Composing on Bronica Focus Screen

[David Jones]

Hello
I am new on here and am also new to medium format cameras. I have a Bronica SQ-A with a waist level finder. My question is: when I look down into the waist level finder at the focussing screen does all that I see end up on the film, just like viewing through a 35mm SLR camera? It is just that I was wondering what the faint square that is marked out on the (standard split prism) focus screen is for.
Thanks
dave

 

[DWThomas]

You will get everything. I think the extra lines are to hint at what you would get if you cropped to 6x4.5, that's my take. The lines that outline the square actually travel past the intersection to the edges of the screen.

Welcome to APUG from another SQ-A owning Dave!

DaveT

 

[David Jones]

Thanks, Dave. I just
bought this camera from the dresded eBay and it is in good condition and said that it had had less than 12 rolls through it from new. It certainly seems fine apart from dust on the mirror and focus screen. I think that the mirror damper may have deteriorated and caused this so I may have someone do that. I forgot to ask beforehand whether it had an S or PS lens and it turned out to have an S but I have read that they are ok too.

Dave

 

[DWThomas]

My understanding (from reading, not experience) is that there's lttle difference between the S and PS lenses in the middle ("normal") range focal lengths as far as optical performance. I think the PS coatings are supposed to be better, and I'm vaguely remembering that the S lenses may not have click half stops on the aperture. The lenses I have are all of the PS flavor, so I've not had any chance to handle or compare.

They're cool cameras, although certainly not something to stick in one's pocket!

DaveT

 

[Stuart Turnbull]

Hi Dave, I think Dave T is correct in what he has told you. I'm an SQA owner and the lines on the screen are v helpful but I also use a 6x6.45 back too just when I decide.

 

[Stuart Turnbull]

PS Hi guys

 

[mbsmith]

I think the PS coatings are supposed to be better, and I'm vaguely remembering that the S lenses may not have click half stops on the aperture. The lenses I have are all of the PS flavor, so I've not had any chance to handle or compare.

They're cool cameras, although certainly not something to stick in one's pocket!

DaveT

Howdy!
That is my understanding as well. The S lenses can technically do half-stops, but don't click into them like the PS versions.

Mike