Bronica SQ-A lenses and accessories

mooseontheloose · Mar 25, 2009

For those of you following my earlier Bronica thread, I finally returned the Bronica SQ-A outfit I bought on ebay because there were too many problems with it, and the seller had not been honest in her description of the kit. So now I'm slowly assembling a kit together (SQ-A body, speed grip, WLF, 2 120 backs) and have everything I need except the lenses. I can only afford to buy two lenses at the moment, and I'm curious as to what people would recommend. In 35mm I usually shoot 28, 50, and 105, but I'm not bound to those equivalent focal lengths in MF.

Since I'm buying the lenses separately, is there any reason why I should go with the 80mm? The opinion towards it seems a bit lukewarm. I was thinking of going a little wider (65 or 50 mm) for the one lens, and either the 110 or 150mm for the slightly more tele. (All PS lenses preferably). I'm hoping that this will become my 'go-to' travel kit (instead of the three cameras I carry now, one of which is always a TLR) and I'd like people's impressions of the various lenses. In the end I know it comes down to every photographer's shooting style, but I'd appreciate any thoughts based on your own experiences with the SQ system and it's S/PS lenses.

Finally, although I have the WLF, I'd like to get a prism as well, and would like to know if people really recommend the 45D prism over the regular metered one, or if it would really be better to go with the metered prism.

Thanks all.

evilhomer78 · Mar 25, 2009

I have the following lenses and I can recommend all of them. I have not had an issue with any of my SQ-A equipment

35mm ps (fisheye) - Great lens, very heavy, not a ton of uses
50mm ps - I use this lens the most. Great wide angle.
80mm ps - I like this lens alot, especially for lower light because its f2.8
110mm ps f4 - Its a fine lens, however I would prefer the f4.5 because the f4 doesn't focus as close as I would like a macro lens to focus.

I'm not a lens snob, all of my lenses are in great shape, and they were cheap, The most expensive of the 4 was the 35mm ps, and I got a steal of a deal on it off ebay, only $350.

I bought all of my lenses except the 35mm from keh in bargin condition. I paid ~100 for the 110mm, ~200 for the 50mm and ~100 for the 80mm.

I noticed that keh has a couple of 40mm lenses, I've heard those are really good lenses.

DWThomas · Mar 25, 2009

My first acquisition was the PS 80mm f/2.8 -- that was back when I thought I'd only get one lens -- HA! It's still my most used, so far. Like evilhomer78, I appreciate its f/2.8 for lower light levels. The one I got cost more than some, but appeared to be new-in-box condition. (I went that way 'cause I was "only gonna get one.")

My next was a PS 65mm f/4 to be "just a little bit wider" -- it's OK, but given what has happened since, I'd probably skip it.

Then I snagged a good deal on a PS 110mm f/4.5 1:1 macro -- haven't done a lot with it yet, but what I've done I really have liked. It's also one of those solid feeling babies from the days of real metal and glass. The helix rolls the non-rotating front end out to almost double the length, smooth as glass.

My latest somewhat unplanned GAS attack was a PS 50mm f/3.5 -- I just got it a couple of weeks ago. I ran through the shutter functions, but have been too busy with some art show insanity to take any pictures with it yet. My thinking is it was what I should have gotten back when, instead of the 65mm.

If a couple of prints sell, or I hit a big prize, I might yet go for a 150 or 180, but as a person of simple desires, I'm probably pretty well set. The 110mm 1:1 macro I got for $295 USD in near mint condition, all the rest have been significantly less.

That all said, I picked up a $50 prize over the weekend for a 6x6 shot taken with my Perkeo II!

DaveT

David Henderson · Mar 25, 2009

Good, that last outfit didn't seem right.

You should buy lenses appropriate to the subjects you want to photograph. What we all have and like doesn't matter if we're using the camera to do things that are important enough to us, but not to you. Its not difficult with Bronica because the lenses seem pretty well colour matched across the range ( I have and use 6 lenses) and are all of more than acceptable quality, so its your photographic interests that should be driving this.

Just a couple of points of qualification.

To my mind the "best" lens I own is the 110mm macro. The magnification isn't great at 1:4 but that does get you to an 8" field photographed from a couple of feet away- with appropriate adjustments to exposure of course. But it is also a fine lens at infinity.

Second if you settle for the 50mm moderate wide angle, consider a S lens rather than the PS, for it will take 67mm filters like your other lenses. The lens has no half stop detents on the aperture ring but you can set the ring between apertures and it stops down appropriately to where you've set it. I can't tell which pictures come from my 50S as against my other lenses, all PS.

Almost since I started using a Bronica in 1997, I have preferred to meter with a hand-held spotmeter rather than the relatively unsophisticated average meter built into the prisms. I still have and mostly fit the metered prism, but only as a broad sense check to my calculations.

