Hasselblad 500CM - 2nd thoughts

[Theo Sulphate]

Hasselblad eye-level prisms with metering are a bargain these days.

They're much easier for focusing, too.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I used to shoot weddings with a Hasselblad 501CW and the lack of a light meter annoyed me.

The variability in sharpness mixing inserts and A12 backs annoyed me as well.

Hasselblad eye-level prisms with metering are a bargain these days.

They're much easier for focusing, too.

Hasselblad prisms are inexpensive now a days, and many of them have built in light meters.

You may not know that keeping the film inserts matched to their own backs is not exactly rocket science.

 

[Sirius Glass]

The OP is right, he should just send his Hasselblad equipment to me and I will dispose of it properly.

 

[Alan Gales]

So the SL66 looks to be the size of a Bronica S2a.

Something like that. My friend owns an SL66 and I've held it. The SL66 has bellows focussing so that's different from the S2a. I used to own an RZ and the RZ was definitely bigger and heavier.

I've owned a Hasselblad 500/cm and an S2a and a couple EC's. You really can't beat a Hasselblad for it's compactness unless you go with a Mamiya 6 which is a completely different camera. Hasselblads are really well designed to be as compact as possible.

 

[dodphotography]

Both cameras almost inherently need to live on a tripod. I've always felt that if you can't handhold something and you need a tripod, may as well shoot sheet film.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Both cameras almost inherently need to live on a tripod. I've always felt that if you can't handhold something and you need a tripod, may as well shoot sheet film.

Yes, but I also shoot my sheet film hand held.

 

[dodphotography]

Yes, but I also shoot my sheet film hand held.

Yeah, thats true. There is that.

I guess I love the slow look of tripod based work.

 

[Ai Print]

Both cameras almost inherently need to live on a tripod. I've always felt that if you can't handhold something and you need a tripod, may as well shoot sheet film.

Not always, I routinely use Hasselblad lenses 40mm through 100mm handheld at 1/500th and get great results, even when using my CFV50c back which punishes for poor technique and we are talking landscapes here that this particular client makes 6-10 foot high prints from.

I will certainly use a tripod when I can or it is mandatory, but seeing how my Hasselblad V system has replaced my Nikon system as my go to for mixed film and digital commercial / fine art use, well lets just say you get damn good with it quick.

 

[Alan Gales]

I've shot a Hasselblad hand held with great results but of course I'll never knock using a tripod. Most of my best shots shooting a 35mm camera were shot off a tripod.

 

[Halford]

Interesting -- I sold my RB67 when I moved, because it had become a bit of an awkward point for me offering neither the portability of smaller formats nor the 'full big experience' I get from LF. But now I'm finding there may be space in my life for a reasonably-light MF system again, and the Hasselblad appeals -- partly because it has a reputation for being both light and reliable, and because the square format has been growing on me. (And besides, it can always be cropped to a rectangle in the darkroom). One day I might even have the money again to make a real decision about it

 

[FujiLove]

My 503 has never been anywhere near a tripod and the photos look fine to me. I'll hand-hold it down to 1/30th if I have to. Would they be sharper if I lugged a tripod everywhere? Undoubtedly. Would anyone actually notice in the final print? Probably not. Am I glad I made the shot, rather than missed it having to mess with a tripod? Definitely.

I also own a Pentax 6x7 system and I prefer the way it handles over the Hasselblad. I also prefer the cost of lenses, extension tubes, prisms etc. It's significantly easier to focus too. I have absolutely no evidence for this statement whatsoever, but to me the big Pentax seems like it would require less maintenance and I'd trust it to continue to work perfectly after being knocked about. The Hasselblad, not so much.

I keep both systems partly because the Hasselblad is easier and lighter to lug about all day, so it tends to get picked up if I'll be walking any distance, and partly because I just like it. No practical reason. I also sometimes get bored with composing square photos.

Having said all that, my modest little Rolleicord beats both systems hands-down for quality per kilo.

 

[Moopheus]

I traded my RB67 for a Hasselblad, for various reasons, but carrying the camera on my bike was an issue. I don't regret it, but I don't think you can go too far wrong with either system. The Mamiya was a lot bigger, but the lenses are first-rate. I'd keep both if I had the space and could afford it (trying to contain the sprawl of things was an issue, too!).

