Bronica SQ medium format system
NB. $US prices quoted are the list prices on Tamron's website (2005), but
retail at 25-50% off as out of production. I don't sell camera equipment - I
just write about it!
2007 Ebay sell prices in Australia for 2nd hand Bronica SQ are:
- SQAi bodies with 80mm lens, back, viewfinder ~$A400-600
- most lenses $A200-400 ea
Using digital backs:
- see http://luminous-landscape.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=24863&st=0&p=191211&#entry191211
- unfortunately few if any digital back manufacturers make a digital back
designed for the Bronica system
- perhaps Leaf Valeo, Leaf Aptus and Leaf Aptus S may be available in
Bronica SQ mount
- perhaps Sinar via Sinarback FW/Bronica SQ-A Adapter Kit (552.65.048)
- however, you can use many of the digital backs designed for Hasselblad V
system as follows:
- purchase a Bronica SQ to V adapter plate (~$US900)
- mount the adapter plate via the supplied pin accessory
- mount a compatible V-type digital back
- be aware that sensor size will generally be smaller than 6x6 which
will limit wide angle capability
- you may need to test focus accuracy and add a shim to correct any
issues
- generally, you will need a cable from the PC sync to the digital
back
- you will lose exposure metering as the Bronica meter normally gets
ISO information from the film back
- you will not get lens, camera, shutter or aperture in the image
EXIF data
- given the expense and practical difficulties, lack of digital correction
and metering, you may be better off getting a Hasselblad instead.
Brief history:
- 1980: Bronica SQ camera and system introduced with flash sync at all
speeds (1/500th sec is fastest speed)
- it was the 1st 6x6 camera to use a mechanical/electronic leaf shutter
lens.
- it was based on the ETR operating system with a single electronic
timer in the body controlling the Seiko #0 shutter in each lens. This
provides for maximum accuracy, and consistency of exposures between each
lens.
- 1982: SQ-A camera introduced with refinements including:
- viewfinder contacts increased from 6 to 10 to allow auto-metering
& the new AE finder S.
- mirror lock up lever added
- instruction
manual
- 1983: SQ-Am camera introduced with a built-in motor drive at 2 frames per
3 secs, running on 6xAA batteries
- 1986: S series lenses gradually replaced by higher quality ones called PS
made from the new Bronica factory with world-class facilities which since
1983 had been making the 6x7 camera, the GS-1 and its PG series of lenses.
- 1990: SQ-Ai camera ($US1661 body only) introduced with refinements
including:
- TTL-OTF flash metering with Metz SCA 386 adapter:
- used with a Metz SCA flash set on TTL, with camera AE prism meter
set to manual (else in low light it will select a long shutter
speed)
- to achieve fill-in flash, increase the ISO setting on the SCA
adapter to give under-exposure
- different films may require compensation to allow for the physical
reflectivity of the film surface
- add-on motor drive (SQ-i)
- battery changed to 4x1.5V LR44
- multi-exposure warning in viewfinder
- 16 sec calibrated shutter speed & Bulb setting but no longer able
to use the mechanical 1/500th shutter speed without batteries.
- ISO dial on film back relocated to back rather than top where hard to
see with prism, & ISO range extended to 6400.
- new Ai-only winder crank
- 2005: some retailers new price reductions to clear stock: body only - was $A2130
now $A1650; instant back was $A748 now $A440;
- kit with
80mm lens, back was $A3545 (2005);
- user manual here: http://www.butkus.org/chinon/bronica_sq-ai/bronica_sq-ai.htm
- see:
- 1996: SQ-i AE viewfinder added (for SQA/SQAm/SQAi) which added spot
metering, LCD display, diopter, 4 stops more sensitivity, exposure lock,
blind for long exposures.
- 1996: "budget" SQ-B camera introduced which was similar to the
SQ-A but lacked metering
- 2004: production of SQ system discontinued
Viewfinders:
- see http://www.tamron.com/bronica/prod/sq_vfind.asp
- waist level Finder S with magnifier glass $US249
- prism finder S $US967
- 45deg prism finder w/variable diopter $US1020, $A974
- MF finder S with match LED TTL manual metering & adjustable magnifier
from -3 to +2 $US1005
- ME prism finder S with match LED TTL manual metering $US1322
- AE prism finder S $US1494, $A1980 - aperture priority auto or manual
- AE prism finder SQ-i LCD prism finder with spot metering or avg. & AE lock, variable
diopter $US1736
- diopter correction - the +/- closest to eyepiece
- exposure compensation - the +/- dial at the top giving +/- 2EV
- dial on right side settings are:
- A = aperture priority automatic exposure - sets shutter speed
according to metering
- Off = turns light meter off
- M = manual light metering - user must manually set shutter speed
as well as aperture
- M/C buttons on right:
- M = memory - holds exposure for 15-30sec - presumably this also
allows for mirror lock up capability
- C = clears previously locked exposure measurement
- Sp/Av switch on top:
- Sp = spot metering
- Av = averaged metering
- on the under-surface when removed there is a switch with 3 settings:
- O,1,2 are just meter calibration setting (for if you use an off
brand focusing screen for example that's brighter than Bronica's, I
suppose). 0 is neutral. 1 is 0.3, 2 is 0.7 - but I forget if it's
plus or minus. Just leave it at 0.
