Please talk more about 'focusing'. Did you rely on focal distance for your shots? Did you actually use the focusing ring? If so, what in that circle matched up so you knew you nailed your subject focus? Thanks
When I got my SQ, it had the prism finder with a ridiculous eye correction lens in it. Replaced that, and it got much better. Then I got a waist level, and I'm in love.
As always a fantastic video and it brightens my day when I see one from you. I use my ETRSi for landscapes so I’m usually at around f11, so I have little experience shooting wide open. I often use an angled finder which so far I’ve had no issues with. I’m glad you are getting it sorted because they are incredibly good fun.
You’re right. Closed down and for landscapes, I think the prism finder wouldn’t be an issue for me either. It’s those upclose portraits that make focus harder to nail. Thanks, Mark!
Boom. The waist level finder is the best. I DO have the prism finder but I don't really know where it is and I have no interest in going to search for it. It's amazing how something so simple (the magnifier) makes such a big difference. Anyway, love the shots as always, especially the accidental double exposure. Just another reason to love film!
For those of us with C/S/S2 Bronica focusing issues, the most likely cause is the foam for your focusing screen has up and died, and the springs are pushing it out of registration. The fix is to remove the ground glass, clean off the old foam with a solvent, and then apply fresh light seal foam (I've read of folks using other materials, YMMV) and reassemble. Be sure to not lose any parts like the shims that like to scurry off and be mindful of the screen's orientation when disassembling (hint: glossy side up). Best of luck.
Love that double exposure but the shot with the model (which I like ALOT) next to the tree is EPIC Love your videos of " the road to master that camera" . Thanks for sharing
Hello Ed, good video. I had an SQAi. Watch that multiple exposure!!!!! I had a whole roll lost on a wedding!!!!! In all the hustle and bustle I didn't realise I'd taken more than 12 shots!!!!! These were church doorway shots and some group shots outside. Hectic time. I took the body and back to a Bronica expert I used and he said he had seen it before. It wasn't the multiple exposure lever either. Never did it again. I became paranoid about counting shots. Couple wanted their money back and compensation. Luckily, I'd just taken out pro indemnity insurance so only cost me £100. As for the prism finder, just use it as a paper weight! Never got on with it. Regards from Great Britain.
I've just switched from a SL66 rollei to the Bronica SQ-Ai. I'm a little surprised because I have soft images with all my lenses. So.. I think there is a problem into the camera. Mirror, screen? I don't know.. but the quality of images is worst than a compact camera 35mm. I'm thinking to resell the camera!
Ed great video, go back to the prism finder and get a split screen ground glass for focusing because if you tilt up the film plane will not be parallel causing all kinds of focusing problems and converging lines as for the double exposure the film did not advance to the next frame.
I’ve had trouble locating a new screen. And I get that the film didn’t advance, but I have no idea why. I really don’t think I inadvertently slipped the lever into multiple exposure mode. So far a mystery. Thanks, Gregory!
yes, good move, not having the prism, means more light to see with, and hence you CAN use the lens not ALL the way open, helping increase dof, so making it easier to focus; one means the other, so maybe this BIG prism was dirty, or took too much light, so an earlier smaller metered prism may be brighter, and hence more usable?
I hate that prism finder too .. waist-level viewing's the charm of these cameras anyway & folks r more comfortable being photo’d that way. Double exposure; there’s a switch on ur RHS that flips up & down .. u might've accidentally flicked it. There is a “chimney” finder that has TTL or metering that u view the same way as waist-level finder. These can take both S & later/better PS series lenses. About 2 have mine CLAd .. fear the expense but line’s drawn & want the higher res. I like ur doing handheld-sans-tripod .. once u get going, u start 2 get comfy with ur camera & kinda get into a groove. (I wonder how much fun one could have shooting cheap expired film🤔). 9mths later & my instrument's been CLAd. Found a 150mm "tele" but really want the portrait 105mm. New 2 med 4mat, experimenting with Lomo 800 @ 1st then will get back to Portra. I love my ZB SQ 6x6 .. love square composing .. love it's manual .. just must keep shooting 2 get experience. Keep posting.
Ed, I've been online trying to find a shop that can repair Bronicas. I have a ETRS and it's got intermittent shutter performance (every other advance of the shutter results in inaccurate operation). When shutter is set at 1/2 sec and shutter is released, leaf shutter in lens closes way too fast. On next attempt, it works correctly. I've bought two batteries to see if that's the issue. Next move is to buy a battery tester because I am constantly running into new batteries that do not deliver the advertised performance. Got any shops who work on these cameras? Thoughts?
