Hasselblad CF 250mm and CF 250mm Superachromat

andrewkirkby · Jun 7, 2010

As per thread title.

Instead of buying a large format camera this year, i'm going to expand my Hasselblad system so i can take it to Nepal with me at the end of the year.

I've got 80mm and 150mm lenses at this point and i need a longer tele and wide.

I've decided to get a 50mm CF FLE for the wide but i have been puzzled with the 250mm lenses.

I know what the technical differences are between the non SA and SA lenses but in terms of the picture output - i can't find anything.

Has anyone here used both and can provide some examples?

I know the big guns of colour photography (Christopher Burkett et al.) use the SA lenses but is there such a massive difference between the lenses that equates to a 400% increase in price?

I know this is an opinion-seeking article but i am curious to know.

I'd be happy to rent both to try them out, but alas - nobody seems to have the elusive superachromat.

Q.G. · Jun 7, 2010

andrewkirkby said:
I know the big guns of colour photography (Christopher Burkett et al.) use the SA lenses but is there such a massive difference between the lenses that equates to a 400% increase in price?

Quite simply: no.

You will need to be very careful how you set up the camera, focus and expose, use a good film too, else you may not even be able to see any difference at all.

If you do, the difference is certainly visible. But it's not 400% better.

Slixtiesix · Jun 7, 2010

The 180/4 is a also a stunning lens from what I have seen - much better than the 250mm. It might still be very good if combined with a converter.
Why not buying the 180/4 instead of a 250mm? It would be the ideal compromise between the 150 and the 250 focal lenght and you will save on weight too, which I think is not unimportant if you´re planning a trip to Nepal.

andrewkirkby · Jun 7, 2010

I would prefer a slightly longer tele length. 180mm does not provide that much of a difference to the 150mm i already have. As i understand it, the 180mm lens is a better lens than the 150mm although i have not used the 180mm.

What i have noticed is that the 150mm lens far exceeds anything else i own in 35mm.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/backindauk/4565341614/

I think "If you do, the difference is certainly visible. But it's not 400% better."

The answer is right there.

For the same money i can get a 40mm CF Disagon, 250mm 5.6 and probably 350mm as well.

photobum · Jun 8, 2010

Yeah, the 180 is a "better" lens than the 150 if you photograph Air Force test targets. I don't. I have a 50-80-150 kit now and at one time also had the 350mm and a 2X Mutar. To save weight and money don't discount the idea of bringing a 2X Mutar instead of the 250.

Only the test target and a microscope could tell the difference.

df cardwell · Jun 8, 2010

The plain vanilla 250 is an excellent lens, and grossly undervalued today.
Add a Mutar, and quit.

If you are doing VERY special work, the SA will demonstrate its advantage. But you won't come near to exceeding the Sonnar's potential.
Have a great time.

brucemuir · Jun 8, 2010

I can attest to the quality of the plain ole vanilla 250 Sonnar.

I was lucky enough to get a black T* version recently and preliminary results are stellar.

I've never shot the SA version but you could do way worse than the Sonnar. Here in the US they are stupid cheap as DF mentions.

Be aware it is a beast and be ready to shot at one shutter speed (1/500) if you shot handheld.

df cardwell · Jun 8, 2010

I guess this is a good representative image from an old Hassie 250 Sonnar, c.1960.

It looks pretty good on the wall.

Mark Layne · Jun 8, 2010

df cardwell said:
I guess this is a good representative image an old Hassie 250 Sonnar, c.1960.

It looks pretty good on the wall.

It does indeed look good on the wall. Despites Ansel's saying it was on Panatomic X, Alan Ross says the negative is clearly marked R17

What plans for CB this summer
Mark

df cardwell · Jun 8, 2010

Mark: PM on the way.

mesh · Jun 8, 2010

Standard 250 CF's are going pretty cheap nowadays... see them for about $A800 fairly regularly. I see there's an SA on ebay for $US 6000... so more like 8 times the price! Yikes. Glad to hear there's not THAT much difference. I don't like the blue line either ;-)

andrewkirkby · Jun 9, 2010

Well, i am now on the hunt for a 250mm and 50mm CF FLE.

Thanks everyone for your input.

jreitsma · Jun 26, 2010

Hassy 250mm

Andrew;

I'd go with the 250mm Sonnar. I've had one for about three or four years now and I really like it (very, very sharp). I bought mine off Adorama for about $250.00 which, in my estimation, was almost like stealing (it came in the original plastic case with front and rear caps......quite a find!!!).

Anyway, I'd check a variety of vendors and see where you can get the best price....(one thing to be aware of, though--parts for these lenses are becomming rather difficult to find.....but, it's still a joy to own and shoot with one while they're still around).

Later-Joe

Q.G. · Jun 26, 2010

jreitsma said:
[...] Anyway, I'd check a variety of vendors and see where you can get the best price....(one thing to be aware of, though--parts for these lenses are becomming rather difficult to find.....but, it's still a joy to own and shoot with one while they're still around).

Depends on what version you get.
Some parts for the C lens may be getting harder to find.
There are not such worries regarding the CF and CFi versions.

LarsHennings · Jun 27, 2010

Hi, I like the C 250 but Hasselblad will not repair them since some years for they have not all the parts any longer.

Gruß
lars

Sirius Glass · Jun 27, 2010

LarsHennings said:
Hi, I like the C 250 but Hasselblad will not repair them since some years for they have not all the parts any longer.

Gruß
lars

This is why I recommend the CF lenses. There are a few intrepid people with spare parts, or substitute CF parts when able, who will repair C lenses. C lenses do look cool [kewl], but they are not as easy to handle as the CF lenses. And they use those nasty B-50 filters; who wants to buy a set of B-60 filters and then a set of B-50 filters to look kewl [cool]?:confused:

Steve

skahde · Jun 28, 2010

Steve,

if you think you can talk us into selling our C-lenses out of worry about service and spares, driving prices down and getting even better bargains, don't hold your breath for it.

best

Stefan

Sirius Glass · Jun 28, 2010

skahde said:
Steve,

if you think you can talk us into selling our C-lenses out of worry about service and spares, driving prices down and getting even better bargains, don't hold your breath for it.

best

Stefan

If you are happy with them great. If someone is new to Hasselblad, I point them to CF lenses. If someone is experienced with Hasselblads and they like C lenses, I say more power to them. I do think that the chrome lenses do look kewl [cool].

Steve

Hasselblad CF 250mm and CF 250mm Superachromat

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