Bronica's electronic 6x6 SLR — TTL aperture-priority, focal-plane shutter, S mount, 1975.
The Bronica EC-TL is a mid-1970s medium-format SLR, part of the EC development of Zenza Bronica's square-format focal-plane system. The EC-TL added electronic shutter control and through-the-lens metering, making it one of the more advanced bodies in the pre-SQ Bronica line.
It is a medium-format (6x6) SLR shooting a 56x56mm square frame on 120 film through interchangeable film backs. It uses an electronically controlled body focal-plane shutter and offers TTL metering with aperture-priority automatic exposure. It retains the S-series bayonet mount and downward-moving mirror, takes interchangeable finders and focusing screens, and depends on a battery for its electronic shutter.
The built-in meter and aperture-priority automation made the EC-TL quicker to use than the fully manual S bodies, suiting studio and portrait photographers who wanted metered convenience in a square-format SLR. It keeps the modular backs and finders of the system while adding electronic exposure control.
Because the shutter and meter are electronic, confirm the body fires and meters correctly on a working battery, as a dead cell stops it and older electronics can be hard to service. Test the film advance and downward mirror, check film-back seals and dark slide, focusing screen, and finder mirror, and confirm lens compatibility within the S mount.