Tamron BRONICA GS-1 Owner Manual
Congratulations on your choice of the Zenza Bronica GS-1,a lens shutter type single reflex camera in the 6
x 7 format.
The GS-1 provides the professional user with a lightweight and compact 6 x 7 format single lens reflex of
extremely useful versatility and multi-functional performance, which is based on the history and experience
gained in the development of the Zenza Bronica ETRS and SQ-A single lens reflexes, as well as the latest
technological advances in the electronic field.
The GS-1 has been developed as a full-scale system camera, with a wide range of versatile accessories and
especially with complete film back interchangeability which gives it multi-format capability for use in a
wide field of applications, including commercial photography, news photography, scientific photography,
etc., as well as giving this 6 x 7 format single reflex versatility equal to the 35mm single reflex camera.
Although instructions following are based on the GS-1 camera main body, the Zenzanon-PG 100mm lens
and the Film Back GS 120, the choice of the finder is left to the discretion of the photographer who should
also read the instructions for the finder chosen. The choice of lens, film back and finder should be based on
the type of assignment contemplated by the user.
To obtain best results from the Zenza Bronica GS-1, may we suggest that you read this instruction manual
through carefully, before you even touch the camera, as your pleasure in using the camera will be even
greater if you thoroughly familiarize yourself with its working parts before loading your first roll of film.
1
GS-1
Specifications of the Zenza Bronica GS-1
Parts of the Zenza Bronica GS-1
1. Loading the Battery
2. Main Switch
3. Finder Display and Battery Checking
4. Attachment and Removal of Film Backs
5. Construction of Film Back
6. Film Loading
7. Film Speed Dial
8. Exposure Counter
9. Film Type Indicator Frame
10. Exposure Counter
11. Film Winding/Shutter Cocking
12. Film Unloading
13. Setting the Shutter Speed Dial
14. Shutter Release Button
15. Time (T) Exposure
16. Exchanging Lenses
17. Interchanging Finders
18. Setting the Aperture Ring
19. Focusing Adjustments
20. Distance Scale and Depth of Field Scale
21. Infrared Photography
22. Flash Photography
23. Multiple Exposures
24. Mirror Lock-Up
25. Remote Control Operations
26. Interchanging Focusing Screens
27. Removal and Attachment of the Film Winding Crank Assembly
28. Attachment of Neck Strap
29. Facts about the Battery
30. Pointers on Shooting
31. Care of the Zenza Bronica GS-1
32. Depth of Field Tables
33. Specifications of Zenzanon-PG Lenses
Contents Page
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10, 11
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Type 6 x 7cm format lens, shutter single lens reflex
camera with interchangeable lens, film back,
finder and focusing screen systems.
Frame Size 55.6 x 69.0mm (4:5 ratio matching the size of
the photographic paper.)
Film 120 roll film; 220 roll film; 135 roll film in film
cartridges; and Polaroid Land Pack films (with
exclusive film backs required for each film
type.)
Standard Lens Zenzanon-PG 100mm F3.5; interchangeable
type; six elements in four groups; multi-layer
anti-reflection coated; 48 degree angle of
view; F22 minimum aperture; and minimum
0.75m focusing distance.
Filter Size 72mm diameter on 100mm F3.5 standard
lens.
Lens Mount Bronica GS mount (exclusive four-claw bayo-
net.)
Focusing Adjustment Helical focusing system built into each lens.
Lens Diaphragm Fully automatic instant reopening lens
diaphragm; ½ stop increments; equal-distant
aperture scale graduations.
Shutter Electronic control SEIKO #0 between-lens leaf
shutter; shutter speeds from 16 sec. to 1/500
sec., without intermediate settings, plus T
(time exposure), B (bulb) and A (automatic
exposure.)
Shutter Release Electro-magnetic shutter release system; also
has electro-magnetic cable release system.
Film Winding Film winding crank, with one full forward rev-
olution or ratcheted winding action.
Multiple Exposure Multiple exposures possible with multiple
exposure lever on camera body.
Mirror Lock-up Continuous mirror lock-up possible with mir-
ror lock-up lever on camera body.
