I always thought that I wanted a Hasselblad.

2F/2F said:

Yes, of course, Matt: I forgot to list that the other big advantage (for certain pix) is the leaf shutters in Hassies. I don't automatically think of this as an advantage over 6x7 because I am used to an RZ, not a Pentax 67, so I assume leaf shutter for 6x7 format.

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******
I have the 90mm Leaf Shutter lens for my 6x7.

many years ago i decided i want a hassy, and in those days it was 600 dollars, which was still alot of money . I decided i couldn't afford that price and kept putting it off until sometime in the late 70's i decided i really did want this camera. So i bought it, but then it was a lot more money, something in the 2400 range with a few extra's thrown in for what ever reason.

I must have shoot three rolls of film when i realized i didn't like this camera. I don't think square and it just didn't feel right (for me). So i packed it up in the orginal boxes and put it away, not really knowing what i wanted to do about getting rid of the camera.

Then in the mid 80's i ended up selling it for more than i paid, (always a good thing).

The point being, i never missed it and as good luck would have it, i didn't lose money.

My favorite 120 film camera, a Plaubel Makina. So, i still can have a large size negative along with a camera that i love to handle.

I would sugges you try to borrow one or go rent one for a long weekend and really get a feel for the camera and how it handles .

Stay with the Pentax. Don't expect higher image quality from the Hasselblad. If you absolutely want to burn some money, add the 75mm f2.8 ASPH and the 300mm f4 ED to you setup. These latest Pentax 67 offerings are simply amazing. Or even better, add a Goetschmann 6x7 slide projector and be overwhelmed by the experience a 6x7 slide show offers.

Andrew,
A lot of the small petzvals are not marked. I think the ones I have are projection lenses. You might ask Jim Galli about these small lenses. He is an expert and often comes up with them for sale.
Steve
www.scdowellphoto.com

Hi Venchka,

Although I've been a photographer for many years, I hesitated buying a Hassy for one reason or another. I have a Mamiya C330 (which I love) and didn't really feel the need for another 6x6. I ended up buying a Hassy 500/CM with an 80mm and a 250mm lens a year ago at a camera show and it has become my main shooter at this point. I can't say enough good things about the camera and the glass. If you're still on the fence about a Hassy, I can only say that it may (hopefully will) be a great addition to your camera collection.

Ash

keithwms said:

Get a mamiya 6

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Yes!

Thats where I'm heading ...

Coming from a RX67 I'm still humming and hurring about a blad, then I got all Leica M4-P excited, now I'm thinking Mamiya 6 or maybe a Bessa 3 ...

Shucks

No one in this thread can make up your mind for you. I think you should take both cameras and try them at the same time in a variety of shooting situations. That will help you with the feel of the systems and their handling and ergonomics. Like someone said early in the thread these systems are not even close to being the same, I couldn't agree more and I have used both. I own a large Hasselblad system as my principal medium format rig. I use the older C lenses because they were the best for cash flow and business due to their excellent value. Every repair person I have ever dealt with tells me they are far better built as well. Now, having said that their ease of use (aperture/shutter coupling tab) is not as good as the CF's and others. That is my only complaint about my Hasselblad gear. I use a 500CM and 553ELX and I love them both. The standard body like a 500CM should be outfitted with an Accumatte screen, makes them much easier to use in low light or with longer lenses like the 350 or 500. The 553 bodies come with a Accumatte screen. Everything else in the system is perfect as is and I thoroughly recommend a Hasselblad system. If you buy it right you will always get your money out of it. One major point you may want to consider is one potentially very important one ....... you can always add a digital back at any time you may find you want it and switch between film and digital as simply as releasing and reattaching a back. That's one option that is hard to ignore. Just think, if you were to buy a 500 series body you can use just about every item in that product lineup all the way back to the 1950's. That is simply incredible. Not only that, but you can use technology backs well into the future. The Pentax hasn't a prayer in that world of compatibility. You can add any of several prisms to the Hasselblad for eye level shooting. I have a PME3 but I rarely use it. I find I prefer using the waistlevel with the flip up magnifier or the magnifying finder. It's a personal thing a photographer has to decide for themselves to fit their style of working. I think the Zeiss lenses are superior to the Pentax optics. Chromes and B/W negs that I used to shoot always were snappier with the exceptional Zeiss contrast. However, in my old college days I used a Pentax 6x7 for fashion work because the camera was fast in that shooting environment. A motorized Hasselblad will work well too but I found with fashion the Pentax was hard to beat. A huge problem with the Pentax in my book is the lack of interchangeable film backs. Some people may not like it's bulk and weight also. To me when you are shooting medium format, those interchangeable backs are essential. Another important thing to think about is the availability of system information and support on Hasselblad. There is a wealth of info available from many, many sources. Not to mention the factory support. The range of the Hasselblad system components and accessories all the way back to the 1950's is extraordinary. You need to decide on what you prefer but I have to tell ya, the Pentax system can't begin to compare although it is a very good camera and I like the 6x7 Pentax. Good luck with your decision.

