.70 0.57- 0,
63 3.53-4.41 6.10 -7.29 2.46- 2 .65
Fig . 36

USING THE BRONICA NECK STRAP
Th e shoulder strap supplied with your BRONI CA5 serves
two purposes. One , it prov ides a safe and convenient
mea
ns for c arr ying the camera and two, it helps ste ady
the camera
during the exposure, especially when u si ng
l ong foc us lenses. (Fig. 371
a. The shoulder strap is equipped with a co upling
conn ector at each end. Place these coupling con-
nectors ove r the ' camera s trap studs on each side
of
th e camera and pr ess.
b. To remove the st rap, li ft or raise the metal wings
on each camera strap stud and
simu ltaneously l ift
off th e coupling connectors.
c. As
an aid to steadying the camera during exposure,
first adju
st the length of the strap so that th e camera
is at a comfortable distance for viewing and focusing.
Du ring th e exposure, draw downward on the c am era
so that the strap
is strain ed and taut. This will
greatly minimize the effect of hand vibrations.
Type
Super
Wide Angle
Standard
Telephoto
Telephoto
Focal Ape rt ure
length Ratio
50mm 3.5
75mm 2.8
135mm 3.5
200mm
.4
LENS SPECICATIONS
Angle of Mognifi- Closest
Ap erture Fi
lter
D ia- Focu sing
View cation Distan ce
phragm
Size
cm
in.
Auto
82m m dia . Focusing
77 ° 0.
67X 29 12 Pre-set
Screw
Tube
Bo ck- Forth
55 ° 1 X
50 20
S eries
/I
VIII
/I
m
ft.
33 ° 1.8 X
1.3-
.4
/I
/I /I
32 ° 2 .5 X 2.8 10
/I /I
/I

FILTERS
Se ries VIII Filters attbch to th e
75mm , 13 5mm , and 200mm
lens es wi th t he BR ONICA Fi lt er
Retai ning
Rin g. (Fi g. ·38)
Fil te rs wi th 82 mm diameter thr-
ead fit the 50m m lens.
L·IA
light Daylight type
or
Violet Tungsten
O·85A
Orange
+12 Tungsten type
B-80A Dark Blue -12
2.5 Daylight type
B·82C Slue
-4.0
1.5
Daylight type
0·8 1B
Amber
+4.0 1.5 Daylight type
• (+J Reduct ion of c olor temperatur e. (-) I nc rease of color temperature
Absorbs ultro-violet roys 10 prevent
bluish appearanc e 00 ba ck ground.
Adjusts natural color balance. Used for lens protection.
Conversion /'iller for tungsten type color film in daylight.
Conversion filler for daylight type
color film under ortilkiol lig ht.
when photographs ore token before 9 A.M. or ofter
Absorbs bluish color when photographs
'"
token
;0
cloudy or shadowy
COr'lditions•