Hasselblad: film AND digital?

[BillBaileyImages]

Being 80 this coming July, carrying my kit into the woods and canyons (and seashore, etc.) has become impractical. Since giving up was not an option, I found a Thule jogging stroller to house the entire collection in a LowePro SuperTrekker. With the large wheels, shock absorbers, and actual tube tires, it does a great, non-back-breaking, job.

 

[Taylor Nankervis]

Being 80 this coming July, carrying my kit into the woods and canyons (and seashore, etc.) has become impractical. Since giving up was not an option, I found a Thule jogging stroller to house the entire collection in a LowePro SuperTrekker. With the large wheels, shock absorbers, and actual tube tires, it does a great, non-back-breaking, job.
View attachment 384224

Now aint that the creative solution!

I agree fully, never let age weary you, nor a bad back (am I not testament to that!?)

But gee, full credit for imagination and application! Convenient no doubt, but I'm not at all confident that would be easy to manoeuvre around my rav-fav dim, dark and dank rainforest haunts. I have enough trouble watching where I plant my feet (snakes, spiders, bogs, quicksand...), never mind something on wheels that could potentially stage a getaway! I might just add it to my "stocking filler" wishlist for Christmas!

 

[BillBaileyImages]

The stroller is amazingly smooth, the front wheel can be fixed in a forward path or allowed to swing freely in any direction, the hand brake actually WORKS going downhill, the brakes can be locked so your gear stays put, it has storage below and an adjustable sun roof for rain protection, and it folds easily for transport. The only issue is getting the filled (and heavy) SuperTrekker in and out of my vehicle, but once the back pack is in Rolly (I name cars, cameras, and lots of other stuff), Victor (my 501CM) and his babies are happy and ready for a walk to find the next composition. Lunch, water, and a folding chair come along for the ride. Am I happy with Rolly? Absolutely!

 

[Taylor Nankervis]

The stroller is amazingly smooth, the front wheel can be fixed in a forward path or allowed to swing freely in any direction, the hand brake actually WORKS going downhill, the brakes can be locked so your gear stays put, it has storage below and an adjustable sun roof for rain protection, and it folds easily for transport. The only issue is getting the filled (and heavy) SuperTrekker in and out of my vehicle, but once the back pack is in Rolly (I name cars, cameras, and lots of other stuff), Victor (my 501CM) and his babies are happy and ready for a walk to find the next composition. Lunch, water, and a folding chair come along for the ride. Am I happy with Rolly? Absolutely!

Sounds like fun!
Is there room for a small-ish fella (and all of his toys too!) to sit on top as we go rollin', rollin', rollin' along...?

 

[BillBaileyImages]

Wonderful idea! The stroller is rated for 75 pounds, and my kit is around 40 pounds. So, if your idea of "smallish" is 35 pounds, welcome aboard.
Or we can simply load up the stroller you get for Christmas, I can fire up Rolly, and "Bob's your uncle," as in ""We're ready to rock and roll!"
Scotland awaits.

 

[Taylor Nankervis]

Wonderful idea! The stroller is rated for 75 pounds, and my kit is around 40 pounds. So, if your idea of "smallish" is 35 pounds, welcome aboard.
Or we can simply load up the stroller you get for Christmas, I can fire up Rolly, and "Bob's your uncle," as in ""We're ready to rock and roll!"
Scotland awaits.

No deal!
Closer to 58kg, a very traditional weight for active expat Irish lad nowadays.

Scotland?
Don't forget your wet weather kit!
I'm having a look at beach buggies — somewhat bulky fold-down things with a pull-along handle. I like your repurposed contraption more; gee, your kids had a salubrious, well-controlled ride back in the day...

 

[BillBaileyImages]

The Thule jogging stroller was purchased to carry my somewhat extensive Hasselblad kit. I'm on a shoot in Northern California now, but the Nikon kit is filling in for Victor until I get back home in January. At least I CAN carry the Nikon gear F4, F5, and D800. Film forever!

