Month: March 2025

Bronica SQ-A / The Frankenstein project Pt:3

To find out what I am trying to accomplish with this project please refer to my initial post: Bronica SQ-A Medium format camera

Task:

To build a usable, basic issue, medium format camera (Bronica SQ-A) from damaged items and spare parts, for as little outlay as possible and shoot one black and white, and one colour roll of film as proof of its successful completion.

Getting started:

Building a camera from damaged parts is no easy task when the name happens to be a high end brand and any parts that are available, are being snapped up by others to service their own stock or to break up for sellable parts. I’m going to keep a running total to try and build this as cheaply as possible, and to keep track of this total I’m going to use my trusty Psion Organiser II LZ from 1989 to keep a tally.

This may be a strange situation where Pt:2 and Pt:3 of this project gets published before Pt:1, quite simply Pt:1, the film back. needs a fair bit of work still doing to it.

Third purchase:

And the third purchase is for an SQ body. This appears to be well used, but appears to be in a working condition. Here’s what the listing stated:

Zenza Bronica SQ Body Only / Medium Format 6×6 Camera

Condition:

Used but still in good usable condition with usual signs of use – see photos for details please. Fully tested and in perfect working order.
Supplied with: Camera body as pictured.

EBay

Now I’m happy with this purchase as well. Not quite the SQ-A I wanted but to be honest the only difference is mirror lock up and metering that I don’t really need so I can live with that, we all managed prior to the metering being done for us, I’m sure we will all survive now . (Oh how we have been pandered over the years)

The Bronica SQ body I have purchased

I’ve paid the grand total if £73:75GBP for this body including the postage. There are some bits I will require to complete the body, namely a focus screen and waist level finder that could be a bit pricey, and a winder for the body. Now, the winders are pathetically expensive at around £60 for a bit of plastic. I know a guy who 3D prints a good alternative for a fraction of the price. And that will be the route that I take.

So over to my trusty old Psion II LZ for the running total for these first three items.

Current running total

So the total for these three items comes in at a total of £150:94GBP, and in Bronica terms this is extremely reasonable!

Assessment:

The parcel has arrived and yet again I’m really happy with this purchase. Very well packaged, a very faint age related mustiness that I guess should only be expected on an item that is now 45 years old. It seems to work just fine. I have connected the lens and that seems to be working ok, I just need to verify the shutter speeds are all correct. There is no battery in the base and this needs replacing as this is what controls the shutter speeds. Without the battery the mechanical shutter works, but only at a speed of 1/500 of a second. (Edit: the battery has arrived and after testing i can confirm that all speeds are operating as expected). The film back fits fine but I still have some work to do on that before I can say that this part is working ok. Overall I’m satisfied with what I have for the price I have paid.

No battery
No winder
A selection of covers for the sides, top and bottom are required

Repairs:

Not so much repairs but additions that are required, such as a crank winder arm and a focus screen, a new battery and a selection of covers to protect the central unit in transport. All horrendously over priced and i will deal with these items in Pt:4 of this project.

Outcome:

Current situation, looking good, smelling old. Not me, the camera 😂

We are almost there. The lens is fine, the main body is fine and just needs some final testing. The film cartridge is the item that needs the most attention and this will hopefully be finished when I have the new front plate that is being 3D printed. The next instalment will be just a tidy up with all the little bits I need to complete the build. These small pieces in Bronica terms are so bloody expensive, or should I say extortionate, can be obtained at a fraction of the cost elsewhere, you just need to shop around, if you are happy to have a non named spare part as a stand in. I’m happy with that as these parts have absolutely no effect on how the camera performs, and what we want to achieve at the end of this project, that being a well exposed two rolls of negatives that will produce a number of well presented photographs.

All good to go. Please keep an eye on the other blog posts that are coming regarding this project.

Anxiety in life

There are many blogs I follow on this platform. One I follow religiously is the “Anxiety unplugged project”

The Power of Fear: Turning Anxiety Into Strength
Superb advice in every post

For anyone who has moments when they just can’t fathom out what is going on, I’d recommend latching on to this site and just taking in some of the superb advice and guidance available.

Why not? We all have times of stress and anxiety and a few minutes spent reading some good honest advice is no inconvenience to anyone.

Stay safe. Peace to you all.

A Musician and a Scientist

What movies or TV series have you watched more than 5 times?

There are a number of movies and tv series that I have watched multiple times over the years, however one from each category really stands out for me.

I have grown up with the James Bond franchise, as have many in my age group, and these films are still watched and enjoyed to this day.

But these are not my favourites. These are my favourites below.

Film wise I absolutely love the old James Stewart classic “The Glenn Miller story” this remains my favourite movie of all time and when it is on, that is my time, sit down, shut out all the noise and enjoy the wonderful story on how he created a unique sound that is still practiced to this day. And just like any good story it abruptly ends with his sad demise. A wonderful film in my eyes.

