Advice on first timer for a Hasselblad kit

John Koehrer · Apr 28, 2015

Blah, blah, blah. Don't do this, don't do that
The limits are pretty much the same for hand holding any camera or 1/ISO, which with ISO 100 film is 1/100 @ f #.

Technique is important and a good tripod is better with ANY camera, even 35's

Auroraua · Apr 28, 2015

I ended up getting a 501 CM. The person has used it not too often, purchased it new, in april had it inspected by a local camera shop (the owner is an expert on hasselblad). And that guy said the camera is in top top condition (lens, body and back).
She paid for the inspection, and showed me the receipt.
She has used it in the past year, but not once a month.
I am a bit worried about doing the paper test, as I am unsure if I break something with the mirror.
I might go to see this camera expert and see what he reckons.
Does the 501 CM have issues with the foam pad too?

Richard S. (rich815) · Apr 28, 2015

Auroraua said:
I ended up getting a 501 CM. The person has used it not too often, purchased it new, in april had it inspected by a local camera shop (the owner is an expert on hasselblad). And that guy said the camera is in top top condition (lens, body and back).
She paid for the inspection, and showed me the receipt.
She has used it in the past year, but not once a month.
I am a bit worried about doing the paper test, as I am unsure if I break something with the mirror.
I might go to see this camera expert and see what he reckons.
Does the 501 CM have issues with the foam pad too?

You're set! Go shoot!

Sirius Glass · Apr 28, 2015

Auroraua said:
I ended up getting a 501 CM. The person has used it not too often, purchased it new, in april had it inspected by a local camera shop (the owner is an expert on hasselblad). And that guy said the camera is in top top condition (lens, body and back).
She paid for the inspection, and showed me the receipt.
She has used it in the past year, but not once a month.
I am a bit worried about doing the paper test, as I am unsure if I break something with the mirror.
I might go to see this camera expert and see what he reckons.
Does the 501 CM have issues with the foam pad too?

Enjoy!!

Shoot film.

Auroraua · May 23, 2015

So far I am really enjoying the camera. I think 1/60 is risky, which with a Rollei is no problem.
Thanks everyone for the input.

Auroraua · Aug 4, 2015

Tripod Recommendation

I want to get a tripod, I have a small one that is good for traveling, Sirui.
I had a Manfrotto that got lost in one of my house moves
So I want to get a new one.
I have decided on the 055 eerie, but I am not sure if I should get Carbon or not.
I guess if I am out a lot in the cold the Carbon might be a good idea so your hands don´t get stuck on the aluminum or I could get foam to put on top.
I have a smallish video camera, that I want to use as well on the tripod (but it´s not for panning shots, mainly stills). I am pretty sure my old tripod was a 055 model or similar.
I have a ball head on the sirui, but I am not so convinced by ball heads.
So I am thinking of getting one with handles, also good if I want to use it with my video.
What heads do you recommend and what do you think of carbon or not.

Sirius Glass · Aug 4, 2015

You can get good quality and save money with the carbon fiber Induro products. http://www.indurogear.com/

flavio81 · Aug 5, 2015

John Koehrer said:
Blah, blah, blah. Don't do this, don't do that
The limits are pretty much the same for hand holding any camera or 1/ISO, which with ISO 100 film is 1/100 @ f #.

I don't agree at all. The Hassy 500-series is notorious for strong mirror shake and other SLR cameras are not the same. The SL66 is smoother. The Mamiya RB67 is utterly smooth. I can shoot the RB67 handheld with a 90mm lens at 1/15 and get usable shots. I have even done it at 1/8. At 1/30 I can get tack-sharp shots. I can't do the same with my Pentax 67 and definitely wouldn't be able to do the same with the Hasselblad. For me if it had a refined mirror mechanism, the Hasselblad would be the perfect machine. But alas, it does not and you can feel it easily. Then, the superior compactness and lightness of the 500-series is offset by the need for a tripod in situations that other cameras wouldn't.

I always wanted to know if there was any Hasselblad model (true Hasselblad, not "H-something") which has better mirror damping. Perhaps the models with focal plane shutter?

mweintraub · Aug 5, 2015

I give my vote for a Bronica SQ-A system. Fantastic lenses and you can buy a whole kit (multiple lense) for the price a Hassy body and one lens.

Sirius Glass · Aug 5, 2015

flavio81 said:
I don't agree at all. The Hassy 500-series is notorious for strong mirror shake and other SLR cameras are not the same. The SL66 is smoother. The Mamiya RB67 is utterly smooth.

I do not have the vibrations that you talk about. Nor did I see them when I sold cameras. I think you have a problem with your Hasselblad.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkKcbyh2CrA

Ai Print · Aug 6, 2015

APUGuser19 said:
What I like about the gliding mirror is that if the camera goes unserviced, there are no lower mirror backing pads to deteriorate and cause inaccurate focus. I'm told that there is an upper pad though, and it can probably deteriorate, being foam rubber. But it's the lower 2 pads in the C and CM that are the big offenders. The upper one seems to be less of a problem when it goes bad. Most people focus on or near the center of the screen. In my own 553 ELX, I'm accurate to within less than 1/4 inch at 3 1/2 feet, if not actually dead on the money. And it's that mirror design that I thank most on this kind off accuracy.

Interesting, thanks for posting this. I bet I am ok, I have a pair of 501C/M's and a 500 ELX, all of which use the gliding mirror system ( I have a 180, 350 and 1.4XE on the long end ). I am taking delivery of a loaner CFV50c this week for a project, will be interesting to see the focus accuracy in using it with live view. I'm afraid I am going to really like it and have to grow a spare kidney...

jspillane · Aug 9, 2015

flavio81 said:
I always wanted to know if there was any Hasselblad model (true Hasselblad, not "H-something") which has better mirror damping. Perhaps the models with focal plane shutter?

The motorized models (EL/M etc.) have less issues with vibration and shake than the standard models. I don't think it has to do with mirror dampening, but simply with the increased mass which absorbs the shock of the mirror (same with the RB/RZ). Not sure about the focal-plane bodies, but I suspect they are similar to the standard models.

I actually think they are quite nice cameras for handheld use and the problems are greatly exaggerated (often by someone vehemently defending another system...)

Advice on first timer for a Hasselblad kit

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