Bronica SQ 50mm or 40mm for portraits

asp.artist · Jul 11, 2009

Hi, I'm working on a series of b&w portraits using a Bronica SQ A with an 80mm and a 135mm. I'd like something a little wider for shooting in people's homes and smaller spaces. I'm thinking 40mm or 50mm. Thinking the 40mm mostly because I can also use it on some of my intercity exploration pics (separate work). So, the question is - is the 40mm too distorted for semiclassical portraits? Or will I feel "too well behaved" with the 50mm, and still want the 40? attached are 3 photos. One in studio, the other in the poet's study, one in a hallway. I'm starting to do less in the studio, and more outside work. And the younger models are more open to the bouncing around and trying things!

thnx, Anne

jeroldharter · Jul 11, 2009

For the photos you posted, I would say 50mm. The 40mm would be an in your face, wide angle. I have not used these particular lenses but I use a 45mm on 6x7 format and it is quite wide. Of course you can always crop. With the cost of things, I would try to buy both to decide and then sell one if you do not use it much.

2F/2F · Jul 11, 2009

What is a semiclassical portrait, first of all?

The AOV you want is up to you, and will probably change for each picture. Just remember that the wider you get, the bigger the change in AOV when changing a fixed number of millimeters in focal length (10mm in this case). For instance, the difference between a 55mm and a 50mm is greater than the difference between a 105mm and a 100mm, because the fixed change of 5mm is a greater percentage of 55 than it is of 105. Thus, there is a relatively large (20%) difference between the 50mm and the 40mm.

To my recollection, a 55mm lens on 6x6 is similar to a 35mm lens on a 35mm camera. For these types of pix, but a bit wider, I might want 24 to 28mm lenses on small format; probably more likely a 28 (though it depends on the shot), so I might go for the 50mm first on an SQ.

The lenses for the system are pretty cheap, Can you get both?

archphoto · Jul 11, 2009

I agree with 2F/2F: at the end you want both anyway......
So have a look what you can get at your price.

Peter

narsuitus · Jul 12, 2009

When I shot similar subjects with a 6x6, I started off using a 65mm, 80mm, and a 180mm. However, the 65mm was not wide enough. I eventually replaced the 65mm with a 55mm. Since I was very satisfied with the performance of the 55, if I were in your position, I would select the 50mm. The 40mm would probably be too wide for my tastes.

Colin Corneau · Jul 13, 2009

I own the 50mm on an SQ-Ai...I'd chime in with a recommendation for that focal length, also.

It's wide, but not crazy distortion-wide and given what you've provided already by way of examples, I think it'd fit in well with your project.

DWThomas · Jul 13, 2009

I own a 50 PS version for my SQ-A, but don't generally do portraiture; I acquired it because I wanted a little wider than 65 for outdoor work. I suspect another advantage of the 50 is price and availability -- I probably have seen a dozen 50s for every 40 on ePrey.

DaveT

eric · Jul 13, 2009

I wished I had a 40mm for that kind of stuff for my Hassy. But a 40mm and a Bronica together is still cheaper than a 40mm Hassy lens

Colin Corneau · Jul 13, 2009

One never knows. I saw an old Hassy for sale last year in minty condition -- had 3 lenses and bunch of accessories for about $1500 (Canadian).

Now...about that 65mm lens for the SQ-A/Ai..... *rubs hands together greedily*

Bronica SQ 50mm or 40mm for portraits

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