Good Evening-
I just bought a Bronica SQ-Ai in minty condition with the intention of using it for landscape photography. I would appreciate any suggestions that folks here may have regarding how to get the most out of this camera if I intend to convert negs to high res scans and post process digitally. I am particularly interested in suggestions for film (both color and B&W), processing labs and scanning.
I also would appreciate information concerning the best sources for lenses, backs and screens. I am familiar with KEH, B&H and Adorama. Are there any others? The camera comes with the standard 80mm lens and I would like to add a 40mm or 50mm.
Many thanks.
Sounds like what you have heard above is good advice. I would go for both the 40mm and the 50mm. They both have their own uses ans you will soon see. For example, the Slit canyons in Arizona require a 40mm, though you will brain yourself if you go with a 50mm. I went with a 38mm and was quite pleased. Use Trix as long as you can get it. For all your work, please. It is simply the best, I used it at Monument Valley and it was perfect. 'Nuff said
Logan
I am a little curious about the Tri X recommendation. Why not T Max? Back "in the day" the knock on Tri X was its grain structure. The reviews I read of T Max 400 indicate that the speed/grain combination is better on that film.
The 50mm has a 67mm filter thread, as do all the other lenses (except for the 40mm, 500mm, and the two zoom lenses)
Probably like most things it boils down to personal preference. That's the neat thing about film. You buy one camera. Then you sample different emulsions and find the one that works for YOU. B&W is even more interesting because you can process at home and the variety of developers and developing techniques is endless.
Some people like grain. Some people avoid it most of the time. Some people like Rodinal. Some people like XTOL. Some people mix XTOL in Rodinal. I think the key is to get some factual data points and then experiment.
I think you should get a roll of TriX and a roll of Tmax and give them both a try. Decide for yourself which one YOU like. Unlike digital where people talk solely about resolution most of the time. Film is about the overall look. Resolution is important... to some of us, but the overall look is what will guide most people.
That's only the 'S' version, the 50 mm PS is 77 mm and (empirically determined) pretty sensitive to stuff building out on the front. That 67 mm across the line was one of the things that went by the wayside in the transition from S to PS. The 110 mm f/4.5 PS 1:1 macro takes a 72 mm filter. (Would I had bought 77s first and then some step-up rings!)
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