Bronica S2A

[magicmikey]

Long story short. I've fell in love with the looks of the camera but I'm hearing bad things about problems.

Anyone here own one that they could talk about ?

Thanks

 

[Knikki]

I had one a few years ago and I sold it to a friend who later gave it to his cousin.

It was fine I had no problems with mine.

 

[joxby]

I shoot an EC, it has electronic shutter timings whereas the S2a is all mechanical, besides that I don't think there is much difference between them.
The S2, S2a and EC are oooold cameras now so you have to assume there will be light seal and foam degradation problems
I've heard the S2a had parts made from some slightly less durable materials than the S2 and EC, some talk of gear failure but I can't provide any evidence to support this.
Whichever camera of the three you choose, if it goes belly up, repair is an unlikely option considering their age and the availability of parts.
Having said that, they were built to last, tough as old boots.
Flash sync is 1/40th because its a focal plane shutter if that matters, but there is a leaf shutter lens or two amongst what is a large and fairly available range.
Another minor negative on the S2 & S2a is the full size mirror flapping about in there every actuation, its like a shotgun going off and produces some vibration, easily remedied with mirror lock-up....if you remember that is.
That's about it for negs, they are reliable quality cameras with a comprehensive range of quality lenses, they're just getting a bit long in the tooth, a late S2a is gonna be 40+ years old.
I only know one person here with an S2a, photostar, she may be able to tell you more about it..

 

[Morinaka]

Like joxby says it's an old camera which means it has (or could have) problems like light seals and since it's mechanical probably inaccurate shutter speeds, harder to find pieces and probably other things as well.

If you want a camera to actually shoot with then go for the Bronica SQ-A or SQ-Ai, looking at the prices of the S2a and its parts on ebay there is very little difference but the SQ series is much newer (the SQ-Ai was made between 1990-2004), has electronic leaf shutters in the lenses so can sync at all speeds with flash, lenses will be better coated but i doubt you'd see much difference between the new and old lenses since they are all excellent.

If you want to shoot it and have the looks you'll have to deal with the problems that come with shooting old mechanical cameras, decide what is more important and go in whatever direction that takes you.