Bronica SQ-A: which AE prism?

[PhotoJim]

I have been using a Bronica SQ-A with a non-metered prism for a year and a half now. I'm very pleased with it but I find being compelled to use a handheld meter is inconvenient. There are times (e.g. rapidly changing light, candid portraiture) where AE would be useful and where TTL metering would be highly convenient.

There are a few different AE prisms available - the two most common being the AE and the AE-I. I know the latter is newer, but I'm wondering if there is any tangible advantage to having it over the AE that justifies the ~$75 higher price.

(Those who want to tell me to get a waist-level finder: don't worry. I plan to get one of those too.)

Thanks in advance.

 

[thisismyname09]

When I was looking into buying an SQ, I recall seeing a metered prism that would pop up on ebay from time to time that could do average or spot metering. I don't remember any of the names, but that could be the difference between the AE and AE-I. I can't be sure though.

 

[paul_c5x4]

There are two metered prism finders for the SQ (according to the brochures I have).

* ME finder S - This is sometimes referred to as an AE finder (by Cheung). Gives aperture priority with a centre weighted average metering. Only provides under/over exposure indicator LEDS in the viewfinder.

* AE-i - Provides spot & centre weighted metering modes with aperture priority. Also allows for +/- 2EV compensation via a dial on top of the prism with another +0.6EV compensation available with a small dip switch. The AE-i prism will display shutter speed on a small LCD display within the viewfinder.
Another feature of the AE-i finder is the ability to do "exposure lock" when using mirror lockup.

I have both (along with the MF & WL finders), but find they are bulky and add considerable weight to the outfit.
Manuals for both metered prisms can be found at www.butkus.org.

 

[PhotoJim]

That's a big help. I know the metered prisms may be a little large - there are times when the plain prism or a waist finder will be more attractive.

So do I want spot metering? The backs have the provision to dial in exposure compensation already, so I think this will be the real improvement with the better finder (plus the exposure lock feature).

 

[flash26c]

PhotoJim: I have the AE finder and don't use it - it's a battery eater besides not metering nearly as well as my hand held meters. I would be interested to learn how the removable back can do any exposure compensation though Mine has a dial that you set to remind you of the ASA of the film installed.

 

[David Henderson]

Having gone the other way- from relying on a metered prism to using a handheld meter about a year after buying my first Bronica I think I ought to try and persuade you not to make this change.

First because the meter is unsophisticated- a straightforward average meter so there's nothing there thats going to help you get to grips with variations in brightness within the scene.

Second because whilst the newer version has spotmetering I don't myself like the idea of having to disturb my framing to take meter readings from various places within the frame. I always compose first and I want to use a metering workflow that enables that not one that requires me to change it.

In fact I still use a metered prism and I do use it, though only as a sense check for my mental arithmetic with several spotmeter readings. Fact is though that the exposure I actually go with is infrequently exactly the same as my AE prism indicates. And as I'm generally pretty happy with my exposures I can only assume that if I followed the advice of my metered prism, then I may well be less happy than I am now. Its not that the meter is inaccurate-more that a simple average reading isn't particularly useful particularly when like me you tend to use slide film.

One factor you might want to take into account is that the newer prism might well be quite a lot newer and certainly when it was first introduced in the late 1990's carried a very large premium. I don't know when the AE -S was introduced but it may well pre-date the introduction of the SQ-Ai and an individual example could be over twenty years old.

 

[PhotoJim]

PhotoJim: I have the AE finder and don't use it - it's a battery eater besides not metering nearly as well as my hand held meters. I would be interested to learn how the removable back can do any exposure compensation though Mine has a dial that you set to remind you of the ASA of the film installed.

My SQ-i backs have an exposure compensation setting that is around the ISO dial. Now that I think of it I'm not 100% certain that the SQ backs have them. I think they do... but I'd have to look to be sure.

 

[yurihuta]

I had the ME Finder S ( a few of them) and tried to get one repaired by KOH's and they said they have few if any parts for them anymore. They did have an impressive amount of parts for other items though. Perhaps the AE-I finder, being newer, has more parts available for it?

 

[paul_c5x4]

My SQ-i backs have an exposure compensation setting that is around the ISO dial. Now that I think of it I'm not 100% certain that the SQ backs have them. I think they do... but I'd have to look to be sure.

The SQ-Ai backs have a compensation dial - The ISO dial is located on the back of the shell.

SQ-A backs have the ISO dial on the top, but no compensation.

SQ-B backs do not have any dials or connections for a metered prism.

Like David, although I have assorted metered finders, I generally use the WLF and a spot meter.

 

[Edward Romero]

I have a Bronica SQA with the AE prism finder along with 4 other cameras I use. I have really no use the aperture priority feature. To me the more you have to work at to get the picture the more fun and satisfaction you will have. So I just use my light meters. One meter you could carry and not even notice it is a GE PR2.
It clips on you belt with a cable and into your pocket. I have 3 Gossen Luna Pro’s and the GE has all the same readings. Also no batteries. For low light you want to use the Gossen’s. The prism finder along with a speed grip does make for a very fast working camera.
But it really adds to the weight. It weighs 1 pound heavier than my Mamiya 330. But the Mamiya with a prism finder the weights are identical. You could check out the PR2 on EBay and get it cheap. It was made in 1948 but still kicking. Also have a GE meter from 1946 and also still very accurate.

 

[Steve906]

edit - just noticed the op post is really old - may be of interest - ?

I agree with many of the posts above.
I have an SQ-ai and SQ am. Using either with the AE finder makes them very heavy. I thought I needed one when I bought the ai a few years ago but have rarely used it. I Iike the waist finder with the magnifier flipped up to bring it up almost to eye level ( my eyes aren't too good without reading glasses anyway.) people don't think your looking at them and act more naturally. I still use the speed grip so it handles more like an SLR but that adds little weight.

I use an old weston master V which I love and gives me consistent exposures whereas the AE prism is 1 stop off (easily compensated on the back- but annoying).
Also with my eyes not being so great I find it hard to see the readout in the finder even with the right correction lens fitted.
All in all I'd say stick with a separate handheld meter - and yes - get a WLF with the flip up magnifier.

Steve.

 

[Edward Romero]

I like the waist level finder also and don’t have one for my Bronica or the hand crank. But I use two other cameras with them. A Mamiya RB67 and a Mamiya 330. What I do like about the AE finder with a speed grip is its speed if you want to shoot moving subjects. I also have a collection of vintage light meters including 2 Weston’s and they’re still kicking. But the GE PR2 is the easiest to read and slips right in your pocket attached to your belt with a light cable.