Hasselblad Magic - is it actually worth the pursuit?

TheFlyingCamera · Mar 14, 2019

Alan Gales said:
Faberryman hit the nail on the head in post #2.

I've owned a lot of medium format cameras including a 500cm, RZ67, Bronica S2a and Bronica EC. My favorite was the RZ but of course that is just me. When I owned the RZ I also owned a Pentax 645Nll for hand held shots out in the field. I was shooting people. Some do but I understand not wanting to carry an RZ around with several lenses.

While hauling the RZ around in the field is not exactly a FUN experience, it's not the impossible feat many make it out to be. I took my RZ with 50, 110 and 180 lenses down to Mexico City and shot on the street with it. All hand-held, no tripod. I even pulled off a hand-held shot with it looking straight up at the interior of the domed roof of the Palacio de Bellas Artes. IIRC it was Portra 400 - if not, Ektar 100, with an 1/8th of a second at f5.6. Tack-sharp, no motion blur. The weight can come in handy that way - keeps the camera super-stable even at slow speeds.

DavidClapp · Mar 14, 2019

Thanks for the detailed responses. The C330f/s will cover the street photography extremely well. I have tried a few Rolleiflex's and I find the whole operation to be counter intuitive, with left hand focusing in particular. The C330 system works really well. I think its the more implementing a creative landscape system and I am struggling with getting a system in place. I was certain the 645 system would be the answer... If only Mamiya had implemented the rotating back on the 645 system, that would have been ideal.

I am thinking the SQ-AI may be the way to go here, after reading your recommendations and responses. I was amazed at how bright the screen was when I held one at the start of this journey....

M Carter · Mar 14, 2019

guangong said:
Hassy fits nicely in the hand compared with all other cameras you mentioned. Of course, this is also subjective so you will just have to try one out. How about renting or borrowing for a day.
I don’t understand why a prism finder is necessary for taking portraits. While I sometimes use a prism finder on my Hasselblad when using very long lenses in the woods, I can’t remember ever using one for portraits in over 50 yrs. I can only see using a prism finder for portraits if photographer is extremely short.

He was talking about the Mamiya 645. Changing orientation without a prism means rotating the whole camera and looking in from the side.

Lachlan Young · Mar 14, 2019

99% of it comes down to how much the camera becomes an extension of how you work & see. If it gets in the way of that, then it's not the right camera, no matter how much people quote spec sheets at each other.

The other thing is that the Zeiss lenses have a pretty distinctive optical signature - whether you like that or not is something you have to decide.

campy51 · Mar 14, 2019

I had a mint Rolleiflex 3.5F that I never got use to using it with a flash handle because most handles are for the left hand and the Rollei focus is on the left so in order to reach to focus I had to have the camera very close to the handle which forced me to view with my left eye, which is awkward for me. I just sold it but I have a 500c/m that I bought the handle for a flash and is much better to use with the waist level finder as well as prism. If you want great handling then get a Bronica SQ-A with the speed handle, it sits on the right side and the winding lever is built in. I had one a sold it but I probably should have kept it but I have always wanted the 500C/M and used the funds towards that purchase.

Trask · Mar 14, 2019

I've got a Bronica SQ-A w/ lenses, Bronica S2 and EC-TL with lenses, Hasselblad 500C/M with two lenses, and a bunch of TLRs including Rollei 3.5F, and Plaubel Makina 67 Wide. For me, the best travel camera is the Plaubel, because is collapses so flat, the lens is excellent, and the meter actually works OK. As I prefer to shoot RF 35mm using a 35mm lens, the Plaubel provides that wider-angle perspective. The Hassy 80mm I have (chrome, so old) seems to have the ability to make the resulting image look at bit 3D -- there's a dimensionality there that I don't quite see with the other cameras. The Bronica SQ-A uniquely among my cameras offers the Speed Grip, which is a handle/platform that attaches to the bottom of the SQ-A, connects to the film wind, and has a trigger to release the shutter. So with the right hand you can advance the film with a 35mm-like thumb film lever, have control of the camera because of the grip, and trip the shutter. The left hand is left free to focus. With a Hassy I usually cradle the camera in the left hand, use my left index finger to release the shutter, and advance the film and focus with the right. In between shots I have to continue to cradle the camera if I don't want to put it away, whereas with the Bronica the camera/grip combo hangs easily from your hand, very comfortable. So I like the Hassy for the lenses, the Bronica for ease of use (including film loading), and the Plaubel for portability (it's 6X7 so fewer exposures per roll). It's hard to make a decision about what suits you without holding the gear and using it a bit.

