Hmm, should I buy yet another camera?

[Amund]

I have a couple of children portrait sessions coming up in a couple of months, and practising on my five year old son, I find that focusing fast with a Hasselblad is nearly impossble, way to stiff for any action.. Looking at Cheryl Jacobs fantastic children photos, I can`t help beeing intersted in buying a Bronica Etrsi, as she is doing quite well with this camera...
I`m I really this bad at using my blad, or can someone confirm that the Bronica lenses are a lot easier to focus fast?......

 

[eumenius]

Amund, I just don't think that the things would be much easier with Bronica ETRSi - I've tried it, and on my opinion it's more difficult to focus compared to Hassy. Well, maybe that's my hands - I find my Mamiya C330 with 80 or even 65 mm lens much much more convenient for shooting people in action (thanks to unmovable mirror, lenses fast enough, and waist level finder). Again, that's just my own experience.

Cheers from Moscow, Zhenya

 

[arigram]

I haven't had trouble focusing with a Hasselblad even with fast moving and unpredictable subjects like children. It is indeed stiff and slow especially compared to a 35mm camera yet after getting used to it I found I just needed some practice.
I usually set the focus to an estimate or preditermined distance and just fiddle with it for fine focusing.

 

[Claire Senft]

You might find it faster if you used a prism. I have used both Bronica and Hasselblad cameras and Vronica is no improvement over a Hasselblad at all.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

I used to think the same thing about my Bronica S2A until I got a rapid focusing handle. BIG difference. I'm fairly sure that Hassy makes such a thing as well.

 

[Ed_Davor]

another? Buy one for me, my first and only MF camera

 

[pentaxuser]

You might find it faster if you used a prism. I have used both Bronica and Hasselblad cameras and Vronica is no improvement over a Hasselblad at all.

If Vronica is anything like Veronica as in Lake and Peek a Boo hairstyle, then my vote goes her way. You can only take pictures with a Hasselblad

Pentaxuser

 

[rbarker]

I'd second (or third) the recommendation for the prism finder on the 'Blad. It makes it far easier to focus, and works well even for fast-paced fashion-style shoots. Practice helps, too, of course, so the direction of turning the focus ring becomes second nature.

The key to working with kids is to Velcro them to the floor. If you use glue to attach the Velcro, rather than staples, they won't scream or bleed.

 

[Cheryl Jacobs]

Having used both Bronica and Hassey cameras, I do definitely prefer Bronicas where focus is concerned. They're just easier for me. Part of that may be due to the characteristics of the particular cameras I used, but both the Hasseys were MUCH stiffer and slower to focus. The rings just don't like to turn. Bronica focusing has never been an issue for me. I've used both the SQ-Ai and the ETRS with waist level finders and prisms, and once I adjusted to the shift from 35mm, it was very easy to photograph moving children. I can't say the same about the Hassey; I no longer have it and don't miss it.

- CJ

 

[Amund]

Thank you all for you replies. I have a prism finder for my Hasselblad, and a rapid focusing handle too, but as Cheryl says: "the rings don`t like to turn"...
Thanks Cheryl, I guess I wasn`t the only one feelig that a HB is too stiff...
So I`ll be picking up a Bronica soon...

 

[Nicole]

I have a Hasselblad and a first wasn't too happy. As Cheryl said, it was very stiff and far to slow to focus. I fell in love with the glass and just couldn't sell it. With practice and patience I can now work it much faster and it serves me well with my child portraits. IMO camera's are a personal thing. Keep trying until you find the one that fits you.
Kind regards, Nicole

 

[Woolliscroft]

I find my Pentax 67II very fast focusing, with a nice light, smooth lens action. I also prefer the rectangular format.

David.