Hasselblad 501CM or Bronica ETRSi?

lxdude · Mar 14, 2011

CGW said:
You really do need to decide which format works best for you. After that, some realistic thinking about what you can afford is necessary. Frankly, don't fall into thinking that nothing is worthwhile unless you shoot Hasselblad--they're good but not that good to skip anything else. I'd also take issue with the view that Bronica products--whether 645 or 6x6--are subpar, fragile, plasticky crap; if so, they've miraculously delivered great results for me.Just make sure you get the newest and/or lowest mileage used gear you can find. Whatever the brand or price, heavily-used gear can be at or near the end of its service life and require repairs that quickly kill any illusion of a bargain. Get the best you can afford and start shooting.That's what matters most.

Ditto. I got mine to see what I thought of medium format-if it was for me. So I spent about 140 bucks for a fairly well-used ETR-Si with a 120 back and 75mm/2.8 E-II lens. I have a lot more stuff now, still fun, I'm still happy. Nothing against Hasselblad, of course; the bodies are fairly inexpensive, but most lenses are kinda up there. For not much money, I've been able to figure out what focal lengths I prefer, and use most accessories. I know the best costs more, (just ask any Leicaphile) but in this case damn good is damn cheap, compared.

André E.C. · Mar 14, 2011

CGW said:
...nothing is worthwhile unless you shoot Hasselblad...

There you have!

Have fun!

Marvin · Mar 14, 2011

I have used the Bronica ETRSi system for many years and never had any problems. I bought my cameras new in the 90s when they were over a thousand dollars and have added to my system over the years. If you are going to use it hand held then the speed grip is nice. I like the 15 exposure as it stretches your film dollars. I think the Bronica systems are a bargain, just wish they were still around.

Marco B · Mar 14, 2011

vpwphoto said:
I have used both.. The Bronica stuff is very fragile. The Hasselblad is the stuff of Legend. There are a half dozen of them still on the moon.

Comforting to know "The man on the moon" isn't shooting digital when he faces us with his camera for what probably is his sole hobby

"Le voyage dans la lune" (1902)

[video=youtube;BisS5JxeUW0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BisS5JxeUW0[/video]

cooltouch · Mar 14, 2011

lxdude said:
Ditto. I got mine to see what I thought of medium format-if it was for me. So I spent about 140 bucks for a fairly well-used ETR-Si with a 120 back and 75mm/2.8 E-II lens. I have a lot more stuff now, still fun, I'm still happy. Nothing against Hasselblad, of course; the bodies are fairly inexpensive, but most lenses are kinda up there. For not much money, I've been able to figure out what focal lengths I prefer, and use most accessories. I know the best costs more, (just ask any Leicaphile) but in this case damn good is damn cheap, compared.

I was sort of in a similar position as lxdude. I'd owned an old Bronica EC-TL outfit years ago -- square format -- and was getting the itch to get another outfit, preferably another square format one. While I was shopping around looking for one I could afford, I ran into a great deal on an ETR-Si outfit: body, 120 and 220 backs, prism finder, 75/2.8 lens. Paid about $130 for it. I've since added a Grip E, another 120 back, and a 150mm to the outfit.

You know what, though, I was still jonesin' for a square-format camera, so I bought a Yashica Mat. So now I have both. I like the Bronica for the ease of use it offers, especially with the Grip E, and so far the photos I've gotten with it have been excellent. But I've also really been enjoying shooting with my Yashica. It has a superb lens, and there's just something about square format that I like.

TareqPhoto · Mar 14, 2011

Oh, i changed my my mind, don't buy Hasselblad, because it will destroy

TareqPhoto · Mar 14, 2011

Your financial budget easily.

c.w. · Mar 15, 2011

The price difference at first isn't terribly much, it's everything other than the basic setup that makes the Bronica's price lower. You can get a 40mm f4 for $200 USD compared to between $700 and $1200. You can find backs for the Bronica for under $50 regularly.

I thought a lot about this before i eventually got a deal too good to pass on a ETRSi. After having it for a while, i have to say that i don't feel i'm missing enough to care. Yes, the 'Blad is probably a better built machine, has nicer lenses, bla bla whatever. My Bronicas are not fragile things, they've got good lenses, and they didn't break the bank. I think a lot of people take the Si version's construction as being cheap because of the plastic. I have both it, and an earlier version metal, and i grab the Si every time. The Bronica is good enough that i just don't care if the 'blad is that much better.

