Weird problem with ASA dial Bronica SQ-i film backs!

[crowdspotting]

I have a strange issue with two of my Bronica SQ-i film backs, and I

am wondering if anyone has had this problem. I've searched the forum

and cannot find a similar topic.

 

 

Can anyone out there set their SQ-i style film backs to an ASA

setting BELOW 200? I can't.

 

I've had Bronica SQ-series equipment for many years, but have always

used manual or waist-level finders. I bought a metered finder

recently, I had to start using the ASA/ISO dial on the rear of the

film back, so that the finder can properly meter. My film backs are

the SQ-i type, the newest version -- with the ASA dial on the rear,

not the top, of the film back.

 

Anyway, to the problem. The dials on both of my backs will not turn

below 200 ASA, but they move far beyond 6400 ASA, the maximum setting

possible on the dial.

 

One would think that the dial is probably just misaligned on its hub,

so I removed the center screw and spring that holds the dial in

place. Underneath is a relatively simple assembly where the dial has

a small piece of metal that shorts two of several contacts that

communicate the ASA to the camera/finder.

 

The way the dial is constructed, there are plastic "rails" or "stops"

that appear to be designed to prevent the ASA dial from turning too

far in either direction, which I assume is the lowest and highest ASA

settings, 25 and 6400 respectively. The problem is: there is no way

whatsoever that I can see that allows the dial to sit in the assembly

properly, so that you can choose any ASA setting below 200. It's

almost as the dial was DESIGNED this way.

 

Has anyone seen this problem?

 

At the very least, would someone that has an SQ-i back try setting

the dial to 100 ASA, or 25 ASA? Since BOTH my backs won't go below

200, I am wondering if this is a universal issue. I can't imagine

that it is-- because it doesn't appear in the forums anywhere.

Remember, I am using SQ-i model backs, with the ASA dial and exposure

compensation ring on the REAR of the back; not the older kind with

the dial on the top. I've also made sure that the exposure

compensation ring is set to "0" while trying to solve this problem.

 

Thanks for your help.

 

Jeff jeffjphillips@hotmail.com www.postnuclearart.com

[andre_noble4]

Jeff, reading the ASA setting on these backs is a little tricky at first. I'm pretty sure you're not reading it correctly. I think you're off by 90 degrees. Look very carefully. I will explain more later of you haven't figured it out.

 

PS: and stop taking the dang things apart :->

[wayne_firth3]

Jeff,

Put your finger tip under the film speed dial and lift and rotate until desired speed is next to the white pointer on the left side. It can be set for any speed on the dial.

[andre_noble4]

'white pointer on the left side' is the operative phrase here.

[crowdspotting]

Both of my backs do not have the "white pointer on the left side", and that is why I was confused. I guess the paint may have worn off over time, although both backs are in good shape.

 

Regardess, it seems like that is the deal. Thanks for your help with this one!

 

Jeff

[crowdspotting]

One more bummer is that I shot three rolls of Ilford 3200 ASA film last week, thinking that I should align the '3200' with the top of the dial-- which means I exposed the film at 400 ASA instead! Talk about bulletproof negs!

 

:-(

 

Jeff

[andre_noble4]

Process in pyro or microdol-x if you haven't developed yet.

[ed_nazarko]

I had the exact same "homer simpson moment" and wrote it off to a bad back myself when I was trying to shoot some 100 speed ektachrome. I only have one i back, and figured that I'd just encountered my first problem with the gear. After reading the posts, boy to I feel stupid for not noticing the directions of the little arrows. All together now, "DOH!"

 

And I just got back some color negs of 400 speed which was actually shot at, um, 50 ISO. Good thing they were negs, and that I was bracketing...at least I got a few of the frames usable. And some very, very saturated images...

[crowdspotting]

Oh, Ed... but the weird part is that BOTH of my sq-i backs DO NOT have white arrows. I looked on eBay at some pictures of used backs, and sure enough-- they have little white arrows.

 

In fact, there isn't even an indentation or impression of an arrow in the plastic ring (you don't think that Bronica would just paint it on there, do you? Surely they would inset the arrow into the plastic and fill it with white paint...)

 

The serial numbers for the backs are close to eachother... 2314318 and 2315208 (890 units apart), even though I bought the backs years apart and from different places.

 

Maybe there was a defect in the production run? Can you tell if your white arrow is engraved or just painted on?

 

Thanks. I don't *think* I'm losing my mind, but maybe so...

 

:-)

 

Jeff