Brand: Bronica
Category: Camera
Document Type:
Language: EN
Manual for S2
Uploaded: Aug. 9, 2025, 11:44 p.m.
Manual Publish Date: 1969-03-31
This manual provides detailed information on the Bronica S2 camera, including its components, repair procedures, and troubleshooting. It covers various sections such as the exterior of the body, winding block, mirror block, shutter block, safety device, and flash synchronization system. Specific instructions are given for disassembling and reassembling parts, with clear diagrams and part numbers for each component. The manual also includes a troubleshooting section that identifies common malfunctions, their causes, and recommended repair methods.
Troubleshooting and error codes
| Malfunction | Cause | Method of repair |
|---|---|---|
| Film wind crank-handle turns freely. Film wind crank-handle turns too lightly and there is no sign of shutter charging or film advance. | 1. Rotation is not conveyed to Gear #2 due to breakdown of Gear #1. | 1. Replace Gear #1 and Gear #2. |
| Film wind crank-handle turns freely. Film wind crank-handle turns too lightly and there is no sign of shutter charging or film advance. | 2. Rotation is not conveyed to the gear assembly due to loosening of the caulking of Winding Wheel #3 and Winding Pin Bearing #4. | 2. Re-caulk or replace parts. |
| Swelling on a part of the right side-cover plate. | Screw #2 for fixing Gear #1 in position became loose through contact with the inner surface of the side-cover plate during rotation and pushes out the side-cover plate. | 1. After applying bonding agent to prevent loosening, tighten Screw #2 securely. 2. Replace Gear #3 and Screw #2 with improved parts featuring left-motion screw thread. |
| Film wind crank-handle tends to recoil when grip is release in the course of shutter charging. | 1. Caulking of Stud #2 of Film Wind Ratchet #1 has become loose. | 1. Re-caulk the stud. |
| Film wind crank-handle tends to recoil when grip is release in the course of shutter charging. | 2. Poor function of Spring #3. | 2. After checking the function of Film Wind Ratchet #1, adjust Spring #3 so that it provides greater recoiling power. |
| Film wind crank-handle tends to recoil when grip is release in the course of shutter charging. | 3. Deterioration of the shape of Film Wind Ratchet #1. | 3. Re-form the tip with a whet-stone or replace Film Wind Ratchet. |
| Film wind crank-handle does not come to a stop after shutter charging and therefore shutter release button fails to operate. | 1. Spring #3 pressing Stopper Lever #1 is too weak. | 1. Adjust Spring #3 so that it produces sufficient recoiling power. |
| Film wind crank-handle does not come to a stop after shutter charging and therefore shutter release button fails to operate. | 2. Hook Section #4 of Stopper Lever #1 is bent and is liable to slip off the catch. | 2. Re-form Hook Section #4 of Stopper Lever #1 and Catch #5 of Stopper Ring. |
| Film wind crank-handle rotates freely. Shutter fails to function even when shutter release button is depressed, and film wind crank-handle still turns without any resistance. | 1. Spring #5 of Winder Advancing Claw #4 is disengaged and Advancing Claw #4 fails to convey the rotation to Shutter-Mirror Charging Gear #6 and Winding Roller #7. | 1. Replace the spring. |
| Film wind crank-handle rotates freely. Shutter fails to function even when shutter release button is depressed, and film wind crank-handle still turns without any resistance. | 2. Caulking or Stud #8 of Advancing Claw #4 and Winding Stopper Ring #1 has become loose. | 2. Replace the stud. |
| A big rattling noise is produced immediately after shutter charging, and both mirror and shutter fail to operate. (When the shutter curtain is in a released state.) | 1. The teeth of Intermediate Shutter Charging Gear #2 and Shutter Charging Gear #1 of the Winding Block are not properly engaged. | 1. Demount the Winding Block and tighten Screws #3 fixing Winding Release Roller Stud from the rear, if they are found to be loose. (Fig. 2) Advance SM Charging Gear #4 by one tooth in a clockwise motion and M Charging Gear also by one tooth in a counter-clockwise motion; then, mount the Winding Block seeing to it that the teeth are engaged properly. (Figs. 1 to 3) |
