Another one: Zenza Bronica SQ-A vs Yashica 124G

jtlns · Jan 3, 2016

I'm narrowing down my choices for my first medium format camera. So for my "favorite" camera has been the Yashica Mat 124G, because it's a TLR (so waist-level viewfinder), affordable and has a decent sharp lens. But now I found a Zenza Bronica SQ-A kit with 80mm f2.8 lens with prisma + waist-level finders. So the waist-level shooting experience should be more or less the same.

Any reason to pick the Yashica over the Bronica, or the other way around? (knowing that I'm probably not going to buy additional lenses) The Bronica is more expensive, but would it result in better pictures? (I know "better" is subjective, but for me "better" would mean first of all sharper)

Thanks for your thoughts!
Jan

paul ron · Jan 3, 2016

hahahaha a loaded question!

the tlr is light weight, sharp pix n so very quiet n simple. no lenses to choose from although a mamiya tlr might be a better system for accesories.

the bronica is an elephant in comparison to the yashi. but the slr feature is very nice for previewing. lenses are wonderful n plenty.

as for price.... the yashi tlr is alot cheaper for the same end result... beautiful images.

as a first time whistle wetter... yashi is a great way to get addicted... and it doesnt have to be a 124g. the other yashis were just as good minus the metering which is what the higher price is buying you. use a good hand held meter... better accuracy.

Sirius Glass · Jan 3, 2016

I prefer slrs, but the Bronica is huge! Too big for my hands.

pschwart · Jan 3, 2016

I have an SQ-A and Rollei/Yashica TLR. The Bronica is a fine camera, but it's a beast. Fussing with finders, lenses, grips, and backs, not to mention the weight, could put you off medium format. A Yashica is much lighter and smaller, and sheer simplicity to use. You can probably find a Yashica for the price of 2 SQ backs. For casual shooting or hiking I usually grab a TLR first.

Dan Fromm · Jan 3, 2016

Not to mention the obvious, but the SQ-A is a system camera and the system has many lenses. The 124 has its normal lens and that's all. If you're going to shoot only with a normal lens and not do anything that requires eliminating parallax between taking and viewing lenses the choice is, um, obvious. If you want the SLR with interchangeable lenses advantages, again, the choice is obvious.

Jan, why did you think you had to ask?

Sirius Glass · Jan 3, 2016

Not my personal favorite, but many are happy with it is the Mamiya C2xx and C3xx tlrs have interchangeable lenses. They do not allow one to swap film mid roll, which is important to me because I may shoot a subject or a particular composition in both color and black & white.

DWThomas · Jan 3, 2016

I own both. The answer to your question is . . . . "Yes!"

Really, it depends what you are going to do with it, and maybe even where you will be using it.

If I'm on a casual vacation trip I'm likely to take the 124G -- although I also own two folders either of which would take up less space. In general, the TLR is a nice compromise which seems to provoke less attention and generally positive reactions when shooting in public, still takes high quality shots, and carries fairly easily.

If I plan on some more thoughtful, serious work, especially if I can use a tripod, etc. I'll likely take the Bronica and at least two or three lenses. But if I start leaning toward "everything" in that system, it's a backpack full of pounds of stuff; something I would be loath to do unless i knew I could drive within a half mile of my target. The SQ-A interchanges backs and lenses -- you could switch between B&W and color mid-roll perhaps. And I would say the Bronica lenses are clearly better, although perhaps not that obviously so, unless you're doing some sort of technical work. An SLR is a better, or at least easier, choice for closeup and macro work. The Zenzanon PS 110mm 1:1 macro is a jewel to work with -- but weighs almost as much as a TLR.

So that's my 1.3 after tax cents,

NJH · Jan 3, 2016

Sirius Glass said:
I prefer slrs, but the Bronica is huge! Too big for my hands.

Interesting. Why did you feel that way? Its not much different in size and weight to a Hasselblad when deployed similarly.

Sirius Glass · Jan 3, 2016

The Hasselblad fits comfortably in my hands. The Bronica just felt a bit large. Remember Victor Hasselblad has small hands and he wanted a camera that he could take wildlife bird photographs so he pushed for a small a 120 camera as possible.

Oscar Carlsson · Jan 4, 2016

I'm curious if people mistake the EC series for the SQ series. I own a SQ-Ai and it's pretty small, it's pretty light and even a bit small for handholding without the grip.

Here's a 500 compared to a SQ:

As for the original question, if it's cheap just buy it. They have different uses but they are both very nice cameras.

mweintraub · Jan 4, 2016

Oscar Carlsson said:
I'm curious if people mistake the EC series for the SQ series. I own a SQ-Ai and it's pretty small, it's pretty light and even a bit small for handholding without the grip.

Here's a 500 compared to a SQ:

View attachment 122281

As for the original question, if it's cheap just buy it. They have different uses but they are both very nice cameras.

Agreed. It's pretty small and light (due to the plastic).

hsandler · Jan 4, 2016

I own and love an SQ-A. It's not really much heavier or larger than a TLR when using the waist-level finder and crank handle. That said, if you really don't want other lenses, you are probably better off with a TLR. No mirror vibration to worry about, so a little better to shoot hand-held, and without interchangeable backs, less light leak or interlock issues likely to come up. As for sharpness, the Bronica 80mm lens is probably better corrected in the corners at open apertures, but the 4-element lens in a newer Yashica or any of the newer Japanese TLRs will be great stopped down a bit. I have an Autocord and the Rokkor 4-element lens is extremely good at f8-f16. The Yashinon is probably about the same.

Sirius Glass · Jan 4, 2016

Sirius Glass said:
The Hasselblad fits comfortably in my hands. The Bronica just felt a bit large. Remember Victor Hasselblad has small hands and he wanted a camera that he could take wildlife bird photographs so he pushed for a small a 120 camera as possible.

I must be thinking of some other camera. I will go back in sit in the corner for a while.

Alan Gales · Jan 4, 2016

The Bronica has the advantages of interchangeable lenses, backs and choice of waist level and prism finder including metered prism finder.

If you don't need or use any of these advantages then keep the Yashica.

Another one: Zenza Bronica SQ-A vs Yashica 124G

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