Get the Blad. You'll never look back.

For quite some time, I thought I wanted a Hasselblad. Then I tried my friends Mamiya 6. I ended up buying a Mamiya 7ii. I am quite happy to have done this. In my case, I seldom wish to carry around a tripod, and in many cases, a Hasselblad would need one due to fairly significant camera shake. The Mamiya is a very quiet / calm camera and (if I am careful) I can get away with handholding at 1/60 (for sure 1/125). So, if I were you, I might consider keeping the Pentax but complement it with a MF camera with a leaf shutter (TLR or Rangefinder).

tom_bw said:

In my case, I seldom wish to carry around a tripod, and in many cases, a Hasselblad would need one due to fairly significant camera shake.

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What camera shake????
Not wanting to carry a tripod it's a perfectly acceptable argument, since I consider the Hasselblad mainly a tripod camera, but camera shake?:confused: Sorry, don't agree with that one.


Cheers

André E.C. said:

What camera shake????
Not wanting to carry a tripod it's a perfectly acceptable argument, since I consider the Hasselblad mainly a tripod camera, but camera shake?:confused: Sorry, don't agree with that one.


Cheers

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Well, people who use hassies tend to be old and decrepit, hence the camera shake. It's kind of like the Rolls Royce effect. Most people who drive Rolls are in their 90s because that's how old you have to be before you can afford one, so, naturally you get more swerving, and it's not fair to blame it on the car....

:rolleyes: kidding...kidding, really I am just kidding!

Get the Hasselblad. You will always be glad you did. The feel and action of the camera are unique. Every aspect is first class and you can feel it as you use it.

If the Hasselbad is a "dream" and not a soultion to some problem your other cameras won't do, get it. To see what it is like to use one. You can borrow the dream I finally got about a month ago.

I have to agree with Ralph... I lusted after the Hasselblad for years and finally gave in - but I am still not certain that it was the best choice for me! I use the 150 mm 85% of the time (80 mm 15%)... don't really like the prism finder though I use it for metering. After all is said and done I really liked the RB67 with waist level finder better as far as handling but I haven't found any 6x6, 6x7 that produced results comparable to the Hassy with the 150! Obviously that is just an opinion - other lens/camera combinations were not less sharp or even deficient - the Zeiss just produces (for me) smoother, more pleasing tonal gradation.

Best reason!

Vaughn said:

I think you should go for the Hassy -- that way when people ask you, "Is that a Hasselblad?", you can answer "Yes!".

Other than that, FC's answer is solid. I am also a Rollei user -- it is my minature camera. I like the way the shutter is almost silent...the opposite of the Pentax 6x7!

Vaughn

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Vaughn, the best reason in 4 pages!

Another friend just loaned me an original 150mm/4.0 Sonnar for the weekend. I'm in serious trouble now.

I will get a firm price for the camera on Sunday. Stay tuned. I may be thinning the 35mm rangefinder lens herd.

