Considering a Hasselblad, but what about lenses

[lns]

The 80 was my first lens, and my only lens for a long time. I still use it almost exclusively, and I could certainly get by with just that. I wouldn't think you'd need to start with anything else.

I recently added a 150 for portraits because it was at a bargain price, and now I have more than enough. For wide, I do have an old SWC, which is fantastic, and which actually gets more use than my 501cw. I've used the 60, 120 and 180 lenses, and they are excellent, but I wanted to keep it simple, lighter and cheaper. In any event, you can't go wrong with any lens you choose. Compared to a Leica, they all seem heavy (other than the SWC), and I use them primarily on a tripod.

I'm in Glencoe by the way, if I can be of any help. Haven't used a Hasselblad for months, it's just been too cold and gray and icy and grim. But I'm sure spring will come eventually. -Laura

 

[Antje]

I am in the same place but the price of the SWCs go up faster than I can save the money!

Steve

Yeah, they're pretty save from me and will be for a long time, I guess. I tell myself I don't *really* want one. We all know it's not true. But maybe I can hold my GAS at bay by getting some more cheap rangefinders or so.

Well, sure...

Antje

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

For years I shot with a Hassy system, and the longest lens I had was a 120. When used for its intended purpose (macro, general purpose landscape) it is a fine lens. It works as a portrait lens in the studio when you have a short studio to work in. If your goal for a longer lens is portraiture, though, I would go for the 150 or the 180 instead. The 120 can be harsh and unforgiving, and in natural light, at large apertures, the 5-bladed aperture creates some really unpleasant-looking out of focus areas.

 

[pgomena]

So much gear, so little time and money.

I think lens selection varies by how you see. I've always favored a "normal" lens. I have a good friend who loves a wider lens.

On 6x6, I find an 80mm lens feels a bit wide, about like a 35mm lens on 35mm. I have a 50/80/120 kit, and often find myself using the 120 because the 80 is just too wide. If I was to rebuild my kit, I might go 50/100/150. Of course, the 180 is a very nice lens and then there's the 40 or superwide, and how about a 250 for those odd moments when you need a bigger club? AAARGH!

The best advice I've seen in this thread so far is to get the 80 and use it for a while. Get used to the feel, see how it works for the images you like to make. Save your money for the next purchases. The lenses are darned expensive and each has its own merits. Good luck!

Peter Gomena

 

[pgomena]

Flying Camera's comment on "harshness" with the 120 echoes experiences I've had with mine. It is darned sharp, but there is a certain harshness to it. Its versatility is wonderful, but if I was to start making a lot of studio portraits, I'd get a 150 or 180, which have a much "rounder" feel to them. My problem with the 150 is that it doesn't focus closely enough for a tight portrait unless you use an extension tube. Different designs for different purposes.

Peter Gomena

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Well, with the 150 and tubes, it doesn't take much of a tube to get the closeness you want- a 16mm tube is more than sufficient. Might even be able to get away with an 8mm. At that point it doesn't even really affect the exposure.

 

[Mark Fisher]

Thanks for all the help (!) I'm going to order a set up with an 80mm from David Odess. I bought a Leica set up with 3 lenses and ended up not liking it all that much (blasphemy). I suspect I'll get a 50 and 150 from ebay when/if I bond with the camera.

 

[Antje]

Thanks for all the help (!) I'm going to order a set up with an 80mm from David Odess. I bought a Leica set up with 3 lenses and ended up not liking it all that much (blasphemy). I suspect I'll get a 50 and 150 from ebay when/if I bond with the camera.

That's certainly a smart way to do this.

Antje

 

[pgomena]

Good move!

If you live in a city that has a large professional photo supply/rental house, you may be able to rent lenses before you decide to buy. If they have consignment sales, you may be able to test before you buy. Either way, you can try out a variety of focal lengths before jumping in.

Peter Gomena

 

[Phillip P. Dimor]

I can only afford the 80C I don't feel I am missing anything though. At least with my style of photography.

 

[John Koehrer]

There's a couple on craigslist in the Chicago area right now.
One is a 500c with 80 & 150 for around $900. Idon't remember if the ad mentioned backs.

