Bronica SQ-A or Ai really inexpensive - what is the reason

Kodachromeguy · Feb 19, 2017

Hi Everyone, after a weekend using my Rolleiflex 3.5E, I decided that I'd like a 6x6 camera with option for a wide-angle lens. I know, I know, the Hasselblad is the standard, but a decent and recent-vintage one would be a pretty penny, and the lenses are also expensive. And the non-instant return mirror was bothersome when I borrowed Hasselblads. The Bronica SQ-A and Ai look tempting. They did not sell well in the USA market. But why are SQ-A and SQ-Ai bodies and lenses now so incredibly cheap in comparison to Hasselblad? Are they fundamentally prone to breakdown? Something else wrong? Thanks for advice.

Alan Gales · Feb 20, 2017

The only negative that I have heard about them is that their film backs can be problematic.

They are cheap because no one services them any more. If a camera goes bad you pitch it and buy another.

DWThomas · Feb 20, 2017

I'd say the Bronica is an orphan as far as parts and service go, whereas I believe Hasselblad is living on in some manner. I have an SQ-A, I like it, and yes, especially on lenses I've spent less than I might have on Hassy. If you mean what I think you mean, the Bronica doesn't have an instant return mirror either -- in fact I suspect most medium format SLRs don't.

There have been difficulties with light seals in the backs, but that can be do-it-yourself repaired.

Sirius Glass · Feb 20, 2017

First of all the non-instant return mirror has never been a problem for me, even though I used 35mm SLRs for years and some years with TLRs.

Are Hasselblads expensive? Well yes and no. Lenses and bodies as well as parts and services are readily available. It just takes longer between buying lenses. On the other hand how long would it take you to buy a Normal Rollei TLR, then a Wide Rollei TLR and finally a Tele Rollei TLR? To me the Bronicas are a bit large for my hands and do not have the solid feel that I am used to. But the only real question is what will you be comfortable with handling and owning?

Johnkpap · Feb 20, 2017

Bronicas are great cameras, I have both a ETRSi and a GS1, the only thin that has ever failed was a back that I suspect had done a lot of work.

I have seen hasselblad backs fail also from heavy pro usage.

The only medium format SLR camera with a instant mirror is the Rollei SL66, finding one in good condition is very hard as there were not that many made.

Bronica lenses can be had for between $100 and $300 these days, the lenses are first class and remember they cost Thousands when they were new..

If you buy one and don't like it you can always sell it again for about what you paid for it.

Good Luck

Johnkpap.

wiltw · Feb 20, 2017

Simple...Bronica was purchased by Tamron, who decided to discontinue the Bronica line after they had owned the brand for a few years.
Hasselblad still exists as an active brand name.

TheToadMen · Feb 20, 2017

I use a Bronica SQ-B (= SQ-A without most electronics) since 2003 and I'm very happy with it! The Bronica glass is excellent.
And the 40 mm wide angle is amazing! So don't be fooled by lower prices. I think that Hasselblad is still often overpriced in the 2nd hand market.
I also use a Bronica RF-645 (= rangefinder) and recently got me a Bronica GS-1 as well. These are great also.

Theo Sulphate · Feb 20, 2017

Kodachromeguy said:
... the non-instant return mirror was bothersome when I borrowed Hasselblads. ...

You can get instant return of the mirror with a motorized Hasselblad (actually, there are a variety of modes).

Motorized Hasselblads are the bargain of Hasselblads today. I have a 553ELX, which uses ordinary AA batteries. It's fun to use. Not being a wedding or fashion photographer, I had no real "need" for a motorized Hasselblad, other than simply wanting one to play around with.

ruilourosa · Feb 20, 2017

hasselblad costs more because everyone prefers it over bronica. Also it also carries a bit more charm and the lenses are carl zeiss.

if you do not have a good scanner (imacon, nikon, minolta or drum) and you don´t print in a proper enlarger and your technique is mediocre altogether: you will never tell the difference between the negatives or positives made between the two cameras. If you like to carry fashion statments and you mind the look of your camera and you like to look premium and think you are part of a heritage thing that goes back to the prussian empire and the vikings or whatever: go for a hasselblad, if you don´t care choose bronica.

Regarding parts: i saw hundreds of bronicas taking millions of photos in wedding photography and no cla´s since the 80´s and i really never saw many broken ones... mamiya and pentax is a different story... that i experienced firs hand. Hasselblad is very very good (jamming is frequent but just because of user using it wrong and you can fix it with a screw driver...)

Motorized hasselblads are a pain to carry...

get a tripod by the way

klownshed · Feb 20, 2017

The SQ-Am is motorised and the mirror automatically returns.

