HI folks,
I have a Hasselblad system running and I do have the Holy Trinity lenses (50-80-150) plus a few others (180 and 250, plus a 38mm-SWC/M). I started out with the 50 and 80 and then expanded from there when I saw bargains...
Anyway, I got the 180 about 6 months ago far a few reasons and clearly there isn't a huge focal length difference between it and the 150, but it does cause me to think a bit more about what lenses I'd prefer and the spacing of the optice for good coverage.
When I got into the Hasselblad, I chose focal lengths that matched what I had used in the past, which was the Mamiya 6 system, so I chose the 50-80-(75 in the Mamiya)-150 because that is what I was familiar with. However, in the Hasselblad, there are many more lens options and I can't help think that it might have been premature to go that route. (And before you go there, I'm not trying to justify purchasing more gear; I already can't carry all this crap around with me in a single bag and I'd never want to have to deal with the weight of it!).
I see a few considerations... I have the SWC-M (38mm) so the spacing of that to the next lens up feels a bit close to me. That is possibly a push towards the 60mm, and that then means the 80mm is probably too close, which pushes towards the 100mm and then the 180mm.
However, some of those lenses are larger than the step down focal length (the 100 is larger than the 80, and the 180 is larger than the 150). Individually, that isn't a huge issue, but when combined, it is a factor in bulk and weight of about a pound and a bit of bulk (the 180 is a lot heavier than the 150).
One other factor is the lens performance... supposedly, the 100 and 180 and two of the best that Zeiss ever produced. The 60 is supposedly better than the 50 (and even, I think, the 50 FLE, which is what I have). I'm not an uber-sharpness person, but all things created equal, I'd go with a sharper lens for this system.
I'm basically trying to think through a 3-lens system (well, 4, I guess, including the SWC/M) for "lighter" overseas travel and just need some feedback on what may make the most sense.
Most immediately, I will be going to France (focus on Paris and Normandy probably) and I will be shooting lots of architectural subject matter with the film gear. A lot of the more tourist shots will be done with digital. Not having been in Paris before, I don't know what focal length is likely to be the most used, but it could easily be the 80 or 100. I tend to be more of a detail-focused photographer for architecture, but the tight quarters for shooting will likely push towards wider focal lengths and, of course, there is also the need to "capture it all" at times, so the wider lens and the SWC/M will be useful, maybe a lot.
I'm looking for opinions on lens choice for this kit... or maybe a hybrid of the two (50-60-180 maybe...) for a 3-lens kit focused mostly on architecture and travel subject matters (but not tourist topics).
I think I have owned or borrowed all Hasselblad lenses at one point or another. Currently I own the CFI versions of 50, 60, 100, 150, 180 and 250. Out of these my 3-lens kit would be, sorted by popularity:
In terms of frequency of use, I just looked it up in my database, grouped by the last 3 years:
- The 60mm. Hands down the best lens in the lineup. This is my favorite FOV, it is compact and sharp at all apertures. The 60mm is my normal lens on a 6x6 camera, I find it more versatile than the 80mm.
- The 100mm. My second favorite. Most of the time I just take these two lenses in a small shoulder bag when I travel. Optically it's absolutely perfect. This is the lens for waist level portraits or landscapes without a strong foreground.
- The 150mm. The head & shoulders portraits and slightly compressed landscapes. I am repeating myself here, but I also find this lens to be optically perfect.
Interesting... I am surprised that I have more keepers from the 100mm, but I am pretty sure I use the 60mm far more often. There must be an outlier photoshoot which boosted the 100mm stats...
- 60mm: 258 images (39%)
- 100mm: 278 (42%)
- 150mm: 126 (19%)
Other lenses:
- The 50mm feels significantly wider than the 60mm. I have a complex relationship with wide angle. I have to get in the mood, be extremely intentional and focused. When I use this lens I tend to leave others at home and have a particular subject+location in mind, almost like shooting large format.
- The 180mm is slightly longer than the 150mm but far bigger. Never found a reason to carry around extra weight and bulk. People say it's sharper but I never noticed the difference.
