Worth getting 150mm SQ-A Lens?

cherryrig · Sep 17, 2008

I've got a Bronica SQ-A at the moment with just the normal 80mm-S lens but I've been thinking about getting a 150mm for it. Is it worth getting one or just stick the the 80mm. Also for this lens would it be better getting a PS version rather than S

I'm one of these people who just keeps on buying stuff haha :rolleyes:

Cheers

Ian Grant · Sep 17, 2008

Only you know whether you'd use a longer lens. Personally I'd buy a wide angle 45mm/50mm because I use wide angles far more in all formats 35mm 120, 5x4 etc.

On the other hand when I'm shooting rock concerts etc I use a telephoto zoom. You have to decide why you'd want to use a 150.

Ian

Adrian Twiss · Sep 17, 2008

The PS lenses have, apparently, improved coating. Mind you I have read many complaints about the S lenses.

KEK · Sep 17, 2008

I have to agree with Ian, if you think you'll use it buy it.

I have a 40/50/80/250 and use the 40/50 the most by far. The 250 I rarely use,It just isn't sharp enough and is alot heavier(not sure why I keep it) I've thought about getting a 150 just to see if It's any better.

The PS series are suppose to be the better lens

Thomas Bertilsson · Sep 17, 2008

The 150mm lens is my favorite focal length. I just come up with my best work with it. It helps me sort out a scene and use compression, which I love to do. Your mileage may vary, but there is no denying that a 150mm lens gives a completely different result than the 80mm. For portraits, par example, the 150 is awesome. It can be done, but it's not easy to get proportions right when doing portraits with an 80mm lens. You have to be extremely careful with positioning the subject. The 150 won't give you that problem.
Wide angle is something I never use, so to me a 150 is essential, but as has been pointed out it depends on what you use it for.
- Thomas

vdonovan · Sep 17, 2008

It's a very good portrait lens, and as far as I'm concerned whenever you have a person in the frame it's a portrait.

jordanstarr · Sep 17, 2008

just do it...they go for about $100 on ebay so it's really not a huge deal for what you will get out of it. Sometimes you don't think you'll use a lens, but when you actually buy it, it comes in handy more often than not. I think you should try justabout ever focal length you can to expand your creativity. I had a bronica 150mm for some time and loved it.

Thomas Bertilsson · Sep 18, 2008

jordanstarr said:
I think you should try justabout ever focal length you can to expand your creativity.

Well said. What I did when it came to understand what lenses to use, I forced myself to shoot with one lens only. So when I got to understand the 150mm lens, that's all I brought for an entire photo trip of five days. You will find a way to make it work, it will force you to see differently, and it's very good for developing your skills.

- Thomas

Shawn Dougherty · Sep 18, 2008

Thomas Bertilsson said:
What I did when it came to understand what lenses to use, I forced myself to shoot with one lens only. So when I got to understand the 150mm lens, that's all I brought for an entire photo trip of five days. You will find a way to make it work, it will force you to see differently, and it's very good for developing your skills.

- Thomas

Excellent advice. I shot my first project, my Pond Scum Portfolio, with only one lens. I think if you're serious about using the equipment as a tool, an extension of your vision, it's quite necessary to get to know the in and outs of seeing and composing with each focal length.

Below is a link to the images. The lens was a 210mm G-Claron, which on 4x5 is about the same as the 150mm you mention.

http://www.shawndougherty.com/pondscum.html

Ian Grant · Sep 18, 2008

Shawn Dougherty said:
Below is a link to the images. The lens was a 210mm G-Claron, which on 4x5 is about the same as the 150mm you mention.

http://www.shawndougherty.com/pondscum.html

I agree with that advice too.

BTW a 210mm G-Claron on 5x4 is more like using a 110mm-120mm on a Bronica or other 6x6, a 270mm-300mm on a 5x4 is a closer equivalent to the Bronica's 150mm.

Ian

Shawn Dougherty · Sep 18, 2008

Ian Grant said:
I agree with that advice too.

BTW a 210mm G-Claron on 5x4 is more like using a 110mm-120mm on a Bronica or other 6x6, a 270mm-300mm on a 5x4 is a closer equivalent to the Bronica's 150mm.

Ian

Thanks Ian, I just traded my 35 gear on a Bronica SQA-i so that info is quite useful to me. I got a 110macro with it (and haven't had a chance to shoot it yet, this weekend hopefully). I guess I'll be familar with the focal length, which should allow me to concentrate on getting used to that square format! All the best. Shawn

psvensson · Sep 18, 2008

Good portrait lens, but needs an extension tube for tight framing. Otherwise, the minimum focus distance is 1.5m, IIRC. I like to shoot portraits at 1m.

cherryrig · Sep 18, 2008

Thanks for all the advice guys. I guess I'll have to try and find somewhere which has some cheap as in the UK the price of photo stuff is a joke!!

Ian Grant · Sep 18, 2008

Just find an APUG member near you, who uses MF equipment. I'm back in 12 days but don't use a long lens on MF only a WA. But others are around, I'm sure someone would let you try a lens.

Ian

cherryrig · Sep 18, 2008

Can search via Area on here??

Or I could go into the LCE near me as they have a lens in there which I guess I could try out (it's only a S one but it's something like £329!!!)

DaveOttawa · Sep 18, 2008

cherryrig said:
Can search via Area on here??

Or I could go into the LCE near me as they have a lens in there which I guess I could try out (it's only a S one but it's something like £329!!!)

That is too much for a SQ 150, try KEH.com, 150s are common and inexpensive. Make sure you look at the specs for the 180mm as well, it focuses closer and has a bit more magnification/narrower angle of view - but it is a lot less common and usualy more expensive so if the 150 will do stay with that.

cherryrig · Sep 19, 2008

KEH.com is based in the USA thou which means import tax could be quite a lot

Ian Grant · Sep 19, 2008

Tax works out at about 21% on cameras & lenses from the US to the UK, but not every parcel is checked and I've only paid tax once on a lens, and I've bought quite a few.

Yes you can search the Members list, putting Gloucester in the Location finds 10 members

Ian.

Worth getting 150mm SQ-A Lens?

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