Hasselblad SWC anything to watch out for?

[etn]

One last thing to say about the SWC: do not forget to remove the lens cap

Witold, I see you are from Poland, if you happen to come to Munich at some point (difficult those times, I know) and are still undecided about the SWC by then, let me know and i’ll let you shoot a roll or two with mine. If you have an SWC by then, take it with you and drop by for a beer and a photo stroll.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

One last thing to say about the SWC: do not forget to remove the lens cap

Witold, I see you are from Poland, if you happen to come to Munich at some point (difficult those times, I know) and are still undecided about the SWC by then, let me know and i’ll let you shoot a roll or two with mine. If you have an SWC by then, take it with you and drop by for a beer and a photo stroll.

Thanks for the invite, I'll keep in mind and hopefully get a chance to take advantage of it. I frequent Munich airport twice or thrice a year and once managed to go up to an in-city hotel when flights got cancelled

 

[Deleted member 88956]

@Witold the thread has been very gear-focused. If you're asking for "things to watch out", IMO the biggest thing is: are you sure you want such a wide angle? This is the ignored elephant in the room. A camera like that requires a lot of photographic skill to produce non-garbage results. Outside a few cliche special effect shots, I am completely hopeless at that FOV, and that - in my opinion - is THE thing to "watch out for".

This is of course a good point, but I'm comfortable shooting my desires in whatever angle, so indeed I was after gear heavy input when I wrote this one.

Agree though that wide angle can get uninspiring quickly, especially when a shot is hardly different than many seen all over. Just read a blog of Mr. Ming I think, and it was kind of sad to see few shots that apparently were shot in the same "laundry room". Good looking sharp images, just too samo-samo. I happened to frequent a few places were tight quarters cut away too much with even a moderate wide. SWC seems like a challenge in its own character to make shots interesting and interest lasting.

 

[Pieter12]

It seems to me that you might be happier and better off with a 500 or later body and a 40mm lens. You get the focusing screen, the release button where you're comfortable and the larger size should not be an issue since you want to work off a tripod anyway. The 40mm is a fine lens (and expensive), not as spectacular as the 38 but most probably suitable for your needs. My 2 cents.

 

[NB23]

I love mine. Don’t use it enough but I’m still breathless every time I see the results.

someone should send me somewhere on the planet with only this camera. I’d be happy.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

It seems to me that you might be happier and better off with a 500 or later body and a 40mm lens. You get the focusing screen, the release button where you're comfortable and the larger size should not be an issue since you want to work off a tripod anyway. The 40mm is a fine lens (and expensive), not as spectacular as the 38 but most probably suitable for your needs. My 2 cents.

I think there is a huge difference between SWC and any other body, from form factor to ... convenient lack of choice. Sometimes, and sometimes often, not having to think of choices works to advantage. SWC gives a choice, what it has or none. So once taken it becomes a tool with single view, feet to work it, and vision to exploit it.

I mentioned working SWC off a tripod because I see some applications where it will have to be steadied up. And using ground glass requires it, which I would definitely do. Working handheld is appealing, even if am a bit puzzled why some apparently use it this way almost exclusively.

But I can't fool myself thinking I'll get SWC and somehow stop there. While it is a sole stand alone in V-system by its shear design, it is still part of it accepting a number of accessories. So what I think will be smart is SWC & 503 combo. But that requires more considerations before pulling the trigger.

 

[eli griggs]

The SWC is the best point-and-shoot camera out there, with the fastest „autofocus“ (if we can name it so ha ha).
Its history is very complex, as many different models were released since the SWA introduction in the 50‘s.
"2) The shutter of early SWC/M with CF-type lenses is said to scratch a lens element. I never could find out whether this is urban legend or not. In my opinion it most probably is, but inspecting the lens for that before buying wouldn’t hurt...
Does someone here has more info about this?"

It's always been my impression this is a one lens (built in) camera.

Am I wrong?

Eli

 

[Sirius Glass]

The few times I've used a SWC for deep focus landscape pictures I've shot it upside down. The lens intrudes into the viewfinder frame so near detail is blotted out. Typical question "Is that flower near my feet in or out of the frame?". Can't tell if you can't see it. In upside down mode the framing error is in the sky where critical detail is unlikely.

Doh! Why didn't I thank of that!

 

[Sirius Glass]

No, you are correct.

 

[eli griggs]

I think there is a huge difference between SWC and any other body, from form factor to ... convenient lack of choice. Sometimes, and sometimes often, not having to think of choices works to advantage. SWC gives a choice, what it has or none. So once taken it becomes a tool with single view, feet to work it, and vision to exploit it.

I mentioned working SWC off a tripod because I see some applications where it will have to be steadied up. And using ground glass requires it, which I would definitely do. Working handheld is appealing, even if am a bit puzzled why some apparently use it this way almost exclusively.

But I can't fool myself thinking I'll get SWC and somehow stop there. While it is a sole stand alone in V-system by its shear design, it is still part of it accepting a number of accessories. So what I think will be smart is SWC & 503 combo. But that requires more considerations before pulling the trigger.

I feel about the same, though I would prefer the 500 CM, because of it's simplicity and lack of battery demands, though I'd like a second,, as a back up, or even a 500 EL model/type just as well.

Frankly, I would buy an '01 or '03 model if they were in a good price range an I had the money to spend on one, however, I, like all here have ideal bag sets in mind and the 38mm Biogon is in there as well, though I expect to have to use the 50mm Distagon which is what I have, Happy and Forevermore.

