Occasionally the electronics or interlocks get flustered and you have to coax them back to life. Also, I really wish they had metering in the body, preferably aperture-priority AE but at least uncoupled manual. I really like using the waist level finder but don't get metering that way. benbrooktxpressurewashingservice.com

None so far. contact us

I like this camera, it looks durable. mortgage broker

Would love to have this soon.

Very similar to a Hasselblad and easy to use. With so many professionals switching to digital, used equipment is very available and surprisingly inexpensive. Relatively small and light compared to some other medium format camera systems. www.drywallchicago.com

None so far.

Grime, stains and dirt can affect the appearance of your home. Exterior Cleaning Gold coast

none so far

SO far it has a good quality! Keep it up replacement social security card

none so far

Compared to other series, this one is the best for me. I purchased this as a birthday gift for my daughter since she likes photography. | Tustin Roofing

None so far.

Great lenses, om par with Zeiss optics IMO. Can be a 645, 135, or pano 135 with interchangable backs. Can't do that with a Hasselblad.

None that really matter; keep the 3v battery fresh like in anything else. You might not be regarded s cool as the guy toting the 500C/M or an RZII, but your images stand shoulder to shoulder with any other 6x6 camera.

The build quality and lens are traditional 1970's -1980's tank-like. It feels solid in my hands.

I can deal with any cameras idiosyncrasies, whether it's a Leica, Hasselblad, Rollie, Pentax, Mamiya, and of course, Bronica. You just get use to how it works then learn to shoot it. There for, I won't include much on the "cons' as maybe some wood. I even read on a similar review for the GS-1 that a "con" was no digital back. Really? Why downgrade the beauty of film with pixels...

Anyway - the only way I buy into any camera is the ability of it's main lens or lens group as a whole. The 80 2.8 that is standard with the SQ series is superb. It is easily on par with the famous Zeiss Planar 80 2.8 found on almost every V series 'Blad. This 80 is gorgeous. Quite frankly, I'm not sure why one would pay 3X as much for a 500C C/M. And I love Hasselblads.

Customer Service

Can be repaired and serviced by multiple service centers, great installed base, many bodies and backs available for future use at relatively low prices.

Similar Products Used:

Hasselblad 500C, 1000F, 2000FC, Mamiya C330, C220

Cheap, good quality & optics, modular.

No bulb setting, Ugly!

I'm going to reiterate much of what has already been said... before the advent of digital photography I could never have afforded Medium Format equipment of any kind. Thousands of wedding photographers dump their bread & butter Bronicas on the used market & suddenly the SQA body that retailed new for about $1500.00 can be found on e-bay for $34.50 + $10 shipping. THAT'S WHAT I PAID FOR THE BODY! I still can't believe it... Quality reminds me for my old Nikon FE (same circa), can be used to pound nails in a pinch & will still work. Mine is ugly all over, I have the 110 PS macro and the 50 PS and they are both very sharp. The AE finder gives me aperture priority (it really is like my old Nikon FE) and I have yet to have any problems with the film backs (knock wood). Don’t bother to acquire a 220 back as, at least in my experience, 220 film is becoming difficult to obtain.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon FE

The SQ-Ai was officially discontinued a while back now, and everyone is switching over to digital, which means that the bargains are just outrageous. Strengths of the camera? Results, results, results.

Occasionally the electronics or interlocks get flustered and you have to coax them back to life. Also, I really wish they had metering in the body, preferably aperture-priority AE but at least uncoupled manual. I really like using the waist level finder but don't get metering that way.

I've always liked these. I've owned Hassie and Mamiya RZ, but I went through a long period in the '80s-'90s when I would rent Bronicas for certain jobs. Once even had to rent one when my Hassie 500C/M jammed!! Don't quite know why I like Bronicas so much better, but they feel friendlier, more trustworthy. Never had one go down. Recently I finally bought one of my own, because the deals available right now are so amazing--people are giving these away. I bought a mint SQ-A with back and grip for $400, and a KEH "Ex+" (which to KEH means collectably perfect) 80mm PS lens for $275. Can't beat those prices with a stick. It's been fun re-acquainting with Bronica SQ. Encourages a different kind of photography for me--I've been working slower, using setups more, enlisting greater cooperation from subjects, using tripod more often. Fun.

Customer Service

n/a

Similar Products Used:

Hasselblads, Mamiya 6, Mamiya RZ67, Rolleiflex 6002, Rolleiflex 6008, Rolleiflex TLRs and Rolleicrds, Mamiya TLRs, Mamiya AF 645, Bronica ETRSi, Pentax 645 (non-AF), Exakta 66 Model II.

Full system offering many types of lenses, finders, backs and macro accessories. Very similar to a Hasselblad and easy to use. With so many professionals switching to digital, used equipment is very available and surprisingly inexpensive. Relatively small and light compared to some other medium format camera systems.

The SQA can only do a long exposure (longer than 8 seconds) by controlling the exposure from the lens (note that every lens has it's own electronic shutter). This means that it can't be completely controlled by a cable release - the exposure is started as normal but ended by sliding a switch on the lens barrel. This can easily shake the camera unless you first cover the lens with a black hat, etc. The later SQ-Ai takes care of this problem with a "B" setting on the shutter speed dial on the camera body. Other than that, the shutter uses a relatively hard to find and expensive battery, so don't forget to pack spares.

My review is based on the SQ-A which pre-dates the SQ-Ai. As many professionals switch from medium format to digital, the price of this equipment falls to almost unbelievable prices. It will still produce high quality large negatives and transparencies for years to come without becoming obselete next month too! I bought my SQA from a wedding photographer who was switching to digital, and although well worn it works great. And it really was only $150 for the body!

Customer Service

Not needed.

Similar Products Used:

I own no other medium format equipment, but somewhat familiar with Hasselblad.