Bronica SQ-AI Kit for FREE

[removed-user-1]

Ok, so it doesn't exactly belong to me. But in August I took a job at my local community college, teaching (Photoshop, sorry... but the possibility of my running a darkroom class at some point in the future has also been discussed...).

Anyway, back to the Bronica. In the photo studio, there is an equipment closet, and in that closet was a Bronica SQ-AI with the ME prism, a waist-level finder, three 120 film backs (one still in the box!), and the 40mm, 80mm, and 150mm PS lenses. I asked the department chair if anybody was using this camera, and the answer was "No, it was used by the retired school photographer. The new photographer only shoots digital. Would you like to use it?"

Would I? Yes, please! Amazing camera. I've run one roll of film through it so far, but that was enough to know I really like it.

EDIT: After I posted this, I realized the title suggests this is a classified ad/giveaway... it's not. Just an excited photographer!

 

[lxdude]

All right!

I hope someday to be so lucky...

 

[BrianShaw]

I'm happy for you. Those kind of gift/loans can be very beneficial. I was such a recipient when I was in high school... not of a camera but of an old shortwave radio. I had an interest and the old radio that was gifted to the school had no purpose, so they let me take it on a long-term loan. After I graduated it was offered back to them but they still had no need for it and I was told to keep it. I used it for about 20 years after that. I stil have it but it is so old that it needs restoration, whcih I'm not able to do at this time (I might not even have the right abilities to do it no matter when!). My suggestion is that you enjoy the camera, learn a lot from using it, and let them know what you are learning. It will likely bring a smile to their faces.

 

[dehk]

Make sure you share the results!

 

[jordanstarr]

Don't worry about the misleading title....most people are smart enough to know that if it's too good to be true...it's not true....enjoy the camera. I sold mine and bought a Hasselblad and the difference between the two systems is so marginal that I would probably take back the same system plus $1200 for my Hasselblad.

 

[spoilerhead]

Wow, what a find
congratulations

 

[Craig Swensson]

aw, and i was gonna reply with `I`ll take it'
You have me excited about possibilities now as i have just found out that a local high school has a darkroom full of equipment that has been locked and un used for a number of years.I know the P.E. teacher there and he is going to try and get me in...heres hoping

 

[wilfbiffherb]

i hate you! but well done

 

[removed-user-1]

So, the 40mm lens has a gigantic 95mm filter thread. Anybody have suggestions about Lee, Cokin, or other filter systems that I could use for this? I really don't want to buy 95mm filters for a lens that I don't actually own. All I need is a couple black-and-white filters, medium yellow and red would be enough. And maybe a 2-stop ND filter... it would be nice to get a filter holder setup, so I could use it on my other gear (I have lenses with filter sizes from 40.5mm up to 67mm).

 

[wilfbiffherb]

i think you may need to cokin z system for that size

 

[DSLR]

With 9 replies I knew I was too late, but I hate you anyways!

Post some results! From what I've seen on Flickr, those 150mm PS and 40mm PS lenses are pretty nice.

 

[Dave Ludwig]

Bronica's are the most under rated camera in my opinion. When you get tired of the square format get yourself a GS-1 6x7, not many know much about them, not widely used, and they'll pry mine out of my cold dead hands. And for the Nah-Sayer's about no rotating backs.... I can turn my wrist a lot faster, why? because you can hand hold this 6x7 not like an RB which stands for "Really Big". Will get an SQ someday for street work, only because you can get a drive, the only drawback of the GS. Enjoy you time together.

 

[removed-user-1]

I had an RB for several years, I loved working with it but it was usually a tripod camera for me. One time I mounted the RB (with grip) on a monopod, and managed to break the mounting screw off in the base of the grip... I guess this was from subtle twisting on the (cheap) monopod. It is indeed a heavy camera.

A friend of mine has a GS1 with the speed grip, I've played with it a little and it is a very sweet camera.