Bronica SQ-Ai

[Ouijablush]

Hi all,

Im new to the medium format scene (or even film for that matter). Have been doing homework and I really like the bronica in for the image "feel". Anyway I've found myself a Bronica SQ-Ai body for about 550SGD, new in box with shop warranty. Is this a good deal? How much more am I looking at to complete the set (ie. speed grip, viewfinder and lens)?
I also have the following questions:

What is this difference between A and Ai?
Are the 120 backs interchangeable between them and also the 6x7 6x4.5 backs?
Am I able to mount GS, ETR series lens on the SQ series?

Please let me know if u have any additional pointers for a newb. Also if theres a good deal I will love to hear!

Thanks for your time.

 

[sloth]

SQ-B shooter here. That's the permanently-meter-less version that cannot take a meter prism at all - it has no electronic contacts to support that.

Backs don't seem to be interchangeable. Lenses are not interchangeable. Zenzanon-PS or the older Zenzanon-S series only. The PS are supposed to be multicoated and better quality. I only have a PS 65mm so can't comment on the S, but if I had an opportunity to get a S at a good price, I would consider it.

I have been picking up most of my stuff on ebay - the Bronica gear there is either outrageously overpriced, or super underpriced. Yup, two extremes. You can pick up some lenses for less than S$200 these days. I find the Bronica to be a great alternative to a Hasselblad, the ergonomics are actually a bit better even. Of course the true fans of the Hasselblad will call blasphemy on this, but to each their own. My SQ-B is a toy, not a production rig, so I get to choose what I play with

Complete kits are going around $600 SGD, used, no warranty. As with most things you buy from ebay, you should assume that you are on your own if anything goes bad. So far, I have been lucky.

No need for speed grip, you can work with the Ai body alone. It should have the winding crank on the side. You hold the body in your left hand with your left index finger on the shutter release. Right hand works the crank and aperture on the lens. Change hands to fiddle with the shutter speed dial.

Polaroid backs are dirt cheap and can be loaded with Fuji FP100C (available at Cathay Photo and not affected by Polaroid's demise). Fun toy to play with if you can get one really cheap.

 

[Ouijablush]

Hello Sloth,

Thanks a mil for ur reply I can do with all the guide u've given! Yeah I've noticed for some reason ppl seem to be throwing their Bronica sets on ebay for a steal recent months. Just the shipping makes it kinda prohibitive and also theres no gurantee. The set I mentioned is from a local established camera superstore (I stay in rotterdam). I cant remember whether does "body only" comes with the winder? So I'll have to source for my lens, back and the waist-level finder to get started! I'll only be in sg next year so i'll see what I can come up with here. Didn know there are other alternatives to polaroid film, thanks for the heads up!

 

[sloth]

You're welcome Yes, a complete body should come with the crank on the side to wind it.

Occasionally you may come across sets that were broken up, and have no crank because they used to be fitted to the grip/winder. These most likely need the winder to function properly (it's technically possible but very inconvenient to use them without one).

Yup, lens/back/finder - and you are good to go. If you get a meter-less prism you'll need a light meter or another camera with light meter and aperture/shutter speed display.

 

[agatek]

Hi all,
Im new to the medium format scene (or even film for that matter). Have been doing homework and I really like the bronica in for the image "feel". Anyway I've found myself a Bronica SQ-Ai body for about 550SGD, new in box with shop warranty. Is this a good deal?

Very good price if the body is really new. I always use koh.com or ebay for estimation. Here in Singapore such boxed SQ-Ai body with a single 120 magazine was above SGD 1200 when I checked few months back.

How much more am I looking at to complete the set (ie. speed grip, viewfinder and lens)?
I also have the following questions:

What is this difference between A and Ai?
Are the 120 backs interchangeable between them and also the 6x7 6x4.5 backs?
Am I able to mount GS, ETR series lens on the SQ series?

They are not interchangeable (lenses, backs, accessories) between different product lines but they are within the product group so for example SQ line is always interchangeable from older to newer. In other words you can use film back, lens, accessories of all SQ cameras in your SQ-Ai.

