Bronica SQ vs Hassy

[dodphotography]

I only use roll film cameras for travel... and since I only travel one-two times a year I’ve nearly eliminated all small formats from my work flow.

My primary format is 8x10 so I’m not concerned with weight. I’m young enough where a heavy shoulder bag doesn’t weight my down on a trip.

My last trip was to China with a Rolleiflex 3.5F and a Pentax 67. I’ve since sold those cameras. I found loading film to be very difficult when on the fly due to the pace of travel partners. Therefore, I’ve targeted systems where I could have 2/3 backs preloaded and hence the Bronica / Hassy thread.

Budget matters, is there a true reliability issue between these systems?

 

[Alan Gales]

I don't know about reliability but I hear that you can still get Hasselblads serviced. With a Bronica you may have to junk it and buy another if you have a problem.

 

[jimjm]

As of 2017, Tamron was still servicing Bronicas. I sent in an RF645 body to replace a broken rear door. They did a great job. You could contact them to see if they are still repairing Bronicas, and if that includes the SQ cameras.
I've had an SQ-A body for over 15 years that has never given me any problems. Same for the lenses.
One advantage to Hasselblads is that it will probably always be easier to find service than for Bronica.

 

[dodphotography]

As of 2017, Tamron was still servicing Bronicas. I sent in an RF645 body to replace a broken rear door. They did a great job. You could contact them to see if they are still repairing Bronicas, and if that includes the SQ cameras.
I've had an SQ-A body for over 15 years that has never given me any problems. Same for the lenses.
One advantage to Hasselblads is that it will probably always be easier to find service than for Bronica.

i suppose the SQ-A at 500 bucks for a kit attracts me more than 2000 bucks for a 501CM

 

[Kodachromeguy]

I don't know about reliability but I hear that you can still get Hasselblads serviced. .

Mid-summer 2019, Hasselblad in New Jersey (USA) checked, cleaned, and adjusted my 501CM, A12 back, and 1985-vintage 50mm Distagon lens.They have a check to spec. plan where they check your camera and if you opt for repairs, the checkup fee is waived.

A properly-adjusted Hasselblad is a tactile pleasure, like a good Rolleiflex or Leica. But I will never claim that the Hasselblad takes "better" photographs than a Bronica. Both had superb lenses from the film era.

Here is the link for Hasselblad-Bron service in USA:
https://hasselbladbron.com/warranty/#form

 

[Grim Tuesday]

i suppose the SQ-A at 500 bucks for a kit attracts me more than 2000 bucks for a 501CM

What if I told you you can get a Hasselblad kit for $620? 500C with WLF for $250, 80mm lens for $320, A24 back for $50 and run 120 film through it.

 

[mshchem]

i suppose the SQ-A at 500 bucks for a kit attracts me more than 2000 bucks for a 501CM

This is it. I've used both systems a lot over the last 20 years. Not as a professional! I've whittled down my Bronica stuff to an SQ-AI body and a couple lenses, backs etc. Never had any problems with either. Going forward it's Hasselblad. No batteries required and people know how to keep them going.

 

[johnha]

Back in the day I went for a Bronica SQ-B new plus a second free back for the price of a used 'blad. I'd heard too many stories about 'blads jamming to buy a used one (user errors they might have been but they seem very frequent). Even seasoned 'blad shooters often recommend carrying a screwdriver around just jn case. The biggest problem was that the next lens after the 80mm would have been cripplingly expensive.

Recalling comments from this forum, you need to do your homework before buying a 'blad: there seems to be quite a few gotchas depending on the model. If the Bronica breaks, another body would be fairly easy to find and not that expensive, I don't know how much 'blad repairs tun at but doubt they'd be inexpensive.

 

[AndyH]

Back in the day I went for a Bronica SQ-B new plus a second free back for the price of a used 'blad. I'd heard too many stories about 'blads jamming to buy a used one (user errors they might have been but they seem very frequent). Even seasoned 'blad shooters often recommend carrying a screwdriver around just jn case. The biggest problem was that the next lens after the 80mm would have been cripplingly expensive.