This most likely describes your "focus issue." It's a common problem on these cameras from the 60s and 70s. Same problem old speaker woofers have. The foam rubber speaker surrounds disintegrate over time. Bronicas have foam rubber behind the mirror and when it disintegrates the mirror falls back against the frame of the camera just enough (millimeter(s)) to throw off focusing. I think if you take it apart and clean out and replace the disintegrated foam rubber with self stick foam rubber sheet it will fix that issue... or make it worse if you don't get it exact, which is difficult. Another guy put in masking tape, first 4 pieces thick, then used trial and error by exposing and developing film and adding tape until he could focus perfectly at infinity, wide open. If you search "light seal" here on RUclips you'll find examples of the self stick foam sheet you can get at craft stores. goroshilov.com/en/bronica-s2a-focusing-problems/ This link is the guy who used masking tape. Sounds crude, but he's very knowledgeable. He says he's not worried about masking tape breaking down over time. I don't agree with him, but he's very knowledgeable otherwise about the Bronicas. ruclips.net/video/Or4CJ33v6ps/видео.html
I solved my focusing issue by making sure that the focusing screen was seating correctly AND locked in. I noticed that when I removed the prism finder that the focusing screen would just fall out. I never knew that there was a small slider that locked it into place, so it may not have been your prism finder that was causing the focusing issue. Look up more info here www.butkus.org/chinon/bronica/bronica_etrsi/bronica_etrsi.htm
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Please talk more about 'focusing'. Did you rely on focal distance for your shots? Did you actually use the focusing ring? If so, what in that circle matched up so you knew you nailed your subject focus?
Thanks
When I got my SQ, it had the prism finder with a ridiculous eye correction lens in it. Replaced that, and it got much better. Then I got a waist level, and I'm in love.
As always a fantastic video and it brightens my day when I see one from you. I use my ETRSi for landscapes so I’m usually at around f11, so I have little experience shooting wide open. I often use an angled finder which so far I’ve had no issues with. I’m glad you are getting it sorted because they are incredibly good fun.
You’re right. Closed down and for landscapes, I think the prism finder wouldn’t be an issue for me either. It’s those upclose portraits that make focus harder to nail. Thanks, Mark!
Boom. The waist level finder is the best. I DO have the prism finder but I don't really know where it is and I have no interest in going to search for it. It's amazing how something so simple (the magnifier) makes such a big difference. Anyway, love the shots as always, especially the accidental double exposure. Just another reason to love film!
Thanks, Jason!
For those of us with C/S/S2 Bronica focusing issues, the most likely cause is the foam for your focusing screen has up and died, and the springs are pushing it out of registration. The fix is to remove the ground glass, clean off the old foam with a solvent, and then apply fresh light seal foam (I've read of folks using other materials, YMMV) and reassemble. Be sure to not lose any parts like the shims that like to scurry off and be mindful of the screen's orientation when disassembling (hint: glossy side up).
Best of luck.
Glad to see the Film content.
Yes! Glad to be making it. Thanks.
Love that double exposure but the shot with the model (which I like ALOT) next to the tree is EPIC
Love your videos of " the road to master that camera" . Thanks for sharing
Hello Ed, good video. I had an SQAi. Watch that multiple exposure!!!!! I had a whole roll lost on a wedding!!!!! In all the hustle and bustle I didn't realise I'd taken more than 12 shots!!!!! These were church doorway shots and some group shots outside. Hectic time. I took the body and back to a Bronica expert I used and he said he had seen it before. It wasn't the multiple exposure lever either. Never did it again. I became paranoid about counting shots. Couple wanted their money back and compensation. Luckily, I'd just taken out pro indemnity insurance so only cost me £100. As for the prism finder, just use it as a paper weight! Never got on with it. Regards from Great Britain.
Ah, Peter! Good to know! Wow, on a wedding no less? Stressful. I had the same thought about the paper weight! Thanks.
How big the different betwin mamiya and bronica. ..can you make a video?
Have you considered shutter slap as a possible cause of the soft focus. Try a tripod to see if it's you or the camera
I've just switched from a SL66 rollei to the Bronica SQ-Ai. I'm a little surprised because I have soft images with all my lenses. So.. I think there is a problem into the camera. Mirror, screen? I don't know.. but the quality of images is worst than a compact camera 35mm. I'm thinking to resell the camera!
It's nice to see this underrated camera get some air time :-) great image quality for less money...but prices are going up.
Underrated? These are super popular!
