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Congratulations on your choice of the Zenza Bronica SQ-Am single lens reflex camera which has been
developed to provide the user with high quality performance, simple handling convenience and extremely
useful versatility plus automatic motorized film winding and shutter cocking operations suitable for the
professional photographer.
Although the Zenza Bronica SQ-Am has been designed exclusively for motorized operations, it has, also,
been developed as a complete modular "system" camera possessing complete interchangeability with the
interchangeable lenses and accessories developed for the SQ and SQ-A models, on which the SQ-Am is
also based, and, therefore, provides the user with a very high degree of motorization in daily operations, in
addition to automatic film winding and shutter cocking actions. Although instructions following are based on
a standard combination consisting of the SQ-Am main body with Zenzanon-S 80mm lens, Film Back SQ 120
and WaistLevel Finder S, the choice of the lens, film back and finder is left to the discretion of the
photographer, who should choose those items best suited to the type of assignments contemplated.
To obtain best results from the Zenza Bronica SQ-Am, may we suggest that you read this instruction
manual through carefully, before you even touch the camera, as your pleasure in using the camera will be
even greater if you thoroughly familiarize yourself with its working parts before loading your first roll of
film.
Specifications of the ZENZA
BRONICA SQ-Am .........................................
Parts of the ZENZA BRONICA
SQ-Am .........................................................
1. Loading the Batteries .............................
2. Battery checking .....................................
3. Exchanging Lenses ................................
4. Functions on the Hand Grip ...................
5. Shutter Release Warning LED ..............
Film Back ..............................................
7. Construction of Film Back ......................
.8. Film Loading ...........................................
9. ASA/ISO Film Speed Dial ......................
10. Film Type Indicator Frame .....................
12. Exposure Counter ..................................
13. Film Unloading .......................................
15. Time(T) Exposure ..................................
16. Setting the Aperture ...............................
Type
6 x 6cm format auto-winding lens shutter single lens reflex camera, with interchangeable lens,
film back, finder and focusing screen systems.
55.6 x 55.6mm
Frame size
Film
120 roll film (12 exposures);
220 roll film (24 exposures);
135 roll film in film cartridges; and Polaroid
(Exclusive film backs for each film type.)
Zenzanon-S 80mm F2.8; interchangeable type lens; six elements in four groups; multi-layer
Standard lens
anti-reflection coated; 51
distance.
67mm diameter on 50mm to 250mm lenses; and 95mm diameter on 40mm and 500mm lenses.
Filter size
Lens mount
Exclusive four-claw Bronica SQ bayonet mount.
Focusing adjustments
Helical focusing system built into each lens.
Lens diaphragm
Fully automatic instant reopening lens diaphragm action; equal-distant aperture scale gradua
tions.
Electronic control SEIKO #0 between-lens leaf shutter; shutter speeds 8
Shutter
without intermediate settings, plus T (time exposure); mechanical control 1/500 second.
Motorized automatic film winding action.
Film winding
CONTENTS
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19
20
21
22
Specifications of the ZENZA BRONICA SQ-Am
°
angle of view; F22 minimum aperture; and minimum 0.8m focusing
17. Interchanging Finders ................................23
19. Focusing Adjustments ...............................25
Depth of Field Scale ........................................ 26
21. Infrared Photography .................................27
22. Flash Photography .................................... 27
23. Multiple Exposures .................................... 28
24. Mirror Lock-Up ........................................... 29
25. Remote Control Operations ...................... 32
26. Use of External Power ...............................33
28. Attachment of Neck Strap ......................... 35
29. Facts about the Battery ............................. 36
30. Pointers on Shooting ................................. 37
SQ-Am ............................................................ 38
32. Depth of Field Tables ................................ 40
33. Specifications of Zenzanon-S
Lenses ............................................................. 41
Land Pack films.
®
sec. to
1/500 sec.,

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Summary of Contents for Zenza Bronica SQ-Am

  • Page 1: Table Of Contents

    Although instructions following are based on a standard combination consisting of the SQ-Am main body with Zenzanon-S 80mm lens, Film Back SQ 120 and WaistLevel Finder S, the choice of the lens, film back and finder is left to the discretion of the photographer, who should choose those items best suited to the type of assignments contemplated.
  • Page 2 Waist-level Finder S. Weight 960 grams (SQ-Am main body, without batteries) 1,925 grams (SQ-Am main body, with standard lens, Film Back SQ 120 and Waist-level Finder S but without batteries.) The above specifications are subject to change with or without prior notice.
  • Page 4: Loading The Batteries

