Finally, what about the GS-1? Can anyone tell me how it compares to the RB67 and/or P67? The Mamiya and Pentax 6x7 systems both have some very nice wides: the aforementioned 65mm K/L for the Mamiya, and the aspirationaly priced but apparently fantastic 55mm SMC for Pentax, among others.
The GS has a 50mm lens as its widest, but I haven't been able to dig up much information on its performance. I assume it's good; I just wonder if it's better than the RB67's 50, which I didn't find to be all that great compared to the 65mm K/L.
Also, how would you rate the GS-1 for hikes and walk-around photography? I know it's got to be better than the RB67 for such uses, but what about in comparison to the P67?
I shot many weddings with an S2a and every bride was pleased. Never had it fail or even a glitch with the S2a. As for the dimness of the focusing screen? My eyes were much, much brighter back then.Hi,
All of the newer generation focusing screens are brighter, and more importantly easier to find. I've been searching for a split-image screen for my EC-TL for a year (anyone have one?). More importantly if you use a prism that is where you'll see a big difference. The view (finder magnification) is larger and brighter in the ETR/SQ/GS models. The older S2/S2A were horrible to shoot a wedding with, the EC/EC-TL was only slightly brighter. I agree, the ETR-S and ETR-Si are a joy. I'm new to the 645 system only having bought into the system a few weeks back. As a wedding photographer I never considered one or a GS because I didn't want to have to flip the camera for verticals and then horizontal. For some reason I always had the idea that the 645 was a toy aimed at 35mm photographers wanting to test the waters of MF. I was very wrong. The ETR system is very well made and produces excellent results. Being partial to waist level shooting 6x6 is still my favorite. Using the older cameras EC-TL and older is like driving a classic car where you take your time, don't push it too hard at the same time loving the nostalgia of the whole experience.
Rick
I shot many weddings with an S2a and every bride was pleased. Never had it fail or even a glitch with the S2a. As for the dimness of the focusing screen? My eyes were much, much brighter back then.
I shot many weddings with an S2a and every bride was pleased. Never had it fail or even a glitch with the S2a. As for the dimness of the focusing screen? My eyes were much, much brighter back then.
This is to Alan also. My eyes were much better back then, but my ears were better also. Yes, it was the loudest camera I have ever used for a wedding and the reason I went to a Koni-Omega outfit. I later went Hasselblad and could run around during the ceremony and I was hardly noticed. My worst wedding with the Bronica S2a was in a Methodist church and that Methodist preacher was a real son-of-gun. He wouldn't allow any flash during the ceremony and that meant the folks sitting in the pews also. When the bride came down the isle all the folks stood up and some started using their Instamatic cameras with flash. He stopped the ceremony and explained that it would go no further if one more flash went off. I made it through the wedding alright and the shots were just fine, but would have been better with my potato masher kicking in some more lumens. After the ceremony he told me I had the loudest camera he had ever heard go off in that church while he was there. It wasn't long after that I switched systems. Still, the Bronica S2a never failed me and the pictures were as good as I got from the Koni and Hasselblad, but they came at a price. Noise!Don't get me wrong, it's by no means as bad as a squinty rangefinder on a old folder but in a close up, wide open situation, the ETRSI screen is by far preferable.
We must know though, how did shooting the ceremony go with the thunderclap that is the S2a
The sq-ai has a bulb mode. The drawback being it drains the battery whilst the shutter is open.
I have both sq metred prisms. They are heavy and cumbersome and make the SQ-a hard to hold without the speed grip. The AE prism can set the shutter speed for you, the non AE prism can't. The AE prism has an additional shutter speed dial attached to it. The readout in the finder is hard to read and dim on my SQ. I've cleaned the contacts but never get a bright meter
Once you add the grip and prism finder it gets very bulky related to the crank with WLF.
There is also an SQ-Am that does have motor drive. It's like the speed grip on steroids. It's also pretty bulky.
I use my SQ-A with the WLF pretty much exclusively. The speed grip and prisms stay at home. I like the WLF on a tripod for landscapes. For studio style portrait stuff the prisms would be better, but I don't do that kind of photography.
The more automated MF SLR cameras like the later Pentax and Mamiyas all seem to be 645.
For better portability, the Mamiya 6 seems to be the ultimate 6x6 for automation and relative portability.
But the Sq is a nice system and being modular you can make it how you like it.
I'd be happy to upgrade to an Ai one day for bulb mode. T mode is pretty fiddly in practice, especially with cold hands...
The 40mm lens is lovely. I have the PS version which is better for filters as the S version has a built in petal hood. But due to its size, using filters with it is still tricky. The Colin Z filter holder just about fits (they make a 95mm ring for it) but it still doesn't slot on perfectly. The 50mm only has a 72mm ring and the same holder definitely fits better. I think you need a special holder for the Lee system, their rings don't go up to 95mm.
But for the price, the 40mm is amazing.
And that's the crunch. All of the above is quite affordable. I paid £100 for my 40mm in excellent condition. Try getting a similar lens for a different system for close to that! Even the backs I complain about are under £100.
My entire SQ set up has cost under £500 and I have the 40, 50, 80 and 150 lenses, WLF, 2x prisms, speed grip, 3 dodgy backs and some other bits and bobs.
That is my understanding. I have a manual for the SQ-Ai here, but decided from what I had read years back the SQ-A was a better bet for me. The Ai, in addition to bulb, also has a 16 second timed exposure where the SQ and SQ-A only go to 8. I suppose that could be handy on occasion.But from what I have read, the weak point is the battery door and contacts for the separate button cells vs. The single 6v battery in the SQ-A. Also, I may be wrong, but I think the SQ-Ai may need an electric cable release, not a simple mechanical one like the SQ-A.
Regarding the MFD of the 150mm, I remember reading that bronica produced a lot of extension tubes for the gs-1 lenses to allow for close focus. Maybe it's similar with the SQ.Mike Johnston of The Online Photographer recommended the 150mm S lens for portraits. I have one, but don't use it much. It's fine but doesn't focus close enough for tight head and shoulders filling the frame. That's ok, as one really wants to be back at least 6 feet for pleasing perspective in most portraits.
http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/the_online_photographer/2012/10/bargain-medium-format.html
If you are scanning with a flatbed, I doubt you will be able to perceive small differences in lens resolution. The scanner is the weak link in the chain.
I have done the hat trick for time exposures. It's fine, but awkward. If you do a lot, the SQ-Ai might be worthwhile for you. I would not worry about plastic vs. metal. But from what I have read, the weak point is the battery door and contacts for the separate button cells vs. The single 6v battery in the SQ-A. Also, I may be wrong, but I think the SQ-Ai may need an electric cable release, not a simple mechanical one like the SQ-A.
That's right. With the S-36 extension tube and the 150mm lens, you can focus on a subject between 30-36 inches away. With the 200mm lens, it will get you a bit further at 46-60 inches, which would be a comfortable distance for head & shoulder portraits.Regarding the MFD of the 150mm, I remember reading that bronica produced a lot of extension tubes for the gs-1 lenses to allow for close focus. Maybe it's similar with the SQ.
I seem to recall the 180mm lens focuses closer than the the 150 -- maybe that's why it typically costs more!That's right. With the S-36 extension tube and the 150mm lens, you can focus on a subject between 30-36 inches away. With the 200mm lens, it will get you a bit further at 46-60 inches, which would be a comfortable distance for head & shoulder portraits.
Ed- But what I still don't understand is how the bulb mode on the shutter speed dial relates to the T mode on the lens.
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