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

mshchem · Feb 20, 2017

nbagno said:
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?

Sunpak had one, works slick, if you want a shoe mount flash it's just one of many modules that Sunpak offered. Mount the flash on the grip or motor shoe and cable goes to camera body. Also for certain Sunpak handle mount flashes like the 622 Super there was an extension cable so you could hold the flash high. Too big and heavy.

As I recall the module is a BR-d1 it works with all the Sq-ai and the ETRSi the shoe mount flash I use is a 444D, there's probably a dozen modules that you can interchange. The BR-d1 top Iso is 400, so if you want to use as fill flash best use 100 to 160 iso film .
You can shoot full aperture priority auto with the last generation of meter prism, with ttl fill flash outdoors with 1 frame a second motor drive, leaf shutter lenses sync at all shutter speeds all you do is focus and wish Kodak still made 220. Wedding guys loved these cameras, that is until they got a D200
Best Regards Mike

wiltw · Feb 21, 2017

nbagno said:
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?

The SQ-Ai uses the Bronica SCA-386 module, which plugs into an SCA-compatible flash unit like the Metz 45CL3 (or 45CL4 or 60CT3 or 60CT4)

Anirudha Ambekar · Feb 21, 2017

TheToadMen said:
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.

So, are your SQ-B lenses compatible with your GS-1 and vice versa? what about SQ-A and GS-1?

TheToadMen · Feb 21, 2017

Anirudha Ambekar said:
So, are your SQ-B lenses compatible with your GS-1 and vice versa? what about SQ-A and GS-1?

No, the SQ cameras and the GS-1 cameras each have their own set of lenses.

TheToadMen · Feb 21, 2017

The Bronica GS-1 system (6x7):

TheToadMen · Feb 21, 2017

The Bronica SQ system (6x6):

TheToadMen · Feb 21, 2017

The Bronica ETRS system (6x4.5):

Anirudha Ambekar · Feb 21, 2017

This is really cool!
Thanks TheToadMen!
Really helps me pick the Bronica I would go for.

TheToadMen · Feb 21, 2017

I think I have a slight preference for the GS-1 camera over the SQ camera. For me the 6x4.5 film format of the ETRS is too small.

TheToadMen · Feb 21, 2017

Another fine Jazz album: Charles Mingus - Mingus Ah Um (1959)

"Mingus Ah Um is a studio album by American jazz musician Charles Mingus, released in 1959 by Columbia Records. It was his first album recorded for Columbia. The cover features a painting by S. Neil Fujita. (...) Mingus Ah Um was one of fifty recordings chosen by the Library of Congress to be added to the National Recording Registry in 2003.)" (source: wikipedia)

TheToadMen · Feb 21, 2017

Oops, sorry, I thought I was posting this in (there was a url link here which no longer exists).
But still, an album worth to be mentioned twice ...

TheToadMen said:
Another fine Jazz album: Charles Mingus - Mingus Ah Um (1959)

"Mingus Ah Um is a studio album by American jazz musician Charles Mingus, released in 1959 by Columbia Records. It was his first album recorded for Columbia. The cover features a painting by S. Neil Fujita. (...) Mingus Ah Um was one of fifty recordings chosen by the Library of Congress to be added to the National Recording Registry in 2003.)" (source: wikipedia)

RichardJack · Feb 22, 2017

Where are you looking? I recently found 5 Bronica PS lenses on Ebay for about $400 (separately) and this included a 180mm f4.5 and 110mm f4 macro. I bought a 500mm f8 for $200 and I see bodies with lenses and prisms for under $350 all the time. Everything I bought was excellent or better condition...on Ebay.

jrhilton · Feb 22, 2017

If you can find inexpensive examples in good condition go for them. Still miss my SQ. Great cameras and very good lenses. The only downside is they are heavy, but that is because they are well built.

Like one previous poster said, you can't get them repaired by the original manufacturer now so (like a lot of other MF gear today) you buy and throw out if it breaks unless you know someone locally who can fix.

Soeren · Feb 23, 2017

TheToadMen said:
I think I have a slight preference for the GS-1 camera over the SQ camera. For me the 6x4.5 film format of the ETRS is too small.

Hmm I had the SQ-AI and still regret selling more than 10 years ago. Going 6x7 I find the mamiyas more interesting than the GS but having both an RZ67PROII and a 645 Pro I still wouldn't hesitate buying a SQ-AI if one came my way.

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

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