35mm or medium format (for me)?

[dynachrome]

I have three SQ-As as well as ETRs and GS-1s. I don't think you will find medium format equipment very handy for low light shooting. The Speed Grip works well when you have a prism finder but is awkward to use with a waist level finder. The older 150/3.5 is an S lens. The newer 150/4 is the PS lens. I have the PS. You may want to look for am S-18 extension tube because the 150 Bronica S and PS lenses don't focus very close. The 50/3.5 PS is very nice and the 80/2.8 lenses don't cost very much and are worth having. Without a working battery, the SQ-A will default to the 1/500 shutter speed no matter what you have the camera set for. For this reason it's advisable to always carry a spare.

 

[fontmoss]

thanks guys, agreed a prism may follow in time but ill try the WLF and see how i get on. This is not for low light, my digi with a short prime is still going to perform those duties, this is going to be for nice portrait work. i hope.

 

[Paul Jenkin]

Congratulations - nice rig.....!!

I have the SQ-B with 40mm, 80mm and 150mm PS lenses and the results are excellent. The 150 lens is great for portraits but, although I'm far from weak or delicate (trust me!) I find using it hand-held a bit of a pain.

For me, MF is about slowing right down and making sure everything's right before hitting the 'go' button. I treat it as a much more 'formal' medium and I also, almost always, use my tripod. As I don't have a metering prism (I don't think you can get one for the SQ-B) I have a WLF and the non-metering prism. I meter with a Minolta IV Flash / Meter.

For my more spontaneous shoots and anything where I feel 35mm is sufficient (don't fancy carrying the Bronnie, lenses and tripod) I have my D700 / F100 kit.

I'm sure you'll love your Bronnie. If you Google 'user manual' for the SQ-A, there's a really good 'official' one from Tamron who, I believe, bought Bronica before stopping production some years ago.

All the best. Paul.