Analysis paralysis on Hasselblad lenses

[Grim Tuesday]

I recently allowed major gear acquisition syndrome to take hold of me and I bought a ton of gear with the promise to myself that I would sell most of it and keep only the cream of the crop, and maybe make a profit on the way. The problem is now that I have it all, I don't want to sell it. Or maybe I want to sell too much of it! I'm having analysis paralysis on what to sell and what to keep, so I'm curious how others have constructed their Hasselblad kits. Here are the lenses I have right now to choose from:

• 40mm Distagon black T* (has a loose screw in the body so resale value is lowered... Still time to return it to Adorama if I do it in five days)
• 50mm chrome
• 50mm CF FLE
• 60mm black T*
• 80mm CF
• 120mm f4 Macro planar CF
• 150mm chrome
• 250mm black T*
• Bonus system camera: Mamiya C330 with 80/2.8 and 105/3.5 D (heliar)

I only had the 80 up until a few months ago and it's great and sharp and all that but I found myself always reaching for my Autocord indoors because at slow shutter speeds the Hasselblad gets mirror slapped out of being sharper. Hence the acquisition of a Mamiya kit (don't worry, I got the c330 for $30 because it had leaks in the outer bellows... Good thing Adorama didn't know this has no effect on the taking lens bellows!)

I took all the lenses out shooting last weekend and the problem is, I liked them all except the 120! I really want to clear space in my camera drawer(s) and wallet, though. And the worst thing is, I know I'd be happy having even just a single one of these lenses because my style is most often to go out shooting with only one or two lenses.

What kits drawn from this set of lenses would people suggest? Right now I'm seriously considering keeping only the 60 and the 150, both of which I have very sharp exemplars of and I like the focal lengths. The downside of this is I have no true wide angle, and no repairable prontor shutters. I'd consider the classic 50/80/150 kit but that's actually much more expensive for me to keep on account of my 50 and 80 being fancy CF models. Ugh. I've also thought about a 40/60/150 kit but I'm not certain I like the crazy wide 40mm field of view. Like, my lens is sharp, but I didn't really like any of the pictures I took with it. But maybe this lens requires more planning for the ultra wide effect than others? There's also the issue of it being in kinda rough shape. So then I've thought about a 50/60/150 kit. But it seems silly to have two lenses so close together in a three lens kit and it requires me to either keep the 50FLE (my most expensive acquisition) or my chrome 50 (my least sharp lens). So the brings me back to 60/150, and the Mamiya for 80/105.

Anyways I realize this is the ultimate first world camera problem. I guess I'm just mostly looking for input on what 1, 2 and 3 lens kits others have been happy with on their Hasselbladblads.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

The 50CF FLE is an outstanding lens. Excellent resolution. A reasonable choice for wide angle.

80 CF - sharp, often just the right choice for perspective. But if you ever find a 100, toss the 80. The 100 is Hasselblad's best lens - a great Zeiss lens.

Since you didn't like the 120, then 150 for sure.

The 250 C is a sweet telephoto, sharp, fun to use for distant landscape and cityscape shots.

After you've sold off all the other stuff, use the proceeds to buy a SWC.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I recommend that you get rid of the duplicate 50mm chrome lenses. The 120 is a close up lens, so the question is you do you do close up work?

You are missing the 903 SWC, the 30mm Fisheye, the 350mm and the 500mm lenses.

If I can carry all the lenses in the car I do. When I fly I either carry the 50mm, 80mm and 250mm lens or the 903 SWC, the 50mm and the 80mm [or 100mm] lenses.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

40mm Distagon black T* (has a loose screw in the body so resale value is lowered... Still time to return it to Adorama if I do it in five days)
return the 40mm as long as you can.

• 50mm chrome(sell)

• 50mm CF FLE(keep)

• 60mm black T*(sell)

• 80mm CF(keep)

• 120mm f4 Macro planar CF(keep)

• 150mm chrome(sell)

• 250mm black T*(keep)

• Bonus system camera: Mamiya C330 with 80/2.8 and 105/3.5 D (heliar)(sell)

 

[abruzzi]

I've never used Hasselblad, but on my cheapo Bronica (6x4.5) I find the most useful lenses (for me) to be 60, 75, and 150. I find I don't use my 50 (or 40) nearly as much as the 60. That being said, If you want to ditch some lenses, ditch the ones that are less useful to you.

