Bronica SQ-a?

ChristopherCoy · Dec 15, 2015

Having had a 500cm in the past, I enjoyed the modular system, and the square format, however I did NOT enjoy the high price tag of Hassy equipment.

I've just purchased a Bronica SQ-a body, with a 120 back, prism finder (non-metered), 80mm, and 150mm lenses. Total price for the excellent condition, film tested gear is $370 shipped.

My questions are:

1. Is/was this a fair/good deal?
2. Aside from price tags, what other advantages does an SQ-a have over a 500cm?
3. Who is the "go to" guy for Bronica repairs?

wiltw · Dec 15, 2015

The price is fine. Consulting an old photomag for comparative used prices, that kit in 2005 was $800 on the used market -- without the finder!

The SQ-A and 500CM are pretty comparable cameras, and lots of pros used them for weddings in the 1990s rather than sinking their capital into Hassy gear.

whlogan · Dec 15, 2015

Sounds like q pretty fair deal to me, a Bronica user for 25 years now. though I must admit I use Hasselbleep stuff too. The Zenzanon lenses are so very close to Zeiss it is hard to tell the difference in most cases. Neither will pass a a real drop test.... just don't do it. Right now I don't know a good go to guy for repairs. Here in Ashevill the best I have found is George at Crystal Camera Repair 828-606-2943. He has done some magic on my Bronicas and my Rolleis as well. Have some fun with the Bronica sqs they are super users

Logan

mweintraub · Dec 15, 2015

I've had the SQ-A for a long time and love it. I had a chance to pick up a hassy for a great deal. The problem was that two of the three lenses had very slow slow shutter speeds and were original versions. The main reason for not getting it was that I would have had to sell my entire/ full Bronica kit to fund it. I decided not to and still have the SQ-A with no regrets!

150mm 3.5 on Kodak E100VS
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mrdat/7854190590

vdonovan · Dec 15, 2015

Not a bad price, they seem to be holding steady. I paid a similar amount for a similar setup eight years ago. I'd love to get the 40mm lens, but I haven't yet.

I've never had a Hassy, but I use my SQ regularly and I like it. I've shot hundreds of portraits with it and it hasn't failed me. I have had a little trouble with the 120 backs, one had the film pressure plate out of alignment. it took me a while to figure out what was wrong and which back had the problem.

It's a good solid system. I've never needed a repair, I'm sure I will someday.

film_man · Dec 15, 2015

ChristopherCoy said:
Having had a 500cm in the past, I enjoyed the modular system, and the square format, however I did NOT enjoy the high price tag of Hassy equipment.

I've just purchased a Bronica SQ-a body, with a 120 back, prism finder (non-metered), 80mm, and 150mm lenses. Total price for the excellent condition, film tested gear is $370 shipped.

My questions are:

1. Is/was this a fair/good deal?
2. Aside from price tags, what other advantages does an SQ-a have over a 500cm?
3. Who is the "go to" guy for Bronica repairs?

Having owned a SQB and 3 Hasselblads I'd say that the SQ cameras have a couple of points up on the Hassy:

1 the right hand speed grip makes the camera sooooooooooooo much nicer to work with with a prism (which is my main method of shooting). Blads have just a sh!tty left hand thing that makes the whole thing even worse to handhold. You could get the right hand grip for the 503CW but that makes it massive, heavy, only works with the 503CW or CXi and costs about the same as a full SQ kit.
2 Electronic shutter = it works as it should (then again, if it doesn't it doesn't).

Overall I like the Bronica system, it is a bit clunky in comparison to the Hasselblads but I've had more hassle with the blads than the SQB (which was my first ever medium format camera too).

