Is this becoming a Hasselblad forum?

[guangong]

@guangong Can't argue with physics. As you press the shutter button, the mirror begins its movement sending an impulse onto the camera body. Simultaneously, the "barn doors" begin their movement doing the same. None of those forces are present in a TLR. I would even argue that the presence of the barn doors makes a Hassy the least stable MF SLR. I do not understand why they're even needed. My Bronica manages without.

Of course, photographer's skills matter. But all else being equal a medium format SLR cannot compete with a rangefinder or a TLR at handholdability. Because physics. Basically, if you're saying that your hands are better than mine, congratulations! But as you keep lowering the shutter speed, eventually you'll get to a point where you'll see the same difference I see at 1/125s.

I am posting this here to play devil's advocate. I am convinced that the Hasselblad is the ultimate camera, nothing compares. But even this magnificent machine has its flaws and handholdability is the one I bump into the most.

P.S. Although... a part of me wants to challenge you. Try competing with a tripod? Shoot a scene with a 80mm lens at 1/125s handheld. 11 shots in a row. Then shoot the final exposure of the same scene on a tripod with a mirror lockup. And then tell me again that all 12 exposures look the same scanned at 4,000dpi?

For my subject matter and method, I seldom use a tripod, except when using long lenses. Among rangefinder MF cameras, the only one that requires effort to hold steady is my folding Fuji GF670, A tripod would help, but would defeat idea of portability. No problem with other folders.
Pressing shutter release is no different than pulling the trigger of a gun.

 

[BrianShaw]

Monopod can be a reasonable compromise…

 

[Sirius Glass]

I guess it depends on the person. I had a hasselblad and thought it was an ergonomic disaster compared to a Pentax 67.

Exactly! I have often posted that what matters is not the opinion of others, but how the camera feels in your hands. The Hasselblad fits well in my hands so that is what I use. The Leicas and Nikons fit and feel well in my hands, but I prefer slr to range finders so I have and use Nikons and not Leicas. That said, the best fitting and feeling 35mm camera in my hands is the Leica M cameras.

 

[btaylor]

Yea, what works for you personally is, of course, individual. The 2 MF cameras I like holding and using the most are my Rollei and (oddly) Mamiya RZ67 with the L handle grip. I admire and enjoy the 500 c/m, but I always feel like the little blob is going to fall out of my hands! Despite the mass of the Mamiya’s mirror, the engineering to dampen the movement is amazing- some muffled noise but so smooth I have hand held at 1/15 and gotten a crisp 16x20 print.

 

[RezaLoghme]

Hi everyone, I am a happy owner of a handful of V-System Hasselblads. I am not a pro, but just a hobbyist, but a passionate user of Hasselblads (and Leicas). Mine are analogue but I am thinking about buying a CFV back. I am also quite interested in the history of the company and its founder.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Hasselblads have a big following and rightly so. So, no wonder you see a bunch of Hasselblad posts here. I own Hasselblad and Mamiya equipment and find that Mamiyas are every bit as capable, especially optically, as Hasselblads;so, I hope we'll continue to see posts concerning both brands here on Photrio. By the way, posts often start with questions due to problems. Consequently, a lot of posts about Hasselblad don't necessarily speak for them.

 

[RezaLoghme]

Maybe your last sentence is not 100% correct - the V-System was very popular, so there are many users of those products, compared to niche brands, which means there might be more posts than for other brands. Then not all posts are troubleshooting posts (because something has broken) but "how to" or "what should i buy" posts.

My Hasselblads are far from perfect but I like the extremely modular concept and that they have been built over such a long time (esp. the CFV backs designed in the V-Series 1960s looks). If something breaks, I can easily replace it with another component (and most of them are easily available from Ebay and many reputable dealers).

Eventually it might become a bit of a Ship of Theseus thing - if you replace all components, do you still own the "original" camera?

So, looking at all variables, for me the V-System is without any serious alternative (Rollei's 6x6 SLRs, Mamiya's big boxes, Zenza...).

 

[eli griggs]

" What's not to like?"

I've had to burp my 500cm a few times after feeding it rebadged roll films, but it's fairly quick to diagnose and, only a moment to slide on an A12 6x6 cm back with an Ilford or Kodak roll in it!

Use the camera you like and function best with and let others argue each other down, when their medium format idols clash in fashion and words.

 

[eli griggs]

LOL... Proving the thesis of the thread to be true, Steve!

And regarding the Caddy pictures, they seem more like artist renditions than photos.

They really liked air brushed art back then, just look at Miss September

+

I think a lot of folks like myself would very much like and happily buy the Original Hasselblad C or CM should someone produce new versions, even with metal or resin, by 3D printing and CNC milling that had the same strengths of manufacturing and top quality finishing, that can take all the "V" Series kit that can fit into them today.

The U.S. Patents are public domain now and Zeiss might happily bring back "V" Series lenses and a rangefinder or two to the table.

So, come on, our much Cherished Billionaires of America, and bring in a new Age of Excellence in analog products, starting with a proven winner, the 500CM!

 

[mshchem]

They really liked air brushed art back then, just look at Miss September


I think a lot of folks like myself would very much like and happily buy the Original Hasselblad C or CM should someone produce new versions, even with metal or resin, by 3D printing and CNC milling that had the same strengths of manufacturing and top quality finishing, that can take all the "V" Series kit that can fit into them today.

