Hassy H2 vs. Hassy 503cw vs. Mamiya 645afd/II/III

DanielStone · Dec 13, 2009

hey all,

gots a simple, yet somewhat blunt question...

I currently have a Hassy H2(in addition to my RZ), and love both cameras. They just do what I need, when I need it.

but lenses for the H2 are just bloody expensive !

so, even though I got a great deal on the camera with the 80mm lens earlier this year, I've been considering moving over to either the Hasselblad 500-series bodies(503cw) or the Mamiya 645afd/II/bodies.

mostly because lenses aren't *as* expensive in the long run...

the 503cw also doesn't take any batteries(except if I were to put the winder on it eventually, what batt's does that take, AA's?)

I really like both the Mamiya and 503 cameras, both are great from the limited use of them I've had up until now. The AF isn't the biggest issue, its nice, but NOT necessary. I really like the dampening on the Hasselblad lenses(newer ones mostly with rubbery focusing rings) cfe/cfi lenses.

I would use the 503cw with a 45deg prism if I leaned that way, not the WLF as I do on my rz(looking out for prism for that as well, AEII)

any ideas/ reccomendations?

thanks

Dan

aluncrockford · Dec 13, 2009

503cw is a fine camera and has a much better build quality than the H ( which is actually a fuji camera) the lenses of the V series are as good as it gets ,the difference between the CFE and CFi lenses are slight and you can get the older lenses for a very good price , also the backs and other bits and pieces are fairly easy to get hold of , they are also a lot easier to repair , the winder takes AA batteries and they usually come with the remote also if you need to you can also stick a Phase one back onto it . So from every point I would ditch the H and get a real Hasselblad

I know nothing about the Mamiya ,

Q.G. · Dec 13, 2009

The H is not a Fuji camera, and very well built, just like all the other real Hasselblads.

But, Dan, find a 503 CW, and go for it.

rwboyer · Dec 13, 2009

I have had an H2 and an H3 - I have never shot film with the H because I love my 500 series equipment so much. I wish more of my commercial clients (when I was doing that) wanted film. The AF in the H2 really sucked so I never used it and although a little better in the H3 90% of what I shoot AF is not useful.

That being said - I have shot both digital and film on the 500 and H series - if you really ever want to do digital stick with the H series - trust me on this. If you only want to do film the 500 is a better choice - and as you have seen - downright dirt cheap.

RB

photomem · Dec 13, 2009

I am going to play devils advocate and push the 645. It is the camera I use the most.. and I am actually debating buying a Hasselblad 500 kit after Christmas. But, I love the 645 and I say go for it. The whole system is cheaper and if you buy the AFD II or III, you are sorta future-proofed because you can be sure Mamiya is going to continue to support them.

DanielStone · Dec 13, 2009

rwboyer said:
That being said - I have shot both digital and film on the 500 and H series - if you really ever want to do digital stick with the H series - trust me on this. If you only want to do film the 500 is a better choice - and as you have seen - downright dirt cheap.
RB

just out of curiosity though, why do you recommend sticking with the H for digi(where I need to go eventually for commercial work after school, where clients don't want film)? Are the lenses THAT much better on the H series cameras vs the best(CFi/CFE) glass that Hasselblad offers? I borrowed a friends' 503cw, with the 80mm CFe on it, and shot some comparisons between the two, both(at least to me, same subject matter, same time, same lighting, same film[from same pack]) looked pretty much identical, with the H roll showing a bit more contrast... both scanned the EXACT same .

I know that MF(LF) Rodenstock and Schneider is the best of the lot, but is the H series glass all that much better for M/F slr's, or just because its newer designs than the V-series glass?

thanks everyone for your replies, please keep em' coming!

blessings,

Dan

rwboyer · Dec 13, 2009

DanielStone said:
just out of curiosity though, why do you recommend sticking with the H for digi(where I need to go eventually for commercial work after school, where clients don't want film)? Are the lenses THAT much better on the H series cameras vs the best(CFi/CFE) glass that Hasselblad offers? I borrowed a friends' 503cw, with the 80mm CFe on it, and shot some comparisons between the two, both(at least to me, same subject matter, same time, same lighting, same film[from same pack]) looked pretty much identical, with the H roll showing a bit more contrast... both scanned the EXACT same .

I know that MF(LF) Rodenstock and Schneider is the best of the lot, but is the H series glass all that much better for M/F slr's, or just because its newer designs than the V-series glass?

thanks everyone for your replies, please keep em' coming!

blessings,

Dan

H series are better integrated with the camera and are less a PIA. Most of the great backs are not square and the ones that you will probably want to rent/buy/lease do not rotate - using a V turned over is not pleasant. Using a pc cord to fire the back is a giant PIA - really. Second there is a good chance that you will need/want autofocus with a lot of your commercial work unless you are very specialized and the H4 finally has something worthwhile.

RB

rwboyer · Dec 13, 2009

Ps.

SOME of the H series lenses are better for the high MPIX digital, not all. I really do not know why this is but for some reason lenses that were fantastic on film are so-so on the digital backs - mostly the wides?? I have not done extensive testing on this account nor do I want to.

RB

keithwms · Dec 13, 2009

RB, Non-uld/ed/apo lenses are especially prone to chromatic aberration when used with bayer digital sensors.

~~~

I'd say add up the cost of the entire kit you want and consider also that Mamiya have recently brought several really exciting new lenses to the market. Though currently out of my price range, I trust that they will eventually become affordable. These include an ultrawide and two LS lenses with very fast synch (1/1600, if memory serves).

The AF on the afd isn't worth it IMHO. Anyway I have never gotten along especially well with AF. I like the focus confirmation though. But I love how small the 645 pro can get!

Leighgion · Dec 13, 2009

All I know about Hassies is that they cost more than I can pay, so there I agree.

As a Mamiya 645 Super shooter, I can say I've been very pleased with handling, image quality and the price & selection of used gear. Very worth consideration.

dwdmguy · Dec 14, 2009

The AFDIII w/the new firmware upgrade, 1.4, still had an unbearable shutter lag.

DanielStone · Dec 14, 2009

thanks DWD,

appreciate that! I have been really getting into contact printing(see "Contact Printing Weston Style" in the Contact Printing section)... So I've been on the lookout to start an 8x10 kit.

might end up selling the H2 to fund that endeavor. maybe a used Deardorff V8 or Sinar F2 8X10 with a lens or two. who knows? I'll have to give this some more thought.

thanks

-Dan

Hassy H2 vs. Hassy 503cw vs. Mamiya 645afd/II/III

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