Bronica Zenzanon MC 250mm

The Bronica Zenzanon MC 250mm f/5.6 is a long telephoto prime made for Bronica's ETR 6×4.5 medium-format system.

On 645 format, its 250mm focal length gives a field of view roughly comparable to a 150mm lens on 35mm, making it a useful choice for tighter portraits, distant subjects, landscapes and studio work where you want plenty of working distance.

The MC version uses Bronica's multi-coated optics and incorporates the ETR system's leaf shutter into the lens. That gives the system one of its most useful features for studio photography: flash synchronisation across the shutter-speed range, up to 1/500 sec.

This is a substantial manual-focus lens at around 820g, and its longer focal length rewards a considered shooting style. For portraits, it offers strong subject isolation and compressed perspective without moving away from the distinctive look and larger negative of 6×4.5 film.

Best for

• Medium-format portraits
• Studio photography
• Fashion
• Distant subjects
• Landscape details
• 6×4.5 film photography
• Flash photography
• Bronica ETR system users
• Collectors building a Bronica kit

What to expect

The 250mm focal length is firmly in telephoto territory on 6×4.5, giving an approximately 150mm-equivalent field of view compared with 35mm format.

With a maximum aperture of f/5.6, this isn't a particularly fast lens. In lower light, a tripod or other support can be useful, especially given the longer focal length and lack of image stabilisation.

The original MC version focuses to approximately 3.5 metres, uses a 62mm filter thread and weighs around 820g.

There were different 250mm versions produced for the ETR system, including a later optical version and the subsequent Zenzanon-E and PE lenses. The specifications here are for the original Zenzanon MC 250mm f/5.6 recorded in the SS8 inventory.

Developing

This lens is 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.