- all that's needed to activate meter properly is having it set to A or
M on the side dial, darkslide out, film advanced to frame 1 (or advanced
to a stop w/ double exposure lever engaged).
- LCD in bottom of view should become activated and backlit by green
light by half-pressing shutter, this displays:
- AE or ME for auto vs manual
- shutter speed (or ERR if light to low or too bright)
- spot or [] to indicate metering mode
- the film ASA information is provided by the ASA dial on the film back
which acts as a variable resistor:
- the ASA setting is adjusted by slightly lifting the bottom part of
the inner dial & rotating it so the value corresponds with the
small arrow marker which at 0EV compensation should be at the 9
o'clock position. If the markers are rubbed off, then the two
textured finger areas should be symmetrically placed at 4.30 &
7.30 o'clock position for 0EV.
- the 12 o'clock mark is the EV compensation & this is changed
by holding the lever down while rotating the outer dial
- the resistance at the two contacts at the top of each film back at
0EV compensation setting should be:
- 100ASA = 400 ohms
- 200ASA = 600 ohms
- 400ASA = 800 ohms
- 800 ASA = 1000 ohms
- 1600 ASA = 1200 ohms, etc
- errors displayed on the LCD screen:
- flashing 500 usually means you need to close the aperture down,
but may be a viewfinder connection problem
- flashing ERR may occur because the viewfinder's contacts are
not sitting properly - adjust the viewfinder.
- manual finders have 6 contacts, whereas the automatic finders have 10
contacts.
- SQ auto finders cannot be attached to an SQ body
- ETR camera finders can be attached to SQ bodies via an adapter plate #1309
but only provide 6x4.5 view.
PS Lenses:
- introduced starting in 1986 to replace the S series with improvements
including:
- better optics, Multicoated lenses in different groups, elements.
- better mechanics, Half stop detents, back and front assemblies
-
redesign of the system transmitting the cocking stroke
from camera to the shutter, takes care of the “Sloppy Lens Syndrome”
-
redesign of the front assembly eliminated the barrel
side screws.
-
addressed light leakages in some lenses
-
removed the vignetting with the 50mm by increasing
filter size to 77mm
- 35mm f/3.5 fisheye with 32.5mm filter $US4440
- 40mm f/4 95mm filter, $US2718 (equiv. to 23mm in 35mm)
- 50mm f/3.5 77mm filter, $US2372, $A2310 (equiv. to 28mm in 35mm)
- 65mm f/4 67mm filter, $US2168 (equiv. to 35mm in 35mm)
- 80mm f/2.8 67mm filter, $US1660 (equiv. to 45mm in 35mm)
- 110mm f/4 1:4 macro 67mm filter, close focus 0.6m (equiv. to 60mm in 35mm)
- 110mm f/4.5 1:1 macro 72mm filter?, close focus 0.37m, $US2159
- 135mm f/4 67mm filter, close focus 1m, $US2191 (equiv. to 76mm in 35mm)
- 150mm f/4 67mm filter, close focus 1.5m, $US2372 (equiv. to 85mm in 35mm)
- 180mm f/4.5 67mm filter, close focus 1m, $US2740 (equiv. to 100mm in 35mm)
- 200mm f/4 67mm filter, 2.5m close focus $US2531 (equiv. to 110mm in 35mm)
- 250mm f/5.6 67mm filter, close focus 3m $US2704 (equiv. to 135mm in 35mm)
- 500mm f/8 $US15688 for flourite PS or $US4229 for S version with 95mm
filter (equiv. to
270mm in 35mm)
- PS 50-100mm f/4-5.6 with 95mm filter $US2865
- 1.4x teleconverter $US1307
- 2x teleconverter $US1277
Older S Lenses:
- 40mm f/4 82mm filter, 0.4m close focus
- 50mm f/3.5 67mm filter, 0.5m close focus - some vignetting
- 80mm f/2.8 67mm filter, 0.8m close focus
- 105mm f/3.5 67mm filter, 0.85m close focus
- 150mm f/3.5 67mm filter, 1.5m close focus
- 200mm f/4.5 67mm filter, 2m close focus
- 250mm f/5.6 67mm filter, 3m close focus
- 500mm f/8 95mm filter, 8.5m close focus
Film backs:
- the film backs are one of the Bronica's weak points as they tend to
develop light leaks after years of use.
