Bronica 150mm f/4
At f/4, it’s not the fastest lens in the medium format world—but in the right hands, it delivers a quiet kind of precision.
Overview
The Bronica 150mm f/4 is a telephoto lens designed for medium format systems, built as part of Bronica’s Zenzanon line of optics. Marketed under several naming variants—most consistently as the "Zenzanon-PG" or "Zenzanon-PS"—it was offered for multiple camera mounts, including compatibility with the ETR, SQ, and GS-1 series, though specific versions were tailored to each. The lens maintains a consistent 150mm focal length and f/4 maximum aperture across documented versions, positioning it as a moderate telephoto choice for portrait, detail, or field work where reach mattered more than speed.
One of its defining traits—also a point of contention—is the minimum focusing distance. Multiple sources list it as approximately 1.5 meters (59 inches), though one conflicting report cites 75cm. At 1.5m, working distance becomes a real constraint, especially in tighter environments. Forum users have called this limitation “abysmal,” particularly when compared to contemporary lenses that allowed closer approach. Still, for subjects at a distance—portraits with separation, distant details, or candid street framing—the 150mm’s reach on a 6×6 platform offered a flattering compression. The angle of view, measured at 29.5°, supports that use case, providing a modest telephoto perspective without veering into super-telephoto territory.
While not the brightest in Bronica’s lineup (a 150mm f/3.5 variant also exists), the f/4 version trades that extra stop for potentially tighter tolerances. The f/3.5 model, according to available documentation, offers a slightly brighter viewfinder image and improved wide-open performance—suggesting the f/4 may have been optimized for consistency and cost. Aperture control is reported to feature half-stop detents across a range from f/4 to f/32, allowing fine exposure tuning, a feature standard across the PG-series lenses. The aperture iris uses five blades, which may result in a slightly polygonal bokeh at smaller openings, though optical performance details like sharpness, flare resistance, or distortion are not documented in available sources.
Specifications
| Manufacturer | Bronica |
| Product type | Camera lens |
| Focal Length | 150mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/4 |
| Minimum Aperture | f32 |
| Lens construction | conflicting reports: six elements in six groups or 6 elements in 4 groups |
| Minimum Focusing Distance | 1.5 m |
| Angle of view | 29.5° |
| Filter Thread/Size | 72 mm |
| Mount | PG mount (for Bronica GS-1 series) |
| Aperture Blades | 5 blades |
| Item/Part Number | BG3204 |
Collectibility & Value
The Bronica 150mm f/4 originally carried a list price of $1,515.00, according to period catalogs. In today’s secondary market, prices vary significantly by condition and seller location. Units graded EX (Excellent) list between $186 and $210 in the U.S., while European sellers offer similar condition models for around €129. These figures reflect the PS and PG variants specifically, though lower-priced listings—such as one at $85.60—may represent the f/3.5 version or lenses in lesser condition. No reports of common mechanical failures or optical defects are documented, suggesting reliable long-term performance when properly stored. Collectibility remains moderate: it’s not a rarefied grail lens, but it’s a functional, system-specific optic sought by Bronica system users maintaining or expanding their kits.
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