Bronica's first medium format 6x6 SLR system.
THE CAMERAS:
- D (aka DeLuxe) - a stylish camera reminiscent of early Hasselblad models, with instant return mirror, focal plane shutter with speeds ranging from 10 to 1/1250th of a second, automatic diaphragm, interchangeable viewfinder hoods and film backs;
- S - a simplified version of the DeLuxe with reduced shutter speed range from 1 to 1/1000th of a second, without self-timer/long exposure control, double exposure control and focus lock. Interchangeable viewfinder hoods and film backs designed for S series bodies were not compatible with the DeLuxe;
- S2 (S2A) - an improved version of the S, with removable helical type focusing mount and support for 220 size film. In 1969, it was replaced with an internally modified version, identified as S2A;
- C - an economy version of the S, the only model without interchangeable backs but with removable helical type focusing mount;
- EC - a camera of a new generation, with electronically controlled focal plane shutter, split mirror and numerous other important improvements. Interchangeable prisms, finders and backs designed for EC series bodies were not compatible with the DeLuxe and S series bodies;
- EC-TL - an improved version of the EC with a built-in TTL stop down exposure meter and aperture-priority auto exposure mode;
- EC-TL II - a stripped-down version of the EC-TL without slow shutter speeds and with a built-in TTL exposure meter that works in AUTO mode only.
THE LENSES:
Initially, lenses for Bronica cameras were produced by Nikon, but already in the middle of the system’s life cycle they were supplemented by compact and lightweight models sold under Zenza Bronica's own brand name Zenzanon. All these lenses can be divided into three broad categories:
- Lens heads that used camera's focusing helicoid and were designed for the small bayonet mount - 40mm, 50mm, 75mm, 80mm, 100mm, 135mm, 150mm and 200mm, all with fully automatic diaphragm mechanism;
- Lenses with a built-in focusing helicoid that were designed for the large bayonet mount - 105mm and 300mm auto lenses, plus 180mm, 250mm, 350mm and 500mm lenses produced for a short time and in small batches, all with preset diaphragms, with the exception of the 350mm, which had semi-automatic diaphragm;
- Two-part super telephoto lenses consisting of a lens head and a focusing unit, which were designed for the large bayonet mount - 400mm and 600mm auto lenses plus 800mm and 1200mm lenses with manual diaphragm.
Lenses designed for the large bayonet mount required removal of camera's helical type focusing mount. Since both the DeLuxe and S had a non-removable focusing mount, these cameras were not compatible with large bayonet mount lenses.
The focusing mount built into the cameras was also equipped with a M57x1mm thread intended for accessories such as close-up rings.