I want A Hasselblad. Talk Me Out Of It!

[mshchem]

I love my hasselblad!

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Never felt the need for a Hassy.

6x6 is kind of a silly format to me, and in any case Rolleiflexes and Mamiya TLRs do it really well. If you want a SLR, there's the Bronica SQ line which will do it perfectly. If you want a Hasselblad because you think it's the highest quality 6x6 SLR out there, well, you're a bit wrong, that award goes to the Rolleiflex SL66.

6x4.5 makes all the sense in the world, as well as 6x7 and even 6x9

Why did I sell my Bronicas?

 

[Vaidotas]

My humble few cents after 25 years with V501 …
In that particular order …

Pro’s
Resale value. Selling is easy even now.
I sold three times when I was short in funds and rebought again in more sunny days. Huge market for lens & accesories.
It fits in your palm. Perfectly. Kind of transition of your body. Try it with Rollei66.
Format. What others claim as nonsense, square is magic. Supposedly engineered for convenience - just crop vertical or horizontal for glossy journal pages. Composing sqare is Zen. Tricky but highly regarding.
Reliability. Good specimen won’t fail you.
I was confident as hell in every assignment .
Compatibility. Fully usable optics on digital - FF or MF.
Zeiss optics. No comments required.
Central shutter. All the goodness with flash.
Travelling. Good companion even with 1 lens of your choice.

Con’s
Age. Repair might be costly.
I do not recall which celebrity photog said that it is hard task to make a tack sharp image with hassy. It takes some practice. Almost all shots I made are with tripod.
Bokeh. Five aperture leafs, it’s up to your taste, background might be fuzzy wide open.
Format. Hey, it’s tiny 56x56mm!
Lens sharpness. It started bothering me after these years as I longing for high resolution in lower contrast. Mamiya Press is my fave now.
And last one - it’s emotionally hard to sell. My precious.

 

[nikos79]

To reply above: Something about square formatting:
It is not magic, it is at first very counterintuitive to compose in square. The biggest problem is that the strict square format already imposes you a very strict geometry, so you already have "solved" the form or composition problem "easily". Now to make it work beyond the obvious form and make the photo interesting I find it very hard. But worth trying it saves your from horizontal or vertical dilemma

 

[Don_ih]

Yes, with a Hasselblad, you can crop it rectagular

or leave it square

 

[RalphLambrecht]

A kind gesture but you already know 2 things shout him: he’ll tell you to buy a Hasselblad (and a bunch of lenses) and he’d chime in on this topic whether invited or not.

Sirius is a well-respected contributor and very knowledgable about everything Hasselblad! We are fortunate to have him here as a member.

 

[John Wiegerink]

I think the ball is in Andy's court now. I have my Hasselblads and am well satisfied. One thing for sure is that if I never took another decent photograph it wouldn't be from the lack of the proper tools.
Sometimes I think we photo nuts have more of a lust problem when it comes to photo equipment. Yes, I'm guilty myself since I will always lust for a Rollei SL66E and a flock of lenses. Heck, I'd settle for a SL66, but then I'd still be lusting for a SL66E. Where does it all stop? I hear my wife's voice echoing in my ears, "You need another camera like you need a hole in your head".

 

[nikos79]

Yes, with a Hasselblad, you can crop it rectagular

View attachment 411661

or leave it square

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You took this photo? Is really good! And with a very difficult subject that is emotionally charged

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

@John Wiegerink I was just looking at the Rollei SL66 and they are pretty expensive!

 

[Nokton48]

Also look at availability of accessories. Plenty of Blad stuff available.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Also look at availability of accessories. Plenty of Blad stuff available.

True!

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

@chuckroast is your 100mm f/3.5 Planar a T lens?

 

[John Wiegerink]

@John Wiegerink I was just looking at the Rollei SL66 and they are pretty expensive!