    Loading the Batteries A single 6 volt silver oxide battery or alkaline-manganese battery is required for the electronic control lens shutter. The electronically-controlled shutter system will not work without loading the battery. The shutter will be mechanically controlled when the battery is not loaded and will be released at 1/500 sec., regardless of the setting on the shutter speed dial.
  • Page 5: Battery Checking

    A. Set the mode selector switch to OFF. Then, slide the battery chamber button in the arrowindicated direction which will permit the cover to be taken off. The battery chamber cover is closed by, first, inserting the bottom end and then pushing the top end until it locks. B.
  • Page 6: Exchanging Lenses

    Exchanging Lenses The Zenza Bronica SQ-Am will not operate properly unless the lens is attached. Furthermore, it will not be possible to attach or remove the lens unless both main body and lens are in the "cocked" condition, with the cocking pin on the lens positioned between the red-colored band and green-colored dot and the cocking pin of the body set to the green dot.
  • Page 7: Functions On The Hand Grip

    B. To detach the lens, press the lens release button down and, at the same time, rotate the lens in the clockwise direction until it makes a full stop, at which point it will be possible to detach the lens. Functions on the Hand-Grip A.
  • Page 8: Attachment And Removal Of Film Back

    2. Continuous shooting is possible if sufficient preloaded film backs are available. 3. Don't waste unsuitable film used in a previous session but simply load up a new film back with the required film type. 4. A Single SQ-Am can be used by many in the studio or at home, by using additional film backs.
  • Page 9: Construction Of Film Back

    A. To attach the film back to the camera main body, simply insert the latches at the upper end of the film back into the attachment openings at the upper end of the camera main body. Then, press the lower end of the film back against the body until it locks securely.
  • Page 10 A. The film back consists of a film holder and a film back frame, with exclusive film backs available for 120 and 220 roll films. The film holder has an insert or frame for loading film, as well as a built-in film winding mechanism. B.
  • Page 11 * The inside black surface of the leader must face out when running across the pressure plate, in this case. E. Lift up the hinged flap and rotate the manual film winder on the right side of the film holder in the arrow-indicated direction. When the starting point, or arrow mark, on the leader is aligned with the triangular start-mark on the top left side of the film holder, stop rotation.
  • Page 12: Asa/Iso Film Speed Dial

    ASA/ISO Film Speed Dial H. When the film back is detached from the camera main body for film loading, the manual film winder is used for advancing the film. The film will stop when it is in place for the first exposure, with the exposure counter also changing to "1 ". However, it will be possible to rotate the manual film winder and, therefore, it should be rotated 2 or 3 times more, in order to take up any slack in the loaded film.
  • Page 13: Exposure Counter

    Upon loading the film, tear off the end flap from the empty film package and insert it in the film type indicator frame. This will help you keep track of the film loaded in the film back, even when two or more film backs are used with different films. At the same time, set the film speed with the ASA/ISO film speed dial, as it will come in handy when using the finder with built-in exposure meter.
  • Page 14: Film Unloading

    113' Film Unloading A. After the 12th exposure of the 120 roll film (24th exposure of the 220 roll film), the film only will be advanced until the remaining film and leader paper is wound up on the take-up spool. Open the back cover when the motor suspends operations.
  • Page 15: Time(T) Exposure

    A. The shutter speed scale is viewed in its window over the shutter speed dial. The numbers on the scale are shutter speed settings, with numbers 1 to 8S full numbers and numbers 2 to 500 fractions of a second. For examples, "8S" is 8 sec., "2S" is 2 sec.
  • Page 16: Setting The Aperture

    * Intermediate settings cannot be used when the finders with built-in exposure meter are used. B. All interchangeable lenses for the Zenza Bronica SQ-Am have fully automatic lens diaphragms which means that the focusing screen is always viewed at the full aperture, with the brightest possible image. However, depressing the depth of field preview lever will stop the lens diaphragm down to the preselected lens opening and permit the photographer to check the depth of field effect on the focusing screen.
  • Page 17: Waist-Level Finder And Interchanging Magnifiers

