Investing in one vs. trying them all

[mweintraub]

I have both an RB and a Bronica SQaI system, the 6x6 having 5 lenses. Used the 6x6 more than the 67. Love the SQ with the exception of the battery design being pesky.Would like to know what the OP ends up doing. Just following this thread..

One of the reasons I bought the SQ-A. Simpler battery design.

 

[Jerevan]

I would delve deeper into what you have - there would still be some schlepping with a Hasselblad and a few lenses. And that kit would be more expensive too, leaving less money for the film and paper.

 

[EdSawyer]

Keep the RZ. It's better than any Hassy setup (IMNSHO) anyway, and cheaper to boot. Get a Mamiya 7 for walkaround shots. They complement each other greatly, both are excellent handheld, and the Mamiya 7 lenses are without peer.

 

[markbarendt]

+1 monopods are great and unfortunately underated

I was skeptical of monopods until I tried one. Now I recommend them to anyone that will listen even for smaller cameras.

 

[LMNOP]

I've started to lean back in the direction of investing more in my kit. I want more lens variety, and more 120 backs, as well as an off camera flash setup for portraits. This week, my primary goal is a ball head for my manfrotto legs. Honestly, GAS gets in the way of building a more professional rig. While I want to become the master of all things RZ, part of me is like, hey I've never shot square format at all! Thats actually a big deal, I want to try it! That said, the Mamiya 6 would be pretty sweet, I honestly just want it all, I think you know the feeling. I appreciate all the feedback, I think this is a subject that requires philosophic input.

As I type this, my Fuji GW690 negatives are scanning, sorry for the digital mention, but I just gotta say, nothing takes your mind off new gear like getting back some quality shots and appreciating your existing stuff. I still believe the GW690ii is the world's best camera, but as mentioned above, you gotta be conservative with shots and portraits are kinda limited.

 

[BrianShaw]

I was skeptical of monopods until I tried one. Now I recommend them to anyone that will listen even for smaller cameras.

Me too.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I bought my first Hasselblad about 7 years ago, and have spent that 7 years becoming a Hasselblad technician extraordinaire. They're all gone now. They're great cameras. But I never warmed up to them. I just didn't like cameras you have to look down into.

One does not have to look down to use a Hasselblad. I have used a Hasselblad for over eight years and all of it with a 45 degree PME, so I have never looked down. My experience is more like a larger 35mm camera with a large bright viewing screen.

 

[Sirius Glass]

One thing with the RB/RZ vs the Hassy is that while you get portability with the Hassy you loose 2 stops handheld (I can handhold the RB at 1/15, the Hassy never below 1/60) and the close focus ability so in the end portability may not mean much if you can't do what you want to do. In any case the Hassy lenses are spectacular in their own way ...

If one uses a 45 degree or 90 degree prism the pressure against the head steadies the camera and I have no problem using a Hasselblad hand held to 1/15 second.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I'd say that the best walk around medium format cameras are the Rolleiflex TLR, Fuji rangefinders, and Mamiya 6 or 7. Of course some may disagree.

That would be because we who disagree are correct and you are just plain wrong.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I would delve deeper into what you have - there would still be some schlepping with a Hasselblad and a few lenses. And that kit would be more expensive too, leaving less money for the film and paper.

Carrying a Hasselblad is not schlepping; doing the same with an RB requires a groin truss. Your analysis that there would be less money for film and paper is not accurate, it just takes a little more time between Hasselblad lens purchases than for the others.

 

[Sirius Glass]

One of the reasons I bought the SQ-A. Simpler battery design.

And with the Hasselblad batteries are not even needed. Talk about basic simplicity.

 

[Alan Gales]

I've started to lean back in the direction of investing more in my kit. I want more lens variety, and more 120 backs, as well as an off camera flash setup for portraits. This week, my primary goal is a ball head for my manfrotto legs. Honestly, GAS gets in the way of building a more professional rig. While I want to become the master of all things RZ, part of me is like, hey I've never shot square format at all! Thats actually a big deal, I want to try it! That said, the Mamiya 6 would be pretty sweet, I honestly just want it all, I think you know the feeling. I appreciate all the feedback, I think this is a subject that requires philosophic input.

As I type this, my Fuji GW690 negatives are scanning, sorry for the digital mention, but I just gotta say, nothing takes your mind off new gear like getting back some quality shots and appreciating your existing stuff. I still believe the GW690ii is the world's best camera, but as mentioned above, you gotta be conservative with shots and portraits are kinda limited.