Recalling comments from this forum, you need to do your homework before buying a 'blad: there seems to be quite a few gotchas depending on the model. If the Bronica breaks, another body would be fairly easy to find and not that expensive, I don't know how much 'blad repairs tun at but doubt they'd be inexpensive.

I've been shooting a used 500C for nearly a year, and have had no problems or issues. I did fix an issue with the back, but it was easily within my abilities to repair. Parts bodies and lenses are relatively affordable and there are numerous skilled repair people and how to videos for most common ailments. The camera itself is straightforward in design and possibly the most solidly built system in history. I've got four lenses for it, 50, 80, 160, and 250mm focal lengths. All are within 1/3 stop of correct at all shutter speeds. I've got nothing against Bronicas, but the Hasselblad is the superior instrument. And, oh, that tool you have to carry around is just a penny = no screwdriver needed. All you have to remember is to not fire off the shutter of a lens when off the camera and to check the alignment before you change lenses.

I might, of course, change my mind, but the pure pleasure of shooting with a Hasselblad is worth the effort IMHO.

Andy

 

[ParkerSmithPhoto]

Okay, as the former 20+ year owner of Bronica SQ gear, and now proud owner of a SCHWEET Hasselblad setup (500C/M, 500ELX, 50mm, 80mm, 120mm, 150mm), let me just say: the Hassleblad is just completely and utterly superior in every respect.

Let's start with the leaky SQ backs that have about 10 different points where light can leak in. I used to keep a 2" black elastic band in my bag, and that stayed on the back all the time if the dark slide was out. There is one place light can leak on a Hassy, and it's an easy DIY fix. See video on YouTube.

Someone mentioned Hassy jamming. Well, you can jam an SQ, too. Both systems require that both the lens and the body be wound before mounting. I can't tell you how many times I was changing SQ lenses and the lens would slightly bump the mount ring and trip the body mirror, wasting a frame of film and requiring me to crank the body again before being more careful and trying to mount the lens again. That has not happened once in four years of Hasselblad.

Now, I made a ton of great pictures with the SQ, and the lenses are superb. It's just that it always feels a bit cheap, kind of a Ford to the Mercedes Hasselblad. With the Hassy, literally every single detail has been refined to the apex of photographic gear. It's just superlative, like a fine watch.

The SQ will get the job done, but for me the writing was on the wall. There were many more people who trained to repair Hasselblad (I recently found one here in Atlanta who is terrific) than the SQ system.I wanted to have gear I could trust would be viable for the next 20 years.

Hope that helps. Just go with Hasselblad. You'll never regret it. More expensive, but worth it.

 

[GLS]

I also have never jammed my Hasselblad, and frankly I can't imagine ever doing so. The rule to avoid it is so simple and easy to follow that you would need to be very careless to have it happen. Besides, even if it ever does occur, you can easily unjam it yourself with a £10 tool you can buy on ebay.

 

[James Bleifus]

I’ve had both cameras and, although a Hassy isn’t the camera for me (nor was the Bronica), I agree with the comments that it will be repairable longer than the Bronica. I also expect that it will be more durable, all,other things being equal. As film cameras age it seems like it’s getting harder and harder to find good examples. Even if you can get the Bronica repaired today will you be able to get it repaired in ten years? Repairs aren’t just about money but also the downtime while your gear is away.

Perhaps I’m just becoming jaded. I’ve just thrown in the towel while trying to build my Mamiya C220 system because I’m having too hard of a time getting quality gear. I just had my dream order fall through because much of the gear wasn’t in the condition described. I have a new Chamonix 4x5 on the way because I already have the lenses I want, but if I were staying with medium format, I’d buy an EX rated Hasselblad kit from KEH. I said above that the Hassy isn’t the camera for me, but having reliable gear that works and is repairable overrides my other concerns.

Cheers, James

 

[halfaman]

I like my SQ-Ai with SQ-Ai AE prism and SQ-i back and motor drive. It is not my main camera (I am a 6x7 guy) but I found it has a great Quality/Price ratio. I agree that Haselblad is more refined but also more expensive.

Being budget a restriction I say you can't go wrong with the Bronica.

