Bronica SQ Series Medium Format

Bronica SQ Series Medium Format 

DESCRIPTION

The resulting SQ-Ai is a medium format single lens reflex camera incorporating original Bronica "system" technology which answers the high image technique capabilities expected by the professional photographer. The "system" camera has always been a Bronica philosophy, ever since the founding of the company. Through years of developing medium format single lens reflex cameras, based on the "system" concept, the SQ-Ai is now the result.

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-10 of 35  
[Jul 25, 2024]
joedavidson


Strength:

I love all the features of the SQ Series. It helps me document sink repair project. It is highly recommended!

Weakness:

I can't find any.

Purchased:
Used  
OVERALL
RATING
5
[Mar 29, 2024]
cupcake


Strength:

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

Weakness:

None so far. contact us

OVERALL
RATING
5
[Apr 04, 2022]
Kyzer


Strength:

I like this camera, it looks durable. mortgage broker

Weakness:

Would love to have this soon.

OVERALL
RATING
5
[Feb 22, 2022]
Aina K.


Strength:

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

Weakness:

None so far.

OVERALL
RATING
5
[Jan 14, 2022]
stussy


Strength:

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

Weakness:

none so far

Purchased:
New  
OVERALL
RATING
5
[Jan 13, 2022]
Janwil


Strength:

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

Weakness:

none so far

OVERALL
RATING
5
[May 05, 2021]
wittings


Strength:

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

Weakness:

None so far.

Purchased:
New  
OVERALL
RATING
5
[Nov 17, 2011]
roresteen
Professional

Strength:

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.

Weakness:

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

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Mar 27, 2007]
B-rad
Intermediate

Strength:

Cheap, good quality & optics, modular.

Weakness:

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

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Aug 03, 2004]
txind76121
Expert

Strength:

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.

Weakness:

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.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 1-10 of 35  

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