Anyone know much about a Bronica S2?

A friend of mine inherited a Bronica S2 with a couple of lenses, backs, and viewfinders. He asked me to sell it for him, as he knows nothing about cameras.

Everything looks great, but I can't get the shutter to fire. A quick web search came up with 50% saying it needs to be loaded with film to fire, the other 50% saying it doesn't.

Anyone know?

Try here:
http://www.butkus.org …bronica_s2/bron​ica_s2.htm


My guess is "no." There should be a multiple exposure mode on the body. You should be able to cock the shutter without winding up the film to fire the shutter.

I wish I inherited one! or any medium format SLR for that matter.

Once you try 6x6 it puts 35mm based stuff to shame.

I don't know much about the s2 in operation, but I know the s2a had upgraded internal gears that were less prone to stripping, so go gentle on it. I'm sure you can find a manual online that should help you figure out how to operate it, maybe try a YouTube search for bronica s2 or s2a.

I got the manual from butkus the other day, and it doesn't say either way. I do have 4 rolls of film for it, but was hoping not to have to waste one. Guess I'll have to.

Have you removed the dark slide?...or the back?

Yes.

Well, loaded a roll (expired May 1970!!!), and it fires. Seems to be working well. Thanks all!

KirkS518 wrote in post #16339706
Well, loaded a roll (expired May 1970!!!), and it fires. Seems to be working well. Thanks all!

Hahaha..well, if you develop the film yourself, sure, go burn that roll. If you are going to pay money to have it developed by a lab, I think you should just dump the roll. Shoot something fresh. At least, with a fresh roll, you going to see results. With a roll expired 40 yeas ago, you may just capture some shadows and some strange colors. That's about it.

LOL. Yeah, but expired film can be fun. This was B&W, so there is a chance it's still usable. I've used B&W that expired in '84 and it came out. Unfortunately for this roll, I shot the ceiling, so it's going in the garbage. Still have 2 more rolls of B&W and one color (also expired '69 & '70). I'm going to include them with the camera.