I want A Hasselblad. Talk Me Out Of It!

Korbel · Nov 19, 2025

Get some 16mm camera instead.

Bigger depth of field for the same apeture, so you dont need to use tripod when you want the photo to be sharp. Bokeh is lazy.

Also the setup will be much lighter, so your back will thank you every day.

The film will be cheaper, so your wife will thank you aswell.

The grain will be more prominent, so even an amateur will be able to say, that you have shot it on analog, which is the ultimate craft.

You can almost always adapt bigger lens to a smaller film, but you can never adapt a small lens to a big film.

Hasselblad sounds like some nut, like hazelnut, so other people will not confuse you with a squirrel if you go super 16 instead

mshchem · Nov 19, 2025

These cameras are a thing of beauty. For me the WLF is perfect, occasionally i put a 45° finder on. Chimney finder is great too.

BrianShaw · Nov 19, 2025

David R Williams said:
Actually, that's the 80mm that differs between the CF and CB - the 60mm CB and CF are optically identical and the 60CB incorporated the improvements that subsequently became part of the CFi updates.

My error; I misread that it was the 60 mentioned. Must get eyes checked, apparently. Thanks for the correction.

MARTIE · Nov 19, 2025

You can't seriously be talked out of arguably the most iconic camera of all time, accountable for some of the most iconic images of all time.

With a Hasselblad and the same can be said of Leica and Rollei, you don't just buy a camera, you own a piece of history.

No other brands are as legendary with the legitimacy, legacy and loyalty.

(Reverse psychology... te-he!)

OAPOli · Nov 19, 2025

@Andrew O'Neill The 50mm Distagon is big and quite front heavy. The 40mm is comically huge!

John Wiegerink · Nov 19, 2025

chuckroast said:
Why do you consider them "trouble prone". I've owned three different ones personally and seen dozens more in a rental shop abused by pro photographers day in and day out. They were pretty much utterly reliable. At some point, the do require service, but I never saw anything remarkable in frequency of repairs vs. anything else.

Beyond the usual CLA and light trap replacements for the backs, the only problem with the older bodies was that that back baffles have to be replaced after many years because the flocking material starts to come off.

The only other problem I've seen is people who can't be bothered to read the manual and try to forcibly mount or unmount an uncocked lens or body with each other. But that's user error.

If you read between the lines you'll see I'm being rather sarcastic since we're supposed to be talking Andy out of the move to Hasselblad. Of course I'm pretty sure he already has his mind made up on the matter.

Milpool · Nov 19, 2025

Bah. Get a Mamiya 7 or better yet a Fuji GFX. If you do end up with a Hasselblad add an ArcBody.

Andrew O'Neill · Nov 19, 2025

chuckroast said:
YW

A few other thoughts. If you buy one, these cameras thrive on use, and get grouchy with lack of use. Once every couple months or so, I fire every lens at 1' and 1/500 using both bodies and every back in the process. This will reduce the likelihood of the lubricant packing up.

(I similarly exercise every other single camera and shutter in my stable.)

When you do need service, Barn Owl Cameras in the US took up the business from the most accomplished 'Blad guy around when he passed away, David Odess. I don't know how repairs are treated under the current tariff situation, but they do good work. They rebuilt my 100mm f/3.5 to pretty much perfection.

If you only want to start with one lens, I cannot recommend the 60mm f/3.5 Distagon enough. It's just a razor sharp, contrasty shooter. My next choice would be the 120mm f/4 Makro Planar. If you don't already have the 80mm AND you don't need the extra lens speed, I'd prefer the 100mm f/3.5 Planar over the 80mm f/2.8 Planar. The 100mm is better optimized for medium and long distance and is probably the sharpest lens Hassy ever made (although the 180mm comes close).

Here is the 100mm at work - Scan of sliver print:

View attachment 411569

Lovely image! I've looked at the 60mm Distagon, and I see that it is quite pricey (looking at ebay Japan sellers mainly). Do you own an early or late model?