Hasselblad 'V' Series are just lovely in the hand, and when used well, produce wonderful works, though I wish they were weather 'protected, like the indomitable Canon F1n and F1N or Nikon F.

Cheers

 

[eli griggs]

No, you are correct.

Cheers!

 

[Deleted member 88956]

I always like these guys doing YT videos, pro quality and good music (and none when it's uncalled for). And SWC shown in use, not a typical YT review, which is another reason I like it.

THIS YT not so much, but handheld and shows well its size.

 

[Richard Man]

http://clearsightusa.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=52

I use this instead of the Hasselblad system for tripod mounting, as it is very solid and clips into an arca head, just like everything else I have, so I prefer it to the stock system since I usually have one tripod with me and multiple different cameras all with arca baseplates attached. Having said that, like others, I usually use it handheld even though I do own the ground glass back, etc, because it’s so much fun just to use it handheld. I don’t know why, just is. I had all those plans to use it carefully on a tripod, but it has not worked out that way. Maybe that’s just me.

A word of warning, I have this on the SWC and it's great (all my cameras have Arca adapter). HOWEVER, on the 203FE, probably due to the size of the ball head / plate / adapter etc., it destroyed by plastic foot rest thing :-/ I "repaired" it using Sugra, but it ain't pretty

 

[Deleted member 88956]

And what do you know, a side grip was made for the SWC

 

[Deleted member 88956]

A word of warning, I have this on the SWC and it's great (all my cameras have Arca adapter). HOWEVER, on the 203FE, probably due to the size of the ball head / plate / adapter etc., it destroyed by plastic foot rest thing :-/ I "repaired" it using Sugra, but it ain't pretty

Hopefully this is not the case on any 500 bodies, as that is the only direction I will take V kit after SWC.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

I love mine. Don’t use it enough but I’m still breathless every time I see the results.

someone should send me somewhere on the planet with only this camera. I’d be happy.

And I assume you don't mean "breathless" in Seinfeld episode's way.

 

[NB23]

And I assume you don't mean "breathless" in Seinfeld episode's way.

If there’s a seinfeld way, I say ok!

 

[Deleted member 88956]

Further poking at SWC set up, is anyone here using this rig? or tried at least. I know this makes compact set up not longer so, but I'm asking about what it feels like in use.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

It's a bummer. Need to remove grip to work the dark slide, although grip is quick mounted, so not end of the world.

 

[Ai Print]

(Side note: I tried my SWC/M with the CFV 50c ii, it works, image quality is terrific as you can expect, but it is difficult to frame as the viewfinder does not have framelines for the 33x44 sensor. Using live view is possible but cumbersome. Feel free to PM me for more details)

Handheld and live view with the CFVII is cumbersome with the V cameras for sure.

But tripod work is another matter, I simply use a cable release on B on my 501CM’s and then use the back’s electronic shutter which has a range of 1/10,000th of a second to 68 minutes. I either use self timer to trigger it or the remote release that plugs in on the bottom. It’s especially easy with the Flexbody since like the SWC and ARC body there is no mirror so all you have to do is use the stop down lever and trigger the electronic shutter.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

While I don't see how this would not be true, can anyone confirm that viewfinders on SWC are interchangeable between models? I see some offers of SWC WITHOUT finder, as strange as this is they are out there. Getting one like that would give choice of finder. So even if say an M or C body already has bubble level in top plate, nothing prevents using a newer finder with its own bubble, so long as there are no differences preventing that. Finder is nothing that makes me go after newer or later body model, just in case body comes sans one ...

 

[Larry Cloetta]

While I don't see how this would not be true, can anyone confirm that viewfinders on SWC are interchangeable between models? I see some offers of SWC WITHOUT finder, as strange as this is they are out there. Getting one like that would give choice of finder. So even if say an M or C body already has bubble level in top plate, nothing prevents using a newer finder with its own bubble, so long as there are no differences preventing that. Finder is nothing that makes me go after newer or later body model, just in case body comes sans one ...

Personally, I wouldn’t be inclined to buy an SWC/M or a 903 without a finder unless it was very cheap. Those finders tend to be hard to find as separate pieces and expensive if you do find one. But, someone might always get lucky. I’d personally be sure to have a finder lined up to buy before ever buying the camera without the finder. Both the older and newer Hasselblad finders have a lot of distortion, though they work for the purpose. Because of this some people like to use the Voigtländer right angle 6x6 finder with the SWC, instead of either Hasselblad finder, as it has much less distortion, as it makes for a nice “aim it and shoot camera with a much nicer view through the viewfinder, if you don’t care about the bubble level at all” style of shooting. Those seem to go for around $600 by themselves though.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I would not buy a SWC without a finder too. It is a sign of sloppy equipment handling and who know what else the screwed up on neglected to properly maintain. You will be spending a lot of money so save aggravation and pain, buy a clean one without pieces missing.

 

[Sirius Glass]

It's a bummer. Need to remove grip to work the dark slide, although grip is quick mounted, so not end of the world.

You answered the question on use of a totally useless grip on a perfectly functioning body. Nice film back; I do not have one that new.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

I would not buy a SWC without a finder too. It is a sign of sloppy equipment handling and who know what else the screwed up on neglected to properly maintain. You will be spending a lot of money so save aggravation and pain, buy a clean one without pieces missing.

I've come to similar conclusion. There are actually only two thus far that somehow showed up without a finder, but I agree who knows what led to losing one in the first place. I assume though that I could use any of the two on any model year (in case I get the older, and come across a "deal" on newer one and want one too (probably not, would rather buy a couple of film backs instead).