Nokton48 · Mar 14, 2019

When I was shooting weddings on film for very good money, I switched from Mamiya TLRs to Hasselblads. You can do things with Hasselblads that you cannot do with other 6x6 SLRs. Over a hundred accessories are available, I still have most of them.

Repairs are fairly painless and the equipment is cheap (not so much now) but plentiful. Try to find accessories for an SL66.............

001 by Nokton48, on Flickr

removed account4 · Mar 14, 2019

Lachlan Young said:
99% of it comes down to how much the camera becomes an extension of how you work & see. If it gets in the way of that, then it's not the right camera, no matter how much people quote spec sheets at each other.

!!!

Sirius Glass · Mar 14, 2019

BrianShaw said:
Making good photos isn’t really a function of which camera is used, but you should enjoy working with a Hasselblad. Buy bye newest and best condition you can afford... and don’t be too surprised if you need to have it overhauled. But it’s not a light piece of gear and will benefit from being used with a monopod or tripod.

guangong said:
Hassy fits nicely in the hand compared with all other cameras you mentioned. Of course, this is also subjective so you will just have to try one out. How about renting or borrowing for a day.

Hasselblad parts, services and lenses are widely available. Hasselblads are compact and easy to handle. I had the Mamiya C330f with the 65mm, 80mm and the 250mm lenses and every accessory known to man. I traded the Mamiya in for a Hasselblad and never looked back. Just stick to CF and later lenses because they almost all use the B60 filters. That way one set of filters will cover almost all the lenses.

TheFlyingCamera said:

Another vote for a Rollei TLR if weight-reduction is a motivator. It's a beautiful camera that produces images with their own special magic. And there's something to be said for having a camera that has one and only one lens that keeps you from wasting time thinking about which lens you're using and makes you think more about how you're using it.

Click to expand...

Rollei TLRs are great if one is into bling. Imagine walking down the street with a wide angle Rollei, normal Rollei and a tele Rollei, just be careful that you do not tip over. Besides the focal length choices are limitesd.

mshchem · Mar 14, 2019

Nokton48 said:
When I was shooting weddings on film for very good money, I switched from Mamiya TLRs to Hasselblads. You can do things with Hasselblads that you cannot do with other 6x6 SLRs. Over a hundred accessories are available, I still have most of them.

Repairs are fairly painless and the equipment is cheap (not so much now) but plentiful. Try to find accessories for an SL66.............

001 by Nokton48, on Flickr

Oooh Ahhh

Mainecoonmaniac · Mar 14, 2019

I owned a Mamiya RZ system since the days when Berkey was the importer. The lenses are amazingly sharp, but from my years of assisting photographers using Hasselblad, I lusted after one. I was able to buy one used 500CM with an 80mm on eBay. I've owned RZ longer than I have owned Hasselblad and they'res a certain quality that Mamiya's don't have. It fits in my hand better and the feel of it is unmatched. In terms, of image quality, they're both very good cameras. I think the Mamiya RZ has a slight edge with it's electronic shutter when it comes to precision. I have a Hassy lens that's slow on the 1-second setting because it's a mechanical shutter.

mshchem · Mar 14, 2019

Trask said:
I've got a Bronica SQ-A w/ lenses, Bronica S2 and EC-TL with lenses, Hasselblad 500C/M with two lenses, and a bunch of TLRs including Rollei 3.5F, and Plaubel Makina 67 Wide. For me, the best travel camera is the Plaubel, because is collapses so flat, the lens is excellent, and the meter actually works OK. As I prefer to shoot RF 35mm using a 35mm lens, the Plaubel provides that wider-angle perspective. The Hassy 80mm I have (chrome, so old) seems to have the ability to make the resulting image look at bit 3D -- there's a dimensionality there that I don't quite see with the other cameras. The Bronica SQ-A uniquely among my cameras offers the Speed Grip, which is a handle/platform that attaches to the bottom of the SQ-A, connects to the film wind, and has a trigger to release the shutter. So with the right hand you can advance the film with a 35mm-like thumb film lever, have control of the camera because of the grip, and trip the shutter. The left hand is left free to focus. With a Hassy I usually cradle the camera in the left hand, use my left index finger to release the shutter, and advance the film and focus with the right. In between shots I have to continue to cradle the camera if I don't want to put it away, whereas with the Bronica the camera/grip combo hangs easily from your hand, very comfortable. So I like the Hassy for the lenses, the Bronica for ease of use (including film loading), and the Plaubel for portability (it's 6X7 so fewer exposures per roll). It's hard to make a decision about what suits you without holding the gear and using it a bit.