 

[Eric Rose]

My kit after years of messy around comprises the following; 50mm, 80mm, 150mm and 250mm. On the odd time I needed something either longer or shorter I just rented the equipment. Didn't make sense buying.

 

[Grim Tuesday]

One thing that owning a Hasselblad has made me is jealous of the Bronica folks who can guiltlessly own an awesome array of lenses for very little money. I always feel bad having all these lenses and getting out to shoot photos and print in the darkroom so infrequently. Maybe I shouldn't overthink it and only sell the lenses when/if I actually need the money, and keep as many as I can right now. Perhaps the 50fle/60/80/150/250 and they re-evaluate in a few months. That really only leaves the fates of the 40 and the Mamiya up in the air. The 40 is complicated because it's got great glass but a mechanical issue (one of barrel screws is loose and rolling around in the body, but the shutter works and it only cost me $300) so need to decide whether to send it back soon.

 

[Eric Rose]

Don't worry the Bronica folks are jealous of our Zeiss glass. I had Bronica, loved the body, hated the lenses.

 

[abruzzi]

Don't worry the Bronica folks are jealous of our Zeiss glass. I had Bronica, loved the body, hated the lenses.

I love being ghetto and paying 1/5 the cost for my lenses.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

The Mamiya RB67 folks get the big negative, rotating back, and a very inexpensive set of high quality lenses for little money.

Alas, I discovered Mamiya after I bought the Hasselblad stuff.

 

[L Gebhardt]

The Mamiya RB67 folks get the big negative, rotating back, and a very inexpensive set of high quality lenses for little money.

Alas, I discovered Mamiya after I bought the Hasselblad stuff.

They also get brick to hold. I love the RZ67, but not as a walk around camera like the Hasselblad.

 

[mshchem]

One thing that owning a Hasselblad has made me is jealous of the Bronica folks who can guiltlessly own an awesome array of lenses for very little money. I always feel bad having all these lenses and getting out to shoot photos and print in the darkroom so infrequently. Maybe I shouldn't overthink it and only sell the lenses when/if I actually need the money, and keep as many as I can right now. Perhaps the 50fle/60/80/150/250 and they re-evaluate in a few months. That really only leaves the fates of the 40 and the Mamiya up in the air. The 40 is complicated because it's got great glass but a mechanical issue (one of barrel screws is loose and rolling around in the body, but the shutter works and it only cost me $300) so need to decide whether to send it back soon.

I still have a couple of Bronicas, they are great cameras and have great lenses. I also have a 501cm and a 503cw. The Hassleblads and the Zeiss lenses are about as good as it gets. I have an array of RZ67 II stuff as well, it's nice but huge.
For the Hasselblads, I have 2 normal lenses, 1 for each body and the newer 50, 150, 250.. Truly amazing optics. With the Acute-Matte screens you can see the 50mm snap into super sharp when you adjust the floating element. I have no use for the 120 makro, that doesn't mean I won't buy one, I too have issues with gear lust

 

[ic-racer]

I use the Zeiss 40, 50, 80 and 120 Makro with my Rollei. Some day I'd like the 30 Fisheye. My 'main' lens is the 50.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

One thing that owning a Hasselblad has made me is jealous of the Bronica folks who can guiltlessly own an awesome array of lenses for very little money. I always feel bad having all these lenses and getting out to shoot photos and print in the darkroom so infrequently. Maybe I shouldn't overthink it and only sell the lenses when/if I actually need the money, and keep as many as I can right now. Perhaps the 50fle/60/80/150/250 and they re-evaluate in a few months. That really only leaves the fates of the 40 and the Mamiya up in the air. The 40 is complicated because it's got great glass but a mechanical issue (one of barrel screws is loose and rolling around in the body, but the shutter works and it only cost me $300) so need to decide whether to send it back soon.

I think, you'll find that there is only rarely a need for the 40mm;the 50mm can handle most WA jobs.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

30mm Hasselblad lens must be good for documenting which shoes you were wearing at a particular location and what the overhead sky conditions were at the time.