| A big rattling noise is produced immediately after shutter charging, and both mirror and shutter fail to operate. (When the shutter curtain is in a released state.) | 2. SM Charging Gear #4 and M Charging Gear #5, as well as Intermediate S Charging Gear #2 are not engaged properly. | 2. Demount the Winding Block and tighten Screws #3 on the rear. (Fig. 2) After shifting SM Charging Gear #4 by one tooth in a clockwise motion, mount the Winding Block seeing to it that the gears are properly engaged. (Figs. 1 to 4) |
| Overlapping of frames (Overlaps at irregular intervals) | 1. a. Weak tension of Spring #2. | 1. a. Regulate Spring #2 so as to provide greater tension. |
| Overlapping of frames (Overlaps at irregular intervals) | b. Deformation of Stopper Claw #1. | b. Reshape Stopper Claw #1 into proper form. |
| Overlapping of frames (Overlaps at irregular intervals) | c. Improper function of Calibration Lever #3. | c. Make adjustment to assure smooth function of Calibration Lever #3. |
| Overlapping of frames (Overlaps at irregular intervals) | 2. Deformation of Calibration Plate #4. | 2. Reshape Calibration Plate #4 into proper form. |
| Overlapping of frames (Frames overlap one over the other, showing hardly any trace of film advance.) | 1. a. Weak tension of Spring #4. | 1. a. Regulate Spring #4 so as to provide greater tension. |
| Overlapping of frames (Frames overlap one over the other, showing hardly any trace of film advance.) | b. Calibration Plate #5 and Auxiliary Calibration Plate #1 are in contact with each other. | b. Replace Calibration Plate Unit. |
| Overlapping of frames (Frames overlap one over the other, showing hardly any trace of film advance.) | 2. a. Deformation of Calibration Lever #2. | 2. a. Reshape Calibration Lever #2 into proper form. |
| Overlapping of frames (Frames overlap one over the other, showing hardly any trace of film advance.) | b. Deformation of F Film Advance Release Lever #6. | b. Reshape F Film Advance Release Lever #6 into proper form. |
| Exposure counter fails to reset to "0". | 1. Tip #2 or #3 of Calibration Lever #1 comes into contact with Auxiliary Calibration Plate #4. | 1. a. Regulate Starter Spring #5 so as to provide greater tension. |
| Exposure counter fails to reset to "0". | a. Weak tension of Starter Spring #5. | b. Reshape Calibration Lever #1 into Proper form. |
| Exposure counter fails to reset to "0". | b. Deformation of Calibra-tion Lever #1. | c. Reshape Starting Relay Lever #6 into proper form. |
| Exposure counter fails to reset to "0". | c. Deformation of Starting Relay Lever #6. | d. Tighten Screw #7 securely. |
| Exposure counter fails to reset to "0". | d. Loosening of Screw #7 of Calibration Lever #1. | 2. Regulate Resetting Spring #8 of Counter Plate so as to provide greater tension. |
| Exposure counter fails to reset to "0". | 2. Weak tension of Resetting Spring #8 of Counter Plate. | 3. Reshape Starting Relay Lever #6 into Proper form. |
| Exposure counter fails to reset to "0". | 3. Starting Relay Lever #6 comes into contact with lower surface of Calibration Plate #29 due to deformation of the lever. | 4. Readjust the seating of Free Wind Lever #10 in proper position. |
| Exposure counter fails to reset to "0". | 4. Tip #11 of Free Wind Lever #10 comes into contact with Counter Gear #12. | 5. Reshape Switch Lever #13 into proper form. |
| Exposure counter fails to reset to "0". | 5. Switch Lever #13 comes into contact with the lower surface of Counter Plate #14 due to deformation of the lever. | 6. Reshape Side Cover #15 into proper form. |
| Exposure counter fails to reset to "0". | 6. Side Cover #15 comes into contact with Counter Plate #14 due to deformation. | 7. Reshape Indicator Plate #16 into proper form. |
| Exposure counter fails to reset to "0". | 7. Indicator Plate #16 comes into contact with Stopper Screw #17 of Counter Plate #24. |