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TO SECOND PART

Congratulations on your choice of the Zenza Bronica ETR single lens reflex camera which will offer you high quality performance, handling convenience and versatility required for professional photography. The Zenza Bronica ETR has been developed as a complete modular "system" camera, with a very high degree of interchangeability in lenses, finders, focusing screens, film backs, etc. At the same time, it has a full range of other valuable accessories which will permit its use in many other day-to-day assignments, requiring a fast-handling camera with complete exposure automation.

To get best results from your camera, may we suggest that you read this instruction manual carefully, before you even touch the camera. Thoroughly familiarize yourself with its working parts, before loading your first roll of film, and your pleasure in using the Zenza Bronica ETR will be even greater.

CONTENTS

Specifications of the ZENZA BRONICA ETR 2 Parts of the ZENZA BRONICA ETR 4 1. Loading the Battery . . . . 7 2. Checking the Battery . . . . . 8 3. Film Loading . . . . . . . 8 4. Film Unloading . . . . . . . 12 5. Setting the Shutter Speed Dial . . . . . . 13 6. Time (T) Exposures . . . . . . . 14 7. Exchanging Lenses . . . . . . . . 15 8. Waist-Level Finder . . . . . . . 16 9. Setting the Aperture . . . . . . . 17 10. Focusing Adjustments . . . . . . 18 11. Film Advance and Shutter Cocking . . . . . . 19 12. Exposure Counter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 13. Shutter Release Button . . . . . . . 19 14. Distance Scale and Depth of Field Scale. .21 15. Infrared Photography . . . . . . .  . 22

16. Flash Photography . . . . . . . 22 17. Multiple Exposures  . . . . . . . . 23 18. Attachment and Removal of Film Backs . . . . . . . . 24 19. Interchanging Finders and Magnifiers . . . . . . .  . 25 20. Interchanging Focusing Screens . . . . . . . . . 26 21. Film Type Indicator Frame . . . . . . . . . . 27 22. Attaching and Removing the Neck Strap . . . . . . . . . 28 23. Facts about the Battery . . . . . . . . . 29 24. Pointers on Shooting with the Zenza Bronica ETR . . . . . . . .  . 30 25. Care of the Zenza Bronica ETR . . . . . . . . . . 31 26. Accessories for I ncreasing the Versatility of the ETR . . . . . . 32 27. Zenzanon Interchangeable Lenses . . . . . . 334.butkus.org Depth of Field Table . . . . . . . 35 Accessories for the Zenza Bronica ETR . . . . . . . 36

Type 4.5cm x 6cm format lens shutter single lens reflex camera, with interchangeable lens, film back, finder and focusing screen systems.4.butkus.org

Framesize 42.5mm x 55.1mm (side/length ratio of 1:1.29 closely matches standard paper and reproduction sizes)

Film 120 roll film (15 exposures)

Standard lens Zenzanon E 75mm F2.8 lens; interchangeable type; 5 elements in 4 groups; multi-layer anti-reflection coated;

50° angle of view, F22 minimum aperture, helical focusing from inf. to 60cm.(2 ft.)

Filter size 58mm diameter screw mount on 75mm lens; 62mm diameter screw mount on lenses from 40mm to 250mm focal lengths.

Lens mount Exclusive four claw Bronica bayonet mount.

Lens diaphragm Fully automatic instant reopening lens diaphragm action; equal-distant aperture scale graduations; depth of field previewing.

Shutter Electronic control SEIKO #O between-lens leaf shutter; shutter speeds 8 sec. to 1/500 sec. plus T (time exposures); mechanical control setting 1/500 sec.

Multiple exposure Multiple exposures possible with lever on body.

Film back Daylight loading interchangeable type, exclusive backs for 120 (15 exposures) and 220 (30 exposures} roll fims,70mm (90 exposures) film and Polaroid film pack.  (Supplied with 120 roll film back.)

Finder Interchangeable waist-level focusing hood; single-action opening/closing; flip-up interchangeable type magnifier (standard magnifier --1.5 diopter); finder magnification with 75mm lens 1.25x.

Focusing screen Interchangeable type; standard type has split-image rangefinder spot surrounded by microprism ring; matte center with full-area fresnel lens type also available.

Accessory mount Exclusive Bronica accessory mount on left side of body.

Flash synchronization X-setting (up to 1/500 sec.)

Battery checking Battery check button plus green-colored LED light on top of body.

Battery Single-6-volt silver oxide battery (Eveready No. 544, UCAR No. 544 or Mallory No. PX-28).

Dimensions 110mm (4-1/2") wide x 106mm (4-1/4") high x 157mm (6-1/4") long (with standard lens and waist-level finder).

Weight 1,346 grams (2.9 lbs.): 

    ETR camera with waist level finder and 75mm F2.8 lens
    493 grams (1 lb.): ETR body only (with battery)
    326 grams (11.4 oz.): 120 roll film back only
    417grams (14.60z.): 75mm F2.8 lens only
    110 grams (3.8 oz.): Waist level finder only

PARTS OF THE ZENZA BRONICA ETR

1. LOADING THE BATTERY

A. The electronically-controlled shutter will not work without loading the battery. The shutter will be mechanically controlled, without a battery, and will be released at 1/500 sec., regardless of the setting on the shutter speed dial.4.butkus.org Use one silver oxide battery (EVEREADY No.544 or equivalent). * The battery can be purchased in most photographic supply or electrical appliance stores.

