Giving up RZ67 for TLR

[TheFlyingCamera]

The Hassy is definitely lighter, more compact, and more ergonomic than the RB/RZ. And it probably takes the cake for most varied accessories and lenses. But beyond that, it really is a matter of what you are comfortable with.

 

[time4d]

I also lug around a full-frame DSLR system and tripod everywhere, in addition to whatever MF camera I choose to bring with me, which I believe most of you do too. I really can't climb mountains and hike long distances with something as big as the RZ!

I'm going to forget about 645 because the size and weight are as much, if not more than a 6x6 SLR/TLR. I'm leaving the Mamiya 7 and Plaubel Makina out as I cannot afford them and I've heard too many bad things about the poor build quality of the Mamiya 6 and 7. I'll leave out TLRs because the lens/accessory options are limited, and there is no possibility of using a digital back in the future. That leaves me with one of the 6x6 SLRs.

As with all the other camera buying decisions I've made so far, I guess I will figure out what really tickles my fancy after trying it.

Thanks to all for your input!

 

[jspillane]

In regard to OP's requirement, Hassy may not bring any significant advantage compare to RZ except the name and the looks of Hassy

Size/weight is the main place. Lens quality is comparable, although the extra negative on the RZ is valuable if you need it. RZ is also better suited for close-up work due to the bellows, and has a better cost-to-performance ratio to be sure.

Obviously, if you are travelling with a bunch of lenses the advantage will partially disappear, but a Hasselblad is way easier to fit in a bag than a RZ/RB.
A Hasselblad with 80mm planar is 3.4 lbs, vs the 5.4 lbs of an RZ with the 110mm. Bigger than the weight difference, I think the size and bulk of the cameras make the RZ/RB very difficult to travel with unless you are using a car.

time4d, I do not think you will regret a Hasselblad if you get one- I rarely use any other film camera, other than a little compact 35mm from time to time. Don't expect it to out perform your RZ, though. A lot of people come from 35mm and are probably overly blown away by the results from a Hasselblad. They can be had for reasonable prices if you are patient-- although I have to admit, if I were to do it again I might go the Bronica route and sink the excess money into large format stuff. I've been waiting for a reasonably priced 100mm 3.5 for some time, whereas I could go grab the probably 98% comparable Bronica 100mm 3.5 for <$200. Also, Bronica has 1:1 macro without tubes...

That being said, if you feel lust for the Hasselblad, you'll probably keep feeling it until you try one out. If you buy smart, you can always sell it for little-to-no loss.

 

[drmoss_ca]

I regard my Rolleiflex 2.8GX and Hasselblad 500c as pretty much the same, weight wise, but if I want to go light the Bessa III is magic. Plus it can do 6x6 or 6x7.

Chris

 

[film_man]

I have a Hasselblad 501CM and a Mamiya RB. I have no problem taking either out for a few hours shooting, however the Hasselblad is obviously the lighter choice and it is my "light" go-to camera. Image quality wise....I don't know...I'd be tempted to say that the Mamiya (I have the latest KL lenses for it) probably has an edge but this could be down to how I shoot them, I tend to be a bit more loose and fast with the Hasselblad.

The most noticeable thing (apart from the weight and the fact one is square and the other rectangular) is that the Mamiya can be hand-held at slower shutter speeds. I can do 1/60 on the Hasselblad, I can do 1/30 and 1/15 on the Mamiya. So it has a 1 stop advantage (lenses are 1/2 stop slower though). The other notable difference is that the RB (or RZ) can be focused real close, the Hasselblad stops at 0.9m, you either need the macro lens or a close-up filter/tube for shorter distances.

Finally, I had a Bronica SQB before getting the Hasselblad. It is a fine camera, slightly bigger than the Hasselblad, slightly clunkier in operation and overall handling but when it comes to image quality I had not sharpness concerns. It is a slightly different rendering to the Hasselblad (I'd say a bit more mellow and less contrasty) but I would be happy if I was stuck with one vs my Hassy. There is one thing the Bronica has my 501CM doesn't which I really miss: shutter release lock!

 

[johnha]

In the '90s I had a C330f and bought an SQ-B for the interchangeable backs and SLR viewing. I did consider a used Hassy at the time, but wouldn't have been able to afford more lenses for a long time. The SQ is probably still much easier to build a system around - depending how many lenses you might be considering.

I now mostly use a Pentax 6x7, although big & heavy, it's much more portable than I'd imagine an RB/RZ to be (not having used one) and I prefer the handling (mostly shooting it hand held).

 

[Sirius Glass]

Hasselblad V series with the 80mm lens. Like the Packard advertizement "Ask the man that owns one."