Ed great video, go back to the prism finder and get a split screen ground glass for focusing because if you tilt up the film plane will not be parallel causing all kinds of focusing problems and converging lines as for the double exposure the film did not advance to the next frame.
I’ve had trouble locating a new screen. And I get that the film didn’t advance, but I have no idea why. I really don’t think I inadvertently slipped the lever into multiple exposure mode. So far a mystery. Thanks, Gregory!
yes, good move, not having the prism, means more light to see with, and hence you CAN use the lens not ALL the way open, helping increase dof, so making it easier to focus; one means the other, so maybe this BIG prism was dirty, or took too much light, so an earlier smaller metered prism may be brighter, and hence more usable?
I hate that prism finder too .. waist-level viewing's the charm of these cameras anyway & folks r more comfortable being photo’d that way. Double exposure; there’s a switch on ur RHS that flips up & down .. u might've accidentally flicked it. There is a “chimney” finder that has TTL or metering that u view the same way as waist-level finder. These can take both S & later/better PS series lenses. About 2 have mine CLAd .. fear the expense but line’s drawn & want the higher res. I like ur doing handheld-sans-tripod .. once u get going, u start 2 get comfy with ur camera & kinda get into a groove. (I wonder how much fun one could have shooting cheap expired film🤔). 9mths later & my instrument's been CLAd. Found a 150mm "tele" but really want the portrait 105mm. New 2 med 4mat, experimenting with Lomo 800 @ 1st then will get back to Portra. I love my ZB SQ 6x6 .. love square composing .. love it's manual .. just must keep shooting 2 get experience. Keep posting.
Ed, I've been online trying to find a shop that can repair Bronicas. I have a ETRS and it's got intermittent shutter performance (every other advance of the shutter results in inaccurate operation). When shutter is set at 1/2 sec and shutter is released, leaf shutter in lens closes way too fast. On next attempt, it works correctly. I've bought two batteries to see if that's the issue. Next move is to buy a battery tester because I am constantly running into new batteries that do not deliver the advertised performance. Got any shops who work on these cameras? Thoughts?
Does it also happened to another Bronica? Like the gs-1?
Yes, it does. Maybe it's just a Bronica thing. Won't stop me using this wonderful camera.
You make very well informed videos!!! You have any tips for nightclub photography? 😅
Not yet. I’ve done lots of photography in nightclubs though. Bands, party people, fashion shows, and even portraits!
Who is the Veronica you speak of? ;)
😂!! Must’ve seen Holland Photo’s closed captioning on the Instagram clip they posted.
@@edverosky This is Kauffman, if didn't already assume that. I didn't switch accounts before posting.
Eileen! She's great. We went to school together
One reason to use the "eye level" prism finder is to not always be "looking up". just a comment; enjoy your posts.
True. Or looking down. It’s an interesting dynamic with the finder, almost more passive. The flipped image makes it challenging sometimes.
Why you made this video, now is 230 usd one... half the price of a mint camera....old mode for my sq :(
This most likely describes your "focus issue." It's a common problem on these cameras from the 60s and 70s. Same problem old speaker woofers have. The foam rubber speaker surrounds disintegrate over time. Bronicas have foam rubber behind the mirror and when it disintegrates the mirror falls back against the frame of the camera just enough (millimeter(s)) to throw off focusing. I think if you take it apart and clean out and replace the disintegrated foam rubber with self stick foam rubber sheet it will fix that issue... or make it worse if you don't get it exact, which is difficult. Another guy put in masking tape, first 4 pieces thick, then used trial and error by exposing and developing film and adding tape until he could focus perfectly at infinity, wide open. If you search "light seal" here on RUclips you'll find examples of the self stick foam sheet you can get at craft stores. goroshilov.com/en/bronica-s2a-focusing-problems/ This link is the guy who used masking tape. Sounds crude, but he's very knowledgeable. He says he's not worried about masking tape breaking down over time. I don't agree with him, but he's very knowledgeable otherwise about the Bronicas. ruclips.net/video/Or4CJ33v6ps/видео.html
I solved my focusing issue by making sure that the focusing screen was seating correctly AND locked in. I noticed that when I removed the prism finder that the focusing screen would just fall out. I never knew that there was a small slider that locked it into place, so it may not have been your prism finder that was causing the focusing issue. Look up more info here www.butkus.org/chinon/bronica/bronica_etrsi/bronica_etrsi.htm
I think I’m having the same problem. One of the tabs on the focus screen is broken and I’m not getting sharp images .
Which waist level finder model is this?
It’s the one used on the regular sQ cameras. Got it at KEH I’m pretty sure
God-awful images.