Help with flash for Bronica SQ-A

skysh4rk

skysh4rk

Suspended / Banned
Messages
3,134
Name
RJ
Edit My Images
No
Hi all,

I'm looking to try a bit of flash photography with my Bronica SQ-A, but I need a bit of advice getting started.

First, I have a Nikon SB-22 speedlight that I use with my 35mm cameras; will this work with the Bronica? I was also recently given a Cobra 7000AF that was meant for Canon 35mm cameras; will this work as well?

Second, and assuming that one of the above speedlights will work, what is the cable/adaptor that I need to run from the Bronica to these flash units? I'm planning on attaching the camera and the flash to a bracket that I was given, so is there a sync/hotshoe adaptor with a tripod thread at the bottom?

I've added photos below to help illustrate what I think I want to do and my equipment:



The camera and bracket:

2013_03_11_at_21-33-37.jpg




The flash units that I'm looking to use with the Bronica and screw into the bracket alongside the camera:

2013_03_11_at_21-47-32.jpg



2013_03_11_at_21-48-05.jpg




Any advice for doing this or any better ideas would be very welcome!

Cheers,

RJ
 
The Nikon flash will work with a PC-Sync cable, picture 3 port on the right. Your camera or lens will have the corresponding port somewhere about its person. Then its just a matter of reading off the chart to find your aperture and distance. The cobra might have a sync cable some where but I don't see it, you may need to get a PC-Sync to hotshoe adapter and hope its rated to take the (probably) mega voltages older flashes tended to out put.
 
Either should work if you can connect them to the cameras PC socket.

Unlike an SLR with a focal plane shutter, the flash will work at all shutter speeds.


Steve.
 
Many thanks for the responses, Steve and Steve. That's great news that I should be able to use the flash units with the Bronica.

Is this the type of sync cable that I would need to run from the camera to the flashes?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Maxsima-Fla...1Y80/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1363042241&sr=8-3


I'm guessing that I could then just use something like this to mount the flash onto the tripod thread of my bracket alongside the camera?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Flash-Hot...hotography_Flash_Adapters&hash=item53f05ebef6
 
In the future you might want to look at getting a speed grip which has a hot shoe on it, here it is on my SQ-Ai for example.

Bronica SQ-Ai by Morinaka., on Flickr

I had that Cobra 700AF flash and while it's OK i'd also go for a modern flash that offers the ability to control the flash power, you can get an excellent Yongnuo 560-II for £50-60.
 
Morinaka said:
In the future you might want to look at getting a speed grip which has a hot shoe on it, here it is on my SQ-Ai for example.

Bronica SQ-Ai by Morinaka., on Flickr

I had that Cobra 700AF flash and while it's OK i'd also go for a modern flash that offers the ability to control the flash power, you can get an excellent Yongnuo 560-II for £50-60.
Click to expand...

I think if I were using a prism finder with my SQ-A, I probably would be looking to go with the speed grip. With the waist level finder, however, it doesn't seem quite as necessary to me and would be a bit more costly than the option I'm currently exploring. That said, I could be mistaken as I've never used one, so I'm happy to listen to the thoughts of others on this. It is something on my list to pick up at some point though.

As for purchasing a new flashgun, I probably will need to upgrade at some time in the near future, but that time probably isn't now, unfortunately. I'm just looking to start shooting some flash with the Bronica, see how it goes, and evaluate any equipment needs from there (e.g., speed grip, new flashgun, etc.).

skysh4rk said:
Is this the type of sync cable that I would need to run from the camera to the flashes?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Maxsima-Fla...1Y80/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1363042241&sr=8-3


I'm guessing that I could then just use something like this to mount the flash onto the tripod thread of my bracket alongside the camera?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Flash-Hot...hotography_Flash_Adapters&hash=item53f05ebef6
Click to expand...

Anyone have any thoughts on the links I posted in my previous post? I want to make sure I'm buying the right thing, as I don't wish to buy twice.

-RJ
 
steveo_mcg said:
That cable looks fine.

the cold shoe to tripod is a good idea if you've not got a "proper" lighting stand, you might find the tripod doesn't go high enough depending on what your shooting.
An alternative would be a hot shoe to tripod adapter, this will do the same thing as the one you linked to but also you could use flashes with out a sync plug.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170879498860?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
Click to expand...