Finally just a view based on experience. Much as its great to view one system as your main travel camera, always travel with a back-up. I always have either another system or a spare Bronica body when I'm travelling, this after spending a day getting an early and expensive flight back from Europe after my Bronica failed on day two of a trip. Bronicas were never made to offer a lifetime of service without attention- they belong in a generation where people had MF cameras serviced every year and every major function checked.

DWThomas · Mar 25, 2009

Hmmm -- I glossed over the viewfinders. Many of these items might vary in importance depending on your particular photo interests. I mostly shoot landscape/still life/infrastructure that holds still for years, so I can easily work with very simple manual gear. I started with the waist level finder and later added 90º and 45º non-metered prism finders. I can see where the 45º might be very comfortable for shooting handheld with a speedgrip (which I also have), but if something forces you to work high on a tripod, the 90º would be better. That said, for my particular work, I use the WLF about 98.5% of the time. Yeah, there's that right-to-left reversal thing, but it's brighter, and with the little magnifier popped into position, a very capable tool. The idea of a "chimney" finder is slightly intriguing, but not really on my list.

As to metering, I acquired a Gossen Digisix a while back, and at the end of last year, splurged on a Sekonic L-508. I seriously doubt a metering prism would be nearly as good or flexible, other than as a less-junk-to-carry convenience. My impression (from reading, not experience) is that the relatively older design metering prisms are not nearly as sophisticated as the metering in many recent 35mm cameras. I've also seen some grumblings about rapid battery consumption with some of the metering prisms. I've no idea whether that was normal, or a bad specific sample. So far, I have left metered prisms off my GAS list.

My current SQ-A gear is pictured here, minus the pile of miscellany like filters and lens hoods.

DaveT

archphoto · Mar 25, 2009

Dave, you have a wonderfull set and well photographed.
Getting the balance in a set is the hard part without going full GAS.

Peter

Ole · Mar 26, 2009

In a sudden fit of GAS after seeing the KEH catalogue that dropped in my mail yesterday, I have just about completed my ETRS lens set.

Take a look there - Bronica gear seems to be going cheap at the moment, and KEH are easy to deal with.

Shangheye · Mar 26, 2009

I have the 50, 80 and 150 PS lenses. I recommend them all. The two most used are the 80 and 50. The 150 comes out for portraiture which is not my forte. I also think that the close focusing distance of the 150, makes head shot only images more difficult without cropping in the darkroom...which surprised me. That has made me want the 110 macro....but that is a want, not a need K

BobNewYork · Mar 26, 2009

For 20 odd years my entire medium format outfit was an SQ-A with WLF, 50mm and 150mm lenses - only. I found I could do almost everything I wanted with it. My wish list over that period of time was an 80mm, prism and speed grip. I obviously didn't wish that hard 'cos I never got them and never felt particularly restricted by that outfit.

I would say metered prism if you like to shoot MF on the fly - and then you may want the speed grip also. A rotating prism if you often use the camera high, (the camera - not you) on a tripod.

I'd think about the type of photography you want to d with it - and hen decide on your "accessories". Someone told me a long time ago that every dollar you spend on equipment is a dollar you don't spend on film.

Enjoy

Bob H

Java · Mar 26, 2009

I've got a Bronica with 80mm, 50mm and a 200mm (mainly because it was very cheap) of whihc I find I use the 80mm most of all.

If you use a 50mm in 35mm cameras then the 80mm is the 120 equivalent of it.

Great machines.

mooseontheloose · Mar 26, 2009

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I used to shoot with a TLR so I am quite comfortable with the 80mm lens length, but the reason I moved up to an SLR is specifically to be able to use different lens lengths and change film when needed. Now there's a big part of me that wants to go with the 50-80-150 setup (!) - thanks a lot.

Ole - I am a frequent browser of the KEH website. It's just that I've been waiting to have my money officially refunded before I buy anything new.

Bob - I totally agree with you and I'm tired of spending money on equipment, especially now that I've got so much of it! But I've come to the realization that medium format is what I want to shoot most of the time -- LF is too heavy and inconvenient for travel, and although I like my 35mm SLRs, they'll be relegated as back-up cameras, and for infrared and the few times I want something light and inconspicuous. So...I really hope after this that all my spending will be on film, chemicals, and paper.

Back to browsing....

mbsmith · Mar 26, 2009

Mooseontheloose -
one thing that I found quite useful in regards to the 90degree metered prism, is that it also allows for "half-stops" in shutter speeds, as opposed to using wlf and non-metered 90 prism. Though, I'm not sure if the chimney or the 45 offer this.
Just another tidbit.

-Mike

KEK · Mar 26, 2009

When I bought my SQA-I it came with a 50 & 80 and I used the 80 more often than not. My next purchase I got the 40 & 250. The 40 is the lens I use the most by far it's very sharp and for what I use it for it's perfect. I took the 250 out the past two weekends to see if I really want to keep it as I haven't used it much since I bought it a couple of years ago. I'll probably get rid of the 50 & 250 and get a 150 & extension ring.

