Some love for the Bronica SQA?

Johnmcd

Johnmcd

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Just got back from a cruise around New Zealand. Stopped off each day at a new location. My partner questioned why I was lugging around the Bronica with metered prism and grip when I could take the Mamiya 7. Good question but ever since I got the SQA, I can't stop using it and am loving the 'square'. The Mamiya got it's fair share of work with the pano kit fitted.

BTW, most people on board thought the SQA was a video camera :)

All with with 65mm lens and Acros 100 developed in Rodinal 1:50.

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Cheers - John
 
truefriendship said:
Nice pictures John, and super fast processing!

Now....where's the Velvia scans?:D

~Rif
Click to expand...

Hi Rif,

Got back Saturday lunch time. By mid afternoon 4 x 35mm and 1 x 120mm hanging to dry! Annie was not impressed, thought I should have at least unpacked before hitting the chemicals :). About a dozen rolls left to process, sorry to disappoint but no Velvia.

Hey, give me a call, want to hear all about the new Rollei...

Cheers - John
 
Fantastic! I love Acros in 135, never tried 120.
I've got genesis (well not quite), an EC with Nikkor 75 2.8. I have yet to run any black and white film through it, but have hit the Velvia. Sadly no meter, so I stumped up for a Minolta F. Prior to that it hadn't had a great deal of use apart from a few test rolls down at the beach with my mate Sunny 16, but I liked what I saw. I am now awaiting some rolls of Velvia and Astia to be developed, should have them on the 2nd. I'm really hoping they turn out, didn't get a chance to have a good go with the Minolta before taking some snaps at a family gathering. It did, at least, match the spot mode on my E-5.
I'm loving the challenge of "square" too, but composition is so hard when the image is reversed - I can never ever seem to tilt the camera the right way to get that horizon straight. Sometimes I wonder if I should have bought an ETR-S instead with AEII prism finder and a whole bunch of lenses, grips and other accessories for $700. Sure would have been easier, if costlier, but not quite "square"...
Hopefully I'll improve between now and when I head off to the USA in a few months time. I would love to get some Yosemite on Velvia. Even if the damn thing must weigh in at over 2kg.

Keep them snaps coming! :cool:
 
Yeah, I know where you are coming from. I struggled big time with the WLF. It really cramped my style and became a chore. So I went all the way with prism and grip. Adds heaps more weight but it's very easy to use, like a big 35mm SLR.

More images to come :)

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Cheers - John
 
Beautiful pictures, my SQA has a semi-broken back so it hasn't received as much attention as it should. I do love the images it can produce though, guess I should look into getting a new back or insert...
 
I rather like all the shots except the graveyard. I find it lacks the graphic simplicity of the others.

I tried a SQ-A some years ago but I couldn't get comfortable with it and have gone back to Hasselblad. No technical quibbles, just didn't suit me. Seems to suit you, though. :D

BTW, what's the scanner?
 
Yes, nice work. I enjoy using the SQb and the slower more deliberate pace that comes with working with a film camera and the MF/square format.

I enjoyed your comment about your camera being mistaken for video equipment. I was shooting along a river and several fishermen got quite upset as they thought I was a tv news photographer. When I explained I was just shooting film for landscape shots they relaxed and went back to fishing. My guess is that some of them were playing hokey from work and did not want to be on the evening news doing so.

Best regards,

Bob
 
Looks really good. A friend of mine just purchased a SQ-A set with two bodies, several backs and prisms and a couple of lenses etc. I'm looking forward to try it out some day.
 
I owned an SQ as a first medium format camera, and enjoyed it greatly.. I got the 80mm PS lens and went to town.

Also I love Acros 100 and Rodinal 1+50, it's my favorite combination. I enjoy your landscape photos with it! It's just a fun camera all around, surprisingly cheap too.

Here's two shot from my SQ (since we are showing the love !!)


Blooming a bit early. by lamlux.net, on Flickr


Princess. by lamlux.net, on Flickr
 
I had mine very briefly, sold it for about $150 more than I paid for it. One day when I can afford more than once nice thing, I'll buy another one. They are great cameras, I like their handling more than a Hasselblad (and optically the Bronica isn't so far off). I had the 80/2.8 and 65/4, all portra 400 which I developed and scanned (and printed) myself!

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The ECTL I had, was an amazing medium format camera. I regret the day I gave to someone as a gift. The lenses were Nikkor, and some of the best medium format lenses that I have ever used.
 
Sejanus.Aelianus said:
I rather like all the shots except the graveyard. I find it lacks the graphic simplicity of the others.

I tried a SQ-A some years ago but I couldn't get comfortable with it and have gone back to Hasselblad. No technical quibbles, just didn't suit me. Seems to suit you, though. :D

BTW, what's the scanner?
Click to expand...

Glad you liked them Sejanus. All of these were off the same roll when we stopped in a place called Akaroa on the South Island. Nothing exciting unfortunately, more a test of the Acros which I'm liking a lot.

I'm fortunate enough to have a Minolta Multi Scan Pro which I use with Vuescan. Scanning in B/W at full res and then resizing, adjusting levels and removing any dust. None are cropped.

Cheers - John
 
lam said:
I owned an SQ as a first medium format camera, and enjoyed it greatly.. I got the 80mm PS lens and went to town.

Also I love Acros 100 and Rodinal 1+50, it's my favorite combination. I enjoy your landscape photos with it! It's just a fun camera all around, surprisingly cheap too.

Here's two shot from my SQ (since we are showing the love !!)


Blooming a bit early. by lamlux.net, on Flickr

Princess. by lamlux.net, on Flickr
Click to expand...

Love the blossoms. Thanking for sharing the love!
 
keytarjunkie said:
I had mine very briefly, sold it for about $150 more than I paid for it. One day when I can afford more than once nice thing, I'll buy another one. They are great cameras, I like their handling more than a Hasselblad (and optically the Bronica isn't so far off). I had the 80/2.8 and 65/4, all portra 400 which I developed and scanned (and printed) myself!


8110029704_57881a5395_c.jpg
Click to expand...

Beautiful portrait. Great processing too. Time to get another SQA!

Cheers - John
 
There are some fine pictures in this thread, but how can anybody question whether a Bronica SQ is loved or not!

I once had a Hasselblad, because I thought I should have a Hasselblad (for work). And it never got used, I hated it. For me a Rolleiflex was my square camera of choice. But I saw a Bronica going cheap when everybody was running away from film bcause there wouldn't be any :rolleyes:, and it was love at first exposure. It's just great to use, the lenses are fantastic, and they are comparatively cheap!
 
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