 

[rulnacco]

One thing I love about my Hasselblad kit is that I can shoot it with both film AND digital--I have an ancient Sinarback 54M that I use mostly on my 553ELX and 500ELX (it works fine on the 500CM, too). I use it only in my studio, as being from 2004 it has no battery, no screen, and no memory card slot, so I have to shoot it tethered to my old MacBook Pro. And it's "only" 22 MP, but it's 22 *glorious* megapixels. When I'm shooting someone interesting, I ask them if I can also run a roll of film or two through the same camera.

Here's what it looks like:


And, if you'd like to see what it can do, here you go. That was taken with the 180mm Sonnar CFi; here's one taken with the 120mm Makro Planar (I was experimenting with how Platon does his schtick). Make sure to have a look at both in full resolution.

But yes, there's no reason not to shoot both film--including instant film, I'm looking to get a NONS back--and digital particularly with a Hasselblad, which lends itself spectacularly even today with shooting both. Have loads of fun with that CFV II 50C!

 

[Nokton48]

18x24 8x10 Norma 300 Symmar Norma Auto Iris by Nokton48, on Flickr

Here's one I shot in my studio, lighting was Broncolor Octobox 150 Primo 1600J pack. Hasselblad 25th Anniversary 500C/M, 80mm black T* Planar, Hasselblad CFV16 Digital Back at EI 100. Octobox camera left, 3x4 ft white foamcore panel just off camera right. Background painted by Artist James Bright. Subject was one of my 8x10 Sinar Norma cameras.

 

[Nokton48]

SONY DSC by Nokton48, on Flickr

My CFV16 Hasselblad Fat Digital Back 36x36cm 60mm T* Distagon 500C/M 25th Anniversary P&F 200J Ringflash with Hasselblad Adapter. I used to use this Ringflash for Fashion Photography, back in the day. LOL. Now the CFV16 Digital Back gives me instant gratification. The Flash and Norman 200B pack (two packs actually) went to new York City Flash Clinic (sadly gone SNIFF). They Hot Rodded it to the Norman pack, everything needed adjusting by them, so the flashtube didn't "sparkle" after firing. This until runs off on 12V Dry Cell Batteries, trickle charged. I've replaced the batteries several times, just solder 'em right in. This works great and is an UBER HOOT to shoot with. Many more uses for this thing up ahead. Maybe buy some more cheap batteries, they are available on Amazon.

 

[BillBaileyImages]

One thing I love about my Hasselblad kit is that I can shoot it with both film AND digital--I have an ancient Sinarback 54M that I use mostly on my 553ELX and 500ELX (it works fine on the 500CM, too). I use it only in my studio, as being from 2004 it has no battery, no screen, and no memory card slot, so I have to shoot it tethered to my old MacBook Pro. And it's "only" 22 MP, but it's 22 *glorious* megapixels. When I'm shooting someone interesting, I ask them if I can also run a roll of film or two through the same camera.

Here's what it looks like:
View attachment 384331

And, if you'd like to see what it can do, here you go. That was taken with the 180mm Sonnar CFi; here's one taken with the 120mm Makro Planar (I was experimenting with how Platon does his schtick). Make sure to have a look at both in full resolution.

But yes, there's no reason not to shoot both film--including instant film, I'm looking to get a NONS back--and digital particularly with a Hasselblad, which lends itself spectacularly even today with shooting both. Have loads of fun with that CFV II 50C!

Those images are spectacularly-sharp and crisp! Wow! Your setup reminds me of the Leaf-Aptus 12R (rotating back, 80MP) that I should NEVER have sold. Had to connect the lens to the back, and had to carry an external battery pack which would be suspended from the tripod to stabilize and hold down the kit for long exposures. The battery was THAT heavy! Images were technically wonderful, and now I'm able to work on the artistic side of my left-handed brain (controlled by the right side of the brain. Go figure ). With the CVF, the battery is internal, I have 2 card slots, and no cable will be required between lens and back. Cool, eh? Thanks for sharing. Ektar is still my favorite C41 emulsion, and processing it at home allows me to control every element in the flow to a final print or transparency (it's a hoot making a 30x40 transparency without having to make internegatives from your E6, printing on Kodak's 30x40 print film, and wet-processing it!). Ah, the memories. 🫠

