Bronica SQ-A - need help fixing spring in waist level view finder

Roy Keane · Apr 23, 2021

Hello everyone. Hoping I can find some help. I recently got a Bronica SQ-A. I'm completely obsessed with it.

But today, I found that the magnifier in the waist level viewfinder wasn't popping up as usual when I pressed the lever. After looking closer, I could see that the "axle" the magnifier hinges on came out on one side and the spring got dislodged.

I've been working on this for hours -- and looked at every image of an SQ viewfinder I could find-- to see how that spring is supposed to be oriented on the "axle," but I just can't figure it out. I'm able to slide it back on the axle and get the axle through the right holes, but the swinging action of the magnifier still isnt' working right.

Here's a picture of the spring that slides over the metal "axle" - if anyone with a bronica sq could take a look at theirs and tell me how those little feet at the end of the spring are supposed to be positioned for this thing to work correctly, I would be greatly appreciative.

shutterfinger · Apr 23, 2021

It should be positioned so that the spring is compressed when the magnifier is closed out of the view path.
Pictures of the viewfinder and magnifier will help if others do not respond.

Roy Keane · Apr 23, 2021

shutterfinger said:
It should be positioned so that the spring is compressed when the magnifier is closed out of the view path.
Pictures of the viewfinder and magnifier will help if others do not respond.

Yeah, but I'm having trouble figuring out how to make the tension work. I can get it about halfway there - but something still isn't right.

Here's another pic (from the underside) with the spring back on. I circles the two "feet" of the spring. One of them isn't in the right place but I can't figure it out. Maybe I need to twist it another rotation before fixing it on to the post

grat · Apr 23, 2021

See if this helps:

I think your spring needs to be flipped.

Roy Keane · Apr 23, 2021

grat said:
See if this helps:

View attachment 272934

I think your spring needs to be flipped.

OOooooh....I think you got it. Will report back

Roy Keane · Apr 23, 2021

crap...thats not it. I think I have to tighten it one more revolution, but I can't figure out how

shutterfinger · Apr 23, 2021

Start the spring on the hinge pin as shown in post 4 leaving the end out so that the spring arm will clear the finder and magnifier, grip the free arm with needle nose pliers, rotate the spring the needed amount then push the hinge pin through and seat it before releasing the spring. Likely easier typed than done.

Roy Keane · Apr 24, 2021

shutterfinger said:
Likely easier typed than done.

You have a gift for understatement. Definitely the right answer, though....haven't gotten it right yet

Zenzanon Fan · Apr 25, 2021

grat said:
See if this helps:

View attachment 272934

I think your spring needs to be flipped.

Yes, I think so also. If you look at the tails of the spring the one on the left that touches the front of the WLF is flush to the front, and the one on the right is flush to the flip up part. Mine is the same. I think this way you will get more tension.

Roy Keane · Apr 25, 2021

Zenzanon Fan said:
Yes, I think so also. If you look at the tails of the spring the one on the left that touches the front of the WLF is flush to the front, and the one on the right is flush to the flip up part. Mine is the same. I think this way you will get more tension.

it doesn't have to be flipped. The spring is the same if you flip it.

The trick (I think) is that you have to twist it (to give it the tension it needs) as you set it behind the magnifier window. And you have to somehow do this while you're holding the spring in place with a tweezer/pliers.

Basically, you need he-man strength, a locksmith's dexterity, and fingers the size of an infant.

Dan Daniel · Apr 25, 2021

Try holding the spring end with a small metal tubing or piece of metal with a proper sized hole drilled in. Something where you have leverage without the need to avoid any lateral movement because the hole keeps the leg under control? Pliers are tricky in these cases because they require pressures and dexterity of their own. You want the holding of the leg under pressure to be 'dumb' and simple while you can focus on the overall position and sliding the pin properly.

One of those things in life where by the time you figure out how to make it happen smoothly, you complete the task and won't need to do it again for twenty years, by which time you forget how you did it this time...

moto-uno · Apr 25, 2021

^ +1 . Peter

Zenzanon Fan · May 12, 2021

I have been playing with an old WLF that I am refurbing. I have managed to get full tension on the magnifier spring but I have the WLF pretty much dismantled which makes it possible. I don't know if it will be possible when the WLF is fully assembled.

Roy Keane · May 12, 2021

Zenzanon Fan said:
I have been playing with an old WLF that I am refurbing. I have managed to get full tension on the magnifier spring but I have the WLF pretty much dismantled which makes it possible. I don't know if it will be possible when the WLF is fully assembled.

After working on it for days, I basically ruined the spring, Got a little pocket magnifying loupe that I use now instead. Less convenient but working.

campy51 · May 12, 2021

Leave the pin out on one side and then rotate the spring 1/2 revolution on the open end and use a spring hook if you have one then slide the pin in.

Bronica SQ-A - need help fixing spring in waist level view finder

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