Glenn Miller

Secondly a tv series. That goes to the amazing Carl Sagan and his years ahead of its time “Cosmos” series. For a youngster brought up through the space race years there was a hunger for knowledge of our universe, that this series more than catered for. I have this entire series on DVD and it has even been updated from its original issue date in 1980. In 1986 more animations and commentary were added. Sagan passed away in 1996. He was the science teacher we all wished we had at school.

Carl Sagan

So that’s it for me, two of the finest televisual treats that I am aware of and still watch to this very day.

Have a wonderful day. Don’t let anyone take you down.

Desperately seeking Dolly

I’m parked in a local park. I’m waiting for my wife who has a hair appointment, and I’m now looking for Dolly.

That last day. Me and Alf in this very carpark

Who’s Dolly?

Dolly is a puppy, she would be 18 months old now and when I last saw her it was on the 16th August 2024. The day our Alf lost his battle with his illness and went to sleep. Is there a cure for a broken heart 💔

We took a little walk into the park that day and he just sat at the entrance, nothing left in the tank, when an 11 month old bundle of fluff bounced up to him and wanted to play. He let her sniff around but he didn’t stir from his staring out into the fields where he once used to bound around just like Dolly.

Nothing in the tank, just so tired

I spoke with Dollys owners and told them what was happening that day, Dolly did not want to leave him, she knew something.

It was a sad and at the same time wonderful thing to see, as one life was ending and an exciting new one was just beginning.

I often pop back here in the hope that I will see Dolly again, even my wife encourages me to do so. I just want to say thank you to her and her owners, it was a beautiful moment when they both met but so tragically cut short. They would have been great friends as Alf loved everyone and didn’t have a bad bone in his body.

And if her owners allow, I want to give her a big cuddle. Another beautiful little soul.

Until then I’m still desperately seeking Dolly.

Peace.

Small gifts

I’ve been reading through today’s blogs, and this particular one really struck a note with me regarding mistakes we all make with blogging. This post was created by “Lifesfinewhine” and it contained some great advice especially around those who seem intent on bombing your pages. You know those people who like about 20 posts in 20 seconds, come on guys These posts have taken days and even months in some cases to put together and you can read them in seconds?….i don’t think so. Just don’t do it. Read them, and make contact. I don’t bite.

You Should NOT Be Making These Blogging Mistakes In 2025
Have a look and see what you are doing wrong. Some great advice here.

One piece of advice is to let people know you will be away for a while so as you don’t lose followers, I’m guilty of this as I must admit that the prompts I normally rely on to kick me into action, have for the last week or so already been answered at some time in the past. I must be more original and organised in my blog attempts, this won’t happen again. I promise.

A simple candle

I was given a lovely gift by a neighbour yesterday. They make their own candles for a hobby, and all they ask of us is that we give them any old candle jars or holders in return. I think, the ability to bring light into anyone’s life is beautiful, and a simple gift like this to my wife and I, is a wonderful thing. We sometimes just sit there in the dark with nothing but a candle burning, watching its flame dance around in wild abandon and just talk. It’s a wonderful moment in time and makes you really appreciate all you have.

It really is the most simple things that sometimes bring the most joy.

Have a wonderful day.

A Deep Dive Into Canon Autofocus Lenses

Although taken for granted these days, autofocus (AF) used to be a premium feature on film- and digital cameras, with taking us through an …

A Deep Dive Into Canon Autofocus Lenses

The Long Goodbye: More Instruments Shut Down on the Voyagers as End Nears

My favourite space mission and one I have followed for many years. I even have models and posters around the house. I even have an orchid impersonating the model (see post picture)

It will be a sad day when it all shuts down, here’s hoping we get to see their 50th anniversary’s.

Great post from Hackaday, read some of the comments as well, some excellent conversations taking place…

Saying farewell is hard, and in the case of the Voyager 1 & 2 spacecraft doubly so, seeing as how they have been with us for more than 47 years. ……

The Long Goodbye: More Instruments Shut Down on the Voyagers as End Nears

Bronica SQ-A / The Frankenstein project Pt:2

To find out what I am trying to accomplish with this project please refer to my initial post: Bronica SQ-A Medium format camera

Task:

To build a usable, basic issue, medium format camera (Bronica SQ-A) from damaged items and spare parts, for as little outlay as possible and shoot one black and white, and one colour roll of film as proof of its successful completion.

Getting started:

Building a camera from damaged parts is no easy task when the name happens to be a high end brand and any parts that are available, are being snapped up by others to service their own stock or to break up for sellable parts. I’m going to keep a running total to try and build this as cheaply as possible, and to keep track of this total I’m going to use my trusty Psion Organiser II LZ from 1989 to keep a tally.