At one time I had 4 SQ-AI and 1 SQA. The SQA has a bit better build quality. Metal levers not plastic for mirror and multi exposure. I have one SQ-AI left, have the funky wide 135 back 24x56mm? I used the cool thumb winder for ETRSI and the SQ models. On a whim I bought the motor that works (only) on the SQ-AI, it's awesome, smooth and great grip. You can buy a AE-I auto prism that allows aperture priority auto, spot or average metering everything is connected to the body.

I have Hasselblad too. I love the simplicity. Don't waste your money on metered prism, big, bulky, expensive, not coupled.

I have used RZ'S a lot . The focusing knob is right where it belongs. 110mm lens, left hand grip, 400 speed film, I've carried it everywhere. Again if you buy the AE prism you better have it on a tripod. I think I have every lens but the fisheye and some of the really long stuff. RBs don't have the battery pure mechanical.

I think the Bronica is a great choice . But over time a pure mechanical camera will be repairable for a very long time.

Theo Sulphate · Mar 14, 2019

Lachlan Young said:
99% of it comes down to how much the camera becomes an extension of how you work & see. If it gets in the way of that, then it's not the right camera, no matter how much people quote spec sheets at each other.
...

Probably the best advice that can be given. Indirectly related is whether you like composing or making images in a square format.

baachitraka · Mar 14, 2019

If you make wet prints in the darkroom, then all you desire is some details on the negative.

Setup darkroom, buy paper and make prints with negatives that comes out from your existing gear.

Kodachromeguy · Mar 14, 2019

The alternate viewpoint: If you already have a Mamiya C330S and a 220, I suggest you buy the latest and best lenses for them and keep using your Mamiyas. I have a Hasselblad 501CM as well as a Rolleiflex 3.5E Xenotar, but if I had the Mamiya TLRs, I would concentrate on them. A friend loaned me his old Mamiya 220, and I really liked using it. Here are some pictures from Panther Burn, Mississippi:

https://worldofdecay.blogspot.com/2017/09/the-mississippi-delta-24-panther-burn.html

warden · Mar 14, 2019

TheFlyingCamera said:
Another vote for a Rollei TLR if weight-reduction is a motivator. It's a beautiful camera that produces images with their own special magic. And there's something to be said for having a camera that has one and only one lens that keeps you from wasting time thinking about which lens you're using and makes you think more about how you're using it.

I wanted a camera for long walks, and after trying the TLR form factor (which I didn't get along with despite being excellent for so many) and then moving on to the Hasselblad SLR form factor (ditto) I decided to try a big folding rangefinder and so I got a Plaubel Makina W67. Your point above about having only one lens is well taken, and when I would carry that camera I would try to find ways to make the Makina lens work, and it was and is fun. But more importantly, when I walked with that camera I had the feeling that this is how it's supposed to be: lighter, much slimmer when folded (about the thickness of a film magazine) and easier to carry. And the negatives are bigger and crisp.

It's really not about the camera, until it is. For a certain type of photography that I enjoy the Makina is a perfect match for me, but I wouldn't want it as an only camera, or for tripod work. And lately the Hassy has been getting more use because of a specific project that demands it. But for fun and walking, it's always the Makina.

So I guess that's my advice to the OP: assuming you're not doing this for a living, try cameras until you find how it's supposed to be for you.

mshchem · Mar 14, 2019

The cameras I use the most are not my medium format SLRs but my Fuji 6x9 rangefinders. No simpler, huge negative, fixed lens 65 or 90mm.