 

[guangong]

I never handled a Bronica, but ergonomically nothings beats a Hasselblad in MF SLR. That is the reason the basic Hasselblad film camera exhibited almost no external change for many, many decades. To his chagrin, my friend was designated Bronica person in what then was probably the best camera store in America, if not the world (famous foreign photographers were regular customers). Fellow workers would get under his skin teasingly calling him “ Bronica man”. I think that says it all!

 

[DMS206]

One thing I like better about a Bronica, is that you can change from waist level finder to eye level without having to remove the back. I like to photograph people with an eye level finder, and other things with the wlf
Dave

 

[ParkerSmithPhoto]

One other thing: if budget is tight, start with a basic kit, lens, body and back and build from there. 90% of my photos are made with either the 80mm or the 120mm. I rarely use the 150mm and the 50mm. Nice to have them, but not mandatory.

 

[grimp0teuthis]

You might also consider the Bronica S2A. I've been shooting with it on the street and I've found it to be easy to work with, I love the look of the Nikkor 50 and Zenzanon 150 lenses (I don't do MTF tests for sharpness or anything), and it's a metal beast that should be much tougher than an SQ, at the cost of more weight. It has none of the reliability issues of the otherwise-identical S2 and you can see how to identify S2A models here: https://web.archive.org/web/20080118162829/http://medfmt.8k.com/bronprod.html

 

[Tom Kershaw]

A have a couple of Bronica SQ-B cameras that I mostly use for the 110mm 1:1 macro. The fit and feel of the cameras is okay (owned from new) but considering I'm not putting daily wear on them, they do show some flaws and I've had things break / fall off etc, and I'm not one prone to dropping camera gear etc.

 

[Oren Grad]

As of 2017, Tamron was still servicing Bronicas. I sent in an RF645 body to replace a broken rear door. They did a great job. You could contact them to see if they are still repairing Bronicas, and if that includes the SQ cameras.

Tamron USA's policy has been to guarantee service for 7 years after discontinuation, then continue on a parts-available basis after that.

Tamron Japan is no longer doing Bronica repairs at all:

掲載のない製品やブロニカカメラは修理不能になっております。

https://www.tamron.co.jp/faq/products/index.html#section-maintenance, click on Q08.

 

[Arklatexian]

A have a couple of Bronica SQ-B cameras that I mostly use for the 110mm 1:1 macro. The fit and feel of the cameras is okay (owned from new) but considering I'm not putting daily wear on them, they do show some flaws and I've had things break / fall off etc, and I'm not one prone to dropping camera gear etc.

First, I am not "knocking" anything Bronica. But I am not a "trader". When I buy something, I tend to keep it. Soooo, a long time ago, I learned that I have never spent too much for a camera, no matter what I paid. On the other hand, I have spent far too much for "junk". I have never spent "too much" for either a Hasselblad 500cm nor a Leica M3/M2 no matter how much they cost me. it has taken a while but I now own what I like and like what I own, as the saying goes. The same can be said for my 4x5 gear. I can only suggest that everyone do the same. You will not regret it............Regards!

 

[moto-uno]

Has anyone else here noticed that the cost of these Hasselblad services aren't spelled out ? He did make some mention of being on a budget . Peter

 

[Paul Howell]

That a good point, assuming that Tamron is still repairing Bronica what is the difference in price between servicing a Bronica and a Hasselblad, body and lens? I've had a Kowa for almost 40 years, cost me $250 for a complete overhaul, that was about 11 years ago. Then I've never had my Yashica Ds or 124 in for any repair.

 

[Arklatexian]

Has anyone else here noticed that the cost of these Hasselblad services aren't spelled out ? He did make some mention of being on a budget . Peter

I think that no matter how much money we have, when it comes to photographic gear, we are "all" on some kind of "budget", self imposed or otherwise......Regards!

 

[moto-uno]

I think that no matter how much money we have, when it comes to photographic gear, we are "all" on some kind of "budget", self imposed or otherwise......Regards!

That has proven to be painfully true over the years Peter

 

[cobbu2]

At least 2 places still do Bronica repair according to their websites:

https://www.kurtscamerarepair.com/
http://www.cameraservicepro.com/mid-format-camera-repair/