 

[Paul Goutiere]

In 1982 I purchased a 500cm for $2200.00 w/ 80mm lens and back. For some reason I didn't like it probably because all the extra lenses etc. were so much. In 1985 I sold it for $2200.00.

Three years ago I did it again, a 501CM w/80mm 150mm and two backs from a chap who had gone digital and was sick of looking at the Hassy. Then I bought a SWC (which needed a lot of work) for a very good price. I couldn't have even considered this in '82.

Now is the time to buy. If you like the stuff, get it!

 

[chiel]

i carried a 500 cm hassy and 50-80-150 set, an extra back, and a prism through downtown naples in fall and through downtown istanbul over x mas in a 370 crumpler. 6 kilos, no problem with the weight. and i only exercise twice a week.

http://www.crumpler.nl/?product=The_Daily_M&page=details&product_line=559

 

[david b]

I did a 503 body, 50-80-150, two backs, and prism, plus film and meter through Oaxaco in a Lowepro Mini Trekker AW. No problems for me.

My daily exercise routine includes getting out of bed and getting a latte at 4pm.

 

[Nicole]

Mark I'm not sure what you need all the lenses for, but I've always used a 501cm with only one 80mm lens and have been very happy with my "less is best" approach.

 

[Buster6X6]

Hi Mark
I bought my camera with 100mm lens and love it. Next I bought 250mm which
I used twice and paid almost the same as I paid for the kit. I would like to have 40mm for architecture but at going prices($1500) and up will have to wait a little. Anything you chose is going to be a good choice. All the lenses are top, just depends what you going to use it for.

Cheers Greg

 

[benjiboy]

I have 50-80-150-250, but when I'm travelling I wish I had a 60 and a 110.

And a SWC.

In short, there is no hope.

How about a truss the hernia you may cause by carrying all this gear.

 

[edtbjon]

The house and a 80mm lens is a good starter. I recon that an extra back or two is the next thing to get. It's very nice to be able to change backs if subject contrast changes, or to use color film at times.
I started out the same way, using only the 80mm for some time. Then I found both a 150mm and a 50mm at decent prices. A couple of years ago I luckily found a black SWC which find frequent use. The SWC was quite worn and eh... cheap, only some $1000 for the camera with a equaly worn back. I soon found that the SWC was the most used lens (camera in this particular case), not due to the short focal length, but rather the feeling of a "rangefinder mini-blad", which somehow permits me to come in closer to some types of subjects.

//Björn

 

[Mark Fisher]

Thanks all ..... the camera with the 80 is on the way. I think I'll stick with it for awhile. I'm a more or less normal guy anyway......although becoming wider as I get older

 

[Fintan]

I'm a more or less normal guy anyway......although becoming wider as I get older

LOL, thats the post of the week

 

[Struan Gray]

How about a truss the hernia you may cause by carrying all this gear.

I usually carry just one lens, but the lens varies with where I am and what I'm doing. The full kit's not so bad. Compared to the climbing gear and bottles of Bollinger I used to lug around in the hills it's actually an improvement.

I take the 50 and 150 as a pair on multi-day trips away from my gear stash, and that's when I'd prefer a 60 and 110. Until the bottom falls out of the market completely I'll just have to struggle on with what I have.

It's fun to gawp and dream though.

 

[Allan Swindles]

Lens Choice.

Mark, you made the right choice when you decided on Hasselblad. You will know which lens you need next once you start taking pictures. I started with the 150mm, specifically for portrait work in the studio but it also became a favourite for many outdoor subjects. Over the years I've added a 50, 80, 250 and 350 to suit different subjects. The only thing I need now is more time.

Regards - Allan.

 

[Sirius Glass]

How about a truss the hernia you may cause by carrying all this gear.

My Hasselblad with the four lenses is part of my fitness program.

Steve

 

[jordanstarr]

I have the 50, 80, 150....but I'd trade it in anyday for a 40,60,100.

 

[Q.G.]

With prices as low as they are today, why trade in?
A 40, 50, 60, 80, 100, 150 mm lens set is a really nice thing to have...