fingertrouble | New toy!

New Bronica SQ-AI medium format camera, originally uploaded by timbearcub.

After some strangeness and Paypal eCheque drama I finally have my medium format camera, a Bronica SQ-AI, with 80MM lens, Waist Level finder, AE Prism finder, Polaroid and 120 back and flight case.

The seller also threw in 2 Vivitar flashguns, another 120 back, leather box and bodycaps and manuals! :-D

Really this camera is a another level and another age, mostly metal, electronic Seiko shutter but can work manually, built like a brick shithouse and almost weighs as much, in incredible condition, and all modular - as most medium format cameras are, unlike your SLRs or compacts the lens, body, camera finder and film back are all modular and interchangeable, you can change films (formats as well as types - whatever will connect to it really) midroll for another back with this very old piece of technology - the darkslide (circa late 1800s).

Decided to call it Frederick, Fred for short after my grandfather. Dunno why that idea popped into my head but Fred is a good name, and it's as old and archaic as I suspect my grandfather was (never met him) but I'm sentimental like that. Hope it brings good luck.

So onward and upward with my photography...this is not an idle purchase, this is the first tool on the step to being more serious about my photography. Next one will be an upgrade of my digital camera, not yet but waiting for the Nikon 300s to be released....August looks likely although Nikon denies it exists - rumoured to include HD video, which would be very useful for me. Also clients tend to want digital shots - the MF is more for building my portfolio and for those who would want the more pro shots - sadly talking to other photographers apparently very few people want to pay the extra. Very odd.