Help - Bronica SQ-Am Battery Holder

<p>hi all first post here, I have a Bronica SQ-Am and I need a battery holder for it, as hte one I have is broken can anyone please help</p>

<p>I would hate for it to sit there being un-unsed and un-loved. Any reasonable price paid</p>

<p>John<br>

Leeds-UK</p>

<p>Many thanks</p>

 

<p>John, the SQ-Am is too good to leave dormant. If a battery holder is not found, the SQ-Am can be powered extrnally. A simple battery case, cable and plug can be assembled from parts from any electronic store, and plugged into the side of the handle. See page 26 of the instruction manual at: <a href="http://www.butkus.org/chinon/bronica/bronica_sq-a_m/bronica_sq-a_m.htm">http://www.butkus.org/chinon/bronica/bronica_sq-a_m/bronica_sq-a_m.htm</a> A Battery Pack is described on that page as "External Battery Pack S" which might be harder to find than the missing battery holder.<br>

A comment on that manual page says: "The battery holder must be left inside the battery chamber even when taking power from an external source." I have not tested this, but jumpering the battery contacts within the handle might be worth a try.<br>

Meanwhile, I hope someone responds with the proper battery holder for you. </p>

<p>At worst, you can still shoot the camera even without using the battery. The default shutter speed is 1/500 of a second. I know that may not fit all of your needs, but if you do the simple math, don't mind shooting faster film, you can get good shots by adjusting your f/stop and the film you shoot so the 1/500th is what works. I know it isn't a fix for the camera, but it is a way to take photos even with the battery holder broken.</p>

<p>Tim, You are correct for the SQ-A. However, the SQ-Am has a removeable holder inside the handle for six AA cells (9Volts) to drive the motor advance. Without the motor, film cannot advance, and the camera will not function. My original answer was about the external power for the motor system.<br>

Also, in the handle is a recess for the 6 volt battery that operates the shutter. That smaller battery fits in the lower part of the handle, and is not removeable nor easily damaged or lost. Yes, the shutter can operate at 1/500 without that battery, but the 9 volts for the motor is still required to move the film. That is the basis for my original answer.<br>

I believe the original request is for the removeable holder which provides the 9 volt motor power.</p>

<p>Correction - The smaller 6 volt battery IS removeable. It is the socket for it, which is a part of the handle that is not removeable. It is the 9 volt, six AA battery holder that is removeable - and I believe is the originally stated problem.</p>

<p>I used to have several of these. I'm going to look around and if I find anything I'll contact you. We're talking 1980s here but they could still be in my cabinet.</p>

<p>John I sent you an e-mail. I found the piece you need. Dave</p>

I too, am looking. What if one soldered wires onto the terminal inside the handle and used the 9v standard battery? You can find those 9V battery terminals about everywhere and it might rattle inside, but the 9 Volt battery would be secured by that clip.

<p>If you're speaking of the classic 9V "radio" battery, I fear the current capacity will be woefully inadequate for a motor drive. AA cells have way more current capacity, on the order of 5x or more. </p>

<p>I mean, it wouldn't cost all that much to try it, but I have doubts. In fact I suspect even the AAs might be the usual compromise between bulk and performance. (6 C-cells would make a pretty ungainly package!)</p>

I am looking for a battery cover for an SQ-AM. If anyone has one spare I'm willing to pay a reasonable price. Many thanks, Alan.

There had been one on eBay USA for months at $15 "Buy It Now" Unfortunately, its gone but this one is promising. You have time to send the seller a message confirming if the parts you need are intact.

 

Bronica SQ-AM Body w/Grip | eBay

There had been one on eBay USA for months at $15 "Buy It Now" Unfortunately, its gone but this one is promising. You have time to send the seller a message confirming if the parts you need are intact.

 

Bronica SQ-AM Body w/Grip | eBay

 

Update: The whole body sold for $10.50 US