B. Depress the battery chamber button with your finger while, at the same time, moving the battery chamber cover in the arrow-indicated direction and the cover will come off. C. Coincide the polarity marks (+) ( -) on the battery with similar polarity indications in the battery chamber. Then, push in the negative end of the battery first and follow with the positive end. Insert the battery chamber cover into place, by first inserting the end marked BATTERY. Then move the cover opposite to the arrow-indicated direction until it locks. * Should the battery be reversed, the shutter will only work mechanically at 1/500 sec.

2. BATTERY CHECKING

If the green-colored battery check lamp lights up when the battery check button is depressed, the battery is loaded properly and there is sufficient power for electronically-con trolled operations. * If the lamp does not light up ( 1 ) the battery is not loaded properly or (2) the battery is completely drained and should be exchanged.

 

A. The film back consists of a film holder and a film back frame, with exclusive film holders supplied for 120 and 220 roll films. The film holder has an insert or frame for loading film, as well as a built-in film winding mechanism.

B. The film back frame, on the other hand, consists of a base with a dark slide slit and a back cover with a film type indicator frame. The film back frame completely encloses the film holder and shields it from outside light (see page 24), as well as connecting it to the camera body.

 

C. Pushing the back cover opening button inwards (in the arrow indicated direction ) opens the back cover and permits the film holder to be detached.

 

D. There are two spool holders on the film holder. The top one is for the fresh film spool while the bottom one is for the empty take-up spool. The left-side shafts of both spool holders can be opened outwards, as illustrated. Therefore, insert the right end of the spool on to the right-side shaft, which is fixed, and then close the left side holder (shaft) which will engage the spool. * The spool holders on the left side will be locked securely, when the back cover is closed.

E. When the fresh film spool is properly loaded in the top spool holder, draw out the leading end of the film and turn it across the film pressure plate (on the front side of the insert). After running it down to the lower end, turn it over to the empty take-up spool. Insert the leading end of the film into the slit of the take-up spool and wind slightly so that it is securely engaged.

* The inside of the leader paper must be facing out, when it is running across the film pressure

F. Unfold the manual film winder on the right side of the film holder and rotate in the arrow-indicated direction, while checking the advancing film. When the starting point, or arrow mark, is aligned with the triangular start-mark on the top left side of the film holder, stop rotation.

G. The film can be loaded in the film holder, without detachment from the camera body, and should be loaded in the same manner as explained for the detached film holder.
However, the starting point, or arrow mark, should be aligned to the start-mark by advancing the film with the film winding crank on the camera body.4.butkus.org

* If the film is not advanced when the film winding crank is rotated, the film holder is not inserted properly and/or the camera body may be set for multiple exposures. In the latter case, return the multiple exposure lever to an upright or vertical position.

H. Close the back cover, by pressing it strongly against the base of the film back, as illustrated. The back cover will automatically lock and close.
The same operation will close the back cover when the film back is detached from the body.

I. Upon loading the film, rotate the film winding crank until it stops to place the first frame into place for taking the picture. The exposure counter will also change from "S" to "1", while the shutter will also be cocked.
The manual film winder on the film back should be used to advance the film to its first frame, when the film back is detached from the body. However, the manual film winder will not stop rotating.


4. FILM UNLOADING

A. After the 15th exposure of the 120 roll film (30th exposure of the 220 roll film), the film winding crank will turn freely with further rotations. Therefore, continue rotating the film winding crank until the remaining film and all the leader paper is wound up on the take-up spool. Open the back cover when winding action becomes very light. B. Remove the film holder and, while preventing the loose film from unwinding, take out the take-up spool. Seal the exposed film and return it to its original box until development. * Load and unload film away from direct sunlight and/or strong illumination.

5. SETTING THE SHUTTER SPEED DIAL

A. The numerals on the shutter speed scale are the shutter speed settings, which are placed in the window on the top left-side of the body with the shutter speed dial.  The numbers 1 to 8S are full numbers while numbers 2 to 500 are fractions of a second. For example, "8S" is 8 seconds, "2S" is 2 seconds and "500" is 1/500 sec. * When the battery is not loaded or is drained, the shutter is released at 1/500 sec., regardless of the setting. B. The numbers on the shutter speed scale are color-coded in red and white colors. The red colored numbers are full number settings of 1 second and longer while the white-colored numbers are settings from 1/2 to 1/500 second. See the following page for T (time exposures). There is no B (bulb) setting on the shutter speed dial. The shutter speed dial can be freely rotated in either direction.

6. TIME (T) EXPOSURES

A. Time exposures are made with the time exposure lever on the lens, regardless of the setting on the shutter speed scale.

