Bronica SQ-A vs SQ-Ai

[abdoujaparov]

A quick google led me to this thread http://www.flickr.com/groups/bronica/discuss/72157594190502049/#comment72157594195573780 and the differences seem pretty minor and irrelevant to me. On the other hand, what the heck do I know? So, if I bought an SQ-A, is there any reason you'd think I'd regret it and wish I'd gotten an Ai?

 

[Andysnap]

Should of got a GS-1......6x7 'ahem'.

 

[skysh4rk]

I've owned both and I would choose the SQ-A just about every time. The SQ-A is better built, more reliable, and can work without batteries (at 1/500 only, but hey, that's better than nothing).

Batteries and the battery compartment are a constant source of problems for the SQ-Ai. I could never get the four tiny batteries to fit properly into the compartment, so the darn thing only fired intermittently. The one big advantage that the SQ-Ai would have over the SQ-A, if you get a fully functioning camera, is that it is capable of TTL flash with the dedicated adapter and flash gun, which is very unique for medium format. The SQ-Ai also has a B mode, but this isn't really all that significant as all of the lenses, except the PS/B 80mm, offer T-exposures.

 

[abdoujaparov]

Thank you, @skysh4rk , that's just what I wanted to hear. (Also, it was your shots here and on Flickr that made me lean towards the SQ-A from a 645. I do love the square format. Cheers!)

Should of got a GS-1......6x7 'ahem'.

I was looking at the RB67 until I found out how much it weighed!

 

[skysh4rk]

Thank you, @skysh4rk , that's just what I wanted to hear. (Also, it was your shots here and on Flickr that made me lean towards the SQ-A from a 645. I do love the square format. Cheers!)

Yep, no worries

I use the SQ-A for about 95% of all of the photos I take and it's great. If you don't plan on using any of the AE metering prisms, then it might also be worth considering the SQ-B. It's newer than the SQ-A and operates very similarly to the SQ-A (e.g., same battery, fires at 1/500 without battery, etc.);it only lacks the electronic contacts that are needed for some of the SQ accessories (e.g., AE prisms, motor drives, etc.).

 

[steveo_mcg]

Thank you, @skysh4rk , that's just what I wanted to hear. (Also, it was your shots here and on Flickr that made me lean towards the SQ-A from a 645. I do love the square format. Cheers!)



I was looking at the RB67 until I found out how much it weighed!

MTFU! :-D

You don't really notice it really.

 

[medwaygreen]

Should of got a GS-1......6x7 'ahem'.

There says a man that states square is cool.

 

[medwaygreen]

MTFU! :-D

You don't really notice it really.