Hasselblad vs. Hasselblad vs. my RZ pocket money

Dave Dawson · Sep 10, 2009

nick mulder said:
I'll admit I'm a slave to a few status symbols, but not all - I try to audit my vanity on occasion and look at the worth of the object, pointing out the bleedin obvious I believe that the Hassleblad is worthy of it position at the 'top' of medium format - as are say Leica, Sinar et al. in each respective format... (contentious maybe?)

Anyway, I think the real impetus behind my purchase is that I'm simply following in the footsteps of my father, he always wanted one (but made do as did his father with Pentax and Canon 35mm packages). I think his desire/respect for a blad has rubbed off on me. I understand its only come about due to the drastic drop in camera prices, but somehow I feel I'm going to take great pleasure in it regardless.

The RZ is a fine tool, but as a mantlepiece bit of kit (as it currently) its just not that inspiring

All that glistens isn't gold!....However if you want a Hassy then get one. You won't be happy until you have one (I know) Having owned Hassies, Leica M3's etc I am as guilty of the 60% as anyone else and the only way to get it out of your system is to own one.

Going round a full circle...I rescently bought a Rollei f2.8 tlr similar to one I owned 20 years ago! but the Hassy and M3 are now out of my system.

GO FOR IT
Cheers Dave

Sirius Glass · Sep 10, 2009

I feel left out! I bought Hasselblad for what it can do. I did not buy it for the glory, honor, or the bling. Am I the only one?

Steve

Ian David · Sep 10, 2009

Sirius Glass said:
I feel left out! I bought Hasselblad for what it can do. I did not buy it for the glory, honor, or the bling. Am I the only one?

Steve

Nope - you are not alone. I also bought a Hasselblad for what it can do. But in choosing between a few different camera systems that can all do excellent things, I went for the one that is also a handsome piece of design.

Ian

nick mulder · Sep 10, 2009

BrianShaw said:
Looking into my crystal ball I see that you will be kicking yourself for this decision and paying another shipping charge in the VERY near future.

I'm thinking still the 501 probably the CM if I can find one - the 80, 100 or the Macro (140mm?) - and the one back...

Once I'm satisfied its all working and I'm going to be indeed using it I'll fork out for the 50mm (or 40mm and 80mm maybe if I went for the macro) and another back or two...

Thats two shipping charges tops !

nick mulder · Sep 11, 2009

Heres one I found locally for sale:

Hasselblad 503cx n Excellent ++ condition... Planar 80/2.8 CF T* lens is immaculate and unmarked. Very little sign of wear on body, w.l.f. or film back (matching insert number) - Together with a spare 120 back (in average condition - not matching numbers)

I can risk the auction going higher or 'buy now' outright for US$1230 - I like that it is local, much better for dealing with issues ...

Sound like a goer ?

Q.G. · Sep 11, 2009

A bit (not much) on the high side for me.

Is the 'buy it now' price also the starting price?
If not, i think i would take the risk and wait how the bidding goes.

Depends too on how badly you want to have this thing, though.
So my perspective on this probably is not yours.

It sure looks like a good set.
But looks can be deceptive, and things may need a CLA to work properly. Ask about that.

nick mulder · Sep 11, 2009

Auction reserve is US $1060 - so yes it might go over the buy it now if I were to risk it - but hey, there's always KEH right ?

Seller advises it was given a once over by a Hasselblad tech 1 or so years ago, doesn't sound like the current owner has used it much (a vanity purchase, ha!)

Q.G. · Sep 11, 2009

Silly question, wan't it?
If the 'buy it now' price also was the starting price, who would bid instead of buying it now?
I promise i will do better, and not ask such silly things again.

How much would a similar set assembled with bits bought at KEH run at?

BrianShaw · Sep 11, 2009

Q.G. said:
Silly question, wan't it?
If the 'buy it now' price also was the starting price, who would bid instead of buying it now?

I was watching an auction once and not quite ready to buy, even though the BIN price was the starting price... only to watch it close with a number of bidders and a price significantly higher than the BIN. Weird, eh?

André E.C. · Sep 11, 2009

iandavid said:
Interesting that you prefer the black to the chrome... I have always wondered how many people do. One slight downside to the black, if you are concerned with aesthetics, is that the paint does scratch revealing the silver colour underneath - something to be aware of when you are considering second hand bodies and backs, if such wear matters to you.
The modern Hasselblad lenses are not as handsome as the old chrome ones, but they do take fine photos (and would probably look better on a black body!)

Ian

All my cameras (exception to my Contax IIa) are black, optics also (once again my Contax Sonnars being the exception to the rule). I don't like chrome cameras at all and IMHO, it's precisely that wear who gives a beautiful character to black cameras.

Just a random example

Nikon S2 Black

Image from cameraquest.com

Cheers

André

nick mulder · Sep 11, 2009

Q.G. said:
Silly question, wan't it?
If the 'buy it now' price also was the starting price, who would bid instead of buying it now?
I promise i will do better, and not ask such silly things again.

How much would a similar set assembled with bits bought at KEH run at?

I did exactly that but it is really dependent on the rating KEH would give it, so without knowing how they would rate the item in question the price fluctuates from less than the buy it now price to 'significantly enough' over ...

Local shipping will be less also, so I'll take that into account.

A conundrum.

I am in the process of working out a possible future contract with a new employer (non photography related), if it goes ahead I'll buy it, otherwise I'll wait a few months for my savings to look a bit more healthy

Hasselblad vs. Hasselblad vs. my RZ pocket money

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