    A. The focusing hood of the waist-level finder is opened by pushing up on the focusing hood catch at the rear end of the folded waist-level finder. * There is no standard finder for the Bronica SQ-Am, with the user having a choice of several finders. Instructions are based on the waist-level finder because of its popularity.
  • Page 18: Focusing Adjustments

    B. The magnifier is flipped into viewing position, by simply sliding the release lever in the arrow-indicated direction. To store the magnifier, simply push it down until it catches. * The magnifier can be exchanged for one matching the eyesight of the user. C.
  • Page 19: Distance Scale And Depth Of Field Scale

    A. The lens is focused on the subject, by rotating the focusing ring in either direction, while checking the effect on the microprism / split-image rangefinder spot in the center of the focusing screen (standard type). B. The central split-image spot splits the image into two, with the upper and lower halves separated horizontally when the lens is out of focus.
  • Page 20: Infrared Photography

    Infrared Photography 1221 Flash Photography In infrared photography, some adjustment must be made in the focus in order to retain sharpness on the film, because the invisible infrared rays are longer in wave length than the visible rays used for focusing. For infrared photography1.
  • Page 21: Mirror Lock-Up

    B. Upon completing the multiple-exposure picture, be sure to return the multiple exposure lever back to its vertical position and depress the drive button to advance the film one frame. If the drive button is not depressed, the next frame will also be a multiple-exposed one.
  • Page 22 single frame with mirror lock-up. C(continuous) - For shooting continuously with mirror lock-up. * Always use the AE Prism Finder S in the manual mode, when shooting with the mirror locked up. B. For shooting with the mirror locked up, rotate the mirror lock-up lever in the arrowindicated direction and coincide S or C to the index.
  • Page 23: Remote Control Operations

    Remote control shutter release operations will be possible by inserting a 2.5mm mini-plug into the remote control terminal on the Zenza Bronica SQ-Am. Equipment which can be used, in this case, are remote control extension cord, wireless remote control equipment, intervalometer, etc., which are available in most photographic equipment stores. However, always check operation of the equipment before actual use.
  • Page 24: Interchanging Focusing Screens

    2. External power conditions: Voltage - DC 9 Volt; Current - 5 Ampere. 3. Cable conditions: The cable from the external power to the SQ-Am should be as short and thick as possible, or - Less than 2 meter length with cable of 0.3 sq.mm...
  • Page 25: Attachment Of Neck Strap

    1281 Attachment of the Neck Strap A. First, insert the U-shaped ring into the neck strap eyelet, as illustrated.
  • Page 26: Facts About The Battery

    The batteries supply power for the various electronic control mechanisms and motor drive mechanisms incorporated in the Zenza Bronica SQ-Am. When used incorrectly, there is possibility of the wrong exposure being set to the camera and/or the camera not operating. Be sure to use and store the battery correctly for obtaining optimum performance from it at all times.
  • Page 27: Care Of The Zenza Bronica Sq-Am

    When not set in the above manner, the cocking pin of the detached lens (also Automatic Extension Tube) can be set by moving it manually to the greencolored dot, while the cocking pin of the SQ-Am main body is set by depressing the drive button.
  • Page 29 40mm F4 50mm F3.5 80mm F2.8 105mm F3.5 150mm F3.5 8 - I I 8 - 10 4- 6 4- 6 5- 5 No. of group-element Angle of View 87° 76° 51° 41° 30° 4 -22 3.5-22 2.8-22 3.5-22 3.5-22 Apertures 0.85 Minimum focusing...
  • Page 30 200mm F4.5 250mm F5.6 500mm F8 Tele-Converter S 2X No. of group-element 5 - 5 5- 5 6 - 7 5 - 6 of View 22°30" 18° 9° Angle Apertures 4.5-32 5.6-32 8 -45 Minimum focusing distance (M) (8.2ft) (9.8ft) (28ft) Filter size (mm) Overall length (mm)
  • Page 31 Zenzanon-S Variogon 75-150mm F4.5 Zoom Lens Lens construction: 13 groups in 15 elements Angles of view: 53°30' - ° Apertures: 4.5 -32 Diaphragm: Fully automatic Minimum focus: 1.8m (0.25m in macro mode) Filter size: Series 9a (diameter 93mm) Size: 100mm x 152mm Weight: 1,800 grams (3.96 Ibs) Accessory: Filter retainer, lens hood, lens case, front lens cat) &...

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