Andrew O'Neill · Nov 19, 2025

Milpool said:
Bah. Get a Mamiya 7 or better yet a Fuji GFX. If you do end up with a Hasselblad add an ArcBody.

I've used the Mamiya 7 and didn't care for it (although the optics were top notch!). Prefer SLR. The GFX is digital. Not interested in digital. The ArcBody, however...Thanks!

trsvax · Nov 19, 2025

I had a Hasselblad (501 and SWC) for many years. Great cameras and I loved the idea of having a darkroom. Sold it and bought a Leica Monochrom and an M2.

Sometimes I regret selling the SWC

Andrew O'Neill · Nov 19, 2025

John Wiegerink said:
If you read between the lines you'll see I'm being rather sarcastic since we're supposed to be talking Andy out of the move to Hasselblad. Of course I'm pretty sure he already has his mind made up on the matter.

Actually, I've not quite made up my mind yet!

OAPOli · Nov 19, 2025

I'll add that the Hasselblad cameras were truly innovative (1st modular 6x6 SLR) when they came out in 1948-49. There were some big improvements with the C-series but the basic design of the body remained. Hence the quirky film back and the auxiliary shutter. It's a fine camera, but I think that today's prices are a bit too high to become an "early adopter" of 1950's technology. So for me it would depend on the asking price (mine was not too expensive).

Alexander6x6 · Nov 19, 2025

Andrew O'Neill said:
I've used the Mamiya 7 and didn't care for it (although the optics were top notch!). Prefer SLR. The GFX is digital. Not interested in digital. The ArcBody, however...Thanks!

he definitely had in mind the Fuji GX.

chuckroast · Nov 19, 2025

John Wiegerink said:
If you read between the lines you'll see I'm being rather sarcastic since we're supposed to be talking Andy out of the move to Hasselblad. Of course I'm pretty sure he already has his mind made up on the matter.

Ah! I missed that subtlety Apologies or in Canadian: Soory

chuckroast · Nov 19, 2025

Andrew O'Neill said:
Lovely image! I've looked at the 60mm Distagon, and I see that it is quite pricey (looking at ebay Japan sellers mainly). Do you own an early or late model?

All my lenses are CFs or CFis. Mostly purchased used, though a few new when my first system was stolen and the insurance company gave me a rather larger cheque to spend.

Because of my long relationship with all things Hassy, I have used every generation of their optics from C, to C T*, to, now CF/CFi. In truth, they're all absurdly good. Are the new ones better? The T* coating made a big difference in how they handle flare, and the newer shutters on the CF/i lenses are desirable. The floating element FLE 40mm and 50mm lenses are better up close than their original C counterparts, but how much? I don't really know. I have never, ever had any generation of 'Blad lens be the limiting factor on quality of my work. In short, if you find a really good deal on a C T*, I wouldn't avoid it. Just keep in mind that at the age of this stuff, CLAs are sooner or later in your future.

I see 60mm Distagons going for $700-ish USD on eBay here in the US. No clue what pricing might be in your neck of the Pacific.

Speaking of which, here's a scan of silver print from the 60mm. Feeeeeeeel the GAS and let it flow through you:

chuckroast · Nov 19, 2025

Andrew O'Neill said:
I've used the Mamiya 7 and didn't care for it (although the optics were top notch!). Prefer SLR. The GFX is digital. Not interested in digital. The ArcBody, however...Thanks!

When my original 'Blad was stolen, I rented an Mamiya 7 system for a planned trip while waiting for the insurance payout.

As you say, the optics are absolutely world class. I also loved the mobility of a MF rangefinder and have often since thought about pushing the GAS pedal to actually buy one for my travels. The problem is that the bodies are electronic and you and well and truly hosed if you need parts. I'd rather not have a $2000 paperweight. Hence I remain attached to my 'Blads.

Dan Daniel · Nov 19, 2025

One problem with a Hasselblad is that it is a pop culture cliche. I am often approached while carrying a Rolleiflex and asked if that is a Hasselblad. This allows for a level of sneering disdain that you will never know with the Hassy- 'why yes, yes I am carrying a pedestrian meme for ''camera.' Would you like to see my Rolex?'