How much more depends as usual on you. I would buy (judging from my own preferences) a metered prism, standard lens and 2pcs of 120 magazine to start with. Later on I would slowly expand the set with a wild angle lens, a telephoto lens and a grip (not really necessary but pretty convenient to use). Lens may cost you some money. Decent condition grip is close to nothing.

Please let me know if u have any additional pointers for a newb. Also if theres a good deal I will love to hear!

1. Do your homework and use googles
2. Subscribe to the Bronica Users Group.

I am owning SQ-Ai and ETRSi. Feel free if you have some more questions.

 

[Ouijablush]

Hello agatek thanks for ur reply! Am in the midst of looking at the prism finder would like to confirm whether all ae prism are metered? But if I were to use the matt screen and judge myself is it accurate? (ie. to get the desired exposure i see through the screen)

They are not interchangeable (lenses, backs, accessories) between different product lines but they are within the product group so for example SQ line is always interchangeable from older to newer. In other words you can use film back, lens, accessories of all SQ cameras in your SQ-Ai.

.

I've came across a few 120backs for the sq series that are 6x7 and 6x9 so was just curious whether can the sq body support that format. Thanks for ur clarification=)

 

[agatek]

Hello agatek thanks for ur reply! Am in the midst of looking at the prism finder would like to confirm whether all ae prism are metered? But if I were to use the matt screen and judge myself is it accurate? (ie. to get the desired exposure i see through the screen)
I've came across a few 120backs for the sq series that are 6x7 and 6x9 so was just curious whether can the sq body support that format. Thanks for ur clarification=)

1. The metered prism: AE stands for "automatic exposure" so yes. It works here this way that you set manually aperture and the AE prism controls the shutter. You have one more guy in this family: ME prism - I guess it is for manual measurements of the exposure only. If you are budget concious I would recommend to buy AEII prism. If not, the AEIII - the latest generation designed for SQ-Ai cameras. The AE (first one in the line) got some pretty limited functionality.
What would you like to judge with the focusing screen? This is mainly to adjust the focus and point into right direction

2. 120 magazines - 6x7 and 6x9 do not exist for the SQ line. 6x7 is for GS cameras. 6x9 I believe for none of the Bronica cameras. As SQ is a 6x6 camera you can not have a film back for a bigger frame size.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronica
http://www.tamron.com/bronica/prod/sq.asp
http://www.butkus.org/chinon/bronica.htm

 

[Ouijablush]

Hey guys,

just a quick update and a few more questions to follow. Yup I finally bought my Bronica set! The thing is I got the SQ-A set and now Im not sure whether accessories labeled sq-ai are compatable (looking for the ae prism in particular). Also my set came without the darkslide, but if I were to finish the entire roll and then spool and take out then that shouldn post as much of problem isnt it?

Btw anybody wants to sell any film back or metering prism? Feel free to contact me! =D

 

[sloth]

Missing darkslide is no problem provided you do not remove the back from the camera (your plan would work). I have contemplated fabricating one for mine out of a beer can.....complete with visible logo.. that would be cool

 

[agatek]

Hey guys,

just a quick update and a few more questions to follow. Yup I finally bought my Bronica set! The thing is I got the SQ-A set and now Im not sure whether accessories labeled sq-ai are compatable (looking for the ae prism in particular).

I would assume they are NOT. The AEIII finder may have a different No of contacts. WLF and non-metered prisms should fit all the SQ line. Backs not necessary but may (they are designed to much the metered prisms). I am afraid the safest option is to check the accessories one by one.

Also my set came without the darkslide, but if I were to finish the entire roll and then spool and take out then that shouldn post as much of problem isnt it?

As sloth said there should be no problem. You may buy the dark slide separately on ebay. Although the idea sounds attractive I would rather not do it from the beer can - too thin (except some Sapporo beers) and the paint can peel off very easily.

Btw anybody wants to sell any film back or metering prism? Feel free to contact me! =D

Plenty of the stuff on ebay or keh.com. Do not limit yourself to this rather limited Bronica users group.

 

[Ouijablush]

Hey guys thanks for all the tips! Yeah in the midst of sourcing for the prism now, meanwhile will use my dslr to meter for me hahaha. As for the back im trying to find a spare and also the polaroid back. Cant wait to post my first pictures here =D