When asked, Jesse replied:
1. If you were to choose a favourite film camera from your collection which would it be?
Bronica GS1 6×7 SLR medium format camera.
2. How long have you owned this camera?
I’ve owned two of these cameras for a total of five years.
3. How did you come to own this camera?
I was first introduced to Bronica cameras by a mentor while I was at University studying scientific photography. I saved all my money and bought a GS1 and owned it for 2 years until I sold it to buy a computer. I always regretted my decision to sell and kept an eye out for a replacement. I finally bought another 3 years ago on clearance from Leo’s, 20 years after my first and I’ve kept it close ever since. I take it everywhere!
4. What things do you enjoy most about this camera?
I’ve never understood why Bronica wasn’t more popular for photographers, there’s so much to love about this camera. Firstly, I love how compact it is! It handles like a 6×4.5, it’s light and with the reflex viewer you get TTL metering and flash sync at all speeds. They’re super cheap, too! I can get a NOS body and 100ml lens for $350 and other lenses range from $80-$300. The camera boasts a good selection of lenses ranging from 50mm to 500mm, diopters and accessories. The lenses themselves are remarkably good! They’re razor sharp and I can enlarge the images to 16×20 with ease. Another feature I love is that the grip is right-handed, unlike the left-handed Mamiya RB/RZ system. Getting the camera serviced is difficult, but for most problems keeping the second body can be used for spares, and it’s easy & cheap to get another body if necessary. It’s my primary camera and always a joy to use.