Well, you wanted reasons....

And the 60 Distagon is a killer lens. If you must live the cliche, at least go for the best.

Arthurwg · Nov 19, 2025

John Wiegerink said:
If you can operate an RB67 then the Hasselblad will be like switching to driving an automatic transmission car. Of course I guess I should be telling you that I don't think you can handle operating the terribly complicated and trouble prone Hasselblad and you should just stick with your RB67. Is that what you wanted to hear?

No idea how Hasselblad got the reputation of being "trouble prone." Yes, the backs do need to have their seals replaced occasionally, the same as many other film cameras including most RB67s. But I solve this problem with a strip of black masking tape covering the dark slide slot, a cheap and easy fix. And yes, I've had the camera jam, but that was my fault for not having it cocked when I tried to take a lens off. But I've shot hundreds, perhaps thousands of exposures without any problems, and you can too.

chuckroast · Nov 19, 2025

Dan Daniel said:
One problem with a Hasselblad is that it is a pop culture cliche. I am often approached while carrying a Rolleiflex and asked if that is a Hasselblad. This allows for a level of sneering disdain that you will never know with the Hassy- 'why yes, yes I am carrying a pedestrian meme for ''camera.' Would you like to see my Rolex?'

Well, you wanted reasons....

And the 60 Distagon is a killer lens. If you must live the cliche, at least go for the best.

Yes, but not doing something because of its pop culture image is just as <redacted> as doing it for that image.

I once had a sincere young woman at a local town fair walk up to me whilst carrying a Leica IIIf and ask "Is that one of those Leicas". I said "yes" and let her hold the camera and peer at it. She looked at the back almost immediately with a puzzled look and asked where the screen was. That's not pop culture, that's a generational divide. I explained what was going on very gently in hopes that her fascination with fine machinery might lead to her own exploration of this stuff. I'll never know...

retina_restoration · Nov 19, 2025

Dan Daniel said:
One problem with a Hasselblad is that it is a pop culture cliche. I am often approached while carrying a Rolleiflex and asked if that is a Hasselblad. This allows for a level of sneering disdain that you will never know with the Hassy- 'why yes, yes I am carrying a pedestrian meme for ''camera.' Would you like to see my Rolex?'

Un unusually cynical response from you, Dan! Why should any of us care if strangers say dumb things about our cameras?? I know I don't. People say dumb things.

I would also like to add that because the Hasselblad was a studio workhorse camera for many professionals in the 1960s-1990s, they often got worked HARD and used to the point of destruction. So yes — there are Hasselblads out there that are way past their best days and may require lots of work, and may never be truly reliable. Simply DO NOT buy a camera that has been used to death, and reliability shouldn't be an issue. I bought a CLA'd 1984 500 C/M ten years ago and the only thing I have ever had to have done was a minor repair of one of my A12 backs. These reports of Hasselblads being unreliable are over exaggerated, IMO.

Milpool · Nov 19, 2025

If it must be a Hasselblad how about the XPan? Those are great.

Kino · Nov 19, 2025

I have shot with A CM500 and a SWC and loved using them both, but I have never owned a Hasselblad for a number of reasons which are mainly financial. At the time, I could not afford the system (ran a camera cage at a University) and by the time I could afford it, I already had too many nice medium format cameras to justify the expense.

If it inspires you to shoot, go for it.

chuckroast · Nov 19, 2025

Kino said:
If it inspires you to shoot, go for it.

This is the best answer of all. My most beloved cameras are the ones that make me want to burn film. The ones that did not inspire this are now all gone.

Dan Daniel · Nov 19, 2025

retina_restoration said:
Un unusually cynical response from you, Dan! Why should any of us care if strangers say dumb things about our cameras?? I know I don't. People say dumb things.

One man's cynicism is another man's sarcasm

RezaLoghme · Nov 19, 2025

I owned a couple. What would you like to know?

I want A Hasselblad. Talk Me Out Of It!

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