I chose the Mamiya 645 over the SQ-A for a couple of reasons. Bronica lenses, and it seems like everything else for this camera, are on the expensive side. Look at the inventory at KEH there is much more 645 stuff and it is cheaper. Mamiya stuff has been around so long, if my super goes caput I can pick up a 645 pro or one of the later models easily and still have the lenses and accessories. I actually like the 6x4.5 format better than the 6x6 this is a personal prefrence, but if I want to do 6x6 it is an excuse to take out the Minolta Autocord. Both cameras are great either one is a good choice. my 2 cents
I tried to use the Mamiya for the first time today. There's no battery though, and I guess it needs that to operate. But the good thing is that the shutter opens up and completely exposes your first frame until you read an hour later how to close the shutter with no battery. After handling them both a little more side by side, the Bronica is a lot smaller and lighter (it's a lot of plastic). The Mamiya has a faster top shutter speed (1/1000) but the Bronica goes down to 16s. While I have just about all the accessories I think I need, the fact that it may be hard to come across some for the Bronica scares me. I was lucky to find a beat up 120 insert for 38 dollars. KEH has zero and the cheapest one on Ebay is 90 dollars. Whereas a seller has 3 "mint" ones available BIN for 20 dollars for the Mamiya. And while I don't like the dark slide, I do like that I can carry and use different films at will with the Bronica by changing the backs (something I can't do with my Mamiya). So I'm still undecided and still looking for input, although I'm leaning toward keeping the Mamiya.
And nobody showed love for the isolette?
I actually have one, (actually branded as an Ansco Speedex R) and have brought it back to life (lots of black RTV silicone to kill off bellows corner holes, and solvent to loosen the dreaded green grease turned to tar) after 45-50 years of being in someones drawer.
I love that it can be shoved into my work bag, and when the urge strikes, out it pops, unfolds, and grabs the image and pours it to a great negative.
Plus the reaction that people give you when you haul this old pup out and actually use it is just about as pleasing to me as the pictures it can be a part of producing.
I do conceed that it is not up to snuff as a modern colour coated lens.
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