And it's often the cheapest of the SQ bodies to purchase. It's bulky and heavy though, and best used with a prism finder, it's awkward with a WLF and doesn't support standard threaded shutter release cables.

But if you're using it like an SLR, it even has a continuous mode to burn through your roll of film in mere seconds. ;-)

skysh4rk · Feb 20, 2017

Kodachromeguy said:
But why are SQ-A and SQ-Ai bodies and lenses now so incredibly cheap in comparison to Hasselblad? Are they fundamentally prone to breakdown? Something else wrong? Thanks for advice.

For a number of reasons, Hasselblads are the sexier or more desirable purchase, hence the higher cost.

I've owned and used both systems, and in photographic terms, the Bronica SQ-A is difficult to beat—great cost to performance ratio, less quirky than the Hasselblad with better ergonomics, and photographs look great. Some might state that the Hasselblad is easier to repair, but I've had my Bronica bodies and lenses all successfully serviced and repaired without any problems. Even if you did break a Bronica, you can buy three Bronicas for the price of one Hasselblad, and your Bronica will probably be twenty years younger. That said, I had very few problems and I went hiking all over the place with my SQ-A and SQ-B (I sold my SQ-Ai pretty quickly).

If you're just going to stare at your camera, then the Hasselblad looks nicer. Well, to be fair, I prefer the backs of the Hasselblad system, the easier long exposures, the 110mm f/2 lens (although that requires using the focal plane bodies), and the prospect of using the Flexbody (unfortunately, I sold the system before I got to own one of these).

Certainly, the Bronica system is nowhere near as extensive.

Unless you need one of the specialised accessories of the Hasselblad though, my vote is always for the Bronica (SQ-A or SQ-B preferred to the other models).

brent8927 · Feb 20, 2017

Consider looking into a Bronica S2a as well. When I moved up to medium format from 35mm, that's what I bought. I was able to afford the 50mm, 75mm, and 150mm lens, along with one or two extra backs--all for the price of a nice used Hasselblad. The lenses were fantastic, and I did pay for a CLA of the body. It was a fantastic budget-friendly camera with great results--the Nikkor lenses are amazing. I took a lot of great photographs with that kit. You'll just want to make sure the shutter speeds are accurate and there are no light leaks, as it is an older camera. It's all mechanical too, so no circuit boards can go bad.

I did eventually sell the kit and purchased a Hasselblad, as the Hasselblad is lighter, has simpler mechanics (less can go wrong), and was also far more ergonomic. Well, ok, honestly I just tested out a Hasselblad and fell in love with the overall feel of it.

I never really used the SQ series--honestly I just didn't particularly like the feel of them or the look. Kind of superficial, I know.

Moopheus · Feb 20, 2017

Kodachromeguy said:
But why are SQ-A and SQ-Ai bodies and lenses now so incredibly cheap in comparison to Hasselblad?

Because there are more MF film cameras floating around in the world than there are users of them. So most of them are not going to have a high market value. For various reasons, Hasselblads hold their value a little better than other models, but even there only a little. I mean, I just bought a 503cx at a price that in inflation-adjusted terms was a tiny fraction of its original price. Recall that Bronicas would have been less expensive than Hasselblads even new, so there's no reason to expect them to be the same used.

Kodachromeguy · Feb 20, 2017

skysh4rk said:
Unless you need one of the specialised accessories of the Hasselblad though, my vote is always for the Bronica (SQ-A or SQ-B preferred to the other models).

Thanks for the hints. Why are the A or B the preferred models?

Jeff L · Feb 20, 2017

I saw on the KOH site that Camera Wiz services Bronica now.
Just FYI. I have never used them.

Cholentpot · Feb 20, 2017

Wedding photographers used Bronicas and they all as a whole dumped them within 2-3 years and switched to digital.

removed account4 · Feb 20, 2017

i would call repair people and see if they service them
a lot of things "haven't been made in years"
yet there are plenty of repair-people to fix/overhaul/modify &c them.

when i say "a lot of things" i am talking about shutters that haven't been made in 50-80 years
i am talking about "vintage" cameras ( folders, strut cameras 35mm RF &C )

FujiLove · Feb 20, 2017

Johnkpap said:
The only medium format SLR camera with a instant mirror is the Rollei SL66

FYI, Pentax 6x7/67/67ii bodies also have instant mirror return.

I think the reasons for the higher price are: fancier brand, the Zeiss lenses, availability of digital backs for the Hasselblad and maybe the perception that Bronicas can no longer be repaired, which isn't true, at least in the UK.