- The 250mm exceeds my skill level. When I shoot with lenses this long, my subjects tend to be action/sports where autofocus is required, for which I have a Canon EOS system. I keep practicing anyway, trying to use this Zeiss for landscapes or occasional portraits and keep failing.
- The 80mm isn't as versatile as 60mm. Besides, when a single 80mm lens suffices, I have a Rolleiflex for that.
- The 120mm is awesome for an occasional closeup, but it happens so rarely that I opted for 100/150mm lenses with an extension tube.
- The 40mm, 38mm and 350mm FOVs are firmly above my skill level.
People always say the 100mm Planar and the 180mm Sonnar are the sharpest in the lineup. I primarily shoot ISO 400 films, I do not own a drum scanner, and frankly all Zeiss lenses look equally sharp to me. If I was forced to critique them, I would say that their coatings aren't up to modern standards (occasionally a hood will be helpful) and the 5-blade diaphragm occasionally will produce pentagon-shaped ghosts. Otherwise, they're perfect.
Anyway... 60-100-150 would be my advice.
I think I have owned or borrowed all Hasselblad lenses at one point or another. Currently I own the CFI versions of 50, 60, 100, 150, 180 and 250. Out of these my 3-lens kit would be, sorted by popularity:
In terms of frequency of use, I just looked it up in my database, grouped by the last 3 years:
- The 60mm. Hands down the best lens in the lineup. This is my favorite FOV, it is compact and sharp at all apertures. The 60mm is my normal lens on a 6x6 camera, I find it more versatile than the 80mm.
- The 100mm. My second favorite. Most of the time I just take these two lenses in a small shoulder bag when I travel. Optically it's absolutely perfect. This is the lens for waist level portraits or landscapes without a strong foreground.
- The 150mm. The head & shoulders portraits and slightly compressed landscapes. I am repeating myself here, but I also find this lens to be optically perfect.
Interesting... I am surprised that I have more keepers from the 100mm, but I am pretty sure I use the 60mm far more often. There must be an outlier photoshoot which boosted the 100mm stats...
- 60mm: 258 images (39%)
- 100mm: 278 (42%)
- 150mm: 126 (19%)
Other lenses:
- The 50mm feels significantly wider than the 60mm. I have a complex relationship with wide angle. I have to get in the mood, be extremely intentional and focused. When I use this lens I tend to leave others at home and have a particular subject+location in mind, almost like shooting large format.
- The 180mm is slightly longer than the 150mm but far bigger. Never found a reason to carry around extra weight and bulk. People say it's sharper but I never noticed the difference.
- The 250mm exceeds my skill level. When I shoot with lenses this long, my subjects tend to be action/sports where autofocus is required, for which I have a Canon EOS system. I keep practicing anyway, trying to use this Zeiss for landscapes or occasional portraits and keep failing.
- The 80mm isn't as versatile as 60mm. Besides, when a single 80mm lens suffices, I have a Rolleiflex for that.
- The 120mm is awesome for an occasional closeup, but it happens so rarely that I opted for 100/150mm lenses with an extension tube.
- The 40mm, 38mm and 350mm FOVs are firmly above my skill level.
People always say the 100mm Planar and the 180mm Sonnar are the sharpest in the lineup. I primarily shoot ISO 400 films, I do not own a drum scanner, and frankly all Zeiss lenses look equally sharp to me. If I was forced to critique them, I would say that their coatings aren't up to modern standards (occasionally a hood will be helpful) and the 5-blade diaphragm occasionally will produce pentagon-shaped ghosts. Otherwise, they're perfect.
Anyway... 60-100-150 would be my advice.
"for example, if you do a lot of closely cropped head and shoulder portraits, the close focus limits of some (all?) versions of the 150mm lens may be an issue."
It might be a good thing to practice using a bellows or extension tubes for the 150, just to see what's possible.
IMO.
It isn't an issue of possibility. If one is photographing in a fast moving environment - like a wedding - having to add accessories in order to accomplish something isn't a good option. Thus the observation: "If you have other particular needs and preferences, it's worth investigating other options."
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