Hasselblad or Mamiya67

DanielOB · Jan 8, 2009

can some advice on medium format for
- studio portrait, and just sometimes art work in studio or outside

The choice is ONLY

- Hasselblad 503 CW (this camera does not need battery)
- 50mm F4 CFi Distagon, and
- 150mm Sonnar CFi or 100mm CFi Planar

OR

- Mamiya RZ67 ProIId (will not work without the vattery)
- 50mm F4.5-ULD-RZ, and
- 140mm F4.5-Macro-RZ

No price in consideration. Only all new stuff.

Thanks

BrianShaw · Jan 8, 2009

Flip a coin!

If you don't like the answer, go "best two out of three".

aluncrockford · Jan 8, 2009

Hasselblad no question about it ,they can be used hand held ,the design is better ,they are a lot easier to use and you can always stick a phase one back on if you need to go digital ,also you are throwing money away buying new , the quality of resale gear is very high because of the number of people trading up to the H range . The savings you make will allow you to get a prism head which is essential ,and even extention tubes and a auto winder which are are also worth having.

david b · Jan 8, 2009

Do not buy a new camera. There are simply too many awesome deals on the used market right now to even think of a new camera.

With that said, I love Hasselblads. I've been using them for a long time and think they are a great system.

Nick Zentena · Jan 8, 2009

Why the 140 macro for the portrait? Why not include the 110 F/2.8? It's cheap and good. Plus one of the portrait lenses?

With the RZ you won't need tubes for many things. You won't want the prism really. At least I can't imagine wanting one. You can rotate the back

DanielOB · Jan 8, 2009

Thanks guys, but no used stuff, no digital need, no other lenses than listed in original post, no price in the play.
Nick Z.: 140 MacroRZ is not so sharp lens and also focal length is OK, so for portrait it will be fine. It also can be useful for close-up too. Standard 100 mm lens can make some distortions at nose.
Aluncrockford: what is H range.

jovo · Jan 8, 2009

A consideration that may favor the 6x7 over the 6x6 is that you can crop the 6x7 to 6x6 and keep the area of the negative that's left in its original size, but making a rectangle out of the square makes the 6x6 into a 6x4.5 or so.

archphoto · Jan 8, 2009

The RZ hands down .......
But that is for me...... I love 6x7, sorry.
It's the debate between 4.5x6 and 6x7 again a bit, but anyhow.

DanielOB · Jan 8, 2009

You right Jobo. But Hasselblad is more reliable camera and for sure will last a life-time. Also Carl Zeiss CFi lenses, I think, are way ahead of Mamiya for professional use, and especially for art-photography.
But I am not 100% sure in that.

aluncrockford · Jan 8, 2009

The H system is Hasselblads new camera system http://www.hasselbladusa.com/ . The 100CFi is a very sharp lens and is claimed to be as distortion free as it is possible to buy .

aluncrockford · Jan 8, 2009

In my studio we use the 503CW and a RZ the lenses on Mamiya are OK and some of them have slightly higher contrast but they are less reliable ,all things considered the CFi lenses are sharper and are better made

epatsellis · Jan 8, 2009

Daniel,
I'd go for the RZ myself. Personally I find any less than the 180 )on 6x7) leads to exagerrated facial features, my preference is either the 180 or 250 for portraiture.

André E.C. · Jan 8, 2009

Go Hasselblad, I don't know why I say this, but hell yeah, go Hasselblad.

Cheers

André

Travis Nunn · Jan 8, 2009

Maybe the answer you're looking for can be answered in one of these two threads...
(there was a url link here which no longer exists)
(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Jeff L · Jan 8, 2009

Both are brilliant systems. The Mamiya lens are stunningly good. My 180 WN is bitingly sharp. What ever you chose will produce fantastic images. I did read that you want new only, but there are mint, like new systems out there, and you could have the Mamiya and the Blad for less than the price of one of them new. Use both, then decide. I know.. only new stuff.