- there are several types of film backs:
- SQ 6x4.5 120 and 220
- SQ 6x6 120 and 220
- SQAi 6x4.5 120 and 220 - these have a relocated ASA speed dial
- SQAi 6x6 120 and 240 - these have a relocated ASA speed dial
- 135N for 35mm film
- not sure why anyone would bother with this
now that Kodak has stopped making HIE film
- 135W for 35mm film but in wide panorama format (24x56mm frames)
- may as well just use 120 backs and crop them
- Polaroid backs
- use 3 1/4" x 4 1/4" film packs but you only get 2
1/2" x 2 1/2" images
- Fujifilm are supplying film packs for Polaroid backs:
- Fuji FP-100B - B&W ISO 100
- Fuji FP-100C - color ISO 100 - available glossy or silk
- Fuji FP-3000B - B&W 3000 ISO
- old Polaroid film versions compatible:
- 664 - color ISO 100 short exposures (1/10th sec or faster)
- 665 - B&W ISO 80
- 667 - B&W ISO 3000
- 669 - color ISO 80
- 672 - B&W ISO 400
- 679 and 690 - color ISO 100
- SQ-i version has adjustable ISO values 25-6400 whereas SQ version
only has 2 settings - 75 or 3000 ISO.
- The Polaroid back also requires that the camera’s multiple
exposure lever be engaged for proper operation.
- how to use it (pdf) - http://www.buonaluce.com/Polabacks.pdf
- using 120 film in 220 backs:
- there appears to be no focus error issues in using 120 film in Bronica
SQ or SQA 220 film backs
- you can also use 120 inserts in 220 backs
- there are 2 main problems:
- film counter issues:
- is that the camera will assume you can take 24 images
as for 220 film in a 6x6 back instead of only 12 for 120 film (30 on a
6x4.5 220 back instead of only 15 frames on 120 film) and thus
unless you are alert to this you will end up taking a lot of blank
photos - you need to watch the film counter and stop.
- You'll have to wind the film out and expose until about the
15th frame before opening the back, you'll feel a reduction in
tension if hand winding once end of film is reached.
- where to start the roll so you don't lose the first one or two
frames or the last one or two frames:
- a suggested technique by Budd Gottesman to check frame spacing is the
following:
- "use a test 120 film which you won't develop to mark the
spacing of frames
- load your 120 roll on your 220 insert as usual but bring the
arrows to a point approximately 90 degrees (1/4 turn) BEFORE
the start marker on the insert.
- Wind the camera to #1 as usual.
- Then without a lens on the camera (set to multi-exposure if
necessary) fire a shot and mark ON YOUR WASTE ROLL where the frame
is located, so when you then remove it (possibly, and I'd recommend)
go thru the rest of the roll marking shot by shot, on the film which
will assure you how the "SPACING" is working on this back.
- BTW: You may need to change the starting point slightly
forward/back as you need.
- If you give the backs/inserts heavy use, I'd DEFINITELY tell you
to check the spacing like this on them all every few months."
Accessories:
- speed grip $US416, $A522
- motor drive $US1057
- SCA flash adapter $US340
- SCA flash bracket $US202
- professional bellow lens hood $US647
- focussing screens $US86
- extension tubes 18, 36mm $US769 ea, $A781
- bellows $US2670, $A2695
- film backs $US815 for 120 or 220 backs in either 6x6 or 645 format, or
135N or 135W (24x56mm frames)
- polaroid back SQ-i 6x6 $US680
Batteries:
- one of the trade offs with Bronica cameras is that you need batteries to
take photos as the shutter is electronically timed (most of the SQ series
except for SQAi, do allow a fixed 1/500th shutter speed with flat
batteries). These cameras have a relatively high amp (~15mA) draw during
each shutter release and battery check and thus lithium batteries are not
useful.
- you do not need these batteries if you are using a motor drive as the
batteries in the motor drive power the camera.
- if the shutter release is not working, check that the dark slide has been
removed and your batteries are not exhausted
- if you have put new batteries in and the battery check light does not
work then check the battery contacts are clean, the batteries are
inserted the correct way, and if still no response, try pushing on the
battery pack with the battery compartment lid open and re-check the
battery light - if it now lights, you may need to pack the compartment
with a little cardboard on the clip side.
- also, it may be a old speed grip creating contacts which the camera
then thinks it is a motor drive and the power source will be coming from
the motor drive - remove the speed grip to see if this resolves the
problem.
- see http://www.tamron.com/bronica/batteries.asp
- for best results, it is recommended to use silver oxide batteries:
- SQ-A, SQ-B, SQ-Ai: 4 x MS-76
- NB. using silver oxide in the SQ-Ai with AE finder may cause
transient auto exposure errors when the batteries are near
exhaustion.
- alternatively, one can use the cheaper alkaline batteries:
- SQ-A, SQ-B, SQ-Ai: 4 x MS-76A