Bronica ETRC1978

History

Bronica introduced the ETR in 1976 as a modular 6x4.5 system. The ETRC followed approximately two years later as a cost-reduced variant, concurrent with or shortly before the introduction of the more capable ETRS (1979). The ETRC occupied the bottom of the ETR product range: fully functional for 120 film, compatible with all ETR lenses and waist-level or prism finders, but without the ability to swap backs mid-roll or use 220 film backs, Polaroid backs, or the 35mm panoramic back.

The ETRC was not updated in the same way as the ETRS (which received the ETRSi revision in 1989). It was a market-positioning product rather than a platform for ongoing development, and was discontinued before the ETRSi era.

Why It Matters

The ETRC is the most affordable entry point into the Bronica ETR lens ecosystem. All Zenzanon-E and Zenzanon-PE lenses produced for the ETR system function on the ETRC in manual mode, giving access to one of the most complete medium-format 645 lens lineups outside of Mamiya and Hasselblad. For photographers who shoot exclusively on 120 rolls and have no need to swap backs, the ETRC's limitations are largely invisible in practice.

The absence of modular backs does close off some workflows: no mid-roll back swap for a different film stock, no Polaroid proofing, no 220 film. Studio photographers who relied on these features had reason to pay the premium for an ETR or ETRS. Outdoor, portrait, and documentary photographers working sequentially through rolls found the ETRC entirely sufficient.

For 2026 buyers, the ETRC can be found at lower prices than equivalent-condition ETR or ETRS bodies, and the savings are meaningful. Its lack of desirability on the used market is a buyer's advantage.

Lenses & Accessories

Bronica ETR bayonet mount. Full compatibility with all Zenzanon-E and Zenzanon-PE lenses: 40/4 E, 50/2.8 E, 60/3.5 E, 75/2.8 PE, 100/2.8 PE, 105/3.5 MC, 150/3.5 PE, 200/4.5 PE, 250/5.6 PE. The PE-series lenses with AE coupling do not provide aperture-priority automation on the ETRC body itself — AE requires a compatible metered prism finder. Accessories: waist-level finder; 45-degree prism; AE-III metered prism (with PE lenses for aperture-priority); Motor Winder E (if applicable — verify compatibility with fixed-back variant); extension tubes.

Film backs are not interchangeable on the ETRC. The camera accepts only 120 roll film loaded directly into the fixed back.

Sample Photographers / Notable Use

• The Bronica ETRC was used by photography students and hobbyists in Japan and Europe through the late 1970s and early 1980s as a lower-cost entry into professional-grade 645 medium format.
• Portrait and wedding photographers on limited budgets adopted the ETRC to access Zenzanon optics without paying for modular back capability they did not require.

References

• Camera-Wiki: Bronica ETRC
• Wikipedia: Bronica ETR series