Alan Gales · Mar 14, 2019

TheFlyingCamera said:
While hauling the RZ around in the field is not exactly a FUN experience, it's not the impossible feat many make it out to be. I took my RZ with 50, 110 and 180 lenses down to Mexico City and shot on the street with it. All hand-held, no tripod. I even pulled off a hand-held shot with it looking straight up at the interior of the domed roof of the Palacio de Bellas Artes. IIRC it was Portra 400 - if not, Ektar 100, with an 1/8th of a second at f5.6. Tack-sharp, no motion blur. The weight can come in handy that way - keeps the camera super-stable even at slow speeds.

Oh, I agree with you. It's definitely doable for most people. I always recommend the "L" grip which I feel makes the camera easier to shoot hand held. I preferred carrying the Pentax out in the field with the 75mm lens and no tripod for what I was doing. With the built in matrix metering I didn't even have to carry a separate light meter.

In the OP's original post, he is looking for a smaller medium format outfit than his RZ to carry around in the same bag as his digital gear. Hopefully, his digital gear is small and light.

xtolsniffer · Mar 15, 2019

This is a very interesting discussion as I'm in a similar boat and the moment. I have a nice 35mm kit (Nikon) but always wanted a MF camera. I very rarely go out to 'do photography', it's usually combined with other trips for other reasons so I just have to fit it in. I was lucky enough to pick up a nice RB67, back when the gear was going cheap (even picking up a 250mm for £120 brand new from some sale of surplus stock - it was crazy back then). I loved it but it is a bit of a beast in the field. At the time I just shot monochrome and I thought to myself that there has to be a lighter set-up, so managed to pick up a used Mamiya c220f. I'd never really considered TLRs before, but it was a lot of fun and great quality. I found that with the leaf shutter and the way you hold it, you could easily hand-hold at shutter speeds lower than I would normally go, and it was way portable than the RB. One issue was that I tend to take what you could call 'mini-landscapes', close-ups of natural arrangements of rocks, plants, etc etc, and the parallax issue made accurate framing and bit hit and miss. The paramender is a neat device but obviously only for tripod use. Then I got back into colour too, and obviously just had monochrome in the C220, so went back to the RB with interchangeable backs so I can have HP5 in one and Portra in another, but then that's heavy....

So I too keep looking over the wall at Hassleblads and wonder if it might be a good compromise, an SLR that is lighter and smaller than my RB but with interchangeable backs unlike the C220. The result would be just one system rather than having to look at the stuff I have and thinking 'what will I take out today?'

Deleted member 88956 · Mar 15, 2019

Paul Howell said:
What Hasselblad offers is a very complete system, bodies, backs wide range of high quality lens, finders, screens, and for later models digital backs. Even a motor body. If you need or want the system then Hasselblad is the way to go. If you want a functional 6X6 camera with the option for a good quality lens then I would think about Kowa or Bronica. If you not wedded to 6X6 then any number of 6X4.5 or 6X7 or 6X8. I use a Kowa 66 and super, 4 lens kit, 2 finders, fill my needs.

Which is the same as pretty much every other MF SYSTEM out there. While blad may have some accessories others have never felt a need for producing, all the critical parts of all major systems are in place just the same (with sole exception being Pentax lacking interchangeable backs). And I seriously doubt the few pieces Hassy might have for its system are of any worth to 90+% of MF shooters. Of course digital back is not part of this discussion.

bluez · Mar 15, 2019

I had a Hasselblad 500CM in the late 80s and early 90s with the 80mm T*, it was a nice solid camera i might buy one again in the future. Whats holding me back a little is the 6X6 format, it works for some portraits, and it's a bit nostalgic to see 6x6 pictures, but in many cases it looks a little odd to me, The other thing is that i love the Mamiya rotating back system on the RB/RZ. I think 6x7 og 6x8 works better for many type of pictures.