If you don't own the "L" grip for your RZ then get one. It really helps for hand holding the camera. I didn't really shoot mine much hand held because I have had a back fusion. If I was young and with a good back again I would have no problem carrying an RZ around. An RZ is light as a feather compared to the tool box I used to carry to the job.

 

[markbarendt]

Carrying a Hasselblad is not schlepping; doing the same with an RB requires a groin truss.

Or an occasional bit of exercise.

 

[Alan Gales]

That would be because we who disagree are correct and you are just plain wrong.

Sirius, you were one of the people I had in mind when I wrote that!

 

[Sirius Glass]

Sirius, you were one of the people I had in mind when I wrote that!

Wow, how do I take that? You actually spend time thinking about me? Gosh!! Oh my!

 

[Alan Gales]

Wow, how do I take that? You actually spend time thinking about me? Gosh!! Oh my!

Yeah, I was expecting you to say that a Hasselblad is the best medium format camera.


Of course Ken will tell you that you're wrong. http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/worlds-best.htm

A Hasselblad is of course a lot more versatile than Ken's Mamiya 6 or 7.

 

[film_man]

If one uses a 45 degree or 90 degree prism the pressure against the head steadies the camera and I have no problem using a Hasselblad hand held to 1/15 second.

I used mine pretty much exclusively with a PM90. Anyway, if you can do 1/15 with a Hassy fine, I can't yet I can do 1/15 with the RB.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Yeah, I was expecting you to say that a Hasselblad is the best medium format camera.


Of course Ken will tell you that you're wrong. http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/worlds-best.htm

A Hasselblad is of course a lot more versatile than Ken's Mamiya 6 or 7.

Actually the best camera is the one that fits comfortably in your hands, the one that you enjoy using and also the one you can afford. The rest are also rans.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Yeah, I was expecting you to say that a Hasselblad is the best medium format camera.


Of course Ken will tell you that you're wrong. http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/worlds-best.htm

A Hasselblad is of course a lot more versatile than Ken's Mamiya 6 or 7.

I could write a multi-volume book on what Ken does not know and on what Ken is wrong about. I liken him to the anti Christ of photography.

 

[Jerevan]

Carrying a Hasselblad is not schlepping; doing the same with an RB requires a groin truss. Your analysis that there would be less money for film and paper is not accurate, it just takes a little more time between Hasselblad lens purchases than for the others.

Oh ye of little faith ...

 

[Alan Gales]

I could write a multi-volume book on what Ken does not know and on what Ken is wrong about. I liken him to the anti Christ of photography.

I'm sure you could. A lot of the stuff he writes is just to get people talking.

Before I bought my first digital camera (a Nikon D200) I read reviews for Nikon and Canon. While looking at Ken's site (I had no idea who he was at the time) I came across his review for a Tachihara 4x5. He really got me interested in large format.

I agree with Ken on some things and disagree with him on others but I'll always be grateful that I came across his Tachihara review. I have heard others say the same. I feel as long as he promotes shooting film he can't be all bad, can he?

 

[Theo Sulphate]

Ken Rockwell is often simplistic, entertaining, and sometimes bombastic, but still has a very enjoyable and useful site. He has the best Nikon lens compatibility chart on the internet:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/compatibility-lens.htm

He also has reviews of older gear. As an example, consider this side-by-side comparison of Nikon 85mm lenses:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/85mm-center-comparison.htm

Although not rigorous by any means, it is an out-in-the-field real-world comparison of what you could expect with these lenses.

 

[John Koehrer]

Well, I don't have one of those Hassenblatts but the idea that mirror slap affect sharpness is pretty much hogwash.

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

Washed your hog lately?

 

[Alan Gales]

Well, I don't have one of those Hassenblatts but the idea that mirror slap affect sharpness is pretty much hogwash.

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

Washed your hog lately?

I don't know. There is a lot of talk about it.

When I had a Blad I always shot it hand held at faster speeds. I have a problem with Alan shake.

 

[Slixtiesix]

From my experience there is some mirror slap on the Hasselblads (judging from my own 555ELD and a 2000FC as well as two 503cws I used briefly) and it feels even a bit more than with my SL66. The penny trick may be nice but here the camera is resting on a hard surface, similar to a tripod, and is released via cable. Things become different when one holds a camera in hand. If you want ultimate portability, then I would rather recommend a TLR, if you can life with only one focal length.