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Specifications of the ZENZA BRONICA GS-1
Film Back Daylight loading interchangeable type; exclu-
sive film backs for 120 and 220 roll films (6 x
7, 6 x 6 and 6 x 4.5 formats) and Polaroid
Land Pack film; with ASA/ISO film speed dial
and exposure compensation dial (coupling to
finders with built-in exposure meter.
Finder Interchangeable type; shows 94% of the
actual field of view (which does not change
upon exchanging finders.)
Focusing Screen Interchangeable type; standard type, sup-
plied with camera, has full-area matte screen.
Finder Indications Shutter speed, etc., is shown at the top of the
finder area, outside the screen area; 5 digits, 7
segments and dot indication, depending on
the finder attached.
Flash Synchronization X-setting (for all speeds up to 1/500 sec.)
Battery Checking Steady illumination or flickering of shutter
speed display in finder, with half-stroke of the
shutter release button.
Battery Single 6 volt silver oxide or alkaline-man-
ganese battery.
Dimensions 106.5 (wide) x 99 (high) x 80 (long) mm- GS-1
main bodies only.
106.5 (wide) x 116 (high) x 196.5 (long) mmGS-1, with standard 100mm lens, Film Back
GS 120 and Waist-level Finder G.
Weight 630 grams (GS-1 main body only, without
battery.)
1,830 grams (GS-1, with standard 100mm
lens, Film Back GS 120 and Waist-level Finder
G, but without battery.)
*The above specifications are subject to change without prior notice.
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Specifications of the ZENZA BRONICA GS-1 (con’t)
5
Parts of the ZENZA BRONICA GS-1
Film Winding Crank
Finder release button
Shutter speed dial lock button
Depth of field preview lever
Main switch
Lens release button
Neck strap eyelet
Electro-magnetic cable
release socket
Film back release
button
Dark slide slit
Film plane mark
Multiple exposure lever
Neck strap eyelet
Back cover release button (bottom)
Back cover release button (top)
Focusing ring
Flash synch socket
Shutter speed scale
window
Shutter speed dial
AE finder contacts
Mirror lock-up lever
Screen removal lever
(left)
Shutter release button
Spool holder
Film winding crank
assembly release lever
Screen removal lever
(right)
ASA/ISO film speed
contacts
Manual film winder
LED display plate
Time exposure
lever release
Aperture ring
Depth of field scale
Lens alignment dot
Distance scales
Film winding
coupler
Accessory contacts
Accessory guide sockets
Exposure compensation dial
Exposure counter window
Film type indicator frame
ASA/ISO film
speed dial lock
button
ASA/ISO film
speed scale
Battery chamber
button
Battery chamber
cover
Tripod socket
Time exposure lever
Exposure compensation dial lock button
Film widing crank assembly
The electronically controlled shutter and, of course, the electro-magnetic shutter release system will not
work without loading the battery. Use one 6 volt silver oxide battery or alkaline-manganese battery.
* The battery may be obtained at any photographic equipment or electrical appliance shop.
A. Depress the battery chamber button with your finger and, at the
same time, move the battery chamber cover in the arrow-indicated
direction. The cover will come off quite easily.
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1. Loading the Battery
B. Coincide the plus (+) and minus (-) marks on the battery with similar polarity indications in the battery chamber. Then, push in the battery. Insert the battery chamber cover into the BATTERY end first and
then move the cover in the other direction until it locks.
* The shutter will not operate when the battery is loaded with polarity marks reserved.
The main switch is located on the upper left side of the main body.
There will be no operation unless the main switch is pushed down
(i.e., switched ON).
* There is no power consumption, even with the main switch ON.
However, the battery life will be shortened when the shutter release
is stroked half-way and the shutter speed display lights up steadily or
flickers. Therefore, switch OFF (push up) the main switch when you
are not planning to use the camera for some time.
2. Main Switch
A. A LED display located over the top center of the focusing
screen shows the shutter speed, which is viewed laterally
reversed with the waist-level finder. Since the LED display differs with the finder in use, please read the instructions supplied with the finder for correct usage and reading.
3. Finder Display and Battery Checking
B. Turn ON the main switch and then stroke the shutter release button halfway. If the LED display in the finder lights up steadily or flickers, as the case may be, the battery is loaded properly and there is
sufficient power for operation.