I've had Bronica SQ-A and Hasselblad 503 systems and didn't notice much difference between them. The 503 looks nicer and feels a little more tactile, but not enough to worry about (it's not like the difference between a Leica M3 and a Yashica Electro, for instance). Bronica lenses seem to be right up there with the Zeiss in terms of the final image quality. I only had one broken film back on either system, and that was a Hasselblad A12. I found the screen on the Bronica easier to focus than the Hasselblad.

If you want to take photos, AND get a lot of pleasure from owning beautiful cameras, then look at the Hasselblad. If you simply want to take photographs I'd go for the Bronica SQ.

Then again, I prefer my P67 to either system...

...and my Rolleis to any SLR, so take from that what you will!

norphot · Feb 20, 2017

I would even argue the SQ-Ai has a more interesting modern design, while Hasselblad never bothered to update the 1950s look. Not to mention a very useful electronic shutter and communication between back/finder, TTL-flash etc, which I believe only very few and very expensive Hasselblad models had. Originally it was about 50%-80% of the Hasselblad prices, I think. Now its about 10%, or possibly less. I checked, and in 1996 the SQ-Ai with 180mm 4.5 PS (a new 9 groups/8 elements design, compared to the Zeiss 180mm 5/4 design for Hasselblad), AE Prism and motor drive would set you back about $ 5500 (or $8500 in 2017 dollars!) - this was never a cheap camera! I just saw this combo go for about $500 on Yahoo Japan! It's incredible value for money if you can live without the Hasselblad/Zeiss brand name!

NJH · Feb 20, 2017

Agreed, they feel plasticky but are very well made solid cameras. I have an SQ-B outfit and an ETRSi outfit. Its the cost of the lenses that is the real killer for Bronica, you can fit yourself out with a really nice 3 to 4 lens set for the same price as 1 German low end lens for the European MF camera systems i.e. not the best of the German lenses, the low end or really old ones. My biggest gripe with them is the dark focusing screen and looking down a dark tunnel effect with the prisms, although this is hardly unique to Bronica and can allegedly be improved a lot with a rare aftermarket Beattie intenscreen. Recently I bought a Rolleiflex 6008 as I wanted to try something with WLF and metering in the body which you can only get on the 6000 series and 20x series blads. Man I adore that camera, best designed camera I think I have ever held and started using but the lenses are painfully expensive, enough to make me thing about if I really want to go down this route.

I would thoroughly recommend Bronica for anyone starting out in MF who wants to try living with a system camera or using WLF.

Wayne · Feb 20, 2017

I went hoping to buy an SQ-A kit last December and the guy didn't answer the door when I showed up. He said he was there but having driven 30 miles for nothing I decided not to give him another chance.
I've said it before but I'll say it again, I like the name Bronica. Bronica. A nice solid name, good mix of robust vowels and consonents. If they feel as good in the hand as they do on the tongue they must be a good camera.

I also always wanted a Horseman viuew camera. Doesn't that sound nice? Horseman. Horseman. See above. I'll go away now.

Alan Gales · Feb 20, 2017

Wayne said:
I went hoping to buy an SQ-A kit last December and the guy didn't answer the door when I showed up. He said he was there but having driven 30 miles for nothing I decided not to give him another chance.
I've said it before but I'll say it again, I like the name Bronica. Bronica. A nice solid name, good mix of robust vowels and consonents. If they feel as good in the hand as they do on the tongue they must be a good camera.

I also always wanted a Horseman viuew camera. Doesn't that sound nice? Horseman. Horseman. See above. I'll go away now.

How about Mamiya? Mama Mamiya! Sounds upbeat and Italian!

Wayne · Feb 20, 2017

Alan Gales said:
How about Mamiya? Mama Mamiya! Sounds upbeat and Italian!

I do like Mamiya. Its a bit softer on the palate, not quite as much to chew on as BRONICA but its a nice one. Mamiya. But I've got a couple of them already.

mshchem · Feb 20, 2017

I have 3 SQ-Ai bodies all with motors, ttl flash before most. I have used Bronica stuff and Hasselblad. Hasselblad is like a Leica, it needs no explanation. If you want a absolutely stunning object of classic design by all means Hasselblad is absolutely wonderful. I guarantee you that my 3 bodies 5 or 6 finders and 6 or 7 lenses cost less than a really nice 503 setup. I bet I have 6 backs. I bought everything from KEH and eBay when they had blowout prices, my stuff is mint. I also have a lot of nice RZ stuff. They are giving it away. I have sold quite a bit of stuff to get room.
The Bronica stuff is a steal and it's good equipment. My first new medium format SLR was a Bronica ETRSI what a wonderful little gem.
Mike

nbagno · Feb 20, 2017

How do you get a TTL flashon a SQ-ai? I've seen a TTL adapter for Metz flashes like the Metz 45, or is there another way?

Bronica SQ-A or Ai really inexpensive - what is the reason

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