Hasselblad SWC/M viewfinder mask for 6x4.5?

Pasto · Mar 11, 2023

Hi, I'm thinking about getting a A16 back for my SWC/M. My model has the later plastic viewfinder. I can't seem to find a mask that would help composing 645 in the viewfinder. The Hasselblad mask that's rather easy and expensive to find fits the first version the viewfinder. Also, I assume there is a proper mask I can use with the focusing screen adapter and Rmfx Viewfinder? Want to be sure before spending more money...again. Thanks.

etn · Mar 11, 2023

The Voigtlander viewfinder has markings for 6x4.5, if you feel like investing into that. It's a very convenient viewfinder for the SWC.

Hassasin · Mar 11, 2023

There is a 3D printed mask for the later style finder as well. As for mask? There are plenty third party masks that go over the screen. The V16 back had a mask supplied in the box, made of clear acrylic, and should fit in (assuming you have the focusing screen adapter made for SWC, worth investing in, if you don't).

So there are two ways of dealing with composing 645 on SWC:

1. mask over finder
2. mask over screen in focusing adapter

Hassasin · Mar 11, 2023

SWC New Style Viewfinder 645 Mask

Pasto · Mar 11, 2023

Thanks, the Voigtlander viewfinder is very expensive. About a third the price of the camera, but all the reviews are great. It seems there is one named 6x6 with a 15mm eyepiece advertised as being for the SWC, and there is another that I assume you can put in a 15mm eyepiece and is not marked 6x6 (and is much less expensive). Any differences? Maybe the 6x6 version marked for SWC has frame lines for both 6x6 and 645?

The new style viewfinder mask (aftermarket) looks good. Wondering if Hasselblad ever made one...

I'll look for a A16 with format mask....

Sirius Glass · Mar 11, 2023

etn said:
The Voigtlander viewfinder has markings for 6x4.5, if you feel like investing into that. It's a very convenient viewfinder for the SWC.

The SWC has the 645 marks on the view finder, no need to invest in money for a mask or another view finder for the SWC.

Hassasin · Mar 11, 2023

Sirius Glass said:
The SWC has the 645 marks on the view finder, no need to invest in money for a mask or another view finder for the SWC.

There is a difference though in composing within tight frame one knows is what is projected on the film, and another to see outside those marker lines. Both approaches have merit, neither is universally better in all situations.

Sirius Glass · Mar 11, 2023

Hassasin said:
There is a difference though in composing within tight frame one knows is what is projected on the film, and another to see outside those marker lines. Both approaches have merit, neither is universally better in all situations.

It is easier and life is much better to shoot 6x6 the way it should be.

Hassasin · Mar 11, 2023

I will also say that SWC is the one MF camera where the option of 645 does not appeal to me all that much, even if I do it on occasions. It's just that nearly undistorted coverage seems like a waste not to use as a whole. Then there are scenes where square isn't going to do it.

Rayt · Mar 11, 2023

Agree with the above. Cropping an SWC would be a waste.

Sirius Glass · Mar 11, 2023

Sirius Glass said:
It is easier and life is much better to shoot 6x6 the way it should be.

Hassasin said:
I will also say that SWC is the one MF camera where the option of 645 does not appeal to me all that much, even if I do it on occasions. It's just that nearly undistorted coverage seems like a waste not to use as a whole. Then there are scenes where square isn't going to do it.

Rayt said:
Agree with the above. Cropping an SWC would be a waste.

So we all violently agree that cropping an SWC is a waste!

Pasto · Mar 11, 2023

My viewfinder only has 4 corner marks forming a square? It does not have marks for 645....

Cropping the image circle of the biogon is an unusual way to describe cropping...unless I'm missing something?

Rayt · Mar 11, 2023

Sirius Glass said:
So we all violently agree that cropping an SWC is a waste!

It was a mostly a peaceful agreement.

Pasto · Mar 11, 2023

The advantages of 645 for my work are: more exposures on one roll, and relatedly fewer film changes (or film backs to carry) while on the street...

Hassasin · Mar 11, 2023

Pasto said:
Wondering if Hasselblad ever made one...

Just cross checked Hasselblad Compendium - No, they only made two masks (A16 + A16S) for older style finder, none for later model.

Pasto · Mar 11, 2023

Thanks Hassasin. I'll try the aftermarket one ad see how it goes...

Hassasin · Mar 13, 2023

I have just looked at my SWC viewfinder and while there are certainly no 645 mask lines, it looks like an imaginary line between inner ends of corner marks is a fairly close approximation.

Sirius Glass · Mar 13, 2023

Hassasin said:
I have just looked at my SWC viewfinder and while there are certainly no 645 mask lines, it looks like an imaginary line between inner ends of corner marks is a fairly close approximation.

View attachment 332362

From the Hasselblad 903 SWC manual

Hassasin · Mar 14, 2023

@Sirius Glass Great, confirmed.

Pasto · Mar 18, 2023

I should read the manual! Thanks that is helpful.

Hassasin · Mar 18, 2023

Pasto said:
I should read the manual! Thanks that is helpful.

To be frank, I don't know what prevented Hasselblad from putting actual faint grid lines in that view, so as to leave all the guessing out when composing. This reference marking will work most of the time, but tight framing against imaginary lines is not as good as actual visible line all across the frame.

Sirius Glass · Mar 18, 2023

Hassasin said:
To be frank, I don't know what prevented Hasselblad from putting actual faint grid lines in that view, so as to leave all the guessing out when composing. This reference marking will work most of the time, but tight framing against imaginary lines is not as good as actual visible line all across the frame.

Use 6x6 and be worry free. Life will be wonderful. Always remember "Square is the perfect format." I wish those pesky corners would just disappear.

Hassasin · Mar 18, 2023

Sirius Glass said:
I wish those pesky corners would just disappear.

Without, the view would be too large to frame correctly, Distortion of that finder is kind of an odd ball approach, even if it kept its optics cheap enough not to ruin Hasselblad's bottom line By odd I mean see the ball only to discover it's actually straight and square.

Sirius Glass · Mar 18, 2023

Hassasin said:
Without, the view would be too large to frame correctly, Distortion of that finder is kind of an odd ball approach, even if it kept its optics cheap enough not to ruin Hasselblad's bottom line By odd I mean see the ball only to discover it's actually straight and square.

I find the SWC view finder good enough to properly crop the composition in the lens. Sometimes if the bottom of the composition is in question, turn the camera upside down. But still no reason for the pesky corners, I wish I could sand them off the view finder.

Hassasin · Mar 18, 2023

Sirius Glass said:
I find the SWC view finder good enough to properly crop the composition in the lens. Sometimes if the bottom of the composition is in question, turn the camera upside down. But still no reason for the pesky corners, I wish I could sand them off the view finder.

But the corner markers are for square frame, and I would not be too trusty, if the whole view were to be what's covered by the frame, at least there is extra coverage outside the lines shown. I like it that way better.

Hasselblad SWC/M viewfinder mask for 6x4.5?

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