Hasselblad Magic - is it actually worth the pursuit?

pressureworld said:

I own a 501c and there's no magic, but I find it light, small enough and very easy to load. The lenses are sharp and the backs save a lot of time. I don't like the waist level finder, but the PM45 prism with the built in diopter was perfect for me.

I owned a Pentax 67II at the same time. The camera was great, and the images were neck and neck, but it was to large, and to heavy for what I do. (tripod only)

Click to expand...

That's a leveled and sensible assessment of what Hassy is for you. I could state almost same things about RB67, except it isn't all that "light and small enough", but it comes with features Hassy does not have - larger negative, superior built in close focusing - all part of it being larger, heavier and not as socially accepted as a Hassy. Still a killer machine without any magic anyone would be hoping for. Just checked get it now prices for a 501c/m and for a basic kit I'm looking at more than half the RB67 system. Again, not a fair comparison due to weight/size differences and the aura of course.

I always think about picking up a RB67, but I'm completely clueless about the distance scale regarding focusing.

pressureworld said:

I always think about picking up a RB67, but I'm completely clueless about the distance scale regarding focusing.

Click to expand...

Focusing is done on the groundglass - either waist level finder or heavy prism made out of Russian T-54 tank armor.

The side distance scale tells you the distance to the subject with various lenses.

Note that what appears to be a distance scale on the front of some lenses is really a movable depth of field scale (see photo).

Also, some lenses have a secondary floating element focus ring, which is set after doing your primary focus (see photo).

I love all these things about the RB67!

Thank you for the explanation. I will have to learn more about it. It seems to be one of the best deals going right now.

Theo Sulphate said:

Focusing is done on the groundglass - either waist level finder or heavy prism made out of Russian T-54 tank armor.

The side distance scale tells you the distance to the subject with various lenses.

Note that what appears to be a distance scale on the front of some lenses is really a movable depth of field scale (see photo).

Also, some lenses have a secondary floating element focus ring, which is set after doing your primary focus (see photo).

I love all these things about the RB67!

View attachment 220801

Click to expand...

Something in between the Hassy and the RB would be the Rollei SL66, but cost as much as a Hassy and more than the RB.