Bronica SQ-Ai - Only 8 frames with 120 roll

cschweda · Apr 30, 2009

Recently, I put together a custom Bronica SQ-Ai kit from KEH -- body, 50mm lens, waist level finder, motorized grip, and a 120-I back.

I'm noticing that I'm only getting 8 frames (widely spaced) on a 120 roll. I've tried with and without the motorized grip, and I still get 8 frames.

I'm thinking this is an issue with the 120-I back and that a different back might fix this. Would this frame spacing issue be an issue with the camera body? Or is something perhaps misaligned in the current back?

Shangheye · Apr 30, 2009

First of all I am confused by the 55mm lens...I wasn't aware that the SQ lenses came in other than the 40 and 50 and 50PS (in terms of normal to wide fixed focal legth lenses).

Are the intervals equally as well as spaced? The wind on is through a cogged wheel on the main body linking with the back, so you should check that. What I don't know is the 120-I nomenclature. Normally the backs come as 120 SQ or 120 SQAi back. Since in general the back stays the same and the insert changes for 120 or 220..I assume these are correctly installed on your camera for the film you are shooting. Bronica also made a 120J back which required a specific insert and is NOT interchangeable with other inserts...but you can tell that because the format of the image is 6x4.5 and not square 6x6.

I would check the above and if no juice then you are left with getting a new back to test it.

Kal

cschweda · Apr 30, 2009

Thanks, Kal.

Yes -- I meant to say 50mm lens. Whoops -- too early in the morning! Fixed.

My back is the newer style with the exposure dial on the back instead of the top. I'm going by KEH's nomenclature. They advertise it as a 120-I (as opposed to a 120-J or 120-B or plain vanilla 120).

At any rate, thanks for your tips. The frames are evenly spaced -- although I shot one roll a few days where the ninth frame was cut in half by the end of the roll. Very strange. I'll check the cogged wheel. I'll probably go ahead and get a new back -- and a new insert -- to test everything.

Apart from the spacing issues, I'm loving the camera. Built like a tank -- and the test shots I'm getting (and developing in Rodinal 1:50) are looking quite good. I've never shot with a MF format before -- so I'm loving the 6X6 frame. I've also got a Pentax 645 that I'm planning to take out for a spin this weekend.

DWThomas · Apr 30, 2009

The frame spacing is set by magic mechanics in the insert portion of the back, so that's the most likely culprit. It seems rather odd that it would space evenly but wrongly though. I think the usual is more like winding all the way through without stopping (my experience), or random skips and hangups.

DaveT

JBrunner · Apr 30, 2009

Check where on the roll the frames are starting. Is there a bunch of leader where more frames could go? Since you say the frames are widely spaced it sound like something else, but that is worth looking at.

Shangheye · Apr 30, 2009

I like to think of the Bronica like a Honda...reasonably priced (especially nowadays) utterly reliable and great quality with all the options included...A Hassy, now that is like a Rolls, it's very nice indeed, but expensive to run, and you pay through the nose for the options. If you like looking good with a camera around your neck, you buy a Hassy, if you want to take pictures just as sharp and has alot more bells and whistles, buy a Bronica....I think you made an excellent choice.

Now I will wait to get flamed!!

Rgds, Kal

Robert Kerwin · Apr 30, 2009

Definitely get a new back to test. And if you are still within KEH's 2-week return window, I'd see about returning the back. The "I" designation means that it electronically interfaces the film speed (set using the dial on the back) with the metering system which is in the finder. Since you're using a waist level finder, which has no meter, the electronics are irrelevant, but mechanically everything works the same. You can use either the plain 120 or the 120-I.

Rick A · May 2, 2009

It almost sounds like it's spacing for a GS-1
Rick

DWThomas · May 2, 2009

ralnphot said:
It almost sounds like it's spacing for a GS-1
Rick

That's an interesting point -- I doubt the backs are physically interchangeable -- but when originally reading the OP, I did find myself wondering if somebody did a little mismatching of parts during a repair. We weren't told whether these components were "mint" or may have been through some battles.

Anyway, from KEH, I'd just bounce it back. They once sent me an "Ex+" back that had gooey light seals. After return it for exchange, I wound up with a back that looked like it just rolled out of the Bronica factory. They do make good.

DaveT

evilhomer78 · May 2, 2009

The spacing issue is with the little mechanics in the film back insert. There are 2 slotted disk that when the slots line up a lever falls into the combined slot preventing the film from winding further. Its a possibility that 1 of the springs that tension the disks (they are very very small) has weekend overtime or became dislodged. Since you purchased the back from keh, I would exchange it for another one.

One of these days I'll take apart one of my spare 220 backs and take photos of the mechanics. The 220 insert and 120 insert are essentially the same as far as mechanics go, except for the number of slots in the film winder.

Bronica SQ-Ai - Only 8 frames with 120 roll

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