Bronica EC / EC-TL
The Zenza Bronica EC is a 6x6 medium format SLR camera with interchangeable lenses, viewfinders, and film backs. Released in 1972, the Zenza Bronica EC represented a dramatic shift from the earlier, all-mechanical S2A. Featuring an all-new electronic focal-plane shutter with a 1/1000 top speed ("EC" stands for Electronically Controlled), the Bronica EC also introduced an innovative split-mirror design that smoothed mirror shake and prevented vignetting when used with long telephoto lenses. The EC has an instant return mirror, meaning that the viewfinder image does not remain blacked out after exposure -- a feature contemporary Hasselblad cameras lacked.
In 1975, Bronica updated the EC in the form of the EC-TL, which introduced a built-in TTL (through-the-lens) light meter with aperture-priority auto exposure capability. This was an advanced feature for its time -- simply set the shutter dial to the "A" setting and the camera selects the correct speed for the selected aperture. The EC-TL-II was a later simplified version of this camera, which featured new internal circuitry and removed some slow shutter speeds, as well as deleting meter functionality in manual mode.
In hand, the Bronica EC is a bit bigger than a Hasselblad -- this is a substantial camera. In fact, the EC handles similarly to the Rolleiflex SL66 from which Bronica clearly drew styling inspiration. Shutter speed and film winding knobs are on the right-hand side of the camera, with a cold shoe on the left. The Bronica EC film backs incorporate a built-in pocket for the dark slide, similar to late-model Hasselblad magazines. Overall, despite its size the EC has a sensible, well-designed control layout and is pleasant to handle. A wide variety of excellent Nikkor and Zenzanon lenses are available for the system, and because they lack the leaf shutter found in many medium format SLR lenses, they are relatively inexpensive. Interchangeable focusing screens and viewfinders, including metered prisms, add to the EC system's versatility.
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