This may be a strange situation where Pt:2 and Pt:3 of this project gets published before Pt:1, quite simply Pt:1 needs a fair bit of work still doing to it.

Second purchase:

The lens. Probably the most important purchase of this project. Looking for a “cheap” lens is normally not the thing to do when exploring lenses as you do really get what you pay for. You want good clarity? You need a good lens. However this lens came on offer and what sold it to me was that there were no scratches and fungus in the lens, and that was music to my ears. It is a duplicate of a lens the owner already has and was surplus to his requirements. He has also supplied recent proof of photos taken on this lens and i believe he has sold me a little diamond to be honest. Everything about it seems good. There is nothing really to do to it, so no maintenance apart from maybe a light external clean and that will be it until everything else comes together.

Here is what the listing stated:

This is the S version of the 80mm lens and although there’s a slight difference in the lens design on the PS version, I’ve compared the two and couldn’t see any real difference other than a slightly more modern colour rendering. The T mode is also working without issue. This lens has been my main user lens and has never let me down. Glass is clear of fungus, haze and scratches. Aperture and shutter blades are snappy and clear of any oil. Shutter speeds are accurate and the lens produces just delightful images and is massively underrated. I’ve included several shots taken recently with this lens mounted on an SQ-A as per the examples. Focusing is smooth, apertures have a nice smooth click and the lens focuses just fine all the way through the range. I will include the origin box as well as the front and rear lens cap with the lens

EBay

Lens and box
Front of lens no fungus
Rear of lens no fungus
Two pictures shot on the sellers SQ-A with this lens (pics: pooface76)

I’ve paid the total cost including postage of £56:25GBP and I think that this is an absolute bargain for what I am getting. It’s an 80mm f2:8 Zenzanon-S lens in its box with two end caps. I’m really pleased with this purchase and there is not a lot else I can say.

So here we have the scores after two purchases, the 120 roll film back and this lens. Over to my old mate the Psion II LZ for the running total.

Running total

So the total for two items currently sits at a comfy total of £77:19GBP so far, with an average per item price of £38:60GBP. And in Bronica terms that is quite reasonable!

Assessment:

The lens has arrived and to be honest it has surpassed anything I could ask for, for the price I have paid. For this project it is in perfect condition with nothing required regarding any repairs. It’s good to go.

Boxed
Original inserts
Both end caps

And out of the box the lens is lovely and clear. Just a few bits of dust but that is nothing at all.

Original end cap
Nice and clear
No fungus

Repairs:

None: I know this is boring on a repair front, but for this project it is the perfect result.

Outcome:

All good to go. Please keep an eye on the other blog posts that are coming regarding this project.

Plastic Gear Repair

An excellent post. I often come across broken plastic gears and they are the Bain of my “Hobby life”

Maybe I need to start repairing my own gears or invest in a 3D printer.

We’ve seen several methods of repairing plastic gears. After all, a gear is usually the same all the way around, so it is very tempting to duplicate …

Plastic Gear Repair

Are you busy?

This is the first prompt for days that I’ve been able to answer as I’d already answered those others previously. I’m going to make a slight change to this prompt and remove the word “Hate”. I never use this word as it’s such an awful one, and unfortunately it’s too prevalent in our world at present. I’m going to use the word “Dislike” as dislike can always be improved upon rather than the other word that is just so final. Once Hate is in place. There really is no turning back. So here we go.

What is one question you dislike being asked? Explain

Anyone that keeps an eye on this blog and reads the content will know I’m an individual who likes to keep himself busy. Just look at the projects and stuff I’ve posted recently, and the fact I still have 18 posts still in draft mode and you will see I’m a busy guy. On top of that I am a full time employed individual with a house to run a garden to look after and a wife who loves spending (Bless her x)

My time is quite well planned, so when that phone call comes in asking me, “Are you busy?” That’s when I have a sharp intake of breath. Normally it involves fulfilling tasks for friends and family, giving time that is precious to me and in many cases already accounted for. Now don’t get me wrong, I do not mind helping anyone, there is no greater pleasure in seeing someone’s face light up at the end of a well done project. The thing is I take so many on, that it normally means the same job at my own home is being neglected, it’s always more fun doing the job at someone else’s property for some unknown reason though.

The reason I dislike being asked is that I just can’t damn well say no. Saying no makes me feel guilty but that’s just the guy I am. I guess to me it’s just like that word “Hate” it’s just not in my vocabulary.

So that’s why I dislike being asked this question as I’m just not wired to say “No”.

One day I’ll learn to say it. But that’s not today. And probably even tomorrow.

Hey ho.

Happy days everyone.