 

[BillBaileyImages]

SONY DSC by Nokton48, on Flickr

My CFV16 Hasselblad Fat Digital Back 36x36cm 60mm T* Distagon 500C/M 25th Anniversary P&F 200J Ringflash with Hasselblad Adapter. I used to use this Ringflash for Fashion Photography, back in the day. LOL. Now the CFV16 Digital Back gives me instant gratification. The Flash and Norman 200B pack (two packs actually) went to new York City Flash Clinic (sadly gone SNIFF). They Hot Rodded it to the Norman pack, everything needed adjusting by them, so the flashtube didn't "sparkle" after firing. This until runs off on 12V Dry Cell Batteries, trickle charged. I've replaced the batteries several times, just solder 'em right in. This works great and is an UBER HOOT to shoot with. Many more uses for this thing up ahead. Maybe buy some more cheap batteries, they are available on Amazon.

Totally amazing! And I thought I had a large kit. You win by a long shot! I only had one (not two, yikes) 8x10 and one 4x5--both Zone VI brothers. Beautiful and creative images achieved with the right equipment at the right time. Impressive.

 

[Pieter12]

One thing I love about my Hasselblad kit is that I can shoot it with both film AND digital--I have an ancient Sinarback 54M that I use mostly on my 553ELX and 500ELX (it works fine on the 500CM, too). I use it only in my studio, as being from 2004 it has no battery, no screen, and no memory card slot, so I have to shoot it tethered to my old MacBook Pro. And it's "only" 22 MP, but it's 22 *glorious* megapixels. When I'm shooting someone interesting, I ask them if I can also run a roll of film or two through the same camera.

Here's what it looks like:
View attachment 384331

And, if you'd like to see what it can do, here you go. That was taken with the 180mm Sonnar CFi; here's one taken with the 120mm Makro Planar (I was experimenting with how Platon does his schtick). Make sure to have a look at both in full resolution.

But yes, there's no reason not to shoot both film--including instant film, I'm looking to get a NONS back--and digital particularly with a Hasselblad, which lends itself spectacularly even today with shooting both. Have loads of fun with that CFV II 50C!

Very nice examples. And quite a contrast to what follows on this thread.

 

[rulnacco]

Those images are spectacularly-sharp and crisp! Wow! Your setup reminds me of the Leaf-Aptus 12R (rotating back, 80MP) that I should NEVER have sold. Had to connect the lens to the back, and had to carry an external battery pack which would be suspended from the tripod to stabilize and hold down the kit for long exposures. The battery was THAT heavy! Images were technically wonderful, and now I'm able to work on the artistic side of my left-handed brain (controlled by the right side of the brain. Go figure ). With the CVF, the battery is internal, I have 2 card slots, and no cable will be required between lens and back. Cool, eh? Thanks for sharing. Ektar is still my favorite C41 emulsion, and processing it at home allows me to control every element in the flow to a final print or transparency (it's a hoot making a 30x40 transparency without having to make internegatives from your E6, printing on Kodak's 30x40 print film, and wet-processing it!). Ah, the memories. 🫠

Thanks! Yeah, it is pretty amazing how good the Hasselblad lenses still are--I mean, I expected them to be good, but in practically any way I could want they stack up very nicely against modern glass I'm absolutely sure.

And ouch, your previous rig must have been a pain to use! I too, like home processing--when I lived in Atlanta from 2002-05, I processed my C-41 and E-6 at home. I moved to London and a few places after and had to put my JOBO in storage for almost 20 years. But I've got it out, and I'm looking for opportunities to shoot enough of either format (I have buttloads of 120 and 220 C-41 and E-6 in the freezer I snapped up when everyone was abandoning it) in order to start running the machine again.

