SQ-A issue, please help

[peter_todd4]

<p>Hi. I have just acquired an SQ-A from ebay which was described as working perfectly. The problem is the shutter only seems to cock when it's set to 'c' on the mirror lock up switch and not when it's set to 'n' which would be normal shooting with the mirror down.<br>

Is this normal?<br>

What happens is that when the camera is set to 'n' on the mirror lock-up switch and with the multiple exposure switch set straight up when I wind the film advance crank it travels as normal but instead of coming to a stop it makes a loud click and keeps going round indefinitely. It does stop when in mirror lock 'c' setting and shutter fires as I have mentioned already.<br>

Please advise!<br>

Thanks in advance,<br>

Peter.</p>

[dave_thomas8]

<p>Do you have film in it? The SQ series normally needs the multi-exposure lever (not the MLU) horizontal to cock the shutter and dry fire without a film. There are an assortment of magical interlocks.</p>

<p>Assuming all is working, in normal operating mode it also will not fire without the darkslide out.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.dwthomas.net/dwt/pdfs/Bronica_SQ-A.pdf">Need a manual?</a></p>

[peter_todd4]

<p>Ahhh, I've put a film in and all is working as expected.<br>

Are Mamiya medium format SLRs as noisey as this Bronica - really loud mirror slap!<br>

Thanks for your response Dave.</p>

[dave_thomas8]

<p>I've never fired a Mamiya, but virtually any medium format SLR is throwing a lot more mirror mass around than a 35mm, so I'd expect more noise, but I've no idea how the Mamiya and Bronica compare sonically. But yes, it's hard to take pictures surreptitiously with an SQ-A! 8-)</p>

<p>Fortunately most of my shooting is of inanimate objects, so they don't scare easily.</p>

[dave_wilson1]

Bronicas are very loud, SLAP! Especially in a quiet church with a big echo, there was nothing like it in the middle of a

wedding. Then when you get to the end of the roll and wind through, rip, rip, rip, rip, rip. Enjoy!

[User_502260]

<p>If you want a medium format camera with a very quiet shutter and no mirror slap try a Koni-Omega. The winding will make some noise but not the shutter.</p>

[c_watson1]

<p>Have a Mamiya RB67 Pro S and Bronica SQ-B. The Mamiya seems the quieter of the two, though MLU on either reduces the clatter down to the "snick" of their leaf shutter lenses. Agree that the SQ cameras are rowdy for their size.</p>

[peter_todd4]

<p>Can I just check with you guys... Is it by design that the mirror stays up after a shot is taken, only going back down again when the film is wound on thus cocking the shutter? That's how my SQ-A is behaving. Thanks in advance.</p>

[dave_thomas8]

<blockquote>

<p>Can I just check with you guys... Is it by design that the mirror stays up after a shot is taken, only going back down again when the film is wound on thus cocking the shutter? That's how my SQ-A is behaving. Thanks in advance.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Alas, yes, that is the normal behavior (and I believe the norm with most medium format SLRs).</p>

<p> </p>

[peter_todd4]

<p>Thanks D Thomas for clarifying that with me.</p>