Thanks for all of your help. I really appreciate it.

Cheers!

Wayne

It isn't clear from your post why you want or need the Hasselblad. The later Pentax 67 SMC lenses are excellent, and if you compare results to Zeiss glass (especially if you ever crop 6x6 to say 6x4,5 as many do) you will be surprised. Research the Photo.net archives, you should find test results. So I wouldn't switch systems just for image quality (unless you go for the most expensive FE range of lenses).

All that has been said above about the Hasselblad system and quality etc is true, and as you liked your TLR results, the 6x6 format should appeal. I have both systems, and use them equally. Some days I like the ease of handling of the P67II with its excellent meter; other days I like the considered approach demanded by the 'blad (it can fool you in many ways!). Always on the tripod with the 'blad, not always with the P67 (with Tri-X or HP5 plus). They say a 503CW with winder and prism make a better handheld camera, but havn't tried that yet.

With used prices so low, you could get yourself a second P67 body as back up and for a different film type.

Why do I keep both systems. Firstly, prices are cheap, expecially the P67 stuff. Secondly, much as I admire the square view in many circumstances, I am always drawn to the big 6x7 negative size. The Plaubel Makinon 67 suggestion was good, with eye-level viewing, although not everyone would like the rangefinder viewer.

tom_bw said:

In my case, I seldom wish to carry around a tripod, and in many cases, a Hasselblad would need one due to fairly significant camera shake.

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What a bunch of crap!! It is the old Hasselblad mirror slap myth spread about by people who have no experience with a Hasselblad.

Sinner see the following video and repent!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkKcbyh2CrA

Steve

I agree. I have three Hasselblad bodies and none of them exhibit any cameras shake to speak of. By the way, that mirror slap sound is music to my ears!

User shake maybe, camera shake, no, not a problem.

Lighten up on the mirror slapping folks. Forgive them for they know not what they speak.

I use a Pentax 6x7 hand held with MLU. I use the Hasselblad the same way.

It's all good!

To the person who advised the 250mm lens: Thanks! Good tip. Since I have the SMC Takumar 150/2.8, adding the slower Sonnar wouldn't make a lot of sense. I have both 150mm lenses sitting on my desk side by side. Very little difference in exterior dimensions.

Venchka said:

Lighten up on the mirror slapping folks. Forgive them for they know not what they speak.

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No way. They cause too much damage mouthing off without knowledge. This is one myth that I will stomp on the ones who propagate it.

[I am the one who pointed out the advantage of the 250mm lens over the 150mm lens.]

Steve

billschwab said:

Get the Blad. You'll never look back.

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Word.

Truth.

Kerik said:

Word.

Truth.

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There is no higher calling.

Thank you!

Sirius Glass said:

No way. They cause too much damage mouthing off without knowledge. This is one myth that I will stomp on the ones who propagate it.

[I am the one who pointed out the advantage of the 250mm lens over the 150mm lens.]

Steve

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Thank you, Oh Great Myth Stomping One! I apologize for not digging through all the posts to give proper credit.

All Hail Steve! The Myth Stomper!

Seriously folks, it's easy to hand hold these big medium format SLRs. Granted, if I knew for sure and for certain that someone was paying for mural size enlargements, I would anchor the camera firmly and use the fastest shutter speed I could. Otherwise, hand holding gets me pitures I probably wouldn't get if I had to foll with a tripod.

Kerik, thank you. If I knew for certain that photos as good as yours automatically came from a Hasselblad, I would have gotten one ages ago.

I really, really want a Hassie, but just can't swing the bucks at the moment. I want it because I love the square format that I've become so fond of with my C330 with prism finder. But the C330 hasn't the dof preview that I think is essential, and the ability to see polarization through the lens. So I use my P67 in the landscape orientation for everything, and simply crop to square when composing and printing.

But, I WILL NOT leave this mortal coil without owning a 'blad someday, ...I continue to buy lottery tickets too!