Go SWC!!!

 

[Deleted member 88956]

I love being ghetto and paying 1/5 the cost for my lenses.

Only problem is this argument does not work trying to fix signs of Hassylitis, generally caused by Planaris-Sonnaris bacteria that can quickly immune itself from any form of known treatments.

 

[GLS]

If I were in your shoes I would keep the 50mm FLE (great), the 60mm, the 80mm, the 120mm Makro-Planar (great) and the 250mm.

My Hasselblad lenses are the 50mm CFi FLE, 80mm CFE, 100mm CFi (an astonishing lens), 120mm Makro-Planar CF and 180mm Sonnar CF. I would like to get an SWC 903 at some point, but it's a lot of cheddar and I don't use extreme wide angles all that much.

 

[guangong]

Ditto GLS. Great buys. I started out years ago with Hasselblad 1000F and Kilfit 90 mm Macro Killar, and 150mm Kilfit180 f2.5 Nikon tweeted copy of Zeiss Olympic Sonnar. In 1980 1000F died and bought 2000FCM and adapters for new lens mount. Also added 60mm Hassy lens. With adapters able to use Zeiss 180mm and 300mm Sonnars and 300mm Pan Macro Kilar . Limited to these lenses until collapse of Hassy prices. Since, have added 80, 150 and 250 tp collection.

 

[C Jensen]

• Sell these;
• 40mm Distagon black T* (has a loose screw in the body so resale value is lowered... Still time to return it to Adorama if I do it in five days)
• 50mm chrome
• 60mm black T*
• 150mm chrome
• 250mm black T*
• Bonus system camera: Mamiya C330 with 80/2.8 and 105/3.5 D (heliar)

• Keep these, they all use the same filters
• 50mm CF FLE
• 80mm CF
• 120mm f4 Macro planar CF

• Buy an SWC that uses the B60 filters and an 180CF.

 

[StepheKoontz]

I understand the "don't care for super wide", I more of 60mm on 6X6 style shooter myself (or 35mm lens on 35mm, 135mm on 4X5). If I do want to go shoot with a super wide, I take JUST that lens and try to "See wide" and usually bring home some fun shots. It's kinda like going out trying to shoot both color and B&W on the same day, I usually fail at both trying to do that! I also like shooting with a normal lens, not sure how much you like it? Some people love it, some hate it. I'd keep the 60 and the 150. Then either be OK with the 80 or get a 100mm to fill that gap. For a wide, get a SWC and just go out with that when the "shooting wide" bug hits. If you like the autocord, pick up a Rolleflex 3.5 xenotar or a 2.8 Planar. Both are amazing tools.

 

[Sirius Glass]

30mm Hasselblad lens must be good for documenting which shoes you were wearing at a particular location and what the overhead sky conditions were at the time.

Go SWC!!!

I do both.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I understand the "don't care for super wide", I more of 60mm on 6X6 style shooter myself (or 35mm lens on 35mm, 135mm on 4X5). If I do want to go shoot with a super wide, I take JUST that lens and try to "See wide" and usually bring home some fun shots. It's kinda like going out trying to shoot both color and B&W on the same day, I usually fail at both trying to do that! I also like shooting with a normal lens, not sure how much you like it? Some people love it, some hate it. I'd keep the 60 and the 150. Then either be OK with the 80 or get a 100mm to fill that gap. For a wide, get a SWC and just go out with that when the "shooting wide" bug hits. If you like the autocord, pick up a Rolleflex 3.5 xenotar or a 2.8 Planar. Both are amazing tools.

Ah, but the SWC is rectilinearly correct so there is no barreling or pincushioning. Keep the camera level [use the bubble level] and the horizontals and verticals will be straight.

 

[campy51]

Here is how you can double your money. Sell me the C330 for $60 and keep the rest.

 

[NB23]

C330. There’s something about the mamiya tlr system that i love.

 

[Sirius Glass]

C330. There’s something about the mamiya tlr system that i love.

Like the fun of tracking a subject with the left right reversal, hence my recommendation of prisms for MF SLRs and TLRs.