Bronica EC-TL II (Announced April 1972, Introduced October 1978–Discontinued March 1980)

At 1980 grams, it lands in your hands like a declaration—this is serious gear, built for those who needed a system, not a snapshot.

Overview

The Bronica EC-TL II isn't a camera that whispers. It announces itself in weight, in heft, in the deliberate mechanical-electronic choreography of its operation. Introduced in October 1978, it represented the final evolution of Bronica’s line of medium format SLRs built around a focal-plane shutter—a design path the company would soon abandon in favor of leaf-shutter systems. The camera was first announced in April 1972. Marketed as a professional-class medium format single lens reflex camera, the EC-TL II was engineered for photographers who demanded modularity, precision, and a true system approach to their craft.

Despite its professional aspirations, the EC-TL II offers only manual exposure control, with no built-in exposure metering. This absence might seem stark by modern standards, but it was consistent with the modular philosophy: metering was handled externally, most notably through the optional Electro-Controlled Meter/Finder. That accessory, when attached, connects electronically to the shutter—no mechanical linkage required—and supports an ASA range of 16 to 3200. The shutter itself is electronically controlled, with speeds from 4 seconds to 1/1000th of a second plus Bulb, totaling 13 steps as stated in manufacturer documentation. Flash sync is fixed at 1/60th, a limitation of the electronic timing system.

Specifications

Manufacturer	Zenza Bronica
Model	EC-TL II
Type	Medium format single lens reflex camera
Format	Medium format 6x6
Film type	120 roll film, 220 roll film
Mount	Bronica [89mm]
Lens mounts	Large bayonet mount, Small bayonet mount
Interchangeable lenses	Yes
Standard lens	Nikkor-P 75mm f/2.8
Shutter Type	Focal-plane
Shutter Model	Electronically controlled
Shutter Speeds	4 - 1/1000 + B
Exposure metering	None
Exposure modes	Manual
Weight	1980g
Dimensions	139x117x170mm

Key Features

Electronically Timed Focal-Plane Shutter

The heart of the EC-TL II is its electronically controlled focal-plane shutter. Unlike earlier mechanical shutters, this system uses electronic timing circuits to regulate exposure durations, offering greater consistency across the full range of 13 speeds—from 4 seconds to 1/1000th—and including Bulb mode. This shift to electronic timing was a significant step forward in precision, though it introduced dependency on battery power. The sync speed is fixed at 1/60th second, a trade-off for the stability of the electronic control system.

Split Mirror Mechanism

To manage the large mirror slap inherent in a medium format SLR and reduce viewfinder blackout and vibration, Bronica implemented a split mirror design. The upper portion of the mirror flips up during exposure, while the lower section moves in opposition, counter-balancing the motion. This design helps dampen shock and makes the camera more stable during exposure—critical when using longer lenses or slower shutter speeds on a tripod.

Electronic Integration with Meter/Finder

Historical Context

The Bronica EC-TL II was announced in April 1972, introduced in October 1978 and discontinued in March 1980, giving it a production run of less than two years. This short lifespan marks it as the last of Bronica’s focal-plane shutter medium format SLRs. Its brief tenure coincided with a shift in the professional photography market toward more automated, leaf-shutter-based systems like the Bronica SQ series. The EC-TL II, while advanced for its time, arrived at the end of an era—one defined by modularity, mechanical precision, and the dominance of studio and field photography where bulk was acceptable for image quality.