• Welcome to Photrio!
    Registration is fast and free. Join today to unlock search, see fewer ads, and access all forum features.
    Click here to sign up

Want to Buy Hasselblad 500cm, Pentax 67, or Mamiya 7

Trader history for mporter012 (1)

mporter012

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Nov 25, 2012
Messages
383
Location
Fort Collins, Colorado
Format
Analog
I'm fixing to move into medium format. Looking at any and all of the systems in the title, with a lens or 2. Let me know what ya got!
 
Hasselblad. Why would you look at anything else? Parts, services and lenses are all readily available. I have the Hasselblad 503CX with the 50mm, 80mm, 100mm, 150mm, 250mm and the 500mm lenses. I also have the Hasselblad 903 SWC. If you buy CF or later lenses, one set of B60 filters will fit almost all the lenses. The prices now for Hasselblad is less than I paid for them. It is my go to cameras for anything that I want to take serious photographs.
 
While I do agree that Hasselblad is wonderful, and I have one and a couple lenses, there are many other interesting and less expensive alternatives. I have a very complete Bronica EC-TL system that uses in camera metering for aperture priority auto exposure and the lenses, both Nikkor and Zenzanon, are superb. The entire system with about 6 lenses, 3 finders, and 3 backs is about the same value as a Hasselblad with one lens and back. (503cx) PM will be sent to OP.
 

the pentax or mamiya 7. why would you even consider a hasselblad?
 
are you interested in a rolleiflex sl66 system with 3 lenses just overhauled with warranty?
 
Interested in a Rollei 6003SRC1000 with a 80/2.8 PQS Zeiss Planar? It's a tremendous camera but virtually unknown compared to the Hasselblads.
 
The handling is so different between those three, you'll need to try them for yourself.

With Hasselblad you'll have an excellent lens selection plus flexibility in finders and the use of multiple backs. Don't discount the value of being able to have multiple backs with you - either for using different film or for different contrast situations.
 
I am currently using a 203FE with 50, 80, 150 FE lens and it's a great system. With the meter, I can actually use it as a walkaround "snapshot" camera, and of course on a tripod, the image quality is exceedingly high.

I had used a Mamiya 7 II with the full set of lens for over a year a few years ago. The lens, despite what others may say on this thread, is par excellence. I also photograph with 4x5 and the Mamiya 7 images are about as close to 4x5 as you can get, and sharper and more contrast than the Hassy lens. Not that the Hassy lens are slouch, but the Mamiya system is just a bit better.

However, in the end, I prefer the flexibility and precise framing of the SLR.

Do make sure that you like rangefinder photography. I also shoot with Leica M and XPan, so I do love RF focusing, but it's not for everyone.
 
If you are "fixing" to move into medium format you are obviously not from Chicago but rather someplace in the south, not that that has anything to do with the price of tea in China. Shucks, when I was fixing to do the same I tried an inexpensive TLR to get a little feel for square format medium format and then went ahead a bought a Hasselblad. No regrets.
 
If you are "fixing" to move into medium format you are obviously not from Chicago
I lived in Chicago when I first subscribed to APUG - though no longer. I just updated my account. Chicago had its perks, but I'm a nature boy, so I had to get back to where the red fern grows.
 
If you are interested I have a 500CM (Chrome) overhauled by Dave Odess, 80mm Planar (overhauled and springs replaced by Dave Odess), 150mm Sonnar, 2 A-12 Backs (matching SN), Metered Prism Finder, Waist-level Finder, Grip, Tripod QR, B&W Polarizer, several Hassy filters (B-50), complete list/photos will be provided if you are interested, Note: Metered Finder (45 degree) is matched to standard viewing screen which the camera is equipped with. All equipment is in excellent condition and properly functioning. Priced at $1250 plus shipping & insurance. Reason of sale - at 74, despite cataract surgery, I don't see well enough to photograph anymore.
Joel Edmondson
 
I've got a Hasselblad 503CX up for sale if you're interested.
 
Why not Bronica SQ system? Cheap but sharp lenses with Seiko internal shutter.
 
Not familiar with Mamiya, but looked at the Pentax 67 when it came out and decided I didn’t want to lug such a heavy beast around. Settled on Hassy F, mainly because of ergonomic design and variety of lenses available. Shutter died just as 2000 FCM came on market and, with adapters, could use many of my old lenses. Sometime later added a Rolleiflex 2.8F for something even more compact. With arrival of digital able to acquire Hasselblad cm and c lenses. 2000fcm still going. Its advantage is ability to use Zeiss, Nikon,Kilfit and Leica (yes, many of them cover 66) lenses. Got Super Ikonta B as a kind of almost pocketable mf Camera. My latest is the Fuji 67 folder...somewhat annoying to use because its electronic leaf shutter so quiet I am never sure Camera is working.
If I were the OP, I would read all of theses threads and try to get handle all of the cameras before making a decision. All of the cameras mentioned were made because people used them.
 

You have made wise decisions by buying a Hasselblad. The digital revolution has also allowed me to buy cameras that in the past I could only dream about.
 
I'm fixing to move into medium format. Looking at any and all of the systems in the title, with a lens or 2. Let me know what ya got!

These are such dramatically different systems that it makes me wonder if you've really thought things through here. You first need to really consider what kinds of photos you want to take, how you take them, and what you want to accomplish. First question is will you always be using a tripod? If not, rule out the Pentax 67. It's a beast! The Mamamiya would be the best choice if not using a tripod. The Hassleblad is in between (although bulky.) Next question is are you thinking of using this as a studio camera or a travel camera, or what? For studio the Pentax and Hassleblad work well, for travel the Mommy 7. Are you mostly shooting people or landscapes? For people, the Hassleblad. For landscapes, the Pentax. How many lenses are you thinking of buying, and again what will you be shooting with them? Will you be using flash sync? Sync on Pentax is 1/30s (I think), on Hassy it's 1/500s with leaf lenses. Do you need a built in meter or are you planning on using a handheld meter? You really need to put more thought into this before spending big money.


Kent in SD
 
First question is will you always be using a tripod? If not, rule out the Pentax 67. It's a beast!

Woo-hoo!
I love Tripods.
Beasts.
Landscapes.
And the Pentax 67. Which will deliver in aces and spaces if you tripod-mount and have a refined technique in eliminating its dreaded mirror slap and shutter inertia.
Don't ever airily dismiss the quality of P67 lenses. Especially the veteran 45mm, 55mm and the stellar 75mm f2.8AL.

Flash sync on the Pentax 67 is 1/30 or lower (std lenses/flashes).
Up to 1/500 with any SMC Pentax 67 leaf shutter lens (90mm, 165mm), Tv set to 1/8 on the camera, and 1/xxx on the LS-engaged lens.

That last sentence holds very, very true: this move up to MF requires a lot of very careful thought rather than a blind jump of enthusiasm. They are all great systems but all will have a learning curve waiting and will not deliver the best results without a solid grounding of experience.
 
The good thing is that most all medium format gear can be had for pennies on the dollar compared to original prices back in the 90s or whenever. I could never afford this stuff back in that day, but now it's a wealth of choices, and almost all ridiculously cheap.