3/21/2024 0 Comments Bronica sq ai digital backIncidentally most times you buy a Bronica, even on eBay, there's a wlf with the basic body/lens/back kit. I think it would be rare for me to actually set the exact exposure suggested by my prism's meter, but its good enough to remind me that I've changed backs for a two stop faster film and haven't reset the hand-held! There is a later/more expensive version that spot-meters and though I haven't used it I doubt whether it can challenge the precision of a 1 deg. I find the metering of my AE prism S to be pretty primitive its an overall average meter, and that isn't how I want to control exposure for slide film. I also want to use an exposure routine that translates from system to system, and taking multiple spot readings from around the frame with a hand-held spotmeter does that. My routine involves setting composition before I meter, and I don't want to then lose the composition whilst I move a prism around my composition to meter. I use the ttl metering of my prism only as a sense check on my hand-held. I could achieve some of them but not all by using two prisms but that costs and weighs more. It costs me little in money or weight to achieve these flexibilities. Sometimes I want to see the elements of the composition in more abstract terms and having the image laterally reversed helps this. Sometimes I want to use the extra magnification in the wlf's magnifier to tune composition or focus. The combination of an eye level prism with a wlf lets me choose the viewpoint thats right - or, if I'm pointing the camera sharply up, to make it easier on the neck. Sometimes I want to shoot with the camera low or high. I guess you could sum up the reasons why I use a wlf as follows. That’s why I picked the beautiful Bronica SQ-AI outfit pictured above as the Classic Collectible of the Month.Whilst I have and use an eye-level prism as a kind of default setting on my Sq-Ai, I have and use a wlf as well. Yes, it has more plastic body components than a Hasselblad 500C/M, which help to reduce weight and cost, but its lenses are metal and the camera is definitely built to last. That’s because a reasonably complete SQ-AI system in excellent cosmetic condition is likely to increase in value compared to its current level?y definition of a collectible classic. But while the camera itself is a user-collectible of the first rank, the “classic collectible” designation really applies to the entire system rather than the camera per se. The Bronica SQ-AI is undoubtedly an attractive, classic, high-performance 2-1/4 SLR as well as a superb and reliable picture taker. There’s even a 0.7 fps SQ-I motor drive–not the fastest around, but still useful when shooting sequences. Other accessories include 6×6, 6×4.5, and 35mm backs with easy-loading inserts, a Polaroid back, and, my personal favorite, the Speed Grip S, which makes manual film advance easier with its top-mounted wind lever, and endows the camera with much better handling in the field. Auto exposure metering can be added with the AE Prism Finder S, and you can get TTL manual metering with either the ME Prism Finder S or the MF prism finder S. There are TTL flash modules for the Metz 386, Quantim “Q” Flash and Sunpak systems. In addition to lenses ranging from 40-500mm (including Zenzanon PS lenses that compare favorably to their Schneider and Zeiss counterparts) the SQ-AI accepts practically any accessory you can think of. As for repairs, they should be readily available for decades to come since Bronicas were produced for many years. Prices for clean Bronica stuff are currently at an all-time low, and with the recent discontinuance of the entire Bronica line, they are unlikely to get any more plentiful. The Bronica SQ-AI is not merely a camera, but an system of photography, and if you want the whole enchilada in pristine condition, now is the time to buy it. You can easily number the truly great and 2-1/4 SLR systems on the fingers of one hand, and the Bronica SQ-AI would have to be on this exclusive list. The SQ-AI features a mirror lockup for long exposures, and the leaf-shutter design allows full flash sync to 1/500 sec. And their electronically controlled inter-lens leaf shutters and fully integrated electronic interfaces have become industry standards. They are also far less expensive than the Swedish Hasselblads that inspired them, particularly the lenses, which include many impressive performers in the line that will give even the Zeiss Hasselblad optics a run for the money. Bronicas in general, and the 2-1/4×2-1/4-format Bronica SQ-AI in particular, have proven to be reliable workhorse cameras that can stand up to the rigors of professional use, as many a wedding photographer can attest.
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