 

[Theo Sulphate]

Everyone with a Hasselblad owes themself the experience of trying it with an eye-level finder. For less than $100 I bought a non-metering finder that has diopter correction and magnifies the entire screen by 4x. Excellent for focusing. It also allows you to make photos of people from a more natural perspective than waist level.

That said, I like the WLF as well.

 

[FujiLove]

Everyone with a Hasselblad owes themself the experience of trying it with an eye-level finder. For less than $100 I bought a non-metering finder that has diopter correction and magnifies the entire screen by 4x. Excellent for focusing. It also allows you to make photos of people from a more natural perspective than waist level.

That said, I like the WLF as well.

I've just got hold of an ancient 45 degree prism and yes, I have to agree, feels like very different experience. Looking forward to having a play with it and my 150mm.

 

[Simon Benton]

Real men use a Fuji GX680 hand held.

 

[redrockcoulee]

Real men use a Fuji GX680 hand held.

We just got a GX680 and yes I will shoot at least once hand held, after I start trainung. It is ever so much bigger than my Hasselblad.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

"Never meet your heros."

For a long time I've admired the GX680III and even have a nice brochure. A medium format modular SLR system with generous movements seemed ideal. Alas, upon finding one I realized it was not for me. It wasn't the size or weight that discouraged me, but its electronic automation - I couldn't convince myself it was working properly and its hieroglyphic instruction sheet was no help.

 

[Richard Man]

This is handheld inside a museum, 203FE with the 50/2.8 FE, I think. The neg is somewhere in the sleeves so not sure whether it's Portra 400 or 800. This is my Dec 2016 Patreon "thank you" image. Looks great on letter size print. Has not tried printing this larger yet.

 

[cowanw]

For example, if you are shooting outdoor fashion with a strobe, a Contax 645 is probably not the right setup for you, even though it is a wonderful camera.

Why do you say this, please?

 

[frank]

Why do you say this, please?

Probably due to the Contax's focal plane shutter which limits the top speed to synchronize with flash, to balance with ambient light.

 

[cowanw]

Ah!. Thanks

 

[HiHoSilver]

'Makes me laugh. Everyone has their pet rocks. Most hold down a pc of paper very well. Each can take images way better than I can. I grudge no one their preference but I find Matt's input about ergos to be most strong. You gotta love what you use - or use it 'til you do. 'Feel right in the hand, at the eye? That's the right one. Its sometimes a guy thing to obsess on the gear. In honing razors, riding motorcycles, archery, shooting sports - doesn't matter. 'Nothing trumps the skill between your ears and in your hands. 'No camera will do more for your images than taking another 5k images with thoughtful care. No gun gadget will do more for your score than another few days/mo. at the range. No magic rock will give your razor a better edge than honing another thousand blades. And when the magic is in your hands and head - every toy you touch is better. Barring some debilitating accident, no one can take it way, make it break.

 

[Chadinko]

So many options for a MF SLR... I have never used a Hasselblad, really, just played with one briefly. Used the RB in college for a while, both in studio and handheld, and loved it. If I didn't already have a plethora of cameras I'd probably be looking to buy one, but the last thing I need is more toys. A friend of mine here just inherited one and he wants me to teach him how to use it. I'm considering saying "it's broken, give it to me as a display piece" but he's a professional photographer and I doubt he'd fall for that one. Some people are just too smart for my own good.

I love my Mamiya C220s and my 6x6 Norita 66s. The Noritas are built like tanks and have that BEAUTIFUL fast 80mm f/2 normal lens, and since they're regular SLRs they handle like regular SLRs. The 70mm f/3.5 lens with the leaf shutter in the lens is a little weird to use but it allows me to flash sync up to the full 1/500 second, whereas the normal sync speed is 1/30, and my favorite lenses are the 40mm f/4 and the 240mm f/4. I think my camera bag weighs more than my car though, it wouldn't surprise me if just sticking that bag in the back reduces my gas mileage by about 15%.