Bronica S Series Lenses #2: Bronica Zenzanon 40mm f/4
Zenzanon MC 40mm F/4, 9 elements in 7 groups
Image from lens-db.com
Bronica Zenzanon MC 40mm f/4
• 9 elements in 7 groups
• 330 grams
• 67mm filters
• 9 bladed diaphragm
• Multicoated
• Hood may be available but I have been unable to find one yet
The Zenzanon 40mm f/4 was released later on for the Bronica 6x6 cameras joining the 40mm Nikkor and 45mm Komura as the widest lenses available for the system. The Zenzanon opens up to the same f stop as the Nikkor while being smaller and lighter. The general consensus online is that the Bronica lens is just a hair wider and I have confirmed it in my testing as well but the difference is so minor it is barely noticeable.
The Zenzanon MC 40mm f/4 can focus quite closely (.27 meters according to lensdb.com which is roughly 0.89 feet) and is tiny compared to most 40mm lenses for 6x6 even if you include the focusing helicoid.
First and second images: Zenzanon 40mm in a focusing helicoid retracted and then extended
Third image: Left to right: Zenzanon 80mm 2.4, Zenzanon 40mm 4, Komura 45mm 4.5
The lens takes 67mm filters which are much easier to find than most of the weird large filters for many 40mm lenses for 6x6 (90mm for the Nikkor). 9 bladed diaphragm as well, on my copy stopped down all the way the shape is not perfect, but this should allow for some more circular bokke when stopped down compared to the 7 blades in the Nikon. I have not tested sunstars yet with either lens so I am unsure of the impact the blades have on those. The lens stops down to f/22 and has all of its apertures set in full one stop increments throughout the range.
Because it shares the same focusing helicoid as most of the lenses for the Bronica system, the minimum focusing distance is really close for wide angle lenses and thus the .27 meter minimum focus distance can be achieved. A small downside to the shared focusing helicoid is that precise focusing at further distances is a little harder to achieve due to the short throw of the helicoid at those distances, it racks through infinity to a few meters with not much turning, but with a properly calibrated screen it should be no problem.
The default screen on the EC-TL is bright enough for precise focusing of this f/4 lens, although I would definitely recommend getting at least the micro prism screen as the default is a little lacking for critical focus work.
Test images were all shot on a Bronica EC-TL and scanned on an Epson V850, sharpened in Lightroom to 45 and had their exposures adjusted to be close to each other
I have recently received a Rick Olsen Bright Screen for my Bronica EC-TL and would love to retest these all with it! I find it much easier to focus than the stock screen so far and it is brighter as well.
I am hoping to find a lens hood for this lens, it is multicoated but very strong light sources can cause it to flare a little, but the flare can look quite nice if used right. Sorry, these images are not the best but you can see what the flare share would be.
Last image has the sun being covered up to show the difference in flaring
Average price online 2024: 450-800$, much harder to find than the Nikkor 40mm but they do pop up.
I have managed to find a lens hood (non original) that seems to work with this lens. It is the following: Sensei Wide-Angle Rubber Lens Hood (67mm). This hood is good, but the glue that sticks the rubber to the metal ring is bad on both hoods I have purchased from the brand. Its still useable, and I may just reglue it myself, just something to keep in mind.
