Hasselblad telephoto lenses

[Hassasin]

Well, yes. But maybe "semi-handholding"?

A "semi-trailer truck" is still a truck.

 

[MattKing]

Wouldn't monopod cancel "handholding" though ?

If you don't hold the monopod mounted camera (in your hands?), it will fall over on to the ground.
So I don't think "cancellation" is involved.
Definitely bigger and less portable though.

 

[Hassasin]

If you don't hold the monopod mounted camera (in your hands?), it will fall over on to the ground.
So I don't think "cancellation" is involved.
Definitely bigger and less portable though.

Sounds like we ought to discuss what handheld is, like what “is” is.

if I let go of the camera it also falls to the ground.

if the only connection between camera and ground are my feet, then I hold it in my hand, if the camera gets ground support by any other means, it is no longer hand held arrangement.

 

[MattKing]

I was attempting to differentiate using a monopod from using any other support which is intended to support the camera without the assistance of the photographer's hands.
Using a monopod is a very "hands on" approach to using a camera.
Strict literalness and pun intended.

 

[guangong]

I was attempting to differentiate using a monopod from using any other support which is intended to support the camera without the assistance of the photographer's hands.
Using a monopod is a very "hands on" approach to using a camera.
Strict literalness and pun intended.

Nobody has mentioned straps. When handholding Hassy I use camera's straps as an assist for steadying camera, no matter focal length of lens. With my Olympic Sonnars a tripod is definitely needed.

 

[eli griggs]

Wouldn't monopod cancel "handholding" though ?

Think of the monopod as a steady axis point, pivoting from a grounded point which allows your hands or, your strap, if in use to steady, point, and focus the camera lens.

If your hands are shakey, the grounded connection will allow for some steadying but your focus and camera settings still depend on you and how you use the money monopod.

I have both, the 180 and 250CF. Both are great lenses. the 180f/4 counts as an exceptionally sharp portrait lens! The 250 has a max aperture of f/5.6, which is a bit limiting and with a2xextender it is a bit soft.

Wouldn't monopod cancel "handholding" though ?

 

[Hassasin]

@eli griggs I was merely going after calling monopod use as "hand held" , it isn't no matter how we try to stretch that definition. Even just considering freedom of movement alone, monopod becomes a hindrance compared to ... hand holding the camera.

 

[eli griggs]

Nobody has mentioned straps. When handholding Hassy I use camera's straps as an assist for steadying camera, no matter focal length of lens. With my Olympic Sonnars a tripod is definitely needed.

Putting your back to a tree/pole, vehicle, building other static support also lends great support to steadying a camera and lens.

@eli griggs I was merely going after calling monopod use as "hand held" , it isn't no matter how we try to stretch that definition. Even just considering freedom of movement alone, monopod becomes a hindrance compared to ... hand holding the camera.

The monopod, properly used, which is fairly simple in use, is used to assist the photographer in getting the shot, where 'regular' handholding is not nearly as likely to aid the sharpness and focus, range of shutter speeds, capture of moving object or presets, which are easily preadjusted in several zone focus positions for fast(er) shooting.

When I first started using supports, the monopod was my first purchase, appropriate for what I was doing which included a lot of documentary style photography.

This does not mean they will be of use to you, but they are almost always an option for special needs or change of pace.

IMO.

 

[guangong]

Putting your back to a tree/pole, vehicle, building other static support also lends great support to steadying a camera and lens.


The monopod, properly used, which is fairly simple in use, is used to assist the photographer in getting the shot, where 'regular' handholding is not nearly as likely to aid the sharpness and focus, range of shutter speeds, capture of moving object or presets, which are easily preadjusted in several zone focus positions for fast(er) shooting.

When I first started using supports, the monopod was my first purchase, appropriate for what I was doing which included a lot of documentary style photography.

This does not mean they will be of use to you, but they are almost always an option for special needs or change of pace.

IMO.

I have used both monopods and tripods (mostly Gitzo) since early 1960s. I simply added straps to the list. Of course, what nobody has mentioned is the wide differences among people's ability to hold camera steady when releasing shutter. Long lenses deserve a support of some kind.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Tripods provide stability and the inconvenience of size, weight and awkwardness when compared to a monopod which is less stable but easier to carry around. I prefer tripods because I find a monopod gets in my way when I have to set it down when I shoot hand held. The choice between the two is personal and there is no right or wrong answer.

 

[Ai Print]

Might be worth it to revive this thread as not much is being discussed about Hasselblad long lenses.

I now have the CF 350 and APO Tessar 500, and considering the Variogon 140-280.

There is no way I would recommend skipping the 500 over with a 2x + 350. This is not to say the latter has issues (even if it does). But the 500 with its tripod mount is superbly better on a tripod.

Conversely, the 2x + 350 with NO tripod mount is basically a hope-and-prey nothing will crack when tripod mounted on cameras plate. I’ll set aside any talk about reduced IQ, as in many cases this is not an issue, except how it handles and how that directly affects effective end sharpness.

