Is that a Hasselblad?

[R.Gould]

I was using my Bronica Etr on the 9th oh this month when I was asked 3 times if it was a hasselblad

 

[chromacomaphoto]

OMG, this is hilarious, only today did I find out that this was a 'thing'.

It happened to me last November on the final day of shooting a year long project that I did for my website, shot on my Rolleiflex here in Bangkok. I was way off the beaten tourist track and a random Western tourist couple see me balancing on a floating pier taking shots of an incoming boat. She wanted to quickly get on the boat and the guy was so determined to ask the question that he nearly failed to get on the boat altogether. He walks over to me smiling and asks the ITAH question! I told him it was a Rolleiflex but same format film so a pretty close guess and he was like 'Oh, yeah right!' and then his wife shouted for him to hurry his ass up onto the boat. He obviously had a lot more questions and clearly was annoyed at having to leave. We were in a really never see another Westerner part of town and he was on holiday and just doing the 'strike up random questions with total strangers on holiday that I would never normally speak to' kinda thing.

Can't believe that so many people have had this same experience. Great thread.

 

[chromacomaphoto]

Well it wasn't quite the titled question, but I had a warm fuzzy Saturday afternoon. I was walking a bit of the Pine Creek Rail Trail in northern PA, near Cedar Run. I was equipped with my Yashica 124G (and "something else" ). There was an interesting through truss bridge over a tributary that I took some shots of. At the other end there were a number of people off to the side, a 20-ish couple, an older woman with an SLR, and a couple of high school aged kids. The females were all wearing the long print dresses and white gauzy caps that suggests they were Mennonites and the 20-ish couple was the camera target, using the gorgeous mountain scenery as a backdrop; maybe an engagement announcement coming up I would guess.

After I crossed the bridge I turned to take a couple more shots of the trusswork. As I was staring into the WLF, they apparently had finished and started walking up to the trail. Noticing my activity they actually stopped to wait and avoid getting into my shot. As I snapped the shutter, then looked up and smiled, the woman with the camera flashed a smile and asked with a cheery voice "is that a medium format?"

"Yes" I replied.

"Is it hard to get film for that?" (The second standard query.)

So I explained it was a twin lens reflex of circa 1980 vintage, I was shooting B&W and that there is still a fair selection of film available via online shops, just not in the drug stores and locations where it used to be commonly found. They came closer and I explained I also use the newest technology, waving the G15, but have also gotten some 1950s vintage folding cameras to keep me amused since I retired. I mentioned I print, frame and exhibit work in some shows in my area and one of the younger kids asked if I do my own processing. I answered yes and he said "Wow, that's really cool!." They all wished me a good evening as they headed off.

I felt a warm rush and thought of this thread as I wandered off toward my patiently waiting companions.

That was lovely, gave me a nice feeling reading it

 

[CropDusterMan]

I was at the MAC store yesterday picking up a printer. I had my M4-P over my shoulder. The young fellow commented saying
"That's a cool camera"...then he asked where the LCD screen was. His next question after I explained what it was...
"They still make film"?

 

[ambaker]

I so get the urge, when people ask if we can still get film, to say "No, not any more, but I just love this camera so much I go out and pretend to take pictures."

But I never do. I patiently explain where to find film and answer questions they have. Hopefully one of the seeds planted, will sprout into a new film user.


-More cameras than brains... Sadly it didn't take very many.

 

[jeffreythree]

I did not know this thread existed. I had not experienced this until recently sitting around drinking a coffee across from the local courthouse I had photographed with my Fujica, which looks nothing like a 'blad. It's a popular area for the local university kids that are self styled lomo fashionistas. I don't mind them since they are shelling out enough money for the local camera store just off that square to expand their services and products. They don't have one either, and I wonder how often they hear that.

 

[chromacomaphoto]

I so get the urge, when people ask if we can still get film, to say "No, not any more, but I just love this camera so much I go out and pretend to take pictures."

But I never do. I patiently explain where to find film and answer questions they have. Hopefully one of the seeds planted, will sprout into a new film user.


-More cameras than brains... Sadly it didn't take very many.

I can relate. I have a similar thought process in such situations, the temptation to be sarcastic is very high, just as I am about to do it, the helpful take the time to explain to them side of me kicks in. I doubt I have ever actually converted anybody yet but I still try. Maybe this is how Jehovah's Witnesses feel?

 

[GRHazelton]

Once when I was shooting a flower with my Pentax 645n, using tripod, 120mm macro lens, right angle finder, focus rail - the whole nine yards - my neighbor called out "Mighty fancy camera, George. Is that a Nikon?" I explained that it was a Pentax, and used film like the old Kodak brownies used to. I don't think she knew what to say.

Guess my neighborhood isn't classy enough for the Hasselblad question. And so it goes.

