I want A Hasselblad. Talk Me Out Of It!

[Pieter12]

I will get a Rolleiflex HY6 if I have the money.

That had better be a lot of money, if you can find one. Not many Hy6 cameras were made, and they can be quite expensive if in good shape. There is no support, so if it fails the chances of a repair are slim. Backs are rarer than bodies, film or digital.

Having said that, I own two Hy6s, and find them my favorite cameras. The Zeiss lenses are on a par with Hasselblad's, the Schneiders even better. Handling is great, built-in meter dead accurate. I like the built-in motor drive in the film back and the instant-return mirror. Autofocus is pretty good for a MF camera, with focus confirmation for manual focus lenses. The biggest downside is there are a lot of electronics--both in the body and the lenses. There seem to be a lot of lenses available on the market, since the Hy6 will work with the older 6008 lenses. Regular use is recommended. I have been told of a frozen shutter in a lens causing overheating and setting it on fire (well, smoking)! This was from just about the only guy who fixes these, about a 6008. Caveat emptor.

 

[John Wiegerink]

I guess I preferred something that didn't rely on batteries...

Andy, many times simpler is better! Much less to go wrong for sure and just how much or many bells a whistles are needed to get a great picture. Hasselblad lenses also fall into a "how much or good" do I need. I look at the results from my older lenses, some not even "T" coated, a wonder how anything could be any better. Different strokes for different folks I guess.

 

[Pieter12]

I guess I preferred something that didn't rely on batteries...

As long as batteries are available, carrying a spare is no big deal.

 

[John Wiegerink]

As long as batteries are available, carrying a spare is no big deal.

I have to do that with my Pentax 67 in cold weather. I don't have to with my 500C and that's what I'd take if I were headed out in the weather we have here right now. First day in about a week or more we might make it to 20F. Cold is a killer on battery juice.