* If the LED display does not light up steadily or does not flicker, (1)
the battery is not loaded properly or (2) the battery is completely
drained and should be exchanged.
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3. Finder Display and Battery Checking (con’t)
The film back is a film chamber that can be attached or detached freely from the main body,
thus permitting free exchange of film types, at all times. Since the main body and film back
are always fully coupled, upon connection, always turn the film winding crank completely
one time, upon attaching the film back. If winding is not possible, however, rotating the film
winding crank until it stops automatically takes care of the incomplete action, whether the
shutter is not cocked or film not advanced. This means, of course, that it's possible to
choose the film type most suited for the shot, even midway in a roll.
An ASA/ISO film speed dial and an exposure compensation dial are available on the film
backs. When used for setting the film speed of the film loaded in the film back, there is
automatic coupling when finders with built-in exposure meters are attached on the main
body. This will, of course, be very convenient when using films of different sensitivities in
the film backs.
* Make full use of film back interchangeability, in the following manner: -
1. Take full advantage of the multi-format superiority of the GS-1 and use film backs
in many different formats, which will not only give you different effects but will economize on film.
2. Take your pictures in color and black-and-white, and in different film speeds, as
required.
3. Keep sufficient quantity of pre-loaded film backs on hand and speedy, continuous
shooting will be possible.
4. Don't waste unsuitable film used in a previous session but simply load up a new
film back with the required film type.
5. The Polaroid Film Back can be used for instant color or black-and-white pictures,
when in a rush, or used for checking composition or lighting effect, before taking the
actual picture.
* Film backs are available optionally and the type meeting the requirements of the photographer should be chosen.
4. Attachment and Removal of Film Backs
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4. Attachment and Removal of Film Backs (con’t)
A. To attach the film back to the main body, simply insert the latches
at the upper end of the film back into the attachment openings at
the upper end of the main body. Then, press the lower end of the
film back against the main body until it locks securely.
* The dark slide must be withdrawn from its slit, upon attachment of
the film back to the main body, as otherwise the shutter cannot be
released.
B. The dark slide must be inserted into the dark slide slit in order to
remove the film back from the main body. Insert, with the mark at
the top, as illustrated, and then push in all the way.
* There is danger of the film back becoming detached from the main
body, if the dark slide is left in its slit while the camera is being carried. Therefore, make it a rule to withdraw the dark slide whenever
the film back is attached to the main body.
C. Depress the film back release button and the lower end of the film
back can be removed, as illustrated. Simply shift the film back up
slightly and pull it away.
* The dark slide cannot be withdrawn from the film back when the
film back is detached from the main body.
5. Construction of Film Back
A. The film back consists of a film holder and film back frame, with
exclusive film backs available for 120 and 220 roll films. The film holder is not only detachable from the film back but also has a built-in
film winding mechanism.
* Read instructions supplied with the Film Back GS 135 for loading
135 roll film.
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B. The film back frame has a base with dark slide slit and a back cover
with an ASA/ISO film speed dial, and exposure compensation dial and
a film type indicator frame. The film back frame completely encloses
the film holder and shields it from outside light, as well as connecting
it to the main body and also coupling with finders with built-in exposure meters.
A. To open the back cover, squeeze the top and bottom back cover
release buttons, in the arrow-indicated directions, at the same time
and the back cover will open.
5. Construction of Film Back (con’t)
6. Film Loading
B. It will be possible to take out the film holder, upon opening the
back cover.
C. The film holder has two spool holders, with the right one for the
fresh film spool while the left one is for the empty take-up spool. The
top spool holder is opened, as illustrated, by sliding the film (spool) in
the arrow-indicated "A" direction. The new film spool should be coincided on the right-side bottom shaft, which is fixed, after which the
top spool holder should be closed to engage the spool.
* The spool holders on the top will be locked securely, when the back
cover is closed.
D. After loading the fresh film spool properly, draw out the leading
end of the film and turn it across the film pressure plate (as illustrated). Run it across and turn it over to the take-up spool. Insert the
leading end into the slit of the take-up spool and wind slightly until
securely engaged.
* The inside black surface of the leader must face out when running
across the pressure plate, in this case.
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