Sirius Glass · Mar 15, 2011

I inherited my father's C330 with lenses and every conceivable devise for it. I did not like it as a teenager. I sent it for a CLA and shoot about 20 rolls. It was not for me; too much fiddle factor because the design was not egomatic. I traded it for a Hasselblad. I have never looked back. That does not mean that the 330 is not good; it was just not for me. The best thing you can do is handle both cameras and see what is best for you, not for someone else.

Steve

lxdude · Mar 15, 2011

Sirius Glass said:
I inherited my father's C330 with lenses and every conceivable devise for it. I did not like it as a teenager. I sent it for a CLA and shoot about 20 rolls. It was not for me; too much fiddle factor because the design was not egomatic. I traded it for a Hasselblad. I have never looked back. That does not mean that the 330 is not good; it was just not for me. The best thing you can do is handle both cameras and see what is best for you, not for someone else.

Steve

Well put, Steve.

Uh, except maybe the egomatic part. :confused: Ergonomic?

tkamiya · Mar 15, 2011

Really? We are not going to TELL HIM what he should have, then argue who's right? Really??

lxdude · Mar 16, 2011

Depends how egomatic we're feeling.

PentaxBronica · Mar 16, 2011

The obvious solution:

Find a good, sensibly priced ETRSi and buy it. Use it for a while, if you still think you'd rather have the Hasselblad you can sell it for at least what you paid for it.

Sirius Glass · Mar 16, 2011

lxdude said:
Well put, Steve.

Uh, except maybe the egomatic part. :confused: Ergonomic?

Yeah. Good thing that the Quite Ghastly Quarrelsome Gnome is no long with us!

Steve

lxdude · Mar 17, 2011

Yeah, he was always running on egomatic.

viktormadarasz · Mar 27, 2011

PentaxBronica said:
The obvious solution:

Find a good, sensibly priced ETRSi and buy it. Use it for a while, if you still think you'd rather have the Hasselblad you can sell it for at least what you paid for it.

I am impressed, thank you for all.

Well after all the research i will go for the Hasselblad

Its quiet reasonably priced over ebay etc

The thing is i will need a decent epson or canon scanner to bring the analoge beauty to my computer and be able to share with the world
(Epson 700 or v750, or Canon 9000 series)

thank you for all helping me out with this

Viktor

swittmann · Mar 27, 2011

Viktor, also consider a V500. Safes you a few bucks for film and still does a fine job, IMHO.

- Sandra

Sirius Glass · Mar 27, 2011

viktormadarasz said:
I am impressed, thank you for all.

Well after all the research i will go for the Hasselblad

Its quiet reasonably priced over ebay etc

The thing is i will need a decent epson or canon scanner to bring the analoge beauty to my computer and be able to share with the world
(Epson 700 or v750, or Canon 9000 series)

thank you for all helping me out with this

Viktor

Viktor, you are a wise man, but your money would be better spent at KEH.com where the prices are lower and the return policy is better.

Steve

brucemuir · Mar 27, 2011

Im using an alternative to the Nikon Coolscan 8000/9000 that have become obscenely priced recently.
I picked up a Microtek 120tf and results are very good. I paid around 4 bills usd but they have gone up it seems to around 6-800.00

If you go flatbed you may be disappointed and need at least a better holder than is provided stock.

TareqPhoto · Mar 28, 2011

I bought my Hasselblad 501Cm from KEH.com, then i bought a NEW film magazine from USA online store[Pictureline] then i bought lenses from KEH.com and B&H again, the only pricey piece with all those was the film back because i bought it new, but i never regret it and happy, at least to have something new there at least.

I second agree Steve to look at KEH.com for Hasselblad as a kit, the price are so reasonable that i feel i want to buy another Hasselblad.

Sirius Glass · Mar 28, 2011

TareqPhoto said:
I second agree Steve to look at KEH.com for Hasselblad as a kit, the price are so reasonable that i feel i want to buy another Hasselblad.

I did! I have a Hasselblad 503 CX and Hasselblad 903 SWC!

Steve

cooltouch · Mar 29, 2011

Yeah, I too agree about KEH. Their BGN stuff is usually pretty clean and priced so low it's hard to resist.

As for a scanner, don't overlook used. The 4990 is the scanner that was the predecessor to the V7xx series. I bought mine used a couple years ago for $200. It does a fine job with medium format scans, and a decent job with 35mm. It can also do 4x5, and although I've not scanned any 4x5s with mine yet, I've seen some prints of 4x5 scans done by a friend and they were very nice.

Hasselblad 501CM or Bronica ETRSi?

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