One question about the CVF--is my understanding correct that the back is non-rotatable, in landscape orientation? And that you have to actually flip the camera 90˚ to shoot portrait mode? If so, ouch, that'd not be the back for me I'm afraid. That's one thing I like about my old Sinarback--slide up a couple of retention tabs, rotate the back and clamp it back on, and you're ready to go!

 

[BillBaileyImages]

You are correct. The CFV (I made an error calling it a CVF in an earlier post--my bad) does not rotate. However, I shoot almost everything on a tripod, and the RRS BH-55 makes the tilting operation virtually painless.
JOBO is definitely my favorite for small-volume processing, and their CPP3 is truly outstanding. Omer, owner of CatLabs (in the Boston area) is incredibly knowledgeable about all things JOBO.

 

[Nokton48]

SONY DSC by Nokton48, on Flickr

Bought this Hasselblad Gunstock from KEH many years ago was a good deal. Later on bought this lens from Vienna, also a really great deal, Zeiss 500mm C Oberkocken. Hasselblad 500C/M 25th Anniversary Model, CFV16 Hasselblad Digital Back. Hasselblad CDS Finder, reads out in EV's, just set that on the lens. Meter calibrates to an F8 exposure. CFV top EI speed is 200, better to use 100. Should work OK in bright enough light. KEH just overhauled this lens, it's in great shape now. Started getting sticky, so I sent t it in, glad I did!

 

[John Wiegerink]

OMG! Don't take that to any Trump rally. That looks like the latest military shoulder mounted cannon. I'd paint the end of that lens and mount bright reddish orange so the COP's don't shoot you when you use it.
Really, it looks like it would stabilize that 500mm pretty well. Please take some shots and post what you think.

 

[Pieter12]

OMG! Don't take that to any Trump rally. That looks like the latest military shoulder mounted cannon. I'd paint the end of that lens and mount bright reddish orange so the COP's don't shoot you when you use it.
Really, it looks like it would stabilize that 500mm pretty well. Please take some shots and post what you think.

I wouldn't take a shotgun mike, either.

 

[Sirius Glass]

SONY DSC by Nokton48, on Flickr

Bought this Hasselblad Gunstock from KEH many years ago was a good deal. Later on bought this lens from Vienna, also a really great deal, Zeiss 500mm C Oberkocken. Hasselblad 500C/M 25th Anniversary Model, CFV16 Hasselblad Digital Back. Hasselblad CDS Finder, reads out in EV's, just set that on the lens. Meter calibrates to an F8 exposure. CFV top EI speed is 200, better to use 100. Should work OK in bright enough light. KEH just overhauled this lens, it's in great shape now. Started getting sticky, so I sent t it in, glad I did!

I found that with out the gunstock the swing weight of the camera, prism and lens too much for hand holding. I use a tripod attached to the lens.

 

[maruti660]

Hi, I think that data from digital equipment is completely different from data scanned from film. Of course, data made with digital equipment is clear because there are no ambiguous elements. I don't dislike that. On the other hand, data scanned from film contains mysterious elements. The range of adjustments is surprisingly narrow (although it is difficult to remove dust or adjust the reproduction curve). Nevertheless, I feel that it often has beautiful intermediate tones. I felt this when I compared the data I had taken with the Sony α7R2 with the data I had scanned from the negatives I had taken with 4x5 analog film. Sorry for my unfair and naive comparison. At the time, I felt that the work I made from the data obtained from the 4x5 negatives was more "expressive." But at the same time, I also felt that the Sony was more than beautiful enough for the magnification I was using.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Yes, I'm still shooting film, processing in my Jobo setup, scanning, and printing. However, will I be kicked out of the group, or looked down upon, when my CFV II 50C arrives next week?
I love this forum, and respecting everyone's predilections is truly important to me. Been shooting Hasselblad since 1966, so shooting film AND digital (Nikon) is natural--best equipment to capture images.

I'm convinced that most people on Photrio at least dabble a little bit in digital and film shooting. You will fit right in. Photrio is for film, digital and hybrid, as far as I understand. Good luck with your digital Hasselblad, and don't forget to report;looking forward to your images.