Thanks! That hotshoe to tripod adapter looks perfect. I think I'll pick one of those up along with the sync cable.
 
So I picked up a sync cable to connect my SB-23 flashgun to my SQ-A, but I'm having difficulty getting it to fire when I press the shutter.

I've had it fire a couple of times properly, but it often never fires at all or at random times.

Anyone have any idea what could be going on?

And oh, I've only tested it without film so far, as I didn't want to waste any film until I knew it worked. I don't really see how that could affect the flash, but could that be the issue?
 
skysh4rk said:
So I picked up a sync cable to connect my SB-23 flashgun to my SQ-A, but I'm having difficulty getting it to fire when I press the shutter.

I've had it fire a couple of times properly, but it often never fires at all or at random times.

Anyone have any idea what could be going on?

And oh, I've only tested it without film so far, as I didn't want to waste any film until I knew it worked. I don't really see how that could affect the flash, but could that be the issue?
Click to expand...

Have you tested it on a hot shoe on a another camera?
 
Is the cable sitting properly? Silly question but belts and braces.

What is the flash sitting in? I had trouble with the flash on both my manual cameras because the transmitter was shorting out on the cold shoe had to get it in just the right position to get it to work reliably.
 
steveo_mcg said:
Is the cable sitting properly? Silly question but belts and braces.

What is the flash sitting in? I had trouble with the flash on both my manual cameras because the transmitter was shorting out on the cold shoe had to get it in just the right position to get it to work reliably.
Click to expand...

I believe that the cable is placed properly into both the camera and the flash, unless there is something special that I must do of which I'm not aware.

I had the flash in manual initially, but I tried it in the other settings as well, except for TTL, but none seemed to work. Which setting should I be using?

I'll double check both the placement of the cable and the position of the flashgun in the cold shoe again.

Cheers,

RJ
 
I know it's unlikely but can you test the cable's integrity on another flash?
 
RaglanSurf said:
I know it's unlikely but can you test the cable's integrity on another flash?
Click to expand...

Hmmm...

My other flashgun doesn't seem to have a pc sync port, so I can't check the integrity of the cable from that end. From the camera side of things, I only have one other camera with a PC terminal to test the cable, my Nikon FM, but the batteries in my FM seemed to have recently died and I don't have any spares around...

I have a feeling it's either the cable or the PC terminal on the flash itself that is faulty. I've never had any type of problem with the camera and the flash definitely fires correctly when it's mounted on the hot shoes of my Nikon 35mm film bodies.

I have a hot shoe/PC terminal adapter thingy on the way that uses a different cable, so hopefully that will help shed some light on the issue. I'll also then be able to connect my other flashgun when that arrives, which should further help to pinpoint the problem.
 
Hope you get it sorted.
 
Right, I thought that I'd update this thread in the hopes that someone might be able to help me out.

I cannot get my Bronica to trigger either of my flashguns consistently.

If I use my Nikon FM, I can trigger my Nikon flash via a sync cable, but the Bronica when connected the same way will not. The Nikon FM also works fine with my Cobra flash unit connected via another sync cable and a hot shoe adapter, but, again, the Bronica will only intermittently trigger the flash using these (most often it will not).

It seems to be something going on with the Bronica, as I have tested two sets of cables and flashguns. Has anyone encountered anything like this before or have any idea what might be going on?
 
All seems to point to a faulty camera doesn't it? As the SQA is getting on a bit now, its very possible the internal contacts are faulty, (Dirt, corrosion, pitting due to lack of use or just plain worn out, who knows?).

Have had similar with old bodies before.
 
Stumpy said:
All seems to point to a faulty camera doesn't it? As the SQA is getting on a bit now, its very possible the internal contacts are faulty, (Dirt, corrosion, pitting due to lack of use or just plain worn out, who knows?).

Have had similar with old bodies before.
Click to expand...

Yeah, it would seem that it's a fault with the camera... At least everything else with it seems to function as it should for the moment.
 
I'm not sure if anyone is really interested in this thread or not, but I figured I'd update this thread in the case that anyone else out there is experiencing a similar issue to the one that I had.

I was struggling to get the camera to reliably trigger my flash units through the PC sync port, but I've since managed to pick up a speed grip for a good price on eBay and now I have no problems at all triggering my flash guns using the hot shoe on the grip.

So, if you should encounter any problems with flash on the SQ-A, consider picking up the speed grip.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top