Bronica sq a waist level finder full#
Bronica sq a waist level finder professional#
Bronica sq a waist level finder series#
Bronica sq a waist level finder windows#

For example, with no film present, the lockup selector switch must be set correctly, in order to flip the mirror from the shutter release. This apparently often confuses new users. designed to protect the user from removing the wrong module in the wrong order. A wonder of the SQ-A are all of the electronic and well designed mechanical interlocks running throughout the camera. With the shutter built into the lens, the dark slide first needs to be inserted to protect the film.

The lens is also detachable, and a number were marketed under the Zenzanon brand in S then PS lines. Still, you can see why modular system cameras were developed, and became so popular with studios and wedding photographers. I have also seen mention of a 135 (35mm) film back, but I do not know if this was ever officially available for the SQ-A. Polaroids were often used by studios whilst testing a photoshoot. It is similar ro 120, only with paper backing only at leader and foot at the film – allowing more film to be rolled, with more exposures than 120. 220 film format is no longer widely available. Film backs were manufactured for 120, 220, and Polaroid.

Bronica sq a waist level finder professional#

A professional photographer in the past would carry a number of film backs – ready loaded with film, or maybe a choice of films and formats. The film back can be removed part way through using a film, by inserting the supplied “dark slide”, and pressing release tabs. Using the Bronica SQ-A loaded with Foma Fomapan Classic 100 film. Recent capture of a Human Statue street performer at Cambridge. As previously stated, the film crank also (unless set not to on the lockup selector) resets the reflex mirror for viewing.

Bronica sq a waist level finder windows#

No light leaking red windows on this system camera. The film is manually cranked on, but as long as the film is correctly loaded, the winder takes you automatically to the next frame – and the exposure counter is displayed on the film back. On a roll of 120 film, I get 12 negatives. It challenges the photographer with new compositions. A square format negates landscape v portrait camera handling. These are pretty large exposures, enabling great detail, and either enlarging or cropping capacity.

Bronica sq a waist level finder full#

That’s about four times the area of a 35mm film, or full frame digital sensor. The Bronica SQ-A, with a 120 film back, exposes a 6cm by 6cm square image onto each film frame. Having recently entered medium format film photography using a £3 Lomo Lubitel 166B TLR camera, I desired something better, but couldn’t justify the cost of buying a Hasselblad. That is what attracted me to the Bronica SQA. Performance of a Hasselblad is considered to be superior to a Bronica, but “not necessarily THAT superior for all types of photography. However a used ‘Blad of similar spec and vintage is likely to cost you between £750 and £1,750. They are sometimes nicknamed “the poor man’s Hasselblad”. These system cameras were popular tools used by professional studios and wedding photographers during the 1980s and 1990s, so plenty come along for sale, although some may have been well used. Buy it now prices for a similar system on Ebay, range from GBP £200 to £500, so I’d say I got a good buy. The largest sum that I have ever paid for a camera, but it was a good price for a private purchase. My Bronica SQ-A came fitted with a Zenzanon 80mm f/2.8 PS lens, standard focusing screen, waist level viewer (with magnifier), no grip, and with a 120 film back including dark slide. It is a modular system camera, with interchangeable lenses, focusing screens, prism or waist level finders, film backs, and an optional grip. The camera has a leaf shutter, located in the lens. The mirror does not return to viewing position, until the film is cranked on. The former, as it indeed is a single lens reflex, with a reflex mirror that moves out of the way – either lockup preset, or automatically before the shutter opens. The Bronica SQ-A is both a medium format film SLR camera, and a modular system camera. I’ve owned a Zenza Bronica SQ-A camera for a little over two months, and fancied writing an early appraisal (not too sure if I have the experience to call it a user review). – rectangular, smaller, but allowing more exposures per film roll.

Bronica sq a waist level finder series#

The Bronica ETR series on the other hand, were masked to produce smaller six by four cm exposures. As part of the Bronica SQ series, it could use 120, 220, or Polaroid film with full six by six cm square exposures. The SQ-A camera was built by Zenza Bronica in Japan between 19.

Bronica sq-a waist level finder