Andy, I was just lusting and will probably never own a SL66 or SL66E. Unless I win the lottery, which won't happen since I spend my money on film and not lottery tickets. Besides, if either one came in the postal mail I would surely end up with a hole in my head and my wife's hand wrapped around a smoking gun. I've been told many times that the only difference between men and boys is the price of their toys. I used to snicker at that saying, but I do think there is a lot of truth there. I think we all, men and women, try to justify purchases that aren't a necessity. The problem for me always comes down to separating my "wants from my needs". If I ruled out all the purchases I have made based on "wants" I would have missed out on a lot of enjoyment. Of course, I would have had a few less regrets also. Clint Eastwood said, "A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do" and Andy, you have to do what you have to do. Good luck

 

[John Wiegerink]

@chuckroast is your 100mm f/3.5 Planar a T lens?

When it comes to "T" lenses I haven't found the none "T" lenses lacking in much of any way. That said, if you are a wide-angle type guy then go for the best coatings you can get. I have an early SWC with the 38mm non-"T" and it's one flaring son-of-a-gun when the sun or bright light gets anywhere near it. The glass on the 38mm is perfect so it's not from internal haze or scratched coatings. I have two 80mm Planar lenses, one "T" and one single coated and have no problems with either one.

 

[Craig]

My humble few cents after 25 years with V501 …

Format. What others claim as nonsense, square is magic. Supposedly engineered for convenience - just crop vertical or horizontal for glossy journal pages. Composing sqare is Zen. Tricky but highly regarding.

Depends on what your main subject matter is. For me, square is the worst possible format, panoramic is the best.

 

[BrianShaw]

You took this photo? Is really good! And with a very difficult subject that is emotionally charged

It really is a nice photo, but it gives me the creeps. The last time I was in a graveyard with my Hasselblad I slipped on some ice and fell flat on my back and head. After regaining conciousness I was pleased that the Hassy landed right in the middle of my chest/stomach. And since I was the only one in the graveyard at the time I was also happy to have actually regained conciousness before freezing to death.

 

[Arthurwg]

Yes, with a Hasselblad, you can crop it rectagular

View attachment 411661

or leave it square

View attachment 411662

Much prefer the square.

 

[Arthurwg]

@John Wiegerink I was just looking at the Rollei SL66 and they are pretty expensive!

Don't do it! Nothing but problems, difficult and expensive to repair.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

@John Wiegerink Good to know about T and non-T lenses. Thanks! Bye the way, I've cut back a bit on doughnuts, and put the savings towards film!
@Arthurwg thanks! Good to know!

 

[Don_ih]

it's one flaring son-of-a-gun when the sun or bright light gets anywhere near it.

It sure is - I have an old beat up SWC with an excellent lens but it flares if the sun is out.

 

[mshchem]

It really is a nice photo, but it gives me the creeps. The last time I was in a graveyard with my Hasselblad I slipped on some ice and fell flat on my back and head. After regaining conciousness I was pleased that the Hassy landed right in the middle of my chest/stomach. And since I was the only one in the graveyard at the time I was also happy to have actually regained conciousness before freezing to death.

Sounds like a "Swedish" safety feature, like a Volvo, the camera tucks itself in to protect itself in a collision

I recommend "Yaktraks" for your shoes. Maybe get a X-ray, we can't afford to lose you!

 

[k.hendrik]

"Talk My Out Of It" ? oh that's easy; just buy a Rolleiflex SL66SE and you never look back.....

 

[mshchem]

I would start with a newish outfit. I need to use a grip, same with my RZ67II. My oafish hands require something to hold on to. Kangol beret optional

 

[Pieter12]

The downside for me is the WLF. I just find it awkward hand-held. Of course, that goes for any WLF: on a Bronica, Mamiya, Kiev, Rolleiflex, etc. Adding a prism finder improves things, but adds a lot of weight. The Hasselblad prism seems bulky and unbalanced to me, others are better. But still heavy.

 

[Pieter12]

I would start with a newish outfit. I need to use a grip, same with my RZ67II. My oafish hands require something to hold on to. Kangol beret optional

View attachment 411684

I think the beret and turtleneck are must-haves for a new outfit.

 

[MattKing]

I think the beret and turtleneck are must-haves for a new outfit.

And cargo pants with those pockets of course.