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Bronica SQ-Ai

Have you ever known (or been) that person who was a little above average at everything, but not the best at any one thing? If you have (or if you are), then you'll be sympathetic to the Bronica SQ series of cameras. These medium format, 6x6, SLR cameras were first introduced to the market place in 1980 and were a complete redesign of the classic Bronica S, C, and EC cameras of the 1960s and 1970s.

The SQ series introduced electronically controlled shutters and a convenient multiple exposure switch, Plus, after years of using Nikkor lenses for its cameras, Bronica ushered in their own line of lenses for the SQ under the brand name Zenzanon. At first glance, the Bronica SQ series may look unremarkable compared to some of its competitors, but upon closer inspection, these cameras deserve being judged on their own merits.

Following its predecessors the SQ, the SQ-A, and the SQ-Am, the SQ-Ai retained the electronically controlled shutter and multiple exposure lever, neither of which existed on the Hasselblad 500 series. The SQ-Ai's incremental advancement allowed for an electronic motor drive specifically designed for the SQ-Ai, flash contacts for TTL flash metering, and film backs that had film speed adjustments in 1/3rd stop increments. The SQ-Ai line-up of accessories was also extensive and included seven different focus screens, five viewing finders, seven different film backs, and twelve Zenzanon lenses that ranged from 40mm to 500mm.

While other camera manufacturers were developing some of these features for their cameras, Bronica led the way in terms of integrating them into one camera system. When you think of popular medium format SLRs, Bronica may not be the first name to pop into your head, but keep in mind the smaller company that was always above average.

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Zenza Bronica SQ-Ai - Focusing Screen

Focusing screens usually have a trade-off between brightness and focus acuity. Traditional ground glass screens offer the best possible *snap* in and out of focus, but are usually very dim in the corners and difficult to see in low light. Fresnel screens and modern plastic screens provide vastly improved brightness, especially in the corners of the viewfinder, but sacrifice some focus precision. Some modern screens, such as the Hasselblad Acute Matte and Rollei Hi-D, come very close to providing the best of both worlds.

The focusing screen in this Bronica SQ-Ai is a modern plastic fresnel type, and features very bright, even illumination across the frame.

Young David And His Bronica SQ-Ai

My camera accompanies me on countless adventures. Sometimes when I travel, it even rides shotgun, ready to make a picture at a moment's notice. It has seen lush forests, snow covered mountain ranges, arid deserts, ghost towns, and so much more. My camera sees everything I see; we see it together.⁠

⁠Throughout the past year, my camera has sat mostly ignored. A combination of pandemic caution, hazardous air quality from wildfires, and dark winter days have made it hard to be an inspired photographer. However, on a recent road trip, I was reminded why my camera is such a valuable travel partner. It forces me to slow down, breathe the air, appreciate the view, and capture the moment. ⁠

⁠A good camera reminds you to create and it calls you to explore. A good camera is limitless in the hands of a creative mind. ⁠

⁠If your camera has been collecting dust this winter - pull it down, load it with a fresh roll of film, and get to creating.

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Kodak Tri-X 120 Sample Gallery - Bronica SQ-Ai

Sample images made on Kodak Tri-X with a Bronica SQ-Ai by staff member, David Malmborg.

Ilford Delta 400 120 Sample Gallery - Bronica SQ-Ai

Sample images made on Ilford Delta 400 with a Bronica SQ-Ai by staff member, David Malmborg.

Bronica SQ-Ai in the wild

We like to explain that one of the reasons we are so dedicated and committed to doing the best job that we can here at Blue Moon Camera is because we are all photographers ourselves. We treat each of our photographer customers just as we would want to be treated. We handle the developing, printing and scanning of your film, just as we would want our own film to be handled. We try to be as thorough as possible in testing and checking gear, because we buy cameras too and we know the pain of losing a roll to a faulty camera. All of us work here because of our love of photography. ⁠

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It should come as little surprise to you that we find every moment we can to make our own photos, be it portraits of co-workers with cameras off our shelves or going out on hikes to new waterfalls. Here is more proof of that. This past Wednesday two of our staff, Young David (pictured here) and Zeb (behind that camera, as usual) got out on a hike into the Washington wilderness. David has been working with us for just over a year now and been a "serious" photographer for about that same amount of time minus one day. He's been pushing himself to get out and explore more of the surrounding landscape with his new passion for photography. ⁠

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It's important to us to keep that passion well fed and to remain actively creative in our personal lives. Whether we share the product of that creativity or not, it definitely has a humongous influence on how we go about our jobs here at the shop!⁠

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...in case you are curious as to the film camera featured today (since it is hard to make out in this shot), this is David with his Bronica SQ-Ai, which was his first medium format camera purchase.

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Bronica SQ-AI

Earlier this week we mentioned a pair of Hasselblad kits hitting our inventory. Hasselblads are not the only 6x6 format cameras that have come into our hands, though. We also have this nice Bronica SQ-AI system that will be rubbing elbows with the aforementioned Hasselblads.⠀

Bronica gets a bit of a bum rap. It is true - some of the early Bronica S cameras were of less-than-stellar build quality, but by the time the world was introduced to the Bronica SQ system, the camera had evolved into a well-refined and competent piece of equipment.

There are not a ton of differences between the earlier SQ camera and this SQ-AI, but they do include OTF metering as well as TTL flash capabilities. The SQ-AI may also be coupled with a motor drive and has an extended shutter speed range out to 16 seconds.

These nitty gritty details are all well and good, but they do miss the main point - if you are looking for a solid 6x6 camera that gives you the same versatility as a Hasselblad at a fraction of the price, these Bronica cameras are it.

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