ChristopherCoy · Dec 15, 2015

Do they suffer any inherent problems like the Hassy? Such as the dreaded shutter lockup?

paul_c5x4 · Dec 15, 2015

The foam light seals in the backs deteriorate over time - These are fairly easy to replace if you can get hold of one of Jon Goodman's kits. Aside from that, they are pretty robust cameras and will take quite a bit of abuse.

trythis · Dec 15, 2015

On my list of wanted camera kits is an SQAi, or SQB, WLF and a couple lenses

Sent with typotalk

DWThomas · Dec 15, 2015

I've been using an SQ-A since 2006 and am pretty happy with what it can do. Assorted and sundry GAS attacks along the way have taken it far beyond my original minimalist leanings. At some point I had a problem with the shutter release in the original body which I dealt with by buying another body. In fact I later picked up yet another body -- it cost less than a waist level finder! I have had notions of exploring the internals of the non-functioning body, but it may not happen in this lifetime.

The back/insert/magazine is probably the Achilles heel of the product. As paul_c5x4 mentions, the light seals are a foam that fails over time. I have renewed those in one back successfully using material I got from Jon Goodman. My latest repair in the queue is a darkslide seal, but like many other things, it has yet to actually happen. That seal is in two sections involving three metal vanes that appear to be a stainless steel foil with a foam strip in one section. What was there appears to have been badly mangled, probably by a sloppy darkslide insertion. So badly mangled, I took another back apart to see what a less damaged one looked like! (I have four backs -- oh-h-h-h-h the GAS! )

hoffy · Dec 15, 2015

I have had a SQ-Ai for a few years now (4? 5? - can't remember).

The issues I have had:

Scratches on the film - Attributed to a worn roller
150mm lens not firing the flash. The circuitry to fire the flash is inside the lens.
On 2 out of my 4 lenses, the shutter started miss timing on 1/500th.

All items, except for the lens/flash issue have been resolved by a CLA.

My major concern about the SQ range is (in Australia at least), the parts and expertise in servicing these cameras is starting to dry up.

ChristopherCoy · Dec 15, 2015

DWThomas said:
(I have four backs -- oh-h-h-h-h the GAS! )

Thats what I'm trying to avoid. I spent TONS of money building my collection some years ago, and most just sat in a display cabinet. I could never build the Hassy kit because of the outrageous prices.

I chose this particular kit because its from a regional photographer, in good shape, is a good starter kit with two lenses, and I can add to it eventually once I determine what my NEEDS are.

I'm trying to get down to 3 cameras - the SQ-a for major shooting, the SX70 for instant fun shooting, and the Certo box camera for the days when I want a Holga-esque look.

I really want to mainstream my cameras, and get all the other clutter and products of GAS attacks out so that I can focus on mastering one type of shooting. I still may look for another F100 35mm kit later on, but thats on a back burner right now.

I really want to SHOOT and express my creativity, instead of focusing on the hobby of gathering gear this time around.

hoffy · Dec 15, 2015

ChristopherCoy said:
I really want to SHOOT and express my creativity, instead of focusing on the hobby of gathering gear this time around.

Wow! Have you been reading my mind! I went to an exhibition opening last night and have come up to the realisation that if I want to get good at photography, I need to throttle back the gear a bit.

(I know its liable to get me banned, but the exhibition was a group exhibition, with all images shot on Phone Cameras....)

DWThomas · Dec 15, 2015

ChristopherCoy said:
Thats what I'm trying to avoid. I spent TONS of money building my collection some years ago, and most just sat in a display cabinet. I could never build the Hassy kit because of the outrageous prices.
[ ...]
I really want to mainstream my cameras, and get all the other clutter and products of GAS attacks out so that I can focus on mastering one type of shooting. I still may look for another F100 35mm kit later on, but thats on a back burner right now.

I really want to SHOOT and express my creativity, instead of focusing on the hobby of gathering gear this time around.