Brickbird · Jan 8, 2009

I am about to shoot a portrait session for a family with 4 boys and each will done individually and also group shots. I pulled out the old Calumet shuttter speed tester and checked the lenses on my RZ-67 system which comprises the 50mm, the 110mm and the 180mm. The 180 will be used for the single portraits and the accuracy of the lens was not even 2% out. I have found that yes, it is a heavier and larger system than my old Hassy system but ever so reliable and razor sharp lenses. I was about to use my Rollei SL66 with the 150mm Sonnar but the poor shutter speeds are tired and only sync at 1/30. I like both square and the 6x7 formats but lean towards the RZ for the extra size and the rotating back for the subject at hand. You did not state what your main subject matter might be if you have one so the format might not be an issue. Macro work must be in your future with the lens mentioned and either system would give super results. Your dilemma is a toss-up to me but I would lean towards the RZ from a practical matter, not a technical one. They are both superb machines but only that. Maybe it is the one that brings a smile to your face when you pull it out of the bag.

MikeSeb · Jan 8, 2009

Not sure how you've come to the conclusion that Hasselblad is a more reliable system. They are both exceptional gear. I've been using a friend's RZ67 system, and I like it so much I may trade him my beloved Contax 645 for it.

I guess if you have money to throw away, buy brand new. Your privilege. But do it as a kind of photo-bling, rather than from any notion that new is vastly better than used.

garysamson · Jan 8, 2009

I have used both systems and I like both systems but when it came time to purchase a medium format camera I chose the Hasselblad for for the quality of the lenses, ease of use, and portability. I have shot 1000's of roles of film with the Hasselblad and it has been a completely reliable system. My lenses are 50mm, 80mm, and 150mm - all terrific performers. And as another poster stated, a prism and a second magazine or two are essential. If you have plans of traveling with a camera system, this is the camera of choice for a slr medium format camera.

Thomas Bertilsson · Jan 8, 2009

You can't go wrong with either.

Do you like a rectangle, or do you like a square? That's the main practical difference other than the Mamiya being much bulkier. I don't think the Zeiss lenses are any better than the Mamiya ones.

I used to have a Mamiya 645 system, and compared to my Hasselblad there is nothing in it with respect which lenses are best. The 150mm Mamiya C-lens was just superb! But I like a square, so...

The Hasselblad will not let you down. It's a great camera if you look after it. I have no experience with the 67 Mamiyas other than second-hand info and looking at prints.

- Thomas

waileong · Jan 8, 2009

jovo said:
A consideration that may favor the 6x7 over the 6x6 is that you can crop the 6x7 to 6x6 and keep the area of the negative that's left in its original size, but making a rectangle out of the square makes the 6x6 into a 6x4.5 or so.

That argument is usually used for favoring 645 over 6x6 (as in, once you crop a 6x6 down for a 8x10 print it's the same negative area as a 645).

But I think it's an urban myth.

We all crop, no matter what we shoot. We crop 35 mm negatives, we crop 6x6 negatives and we certainly crop 6x7 negatives.

There are some purists who insist on printing full-frame but they are definitely the minority, cropping is both an aesthetic and compositional decision.

So don't think that 645 is more practical because you never have to crop. And don't think 6x6 is dumb because you always have to crop.

Indeed, the advantage of 6x6 is that you can crop either way.

As for the Mamiya 67 vs Hassy, image quality differences are trivial unless you print 6' sized prints. Make a decision based on cost, ergonomics, etc.

Dratom · Jan 10, 2009

In Hasselblad I have the "V" and the "H" system I love them both. With Mamiya I only have the Rangefinder and there is no real comparison. Even though I haven't shot the 67, for me I would go with the Hassy, but you cant go wrong either way. I would image that you already have in mind what you going to get.

Frank Szabo · Jan 10, 2009

My personal preference is anything that doesn't require a battery.

For your purposes,, the 503 CW is great but with 80mm and 150mm optics or a RB 67 (not RZ) and 90mm and 180mm optics (add the 150mm SF with discs later - beautiful lens).

zeta3 · Jan 11, 2009

Have you held both and tried them? The ergonomics should be the most important factor which includes the clarity of the screen and ease of focusing. You should be able to hire them from a dealer and try both for a week at a time.

I have the Bronica SQA and a RB67 (practically free when bought second hand) - but I havent enough experience to decide which is better yet ... BUT I still wish I had a Hassy. dont know why though.

Ravi

mikebarger · Jan 11, 2009

Ravi

Follow the light Ravi, get the Hassy.....

Mike

zeta3 · Jan 11, 2009

Hey Mike,

I was SO close a few times on fleabay ... :-(

If the price drops in the next few months ... and ... I find a job real soon, I just might substitute one of my cameras with the Hassy (and I dont think the missus will ever notice).

Ravi

Hasselblad or Mamiya67

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