Boring this-or-that question: Bronica SQ-Ai or Hasselblad 501CM?

[timeUnit]

Hello!

I'm selling off my TRL, an old SLR etc. to buy a 6x6 SLR. From the start I've thought Hasselblad, but now I've started looking at Bronica...

I'm quite certain both systems will perform similarily. After all, many photographers that are far more experienced than me use Bronica over Hasselblad (and have used both) so their stuff is good.

These are the pros of Hassy, as I see it:

- Reliability and still manufactured, pretty easy to repair etc.
- Huge used market
- Lovely look of bodies, ie aestheitcs. Actually quite important.
- Very nice look of negative edges. Sounds silly? Well I like my black borders, and the Hassy ones are nice.
- Battery independent.

Cons:
- Price.
- Look of negative edges is "traditional" and somewhat derivative

Pros of Bronica:
- Price
- Look of neg. edges is nice, and a bit uncommon. Would like to know exact size of negs.
- Supposed great reliability of electromagnetic operation.
- TTL-flash? Won't use so much.

Cons of Bronica:
- Look. Doesn't win any design contests...
- No new products produced. "Dead" system.
- Not super-easy to repair in Sweden. Might take long.

If I can get a great price on a 501CM, I'll take it. I've found one for 6000 SEK (about 750 USD) with 80/2.8 CB and a A12 back, but haven't heard from the seller yet.

I did a little shopping around on KEH, and ended up at 1150 USD for the same setup in EX condition. At that price, I could get a Bronica SQAi, 80/2.8, 150/4, and a 18mm Extension tube...

Thanks for all tips!

*henning

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

If budget is a concern, then the question is--do you like to use a small system with a few outstanding lenses and not too many extras, or a larger system with lots of lenses and options certainly of professional quality, but maybe not as good as Zeiss?

They are both good handling cameras, but the Bronica SQa system has particularly good ergonomics if you use the handle with the lever wind and a prism.

I have a pretty extensive Bronica S2A system. I figure that even if the Zeiss lenses are better than the Nikkor lenses, if I can't afford them it doesn't really do me any good, and better to have a system with all the lenses, backs and accessories I want than a more limited system with just one or two great lenses and a couple of backs for the same amount of money, and in any case, I have a 135/3.5 Planar for 4x5".

 

[Dave Swinnard]

I have used both the Hasselblad (501/503) and the (older) Bronica S2 and the current 6x6 versions.

I don't like prism finders, preferring to use the WLF (handheld and tripod mounted - shooting outdoor, non-people subjects). I also prefer not to use handle/winders but have used them on both systems and definitely prefer the Bronica version over the mechanized 503 CW winder.

I haven't pushed the limits of the lenses (normals) on either system. I'm happy with my results from both. I tend to use lenses in the 50 and 100 mm lengths and so haven't explored the wider/longer options. (though I do have a friend with a reasonably good selection of Hasselblad glass if I get the inclination to try them)

From a purely tactile perspective I like the solid feel of the Hasselblad, though the old S2 felt more solid than it's newer brother.

I no longer own a MF system having sold it to move up to 4x5, but am currently in the market for one again and have decided on the Hasselblad after begging/borrowing/renting both systems a number of times over the past year.

With some luck and careful shopping the $$ issue isn't what it used to be and I've decided mostly on the basis of "handling" and "feel". To my hands the Hassy wins. A friend prefers the Bronica for similar reasons.

Good luck with your choice.

 

[timeUnit]

Thanks!

Handling is of course a good point, but I must admit I haven't handled either of these systems. (A Swede, from Göteborg, not having tried a Hasselblad? Outrageous!) I know, though, that I get used to cameras easily. All the cameras I use felt good in a matter of hours after delivery, and still do. Either system will be OK in that respect I think.

I'm not a BIG setup guy. I'll use a normal lens, a portrait lens (150 mm) and one or two extension tubes for closeups.

 

[Sportera]

I have a Hassy 500cm with WLF 80 CB and 150 C two backs also. I can say that the camera is great tool, no bells and whistles to get in the way. I use mine handheld with fast films. Its the like a MF Leica, a simple tool that has has everything one needs to create, with out the flare.

Having said that I am considering selling mine because I rarelly use it, preferring 4x5 if I can. I have replaced my sorely missed Rolleicord V with a Rolleiflex MX-EVS and it can do most of what I want it to do.

One Caveat though, as I compared the Hassy to a Leica, it also shares its high cost. The lenses are very expensive although they have come down, but you could build a great bronica kit for a lot less.

Forget prisms, they are too heavy and unless you plan to do just studio work, You won't want to carry the extra weight.

Just some random thoughts

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

I'd say go for the Hassy then. They're a great bargain right now, if you're okay with a small system. It's that third or fourth lens where cost starts to skyrocket.

 

[Changeling1]

For many years, the Bronica SQA(what-evers) actually outsold Hassellblad in Europe. The Bronicas are well made and the Zezanon glass is superb. Compare focusing with a Bronica and then a Hassy- the Blad's a bitch. Bronica focusing is smooth as silk. Personally, I've been using the GS-1 for almost 20 years and would encourage you to check one out. You can put a 6x6, 645, 6x7 or Polaroid back on it.
Prices on this equipment is very good these days.

 

[timeUnit]

Kind of OT, but, prices on eBay regarding Hasselblad have gone nuts! Two 500CM-kits I was stalking went for a whopping 750 EUR and 980 EUR. And these weren't any amazing-signed-by-Anton-Corbijn-specimens.

That's much more than the "home market" or KEH.

 

[Magnus W]

The local "Blocket"."Tradera", and "allaannonser.se" have Hassy stuff at more reasonable price. And KEH can be a goldmine for some stuff. By shopping carefully a year ago I managed to collect a 500c/m, two A12 magazines, a Distagon C* 50, a sonnar C 150, one wlf, and one of them russian 45°prism finders. And a bunch of filters and lenshoods. Total cost: 10.803 SEK ~1360 us$.
So my equipment -- with wich I am very satisfied -- is cobbled together from Germany, Great Britain, Belarus, Sweden, USA - florida to be precise, and Italy.
Mostly by keeping a keen eye towards eBay.

The girls are right; shopping is fun!

now; off to take oh so pretty pitchures -- MW

 

[raucousimages]

Bronica parts are going to be hard to find very soon. They offered to buy-back unsold inventory from dealers, this opened a loop-hole in the law for them. They are only required to maintain parts for three years from time of the shutdown.