Well, I was sort of kidding with that GAS remark, and what you describe sounds like a good goal. Two working backs would be quite sufficient for any likely scenarios I can envision needing to cover, but the first back I bought cranked film all the way through without stopping and I returned it for a refund. The second had a light leak and I returned it for replacement. So then I bought another to have two as I had planned. But over a succeeding year or two, a couple of opportunities came up to grab additional backs, and based on the experience I'd had, I decided to stock up, considering their reliability (or lack thereof). One that I got dirt cheap needed new light seals, so I got some practice at that.

My whole pile of Bronica gear probably hasn't cost me as much as just the 110mm 1:1 macro lens would have cost back when they were current products! As mentioned in another thread, I have a 6x6 and a 6x9 folder and a Yashica TLR. Which I choose on any given day depends on what I'm shooting, where, and how much bulk I'm willing to carry. Compared with some lists of gear I've seen from a few folks on this site, I'm a mere trifler when it comes to GAS. My most modern 35mm film gear is a Canon A-1, so I've not gone too far off the deep end with that stuff (and in truth, I don't shoot 35mm all that much).

mweintraub · Dec 16, 2015

film_man said:
Having owned a SQB and 3 Hasselblads I'd say that the SQ cameras have a couple of points up on the Hassy:

1 the right hand speed grip makes the camera sooooooooooooo much nicer to work with with a prism (which is my main method of shooting). Blads have just a sh!tty left hand thing that makes the whole thing even worse to handhold. You could get the right hand grip for the 503CW but that makes it massive, heavy, only works with the 503CW or CXi and costs about the same as a full SQ kit.
2 Electronic shutter = it works as it should (then again, if it doesn't it doesn't).

Overall I like the Bronica system, it is a bit clunky in comparison to the Hasselblads but I've had more hassle with the blads than the SQB (which was my first ever medium format camera too).

Not sure how you feel the Bronica system is clunky. I think it's the opposite, especially when loading film. No need for match colored dots. Put film in back, put back on camera, use camera to wind, done. Never had any lock up issues.

The only issue I've ever had with the SQ-A system is a dead battery and didn't realize it was shooting at 1/500s. I was shooting instant films, so it's my fault for not realizing sooner.

trythis said:
On my list of wanted camera kits is an SQAi, or SQB, WLF and a couple lenses

Sent with typotalk

Look into the SQ-A instead of the Ai. The battery holder is a pain. If you're worried about loosing Bulb, you can use the lens timer switch for that.

hoffy said:
I have had a SQ-Ai for a few years now (4? 5? - can't remember).

The issues I have had:

Scratches on the film - Attributed to a worn roller

150mm lens not firing the flash. The circuitry to fire the flash is inside the lens.

On 2 out of my 4 lenses, the shutter started miss timing on 1/500th.

All items, except for the lens/flash issue have been resolved by a CLA.

My major concern about the SQ range is (in Australia at least), the parts and expertise in servicing these cameras is starting to dry up.

Same goes for hassy, except people who have hassys usually send them for CLAs more often than Bronica users. I guess it's the same thought of those with REALLY expensive cars get their cars serviced/looked at ALL.The.Time. (not saying other people don't do this...)

film_man · Dec 16, 2015

mweintraub said:
Not sure how you feel the Bronica system is clunky. I think it's the opposite, especially when loading film. No need for match colored dots. Put film in back, put back on camera, use camera to wind, done. Never had any lock up issues.

By clunky I mean that the overall feel when you hold it is just not as refined as with a Hasselblad. Plastic fantastic, things rattle a bit (the wlf?) if you move it about, stuff like that. The back acts as the catch for the finder, no extra buttons or anything to press. I also think that the Hassy backs are the nicest to load, you pull the insert out and you can load it without having to effectively dismantle the back like you do with some cameras. Anyway, not that it matters. The Bronica is a very nice camera.

mweintraub · Dec 16, 2015

film_man said:
By clunky I mean that the overall feel when you hold it is just not as refined as with a Hasselblad. Plastic fantastic, things rattle a bit (the wlf?) if you move it about, stuff like that. The back acts as the catch for the finder, no extra buttons or anything to press. I also think that the Hassy backs are the nicest to load, you pull the insert out and you can load it without having to effectively dismantle the back like you do with some cameras. Anyway, not that it matters. The Bronica is a very nice camera.