Robert Kerwin · Mar 26, 2009

Like a couple others, I have the 50-80-150 setup as well. So far, I haven't run across any situation this kit couldn't handle. I'm not sure about the lukewarmness you've encountered in opinions about the 80, I think it's a fine lens and it's definitely my most frequently used.

mooseontheloose said:
I was thinking of going a little wider (65 or 50 mm) for the one lens, and either the 110 or 150mm for the slightly more tele. (All PS lenses preferably).

Just my opinion, but I think if you go with the 65 vs. the 50 plus 80, you may find yourself in situations where you want something just a bit wider or just a bit narrower. I'd opt for getting the 80 and the 50 now and waiting on the longer lens, if money is an issue. My 150mm is nice, but I seldom use it (I still wouldn't leave home without it, though). It all depends on the subjects you like to photograph, of course.

Good luck with your purchases!

- Robert

Ole · Mar 26, 2009

If the 80mm is anywhere near as good as the 75mm for ETRS, it's a wonderful lens.

I was wavering between the 40 and the 50 for the ETRS, but ended up getting a 40mm which I haven't regretted. I guess that would be the eqivalent of the 50mm on SQ-A, while the 40mm for that would be closer to the 30mm for ETRS?

So now it's 40, 75, 150, 250, and 100 macro...

Jay Decker · Apr 7, 2009

Consider the 180mm lens, or possibly, the 135mm lens. Particularly, if you take portraits, because the close focusing capability of these two lenses allows you to get intimate portrait capability (to my taste, the 110mm is not quite long enough for intimate portraits to have a natural perspective). You can achieve intimate portrait capability with the 150mm and an 18mm extension ring, but an extension ring is another thing to fuss with. The 200mm and 250mm lenses with an extension ring are also nice for portraits.

The 65mm lens is a wonderful lens. The reason that I get along with the 65mm lens on the SQ so well is that I'm accustom to the equivalent focal on 35mm and 6x7 rangefinder cameras. Regardless, the results are wonderful and it is "natural" to use.

If I had to pick a three lenses for a kit, it would be the 65, 110 (the f 4.5 version with 1:1 close focus capability), and 180mm.

Regarding other accessories, I prefer the 45D prism finder; however, I'm taller (about 205 cm tall) than the average bear.

While the SQ is not discrete or light weight, the SQ with a the 45D prism, 65mm lens, Sekonic L-308, and a pocket of film seem to be a good one lens rig to just go out and shoot with. Naturally, YMMV...

cherryrig · Apr 8, 2009

For my SQ-A set up I've got -

80mm
150mm
2x 120
1x 120J
Polaroid
WLF
90 Prism (non metered)

Then accessories wise -

CUL -1
CUL -2
Cokin ND Grad Set
L-358 plus 1 spot

I have been looking at trying to get a 35mm but it's soo rare to find one in the UK!!!

mooseontheloose · Apr 8, 2009

It's really hard me to decide -- I picked up a 150 mm on ebay (it's in the mail) but I definitely want to go wider. I think the 65mm would be a good compromise for me between the 50mm and the 80mm, but I do like the larger aperture on the 80mm, so... I suppose, eventually, I'll pick up a larger variety of lenses, but, I'm mostly looking for a (lightweight), portable set up that I can carry on my back all day so my first lenses will have to cover a wide range of applications. In retrospect, I think I'll hold off on the prism as well until I decide I really need it.

rpsawin · Apr 8, 2009

I had my wife hide my car keys. There is a very clean copy of the 35mm lens for sale from a reputable dealer very near by....$999. I guess I can take comfort in saving $999.

Oh well,

Bob

Jay Decker · Apr 8, 2009

rpsawin said:
I had my wife hide my car keys. There is a very clean copy of the 35mm lens for sale from a reputable dealer very near by....$999. I guess I can take comfort in saving $999.

The 35mm lens is fun. There is something interesting about the perspective of a wide angle lens when close to the subject. Many think that a wide angle lens is a one trick pony and that after the third photograph your photograph become cliche. I disagree. For me it is a great tool to look at the world close up with. BTW, I'm not suggesting that you need to find you car keys...

mooseontheloose said:
It's really hard me to decide -- I picked up a 150 mm on ebay (it's in the mail) but I definitely want to go wider. I think the 65mm would be a good compromise for me between the 50mm and the 80mm, but I do like the larger aperture on the 80mm, so... I suppose, eventually, I'll pick up a larger variety of lenses, but, I'm mostly looking for a (lightweight), portable set up that I can carry on my back all day so my first lenses will have to cover a wide range of applications. In retrospect, I think I'll hold off on the prism as well until I decide I really need it.

80mm lenses are next to free on eBay. Some sell for less than $50. So, get one. If funds are really tight for you, let me know... I might have an extra 80mm lens that I would be glad to donate or trade for the promise of a print someday.

Bronica SQ-A lenses and accessories

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