Bronica Zenzanon MC 200mm

The Bronica Zenzanon MC 200mm f/4.5 is a classic medium-format telephoto prime made for Bronica's modular ETR 6×4.5 camera system. The ETR system launched in 1976 and became a complete professional medium-format system with interchangeable lenses, backs, finders and accessories.

On 6×4.5 format, the 200mm gives a field of view roughly comparable to a 120mm lens on 35mm format, making it a natural choice for portraits, studio work and more distant subjects. Later Bronica documentation lists the same 120mm-equivalent field of view for its 200mm ETR-system lens.

The shutter is built into the lens. This leaf-shutter design makes the system particularly useful for flash photography, with flash synchronisation available at shutter speeds up to 1/500 sec.

It's a slower and more deliberate way to shoot than a modern autofocus telephoto, but that's exactly where the appeal lies. Manual focus, medium-format film and a longer focal length make this a lens for considered portraits and carefully composed images.

Best for

• Medium-format film photography
• Portraits
• Studio work
• Fashion
• Headshots and tighter portraits
• Distant subjects
• Flash photography
• Bronica ETR system users
• Collectors building a Bronica 645 kit

What to expect

The 200mm focal length is firmly telephoto on 6×4.5, with an approximately 120mm-equivalent field of view compared with 35mm format. That makes it particularly useful when you want tighter framing and more distance between the camera and subject.

Its maximum aperture is f/4.5, with a minimum aperture of f/32, while minimum focusing distance is around 2 metres. The MC version uses a 62mm filter thread and weighs approximately 700g.

Focusing is completely manual. There is no image stabilisation, so at 200mm you'll want to pay attention to shutter speed or use a tripod when the light starts dropping.

Developing

This lens was designed for the Bronica ETR 6×4.5 film system, so developing depends on the film loaded into the camera.

Colour negative film will commonly use C-41 processing, while black and white and slide films require their respective processes.

The lens can also be adapted to some digital camera systems. When used digitally, no film developing is required.