| Photography Forum: Medium Format Photography Forum: |
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Q. I did it!
Asked by Julia G
(K=222) on 8/7/2002
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Hi Everyone,
I did it! I bought a medium format set-up. I was still undecided about what direction I was headed in - and actually, until I see some prints, I'm still a little unsure.... - anyway, I was at the local shop and they had a Bronica SQ-Ai body w/ an 80mm, a 150mm, a 120 back, a polaroid back, and a prism. I thought the price was reasonable and so I went for it. So far, I shot 2 rolls and will send them out tomorrow, should be back by Monday, I hope.
I have 30 days to try it and still be able to return it. Somehow, I don't think that's going to happen but I guess you never know.....
What I'd like to ask is this: Anyone else use a Bronica? and to anyone, what did you find was the biggest difference between handling a 35mm vs. medium format?
being soooo new at this, I would totally appreciate any help and advice,
Thanks,
Julia
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Joffre Swait
(K=626) - Comment Date 8/7/2002
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Julia,
Congratulations, and welcome to the MF world! If you enjoyed your first two films, you must be on a roll ...! (pun intended!)
Going to MF should make you pause a bit and become more deliberate about your shots. I don't quite know what it was with me, because film cost wasn't it ... maybe there's something about having to change rolls more often that makes one pause and take stock of one's approach to picture taking.
I'd suggest you turn off all automation and go manual, at least for a while, to discover what it is that makes photography tick for you, and MF will be a good vehicle to do that. Later on you can go back to the automation, if you want to (you may not :>) ).
Anyway, enjoy yourself!
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Snedley Mc'alister
(K=256) - Comment Date 8/7/2002
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Julia,
I second Joffre's sound advice and recommend you go manual for a while. Welcome to the Medium Fold, I know you won't be returning your new box! I use a Mamiya RB67 Pro-S so I am not particularly familiar with the Bronny, but I am sure that general maintenance and good condition of lenses, notwithstanding, that this should be a great system for you.
The Mamiya I use is totally mechanical and thats one of the factors that I really enjoy with MF. We'll look forward to hearing more of your thoughts and idea's about this new system so keep us posted! One thing you want to make sure of as with any camera is that your optics are all up to scratch. Take a few special test shots with each of your new lenses and make sure all the optics are what you are hoping for and expect.
Good luck and welcome! Syd
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Julia G
(K=222) - Comment Date 8/7/2002
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Thanks Guys!
I'm so excited and I do think that it makes you think a bit more - maybe because there's less shots, I don't feel like I can just go banging away, you know?
For my 35mm, I only have a Pentax ZX-M - which (I think) is pretty much as manual as you can get. Once in awhile I might use aperure or shutter priority, but only in certain situations. I guess my big thing is to see how these rolls come out and then see how it goes. I feel like I know my pentax pretty well - how it all handles - this one is just all new. Like driving someone elses car.
My goal is to eventually process the film myself, and some day print as well. (I'm also taking the NYIP course)
This is all just too cool!
I hope you don't mind if I'll be asking you all some questions? : )
Thanks, and take care,
Julia
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David Goldfarb
(K=7611) - Comment Date 8/8/2002
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Congrats on the new system. I'm sure you'll be very impressed by the prints (if you take them to a good lab, of course). The tonality and local contrast of a MF print is better than anything you can get from any 35mm system.
I really have come to believe in having more than one format and using each one for what it does best. These days I use 35mm almost exclusively for wildlife photography with long lenses, 8x10" for landscapes, studio portraits, and architecture, and medium format for everything else or when the 8x10" camera would be impractical.
I also use a Bronica but the older S2A system, and I'm quite happy with it.
You might want to check out the two Bronica forums on Yahoo! Groups to find other SQ-system users.
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Misty Woodward
(K=18) - Comment Date 9/13/2002
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Congrats on the system! Before I bought my first medium format (hasselblad 500cm) I was torn between the Bronica and the Hasselblad. I ended up going with the Hassy but Ive been able to use a Bronica on loan from a friend of mine and its an excellent camera.
As far as handling differences, the biggest thing for me was getting used to holding it. There are a bit bulkier than 35mm so you will have to get used to that. I think you will find you burn less film though. I know I should be careful with all my shots, but for some reason I tend to really analyze my lighting, composition, etc much more with the medium format than I do with the 35mm.
Best of luck!
Misty
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David Meiland
(K=1820) - Comment Date 9/14/2002
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This is truly the time to get MF gear. People are spending on digital and film gear is getting cheaper. You will enjoy the larger film and the square format. You may not enjoy changing film every 12 shots, but you can get more backs if you need to. You will probably find that the camera is about two stops slower in terms of effective film and lens speed, compared to a 35mm camera, so handholding it will be harder (or impossible) than a 35mm camera for the same shot. The lenses are 1-2 stops slower, and require a shutter speed 1 stop faster than the comparable 35mm lenses, if you use the 1/shutter speed rule. I almost never shoot MF handheld.
Since you have 30 days with the camera, make sure to check out everything about it by test shooting a lot. Any inconsistency or inaccuracy in shutter speed, aperture, focus, film winding or spacing of frames, processing of the polaroid film, etc. etc., should be discovered now while you have the warranty. Check the glass carefully for any marks.
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Greg O'Conner
(K=2398) - Comment Date 1/25/2003
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I use the SQ-A. I like it alot. The first week I had it I relized there was some syncronation problem. I sent it to Bronica and it came back fixed for $100. I didnt trust it for the following weeks, but it proved it's self. I now use it more and more. It's given me good results with easy usability. You got a good one!
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Peter Carucci
(K=1672) - Comment Date 7/3/2003
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Hi Julia:
Congratulations on the new MF outfit. I've had the chance to get my hands on a few Bronica outfits over the last couple of years. If you eventually get the speed grip for the camera, it will handle much like a manual 35mm body, apart from some extra bulk. I do agree with the comments from Joffre regarding turning off automated features for the short run, anyway. It will help you to be more deliberate about choosing your photos more carefully.
I've recently had the chance to work with a Mamiya 645AFD outfit to do a stained glass window project, one image of which I've posted here. I have to say that the results were far superior to the same attempts I made in 35mm.
A medium format slide image looks pretty stunning compared to 35mm. I think you're going to be very happy; just allow yourself time to grow into the new outfir and format.
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Neil McKay
(K=17) - Comment Date 6/29/2004
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Don't know if anyone is still watching this thread but I've just bought an SQ-Ai myself from eBay. Still waiting for it to arrive.
Like Julia this is my first ever foray into MF.
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James McGinnis
(K=6045) - Comment Date 6/29/2004
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I'm shooting an older Bronica ETRC and absolutely concur with the above comments....you have no choice but to slow down, analyze what you are doing and put a whole lot more thought into the process. In once sense, I feel like I'm learning photography all over again. (Not that I ever really "got it" in 35mm!!)
My only caveat beyond the "slow down and think" advice is this: Find out if you're shooting 6 x 4.5 or 6 x 6. I thought I was shooting 6x6 (don't ask me why, I just did) and consequently, I've had some less than ideal compositions. With 6x6 you're shooting a square negative/print. There is no "vertical" shot. Obviously, not the case with 6x4.5.
Oh, and get yourself a light meter. I'm developing a whole new appreciation for light simply by playing around with this thing. I don't trust that internal metering on my Bronica like I do on my EOS 3!
Have fun!!
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Billy Cobb
(K=436) - Comment Date 7/21/2004
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