Bronica SQ-Ai Finder Questions

[Robert Kerwin]

I'm looking to put together a Bronica SQ-Ai kit and I'm confused about finder options. My first thought was to go with the WLF--simple, lightweight and functional. But I noticed they seem to be a little hard to come by recently (at KEH anyway). So I started looking at other options. Does anyone have any experience with the metered finders such as the ME, MF and AE? How well do the meters work? Or would I be better off just getting a non-metered finder (WLF or prism) and using a separate light meter?

Any thoughts, comments or recommendations are welcome. Thanks in advance!

- Robert

 

[Sanjay Sen]

I have a ME prism finder on my SQ-A and I find it pretty accurate. I must tell you though that I am new to MF, but the only roll that I shot (afternoon/evening light) with this finder on came out pretty well exposed. I find it convenient to use a metered finder because that means I do not need to carry (or buy) a separate lightmeter. YMMV, though. Good luck with your search!

 

[David Henderson]

Whilst I have and use an eye-level prism as a kind of default setting on my Sq-Ai, I have and use a wlf as well. I guess you could sum up the reasons why I use a wlf as follows.

Sometimes I want to shoot with the camera low or high. The combination of an eye level prism with a wlf lets me choose the viewpoint thats right - or, if I'm pointing the camera sharply up , to make it easier on the neck.

Sometimes I want to use the extra magnification in the wlf's magnifier to tune composition or focus.

Sometimes I want to see the elements of the composition in more abstract terms and having the image laterally reversed helps this.

It costs me little in money or weight to achieve these flexibilities. I could achieve some of them but not all by using two prisms but that costs and weighs more.

I use the ttl metering of my prism only as a sense check on my hand-held. My routine involves setting composition before I meter, and I don't want to then lose the composition whilst I move a prism around my composition to meter. I also want to use an exposure routine that translates from system to system, and taking multiple spot readings from around the frame with a hand-held spotmeter does that. I find the metering of my AE prism S to be pretty primitive; its an overall average meter, and that isn't how I want to control exposure for slide film. There is a later/more expensive version that spot-meters and though I haven't used it I doubt whether it can challenge the precision of a 1 deg. spot. I think it would be rare for me to actually set the exact exposure suggested by my prism's meter, but its good enough to remind me that I've changed backs for a two stop faster film and haven't reset the hand-held!

Incidentally most times you buy a Bronica, even on eBay, there's a wlf with the basic body/lens/back kit. There doesn't seem to be much merit in buying as separate components unless you really don't want an 80mm lens. Your real decision might well be "is it worthwhile buying a prism ?" rather then "which of these two mechanisms should I prefer?"

 

[digiconvert]

Bronica and WLF

I recently bought a Bronica SQ-B s/h from a dealer. The 'B' stands for basic, there is no option for metering on this model but I could add a non metering prism should I wish to do so.
I also tried out a Mamiya Pro TL which cost a little more but had a metered prism with various metering options.

The reason I chose the meterless WLF was that I enjoy using that for composition, I am around 6'2" tall and the WLF gives me an opportunity to take photographs that are not always 'looking down' without giving me too much back ache, for low level shots I can set up the camera with a low tripod, compose - perhaps squat down to use the loupe for fine focus' then take the photograph. The Mamiya seemed like a big version of a modern SLR 35mm camera which was exactly what I didn't want.

Since any Bronica you are likely to buy will probably come with a WLF then you can try this method of composition out as a first option-if you decide you want a prism then get one later, an SQAi will give you the option of a metered prism. You will need some form of meter with your WLF, I use an old Weston Master III ((£3 from e-bay) which does the job but a metered SLR will do for starters.
Hope this gives some ideas, enjoy the Bronica , CJB

 

[glbeas]

I'm looking to put together a Bronica SQ-Ai kit and I'm confused about finder options. My first thought was to go with the WLF--simple, lightweight and functional. But I noticed they seem to be a little hard to come by recently (at KEH anyway). So I started looking at other options. Does anyone have any experience with the metered finders such as the ME, MF and AE? How well do the meters work? Or would I be better off just getting a non-metered finder (WLF or prism) and using a separate light meter?

Any thoughts, comments or recommendations are welcome. Thanks in advance!

- Robert

As well as the prism finders theres is a chimney finder that is CdS metered and runs off the cameras batteries. A good compromise if you don't want to tote a meter with you and like the waist level option. Theres also a 45 dgree prism, non metered as far as I know, for doing low angle work. I have a chimney finder for my SQA and it works pretty good, but it doesn't match the results I get with the handheld meter. Like any system it needs calibration to get good results.

 

[Edwardv]

I have a SQAi AE prism finder. The prism has two types of metering : average and spot. The average works fine when the subject is close and requires no adjustments for the lenses. The spot meter works well with subjects that are close or greater distances but you will have to compensate for lenses at and above 110mm in EV. 110mm to 180mm -1/3, 200mm -2/3, and 250mm -1 stop. There are several ways to compensate: 1 change the film speed dial on the magazine, exposure compensation dail, exposure compensation switch on the AE which is underneath the meter and I don't recommend because you could forget to switch it back, and if I am correct use the exposure compensation dail on the magazine itself. The major problem you will have using the spot is remembering to reset the compensation EV when changing lenses or back to your normal ISO settings if you decide to use average.

I have also used the AE III meter for the ETRSi and I find the exposure extremely accurate for average and spot. The square takes a little bit of time getting use to.

 

[r-brian]

I ahve a SQa with both WL and the AE prism. The prism is the older one for the SQa without spot. I use the prism for about 95% of my shooting and have use the meter in it without any problems. It works as well as any averagin meter I've had in a 35mm slr. The auto function works fine too. The WL gets put on when I need to get down on the ground. I would not hesitate to get and use the AE meter.