Removing Bronica SQ AI back without dark slide

[jodad]

Bought a camera but its missing the dark slide. How the hell did i not notice this?! Anyway, the camera is a Bronica SQ AI with a Bronica SQ-i 6x6 back (the new (?) ones with the iso on the back).

Now I'm trying to test the camera.
All below happens at any shutter speed setting.

-The battery test button doesn't seem to work because the battery indicator light doesn't light up.
-BTW, should the battery test button be somewhat recessed into a circular "guard" and stick out less than the film back release button?
-There is no film in the camera.
-There is no dark slide in the back.
-mirror isn't locked up
-Lens can be removed
-the film winder on the camera body can be wound constantly when on non multiple exposure mode and still no firing.
-when on multiple exposure mode the winder winds then locks and cant be would any more. Still no stutter fire.
-When returned to single exposure, film winder releases and can be would again.

Apparently you can test the shutter in multi exposure mode but often it wont fire if you have no film in and if the film back is attached. So, you can test this by removing the film back. I cant do this without the dark slide. Is there a way to remove the back without the slide?

I've attached an image of the back.

 

[Daire Quinlan]

yeah I was about to say that testing the shutter in multi-exposure requires that the back not be present. You could put a roll of backing paper through it ? Or a sacrificial roll of film ?

Does the red light in the viewfinder come on when you depress the shutter button ?

 

[jodad]

yeah I was about to say that testing the shutter in multi-exposure requires that the back not be present. You could put a roll of backing paper through it ? Or a sacrificial roll of film ?

Does the red light in the viewfinder come on when you depress the shutter button ?

Well i managed to get the back off using a paperclip and the little bit that you press in at the bottom of when the slide goes in. Still, no triggering. Even tried it after removing the lens. Same thing.

The light comes on when i press the trigger but not the battery light. Last idea is to change the batteries later today and see what happens.

 

[mshchem]

The battery indicator button barely moves when pressed. I suspect that you need 4 new batteries. If the batteries are good it should fire even without film in multiple exposure mode. Shutters are governed by timing unit in camera body. I have a motor drive on mine, camera draws power from the AA batteries in winder. Be VERY CAREFUL with the levers for multiple exposure and mirror lock. Bronica cost reduced from metal (SQA) to plastic with the i series cameras. I've had two break, I bought a junk body for parts

 

[Daire Quinlan]

If the batteries are good it should fire even without film in multiple exposure mode.

Ah, yes you're right, I stand corrected. Just trying on mine now at home, with the darkslide out, film back on, in multiple exposure mode, duly winds and fires without any film in the back. Interestingly though, while mine works just fine, red flash in the viewfinder when fired, or solid red when trying to fire without the multiple exposure leaver down, the battery check doesn't do anything :-D Batteries have been in for a few rolls though, and about a year so it's possible they're mostly kaput.

 

[mshchem]

At one point I had 4 of these cameras, great units. I am down to one body with the wide 35mm back on most of the time. I've migrated to Hasselblad, mechanical and simple. The Bronicas are very sophisticated machines AE , ttl flash, great lenses and cheap these days.

 

[nbagno]

At one point I had 4 of these cameras, great units. I am down to one body with the wide 35mm back on most of the time. I've migrated to Hasselblad, mechanical and simple. The Bronicas are very sophisticated machines AE , ttl flash, great lenses and cheap these days.

And the best bargain in medium format

 

[mshchem]

And the best bargain in medium format

Agreed