Does anyone here use a Hasselblad for everyday photographic fun?

[Thomas Bertilsson]

On a tripod it is easy to compensate for verticals while using a WLF. With the camera in portrait orientation, stand to the side of the camera, facing it. Hold a small mirror like a makeup mirror to the WLF, angled at a 45 degree angle, and look down at it to view the screen. The image will be right side up and correct left to right.

Ha! I never carry a make-up mirror with me in the field, though... How do you do fine focusing for close-up portraits or other objects that are not stationary?

I'm sure there are great ways of focusing a 645 SLR, swapping between horizontal and vertical composition while on tripod, and for some it might be worthwhile to do this. Personally, I'm much happier with the square negative. The camera stays put, on a tripod with a built-in ball joint with just minor adjustments to level the camera. It's just easier and more intuitive for me to set it up that way.

If it were my recommendation to Ted, whom I know does a lot of portrait work, it would make total sense to use the Mamiya 645, Hasselblad, or whatever camera he is contemplating, on at least one job before deciding what to get. That's the gist of what I'm saying. Some might find a 645 SLR easy to work with. I did not find it intuitive to use at all, while the Hasselblad feels like an extension of my arms, ergonomically great, and with controls in places that work well for me - especially when I hand hold it.

 

[lxdude]

I do fine focusing by having a big ol' microprism spot in the middle of the screen. The makeup mirror I use is about the same size as the screen and came with a soft pouch, so is very easy to carry. It took some work to talk a girlfriend out of it, I tells ya. It works surprisingly well--quick and easy.

None of that negates your reason for choosing 6X6. It's a common reason, and a good one.
Square format also enables easy use of a simple tilt-pan head, which can save a little weight over a 3-way.

 

[CGW]

On a tripod it is easy to compensate for verticals while using a WLF. With the camera in portrait orientation, stand to the side of the camera, facing it. Hold a small mirror like a makeup mirror to the WLF, angled at a 45 degree angle, and look down at it to view the screen. The image will be right side up and correct left to right.

That tops any argument I could make for using a prism finder on a 645!

 

[pekelnik]

Well, so I don't have to carry more than 1 camera?

And, Why would I let the camera in hand dictate the final composition/crop? (as long as I only crop one way.)

You could for instance carry a A16 back for 6x4.5 and A12 for 6x6...

 

[markbarendt]

You could for instance carry a A16 back for 6x4.5 and A12 for 6x6...

You are right I could carry it but still, it's more stuff to worry about and to find pockets for and the weight adds up and if you are in a hurry to shoot ....

As we used to say in street racing "run what ya brung". No switching cars, gears, tires. The opportunity to race was a now or never, put up or shut up, no excuses, offer.

As to wasting film, i'll bet we all normally "waste" a lot more film in general shooting, than we ever do in cropping, and if we grab an opportunity and crop instead of grabbing a different back and missing, who wins?

 

[EASmithV]

Get an F4 and a 50 1.8 for S&G and a hassy with the leftover cash.

Don't bother with 645, it's a stupid format, you'd be better off with a superior 35mm camera that a slow 645 camera.