ETR Camera Body Generations
Between 1976 and 1989, Bronica developed six distinct camera bodies for the ETR System.
ETR & ETR Mk-II (January 1976 – March 1980)
Available in black and chrome trim, the original ETR body model incorporated most of the features that would be found on any generation of ETR System body.
ETR-C (October 1977 – March 1980)
The ETR-C was identical to the ETR model, except that the film back frame was permanently fixed to the camera body, meaning that only the film insert could be swapped.
ETRS (January 1979 – July 1982)
This revision moved the battery check light into the viewfinder and improved the shutter lock.
ETRC (January 1979 – October 1980)
Not to be confused with the earlier ETR-C model, this body was the fixed back variant of the ETRS.
ETRS Mk-II (July 1982 – September 1989)
By replacing some metal components with polycarbonate, this revision of the ETRS body was made smaller and lighter, with a relocated lens release button.
ETRSi (October 1989 – December 2004)
For the final revision to the ETR System, most changes were internal – however the body weight and size was again reduced, an SCA connector was added, and the lens release button was returned to its original position.
ETR Special Editions
Bronica released seven special editions of the ETRS and ETRSi generation cameras.
ETRS 20th Anniversary
This edition was released in 1979 to celebrate Zenza Bronica’s 20th anniversary. Only 300 units were manufactured, based on the ETRS body with a distinctive brown leatherette and matching AE-II Viewfinder and 120 Film Back. The emblem was plated with 24-carat gold.
ETRS Clubman
Another limited edition of 300 units, the ETRS Clubman was launched in October 1978. The camera has limited differences from the standard ETRS model – an SQ-like name plate, and a matching AE-II viewfinder badged “ETRS Clubman Limited”.
ETRS Safari
This variation of the ETRS Mk-II body was finished in olive green and launched around 1982. The body was accompanied by coordinated AE-II Finder-E, Film Back ETRS 120, Waist Level Finder-E, Speed Grip-E, Professional Lens Hood-E and Zenzanon EII 75mm f2.8 lens, all contained within a special system case.
ETRSi Transparent
With only 10 manufactured, this special edition sometimes seems more a myth than a reality! These were ETRSi camera bodies with a transparent plastic casing, and included a matching 120 Film Back.
ETRSi W.H. Fox Talbot 150th Anniversary
150 of these kits were produced by Bronica UK in collaboration with Billingham, and included ETRSi body, two 120 film backs, 50mm, 75mm and 150mm lenses, AE-II viewfinder as well as a flashgun and SCA adaptor, all housed in a hand-made Billingham hard case.
ETRSi 300,000 ETR Series Cameras
Launched in March 1996, the first of these cameras was the 300,000th ETR System camera body sold by Bronica. The set included the ETRSi camera body and Filmback-Ei 120, characterized by a chrome trim and gold special edition badge.