I also have the Mamiya 645M, 645 Super, 645 Pro, RB67 and RZ67. in the 645 format i started with the newest 645 Pro with a winder, It is fast and easy to use, the prism finder is excellent. And the camera is not to heavy. I am surprised off how well the 645m 1000s are constructed. The view finder is nice and sharp. I have been taking street photography and no one seems to notice, i love the shutter button on the top, the camera feels like a smaller Hasselblad. I love the Mamiya 645 lenses they are not so expensive and some of them are very good, like the 150mm 2.8 A

Last year i took a few pictures of a girl, she was laying down in a clover field and i was standing owner her and took pictures with a 55mm. I don't think i would be able to do the same with a Hasselblad 500CM series, In the late 90s i tried a Hasselblad 503CW with winder and a prism finder, but i was surprised of how bulky and heavy it felt, and the prism finders points upwards in a 45 degree angle. A Mamiya 645 Pro/LT with a winder and prism finder feels so much easier to handle.

film_man · Mar 15, 2019

Here's my experience with Hasselblads. My first medium format camera was a Bronica SQB bought in 2008. My second medium format camera was a 501CM bought in 2010. Since then I have owned two 501CM, a 500ELX, a C330F, C330S, RB67, Bronica ETRS, Mamiya 6, Rollei 2.8, Rollei 6000 series, Pentax 67, a Hasselblad H2 and maybe some other stuff I can't remember. I like to buy, try, sell. That's just to give you some perspective.

Back to the 501. Nice system, great lenses but everything is very expensive and I don't like the handling. Coming from a Mamiya C/RZ you will find heavy and slow focus, mirror slap and a hard shutter button that mean you must be very careful to get sharp photos at 1/30 (vs probably 1/8 with the Mamiyas) and that 0.9m min focus distance with the standard lens is just annoying. If you want it as a landscape system I don't see how the weight of the RZ will be an issue given tripods and all that. If you want smaller/lighter then a Mamiya 6 makes more sense. The Bronica SQ system is a bit less glamorous, the image look a bit more old school (probably more like your C330) but the speed grip is just fantastic.

Personally I now have sold all my medium format gear, if I was to get back into again I'd go for either a Mamiya RZ/RB or a Hasselblad H (I'm hoping I'll wint the lottery tonight...), but that's another kind of fish alltogether.

RalphLambrecht · Mar 15, 2019

DavidClapp said:
Over the last few years I have bought into a few medium format camera systems. I have a Mamiya C330f, now a C330s (a total bargain and unused), and a 645 1000s. I also bought a Mamiya RZ67 Pro II which I adore despite the weight. I use the RZ67 the most in studios and occasionally in the landscape, C330f/s when I travel which is ideal, but I wish I had a 6x6 camera similar to working method of the 1000s system - which leads me to perhaps take the plunge with a Hasselblad, 500CM or similar. Smaller, lighter and something I could carry with a digital system in one bag.

Regarding abandoning 645, I have never taken to it. I love looking downwards through waist level finders, I really don't like prism finders (add a lot of bulk) which we are all forced to use for portrait, so the camera needs a prism finder to get the most out of it.... (unlike the RZ's rotating back which I love). So I am finding myself moving away from 645 entirely to be honest. I love square compositions, I also love the RZ, but its too much in the field.

Seeing as this is not a 'on-a-whim' purchase and that I am so heavily into using film now, do I take the plunge with a Hasselblad, or explore the other 6x6 options, perhaps the Bronco SQ series or even going over to a retro S2A?

Any thoughts gratefully received.

after I moved to the Hasselblad V system, I never lusted for a different camera. It's so versatile and a dream to work with.

removed account4 · Mar 15, 2019

RalphLambrecht said:
after I moved to the Hasselblad V system, I never lusted for a different camera. It's so versatile and a dream to work with.

But was it "Magic" ??

Fin · Mar 15, 2019

DavidClapp said:
I am thinking the SQ-AI may be the way to go here, after reading your recommendations and responses. I was amazed at how bright the screen was when I held one at the start of this journey....

I've always wanted to buy and use some sort of Hasselblad system, but when I started I looking at the prices, I found that I just couldn't allow myself to spend that much on a camera! So I bought an SQ-A instead.

I now have 5 lenses, a 2x converter and several backs, as well as the speedgrip which really does change the handling of the camera. The lenses aren't Zeiss, but mine produce great results even though they are only the Zenzanon S models. The PS lenses are apparently betterer, I've never had one so can't compare them. They are also quite easy to open up for cleaning and service. The camera bodies and backs are well engineered and made too.

It might not be as posh and shiny as a Hasselblad, but the SQ is still a really good camera system.

Hasselblad Magic - is it actually worth the pursuit?

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