hasselblad=desireable?

BWGirl · Apr 4, 2006

Curt said:
Square is for those who can't decide or don't want to. Perfect for the indecisive or undecided. It's just plain square.

Hasselblad=square

Actually... you really have to think MORE to frame up something nicely in a square format. There are people who try, and never quite "get it".

As for the ridiculous idea that having a Hassy will get you more women... I hate to tell you this, uber-geeks, but if you don't have 'em now, NO camera will get 'em for you. <geesh>...boys. :rolleyes:

gr82bart · Apr 4, 2006

Stunning model to uber-geek photographer in sultry voice: "Are you glad to photograph me or do you have a Hassey?"

Art.

esanford · Apr 4, 2006

Oh I can vouch for it getting you chicks. I was photographing in a park in the dead of winter and this sexy 70 year old chick came along and really showed a lot of interest when she saw me and my 20 year old 500 C/M... she actually knew what it was....

JosBurke · Apr 5, 2006

""Heck, when I was shooting my blad, the first girl I encountered looked at it and asked "What kind of video camera is that?"
This same situation has happened to me at least three times------But why is it that I feel like a dumda** and just let it go ?? I don't even bother to try to tell her/them the difference !!

Two years ago the morning following some serious tornado damage in a nearby community I loaded my 501 on a tripod and headed out----nice to see neighbor helping neighbor but I was twice asked what news channel I was with---my Hassy is not THAT big !! I did get some terrific images !!

edz · Apr 6, 2006

Andy K said:
Well the warning signs are remarkably Hassy-like, but the cameras themselves are more akin to a TLR.

http://www.robot.de/english/traffiphot_s.php

Marco Gilardetti · Apr 6, 2006

Isn't it funny how people invent all kind of reasons to rationally justify their purchase?

Come on folks, a Hasselblad MAY PERHAPS be a little better built than - say - a Bronica, but absolutely not enough to justify the fact that Bronicas today are being sold for coins.

The Zeiss lenses thing? Let's be serious. They are indeed tremendous lenses, but who can say their name justifies the different price they reach, compared to - say - Mamiya's "just-as-good" if not even "better" ones being sold for a pair of bucks?

There is no rational reason, if you ask me. Hasselblads are just beautiful cameras with an amazingly long tradition, and are an object of desire for a lot of photographers. As much as Leicas. Enough said.

I don't like Hasselblads expecially, but I reckon them as a part of history of photography, and I highly regard Victor Hasselblad for the development work he made, which had reflections on cameras of all brands.

Nicole (and others, me included) could take exactly the same photographs - good or bad they may be - by using a Mamiya C330, or any other high class square format camera. Some just prefer the idea of having a Hasselblad in their hand. That's all.

Soeren · Apr 6, 2006

Marco Gilardetti said:
Isn't it funny how people invent all kind of reasons to rationally justify their purchase?

Come on folks, a Hasselblad MAY PERHAPS be a little better built than - say - a Bronica, but absolutely not enough to justify the fact that Bronicas today are being sold for coins.

The Zeiss lenses thing? Let's be serious. They are indeed tremendous lenses, but who can say their name justifies the different price they reach, compared to - say - Mamiya's "just-as-good" if not even "better" ones being sold for a pair of bucks?

There is no rational reason, if you ask me. Hasselblads are just beautiful cameras with an amazingly long tradition, and are an object of desire for a lot of photographers. As much as Leicas. Enough said.

I don't like Hasselblads expecially, but I reckon them as a part of history of photography, and I highly regard Victor Hasselblad for the development work he made, which had reflections on cameras of all brands.

Nicole (and others, me included) could take exactly the same photographs - good or bad they may be - by using a Mamiya C330, or any other high class square format camera. Some just prefer the idea of having a Hasselblad in their hand. That's all.

I must admit that I would like to have a Hasselblad, it could be fun, Hmm a Hasselblad.
I'd like one but not much more than a Bronica. The price difference quickly makes the final decision and we havn't talked additonal lenses yet.

