Bronica SQ-A's PC sync is faulty

[bosco]

I got another Bronica setup for $100 a couple weeks ago, the PC sync isn't triggering my cybersyncs and I'm not sure why. I cleaned the port on both the female and male with compressed air. I also tired it with my Bronica SQ-AM, which I am trying to sell. It works fine with both lenses and all shutter speeds.

I don't really want to bring it in to be serviced because I am guessing it will cost a lot. So any suggestions?

 

[pvdhaar]

SQ flash is triggered by the lens, so if the lenses sync fine on another body, the SQ-A itself has a problem. Maybe as simple as a loose wire inside, dirty lens contact pin or damaged sync connector.. Outside damage should be easy to spot.

Goto buonaluce.com which contains material on leaf shutter Bronicas. When you open the "Disassembly a ZENZANON 150/4 PS Lens", and goto page 7, there is a picture of the lens contacts. These contacts are also (mirrored left/right) on the camera body. You should be able to use a digital voltmeter (in resistance measuring/Ohm mode) to check that the contacts ground (#1) and flash (#2) are properly connected with the PC connector..

 

[bosco]

both my 80mm and 150mm work with the sq-am just fine and i made sure the shutter works with the sq-am and the sq-a bodies.

i am going to get it looked at then, i am guessing its a broken wire like you said.

thanks for your help!

 

[bosco]

I'm bumping this.

Both my 80mm and 150mm shutters work fine, I tested them myself. the problem is in the body with the PC port module. there is continuity going through the pc cord (when it's plugged in and I touch something metal on the camera it triggers the flash) i am thinking that the receiver has to be grounded on a hotshoe., would that make a difference?

 

[pvdhaar]

If you can trigger the flash by shorting the inner pin with the outer tube on the pc-cord, then your receiver should be fine.. The problem is in the SQ-A itself; it still appears that the middle and outer contact of the PC-port on the camera body itself aren't connected correctly to the lens contacts. I'll see whether I can dig up a picture of the lens mount/pc contact that shows which is connected to which..

 

[bosco]

If you can trigger the flash by shorting the inner pin with the outer tube on the pc-cord, then your receiver should be fine.. The problem is in the SQ-A itself; it still appears that the middle and outer contact of the PC-port on the camera body itself aren't connected correctly to the lens contacts. I'll see whether I can dig up a picture of the lens mount/pc contact that shows which is connected to which..

thanks for the help man! i will try that tomorrow morning!

 

[pvdhaar]

I've attached two images, to show what's connected to what..

The inner pin connects to contact #2
The tube connects to contact #1

If you short contact#1 and #2, while there's a pc cable and flash in the pc-connector, the flash should go off. (Basically that is what the lens does too).