B. First, cock the shutter with the film winding crank and then shift the time exposure lever to the left (looking from the body towards the lens), which will expose a red-colored "T" on the barrel. Depress the shutter release button, in this condition, and the shutter will open up. To close the lens shutter. simply shift the time exposure lever in the opposite direction which will expose the letter "A". * Except for time exposures, the time exposure lever must always be shifted so that the letter "A" is visible on the lens barrel.4.butkus.org

7. EXCHANGING LENSES

A. THE LENS CANNOT BE DETACHED OR ATTACHED UNLESS THE SHUTTER IS COCKED.

Therefore, first, rotate the film winding crank and cock the lens shutter. Next, rotate the milled locking ring on the lens release button 45° in the clockwise direction and then depress the lens release button.
Next, while keeping the lens release button depressed, rotate the lens in the clockwise direction, too, until it makes a full stop, at which point it can be detached.
The locking ring on the lens release button will automatically return to "lock" when pressure is released from the lens release button.

B. To attach the lens to the body, first, align the red dots on the lens and body and then insert the lens fully into its mount. Rotate in the counterclockwise direction until it stops, with an audible click which will indicate that it is securely locked.

*The lens cannot be attached unless the film is advanced and the shutter cocked on the body.



8. WAIST-LEVEL FINDER

A. The focusing hood of the waist-level finder is opened by pushing or pulling up on the focusing hood/magnifier catch at the rear end of the folded waist-level finder.

B. To close the focusing hood, first, push down the magnifier (if it is flipped up). Next, press in the side frames, as illustrated, and, at the same time, press the front frame back towards the rear end. The focusing hood will automatically be folded down.

* The waist-level finder does not come with the Bronica ETR body and must be ordered separately.)

C. The magnifier can be flipped up into viewing position, by simply sliding the focusing hood/ magnifier catch in the arrow indicated direction (to the left). To return the magnifier to its storage position, simply push it down until it catches.

* The magnifier is interchangeable with one matching the eyesight of the user. See "19. Exchanging Finders".

9. SETTING THE APERTURE

A. The aperture ring is rotated, in either direction, to set the required f/number opposite the white index dot. The aperture ring click-stops at the numbered settings. Intermediate settings are also possible. * Intermediate settings cannot be used when the AE (automatic exposure) Finder is used.

B. All Bronica interchangeable lenses for the ETR have fully automatic lens diaphragms which means that the focusing screen is always viewed at the full aperture, with the brightest possible image. However, den pressing the depth of field preview lever will stop the lens diaphragm down to the preselected lens opening (aperture), permitting the photographer to check the depth of field effect on the focusing screen.4.butkus.org

* The aperture ring must not be adjusted while the depth of field preview lever is being depressed.

10. FOCUSING ADJUSTMENTS

A. The lens is focused on the subject, by rotating the focusing ring in either direction, while checking the effect on the microprism / split-image rangefinder spot in the center of the focusing screen (standard type).

B. The central split-image spot splits the image diagonally, with the upper and lower halves being separated diagonally when the lens is out of focus. When in focus, however, the two halves will coincide with the diagonal displacement disappearing. The microprism ring surrounding the central spot can also be used for checking the sharpness of the focused image, since the image will glitter when the lens is not focused.
The full-area matte surface surrounding the central focusing aids can also be used for checking image sharpness.


11. FILM ADVANCE AND SHUTTER COCKING
Rotating the film winding crank completely one time, in the forward direction, will advance the film one frame and, at the same time, cock the shutter, with the winding action stopping automatically. On the other hand, short, rapid strokes, up to an accumulated full rotation, will also do the job

11.

12.

13.

12. EXPOSURE COUNTER
The exposure counter shows the number of frames exposed or, in other words, is an additive type. Starting from "S", the odd numbers 1, 3, 5, etc., up to 15, are indicated in actual numbers while the even numbers are indicated with dots, coupled with the film winding crank action.

The letter "S" and number "15" are orange-colored while the other numbers and dots are white.

13. SHUTTER RELEASE BUTTON
A. Depress the shutter release button with the ball of the finger. Use a smooth and gentle action and press all the way in. There is no need for great strength or jerky action, which will effect the sharpness of the picture.

B. Safety Lock The shutter release button can be locked to prevent accidental operations, by simply rotating the locking ring 55° in the clockwise direction. This will place a red dot on the side, indicating that it is locked. To release the safety lock rotate the locking ring in the counter-clockwise direction which will place the dot diagonally lower. The shutter cannot be released, in the following cases: 1. The shutter release button is locked with the locking ring. 2. The dark slide is inserted. 3. The film winding crank has not been rotated fully. (The same is the case when the exposure counter is still between "S" and "1".) 4. The shutter is not cocked. 5. The lens is not properly attached. (The same is the case with extension tubes and bellows.) 6. The lens release button is being depressed.

7. All available frames (15 frames on the 120 roll film and 30 frames on the 220 roll film) have been exposed.

C. If the film winding crank is rotated while the shutter release button is being depressed, the shutter will be released at the instant the winding action is completed.

D. A cable release or self-timer can be screwed into the cable release socket on the left side of the camera body.

TO SECOND PART