It's in the name, Hasselblad = profesional Quality. The firm has established itself as such and at first I believe the cameras was really rugged, finetuned, handcrafted pieces of "art". In the beginning the lenses was uniqe in quality and perhaps they still are but I think it's the legend, the name that sels the cameras at such a high price. You don't just buy a 6X6 camera you buy a Hasselblad.
It's kind of a magic bullet to many photographers. As Marco states you can make equally good images with a Mamiya or a Bronica.
It's been said somewhere that the Zeiss lenses are better than the Pentax 67 lenses but not much. In fact the bigger 6X7 negs should make up for that difference. I should state here that it is something I read on some website and I don't remembe which. The point is there may be a difference between different brands but are you able to recognice it on the finished print.
Cheers Søren

arigram · Apr 6, 2006

I can't think of a better reason to sell your soul though than getting a Hasselblad for the deal...hmmm...maybe eternal youth? riches? a life of orgies? naaah!

gnashings · Apr 6, 2006

BWGirl said:
As for the ridiculous idea that having a Hassy will get you more women... I hate to tell you this, uber-geeks, but if you don't have 'em now, NO camera will get 'em for you. <geesh>...boys. :rolleyes:

Hehehehhee - that is VERY true, BUT: if everyone cought on to that idea, marketiing as we know it would collapse entirely.

And by the way, I had a good laugh at your signature - but I will have you know that Ansel was a very accomplished musician! Of course, I think his instrument of choice was a piano As to Jimmy Page, well, I don't know of he ever took a photo in his life, but I am sure he sued enough people over ones taken of him! Pompous prick... but he sure could play when he was not showing off...

Off topic, sorry. What's with the Hasselblad Inquiry anyhow? Last time I checked they were expensive and desireable for a long time - I wonder what the sudden interest is all about?

rgacpa · Apr 7, 2006

hotami said:
Hey guys, this is probably a dumb question but i was wondering what makes the hasselblad's so desireable. I know that they shoot 120 mm film and all but what makes them so great? Our TA demoed one in class the other day and I'll have to admit they are pretty neat. However, they do seem pretty pricey for what they are (2,000 used). I was just curious why people seem to like them so much.
Thanks
andrew

Well, there are several reasons in my mind;
1. Larger format than 35mm, but still pretty portable.
2. Arguably some of the finest optics in the world.
3. Modular; tons of flexibility including using your H lenses on a H Flexbody that gives you rear tilt and shift and bellows, fully automated metering (with the 200 series), various backs (including masks for 6x4.5, 120 and 220, polariod).
4. Arguably some of the finest engineering in the world, should last
5. Can upgrade to digital backs if you're Bill Gates.
I love my system and prices are close to rock bottom right now (certainly not 2000 used!).
Good luck!
Bob
6.

waynecrider · Apr 7, 2006

Anything can be desireable depending on your frame of mind.

I was always interested in Hasselblad's thruout my life, due to the amount of people talking about them and the articles I've read over time. When I finally was able to purchase an outfit, and after my first foray out with it, the allure disappeared. They are just another system no better, no worse, and there are plenty of people doing great work with other brands. For the going rate on accessories and lenses (still) you would be better off buying something different and using the savings to travel and shoot. The temptation is there tho because pricing is down, so if you really have the bug, buy a simple outfit and give it a spin.

timeUnit · Apr 10, 2006

Helen B said:
And Andy, I'll have you know that I can recognise a Hasselblad. They are rather boxy and painted grey or yellow.

LOL!!

*dries tears of laughter from eyes*

Richard Kelham · Apr 10, 2006

waynecrider said:
Anything can be desireable depending on your frame of mind.

For the going rate on accessories and lenses (still) you would be better off buying something different and using the savings to travel and shoot.

Part of the reason they are desirable is the relatively good resale value!

When I was earning my crust taking snaps I was glad to have a Hasselblad outfit to use it's well built, versatile and easy to use. Oh yes, and bloody expensive.

Richard

Richard Kelham · Apr 11, 2006

Richard Kelham said:
When I was earning my crust taking snaps I was glad to have a Hasselblad outfit to use it's well built, versatile and easy to use.

Just thought of another reason: the Hasselblad is probably the only camera most Art Directors could actually recognise, meaning they wouldn't take you seriously (and certainly would not pay your suitably large invoice) if you didn't have at least one Hassel slung around your neck.

Didn't do much for your posture though....

Richard

genecrumpler · Apr 15, 2006

Hasselblad

I lusted after a hassie for many years and finally got one(used). My first thought is I could have saved a lot of money on a lot of other cameras and made better images if I had bought one in the early 70's. Of course, at that time they cost about 2 months salary, and I had 3 kids and a stay-at-home wife. Use to try and get the pay check in the bank, before the grocery check bounced!

People seem to love them or hate them. It is my personal favorite and is always with me when I travel. they are relatively expensive, but I have put a lot more money into at least one other MF system.

You really have to use one for a while to understand why they are so neat.
Now days, I could buy out Hasselblads US inventory(but not the p45 backs)! But instead, I'm into collecting Rolex watches and paying outrageous amounts of taxes these days!

hasselblad=desireable?

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