Bronica EC-TL

Name: Bronica EC-TL
Brand: Bronica

A medium format 6x6 SLR that takes 120 or 220 roll film. Introduced in 1975 as the first automatic 6x6 SLR.

Overview

The Zenza Bronica EC-TL is a medium format (6x6) single lens reflex camera, designed and built in Japan by Zenza Bronica. It was announced in June 1975 and marketed as the first automatic 6x6 SLR. It offers aperture-priority auto and manual exposure modes. It takes 120 or 220 roll film. The shutter is a focal-plane type with electronic control, running from 4 seconds to 1/1000 sec, plus Bulb and a mechanically-controlled 1/40 sec setting. The mount is a Bronica bayonet with an 89mm flange focal distance. The EC-TL belongs to the Bronica system family and works with most current Bronica interchangeable lenses, except the 105mm.

Specifications

Announced	June 1975
System	Bronica
Maximum format	6x6 (Medium format)
Film type	120 roll film, 220 roll film
Lens mount	Bronica bayonet
Flange focal distance	89mm
Shutter Type	Focal-plane
Shutter Model	Electronically controlled
Shutter Speeds	4 sec to 1/1000 sec, Bulb, plus mechanically-controlled 1/40 sec
Shutter speed control	Stepless on AUTO; intermediate settings possible on MANUAL
Exposure metering	Through-the-lens (TTL), stop-down
Exposure modes	Aperture-priority Auto, Manual
Weight	1840g
Dimensions	139x117x170mm
Compatible lenses	All current Bronica interchangeable lenses except the 105mm

Design

The EC-TL uses TTL stop-down metering with two fast-response silicon blue cells measuring lens light and a third cell compensating for ambient light entering the viewfinder. The viewfinder includes a digital shutter speed scale with over/under-exposure warnings, illuminated by LEDs. It features a two-piece split-type instant-return reflex mirror (main and sub-mirror) designed to reduce mirror shock during operation.

Context

The Bronica EC-TL was marketed as the first automatic 6x6 SLR, and it was the first 6x6 model to incorporate an unspecified new feature. It sits in the Bronica system camera family, along with models like the Bronica C, D, and EC.