Plasticly? Yeah, I get that. It's not as indestructible as the Hassy. The pulling from side is a cool thing for the Hasy, but from my understanding of the Hasy and my using of Kiev, is that you have to remove the back from the body anyway to otherwise it can bind with the body. (Maybe I'm wrong.) With the Bronica, you can open the back and remove and return the insert when it's still attached to the camera. That's how I usually load it.

mweintraub · Dec 16, 2015

To add, my friend who owns a Hassy and I will be doing a head to head with the SQ-A (and maybe Keiv 88CM) for www.returntofilm.com

ChristopherCoy · Dec 16, 2015

film_man said:
By clunky I mean that the overall feel when you hold it is just not as refined as with a Hasselblad. Plastic fantastic, things rattle a bit (the wlf?) if you move it about, stuff like that. The back acts as the catch for the finder, no extra buttons or anything to press. I also think that the Hassy backs are the nicest to load, you pull the insert out and you can load it without having to effectively dismantle the back like you do with some cameras. Anyway, not that it matters. The Bronica is a very nice camera.

I know they're a bit larger and more clunky to handle than Hassy's, but thats the trade off for a cheaper system. I had my Hassy for about three years, and was never able to afford more than the single 80mm lens I had, and the single back. I'll miss the legendary "thwop" of the shutter, but I'll enjoy the SQ-a more since I'll be able to build upon the system more readily as my needs grow.

mweintraub · Dec 16, 2015

It's a great system. The sound of the mirror and shutter on the SQ-A is music in it's own right.

Alan Gales · Dec 16, 2015

The only negative I have heard about the Bronica SQ-A's are the film backs as mentioned earlier. Jimmy Koh at Koh's camera retired so I don't know of anyone who services them any more. As a positive, the lenses are high quality but cheap on the used market.

ChristopherCoy · Dec 16, 2015

HOOOOLLLLLYYYYY CHIT!!!

It was just delivered, and MAN is this thing CCCLLLEEEAAANNNN! I mean not a scuff on it! There's one little indentation on the plastic part on the bottom from a tripod head, but unless you're looking for it, you'd never find it.

And the two lenses are immaculate! The 150 has both caps and came in a little square leather box.

I feels like a beast of a camera. It's a lot like holding a Hassy, just slightly larger. I'm going to have to get rid of this prism finder though and get a WLF. I hate prism finders.

The back seems a little flimsy but the previous owner said he ran about 10 rolls through it without an issue.

Overall I'm impressed with it, and can't wait to get a few rolls through it!

Wayne · Dec 16, 2015

I've always wanted a Bronica. I just like the name, it has heft. Bronica. Bronica.

Randalcav · Dec 16, 2015

I pieced a Bronica SQ a together about 5 years ago. I bought everything on auctions, body, backs, lenses, prism finder and the speed grip. Which is a must. It probably should have ended badly, but it didn't. All the mismatched, best deal stuff I could buy cheaply, meshed together nicely. I have a 105mm lens on the camera and I have produced some of my best negatives with this camera. I chuckle at the minimal investment I put into this camera and am proud of some of my results. I have a 20 x 24 image that I made of a sunset on North Captiva Island, FL hanging in the bedroom. You will definitely produce quality images with your Bronica. Good Luck.

Alan Gales · Dec 16, 2015

ChristopherCoy said:
I'm going to have to get rid of this prism finder though and get a WLF. I hate prism finders.

Definitely get a WLF but you might want to hold onto the prism finder. I had a Blad at one time with a Stroboframe flash bracket which located the flash above the camera. A WLF would not even work with the flash bracket. Even if you get a bracket with the flash located to the side, a prism finder may work better with it.

Congratulations on your new camera!

Bronica SQ-a?

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