Neither lens is hand-holdable, even the 350. The long focus throw alone makes it nearly impossible to get the intended sharpness point, as even for far away subjects the small movement of the kit in one’s hand will indeed shift it sufficiently to see a difference, be disappointed, throw the lens away, and start drinking again.

They are nearly impossible to find now, but when I first got my 350 CF 8-10 years ago, I found a source on eBay who made a clamp-on style collar with a tripod foot. It works and makes the lens far more usable, even with the 1.4XE on it.

I have been eyeing the 350 SA but have yet to pull the trigger even though there seem to be some better prices out there lately. If all I shot was B&W film, I think I could forgo the 10X price tag over the regular CF but I also use these lenses with an X2D.

The collar / foot does the job and even though it is extending the mount area out by quite a bit, tests wide open show no distorting of the image. I usually opt for the lighter Flexbody on it anyway to get some control over DOF for landscape use which is all that I use the lens for. It appears to sag a bit on the mount when under full load but again, there is little to no bending going on in actual use, at least that I can detect.

 

[Hassasin]

They are nearly impossible to find now, but when I first got my 350 CF 8-10 years ago, I found a source on eBay who made a clamp-on style collar with a tripod foot. It works and makes the lens far more usable, even with the 1.4XE on it.

I have been eyeing the 350 SA but have yet to pull the trigger even though there seem to be some better prices out there lately. If all I shot was B&W film, I think I could forgo the 10X price tag over the regular CF but I also use these lenses with an X2D.

The collar / foot does the job and even though it is extending the mount area out by quite a bit, tests wide open show no distorting of the image. I usually opt for the lighter Flexbody on it anyway to get some control over DOF for landscape use which is all that I use the lens for. It appears to sag a bit on the mount when under full load but again, there is little to no bending going on in actual use, at least that I can

your collar much wider than mine, but in that it moves suspension point too far forward and a lot more load on the lens barrel where collar is. If an EL body were mounted on lens things would have been even worse. It works and you’re happy with it, that’s good. I am worried about distorting lens barrel with this single point attachment. I have no doubts Hasselblad messed this up completely. I will e looking at two point suspension solution. Already have front collar, just need to come up with a neat rail to get to camera plate, while allowing the rig to adjust for easy focus.

On another note, the Tele ApoTessar 500 CF and Variogon CF both have factory tripod mount and they have perfect balance.

 

[Ai Print]

On another note, the Tele ApoTessar 500 CF and Variogon CF both have factory tripod mount and they have perfect balance.

As does the 350 SA, I'll probably cave and get one later this year.

 

[eli griggs]

They are nearly impossible to find now, but when I first got my 350 CF 8-10 years ago, I found a source on eBay who made a clamp-on style collar with a tripod foot. It works and makes the lens far more usable, even with the 1.4XE on it.

I have been eyeing the 350 SA but have yet to pull the trigger even though there seem to be some better prices out there lately. If all I shot was B&W film, I think I could forgo the 10X price tag over the regular CF but I also use these lenses with an X2D.

The collar / foot does the job and even though it is extending the mount area out by quite a bit, tests wide open show no distorting of the image. I usually opt for the lighter Flexbody on it anyway to get some control over DOF for landscape use which is all that I use the lens for. It appears to sag a bit on the mount when under full load but again, there is little to no bending going on in actual use, at least that I can detect.
View attachment 358734

Nice looking rig.

 

[eli griggs]

As does the 350 SA, I'll probably cave and get one later this year.

The "ordinary" Tele Tessar 500mm f8 I am trying to get running also has the big "wheel" focusing unit complete with adjustable presets and the tripod/monopod mount.

Pair this with both a monopod and tripod with a quick release plate and it should make for a very steady mount, especially if, you are on a flat terrain, street, floor, and you can use the built-in, fold out three footed monopod stand, under the lens mount.

Another option is to use a plastic or metal "shooting stick, with a "U" or "V" cradle, to support the longer lenses without a mounting collar.

 

[guangong]

The tripod mount on my Olympic Sonnars are closer to the collar that attaches to the camera. Much better balance.

 

[Nokton48]

Soccer 350mm 500CM FUJI 800 1 by Nokton48, on Flickr

This one was shot hand held at 1/500 Fuji 800 color neg 350mm Non-T* Tele-Tessar. I prefer the olde Hasselblad V stuff. The wide Blad Strap is useful to sling this around. It's not that heavy. Higher speed film required.

 

[Nokton48]

Testing Studio Lighting 2 350mm f.56 Tele Tessar ELM by Nokton48, on Flickr

Testing some olde Broncolor strobe lighting. Hasselblad 500EL/M, 350mm f5.6 Non-T* Tele-Tessar, Ilford FP4+ 120, Omega DII laser aligned with Omegalite, 180mm black Rodagon, 8x10 Arista #2 RC Multigrade developer