 

[chromacomaphoto]

Having never actually owned a Hassy, and yet having had the experience of being asked if my camera was one....I would almost feel kinda sad for any regular Hassy owner who has never been asked. Would be nice to smile and say "Why yes, it is". Ha.

 

[Arklatexian]

Once when I was shooting a flower with my Pentax 645n, using tripod, 120mm macro lens, right angle finder, focus rail - the whole nine yards - my neighbor called out "Mighty fancy camera, George. Is that a Nikon?" I explained that it was a Pentax, and used film like the old Kodak brownies used to. I don't think she knew what to say.

Guess my neighborhood isn't classy enough for the Hasselblad question. And so it goes.

i've not had anyone ask me if I was shooting a Hasselblad but I have had someone ask to look through mine. The camera was on a tripod focused on a hole in the wall of a very old building. It looked interesting to me. After looking at the ground glass in the camera for a few minutes he turned to me and said:"friend, I don't see a thing there that I would take a picture of" and walked off. I looked at the ground glass myself, decided he was right and took a picture somewhere else.......Regards!

 

[Newt_on_Swings]

I had my friends 500c this summer for about a week shooting around with the old version film back as well as a Fuji 100 instant back. Sadly I didn't have one person come up to me and ask ITAH but everyone that did come over got to check out the viewfinder and some even had their portrait taken and given to them on the spot. It's a fun camera for sure.

 

[crumpet8]

I haven't been asked yet and now I live in Norway, where people like to keep to themselves, I think my chances are even lower... Taking my rb67 through airport security a few years ago was an interesting one though. The kid asked "what is it?" Had to explain that it was a camera and not some brick-like weapon...

 

[chromacomaphoto]

i've not had anyone ask me if I was shooting a Hasselblad but I have had someone ask to look through mine. The camera was on a tripod focused on a hole in the wall of a very old building. It looked interesting to me. After looking at the ground glass in the camera for a few minutes he turned to me and said:"friend, I don't see a thing there that I would take a picture of" and walked off. I looked at the ground glass myself, decided he was right and took a picture somewhere else.......Regards!

Impartial advice is sometimes a good thing.

 

[chromacomaphoto]

I haven't been asked yet and now I live in Norway, where people like to keep to themselves, I think my chances are even lower... Taking my rb67 through airport security a few years ago was an interesting one though. The kid asked "what is it?" Had to explain that it was a camera and not some brick-like weapon...

Yeah, an RB67 is not exactly the first thing that springs to mind when somebody says 'Travel Camera" to me either, good workout though!

 

[Truzi]

I so get the urge, when people ask if we can still get film, to say "No, not any more, but I just love this camera so much I go out and pretend to take pictures."

If it's an honest question I give an honest answer. If it's more of an rhetorical insult/judgment, I respond with sarcasm.

Not related to Hasselblad, but I was "honestly" asked that a couple years ago when using my Grandmother's Minolta 600x (126 camera). An accurate response would have been more than the person wanted, so I said "kinda - fresh film is easy to get, but not in this type of cartridge."

 

[Theo Sulphate]

Having never actually owned a Hassy, and yet having had the experience of being asked if my camera was one....I would almost feel kinda sad for any regular Hassy owner who has never been asked. Would be nice to smile and say "Why yes, it is". Ha.

In over 20 years of having and using Hasselblads in the city and country, nobody has ever asked or even remarked about them. Neither the Hasselblads, RB67's, Leicas, Nikons, Canons, or anything.

 

[ManicPixie]

I have been asked this question a few times while I was shooting with Rolleiflex.

 

[AgX]

I never was asked that.

But often "Is this a radar gun?"

 

[MattKing]

I never was asked that.

But often "Is this a radar gun?"

That might have something to do with your uniform.

 

[pbromaghin]

I never was asked that.

But often "Is this a radar gun?"

What were you using at the time of those questions? I have more than once had my Mamiya tlr identified as a movie camera.

 

[AgX]

No, I'm not wearing a uniform.... It is indeed one of my cine cameras.

 

[MattKing]

No, I'm not wearing a uniform.... It is indeed one of my cine cameras.

I was joking!

That picture is an illustration of a costume - for someone who wants to attend a party dressed as a traffic "cop".

 

[removed account4]

Yep, yours sure is. That's why it says "Hasselblad" right on the front. Kind of gives it away right there.

i'm actually thinking of making a "blad" sticker and putting it on another cameras

 

[ambaker]

i'm actually thinking of making a "blad" sticker and putting it on another cameras

I have seen a Kiev 88 with a nameplate that said Hasselbladski. But it might be fun to put one on an instamatic or some such.


-More cameras than brains... Sadly it didn't take very many.

 

[crumpet8]

Yeah, an RB67 is not exactly the first thing that springs to mind when somebody says 'Travel Camera" to me either, good workout though!

True, wanted some nice photos so took my best camera at the time! That was its last trip though unfortunately as I switched systems. They aren't worth much these days either so it sits at home...