The U.S. Patents are public domain now and Zeiss might happily bring back "V" Series lenses and a rangefinder or two to the table.

So, come on, our much Cherished Billionaires of America, and bring in a new Age of Excellence in analog products, starting with a proven winner, the 500CM!

I would like 220 and Polaroid pack film Dearest Billionaires.

 

[RezaLoghme]

They really liked air brushed art back then, just look at Miss September


I think a lot of folks like myself would very much like and happily buy the Original Hasselblad C or CM should someone produce new versions, even with metal or resin, by 3D printing and CNC milling that had the same strengths of manufacturing and top quality finishing, that can take all the "V" Series kit that can fit into them today.

The U.S. Patents are public domain now and Zeiss might happily bring back "V" Series lenses and a rangefinder or two to the table.

So, come on, our much Cherished Billionaires of America, and bring in a new Age of Excellence in analog products, starting with a proven winner, the 500CM!

Why? Just buy a 500CM or one of the later versions, CLA the hell out of it, have it re-leatherette'd and be a happy man.

 

[eli griggs]

Why? Just buy a 500CM or one of the later versions, CLA the hell out of it, have it re-leatherette'd and be a happy man.

Because the cameras themselves are too old and expensive to buy, then CLA, re-leather, ect, while a equally tight or tighter tolerance machine with more modern precision build quality, because of robotic/modern machining and quality control, that'll last just as long as the original would be less expensive and not needing the expensive CLA a strange/new to you purchase would AND has we alreadyhave a raging consumer base just waiting until the too can buy/afford a quality, and reliable 500cm.

Imagine a Hasselblad "V" system camera people would not need to send out if they jam a lens out of synchrony with the body?

A modification where most of the original design is in faithfully in play, but eliminates costly in monies and away times found in today's, repairs & shipping of great but older cameras.

Just because I learned how to unjam my Hasselblad 500cm, does not mean others could or are willing to learn the simple repair for themselves.

My Hasselblad kit was a gift from a friend/patron, but without an income, I would not be able to enjoy the fine creation of this wonderful system and at today's prices, nor will many new or returning analog photographers.

All in all its a simple why; those that can afford to find good Hasselblad kit, do, though it's Popular Renaissance, especially amongst the young and Collectors has driven up prices.

New, less expensive kit would appeal to All but perhaps the Purist Collector/Shooter, and Analog Photography becomes numerically more popular and easier to participate in, lenghting the comeback and availability of films.

I hope this answers your question well enough.

Cheers to You and All Others here,
Eli

 

[RezaLoghme]

A raging customer base? Really? Hm, maybe an interesting business idea.

So if a reasonable, late-model, CLA'd V-series kit (80mm lens, WLF, A16 back) is EUR/US$ 2000-3000 from a reputable dealer (incl. warranty), how much should the NeoHasselblad cost?

I am comparing it with current-range mechanical Leicas; like the M-A or MP. Should the NeoBlad be priced similarily?

When the V-System was new, I remember it was frightfully expensive. It is very complex and all functions were done mechanically. Are the machines they were made with still around?

I am curious how an M-A equivalent could be any cheaper than the premium vintage 503CW mentioned above. Or even be available to people without an income. Please tell me!

EDIT: I took the bait but I should not have.

 

[RezaLoghme]

Its mild trolling and I am guilty of feeding the troll. Please forgive me.

 

[koraks]

Is this becoming a trolling forum? That's the real question.

No, it isn't, but please report any posts suspected to be troll posts.

 

[Mike Lopez]

If someone, out of the kindness of their heart, would simply bring a new Hasselblad to the market at the $10 price point then many of these posts simply go away. And please make sure that the NeoHasselblad is fully compatible with everything Hasselblad has produced in the last 70 years or so. Problem solved.

 

[RezaLoghme]

Maybe this is better suited for the offtopic section of the forum, let's return to on-topic.

 

[eli griggs]

To the OP question, we should consider asking if all those medium format SLR fans, who can not afford a Hasselblad for whatever reason, would buy or switch, aka, trade up to a Hasselblad "V" body and lenses, if enabled, because of its working properties, including all the many accessories out there, if you can find them.

I'm betting that many here would consider their changed circumstances a difficult one but an opptunity difficult to pass on, if they are active enough to enjoy their picture taking through the use of this tool.

Sure, lots would not switch, without regard, because they feel you leave with the one you came with, and it a comfortable way to be content, but you'll find that with any camera type cou care to name.

Just as the Comparison of Leica analog rangefinders is inevitable whenever discussions on which 35mm is "best" or most desired or when, like in this conversation, they are compared to quality cameras, not of 135 format, but as a standard the indicates to so many, the quality of,beell Quality!

So, in many unexpected ways, yes, this has become a Hasselblad forum, but, IMO, not deliberately but collectively as shooters and some collectors know thatbthe high water mark in this topic, IS, the Hasselblad "V" Series.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Photrio is no more a Hasselblad forum, than a Leica, Nikon, Canon, . . . forum. I have had Hasselblad cameras for over a decade, but I still find a need to get hands on information about Hasselblads from others. This is the same for me for Nikon, Speed Graphics, WideLux and other camera, lenses, darkroom techniques and software processing. Separately I read threads about camera I do not have and may well never have, just to learn more.

 

[RezaLoghme]

Many were built, many are still alive. And they were and are good cameras, so they have still many loyal users, who post questions.

 

[BrianShaw]

I would like 220 and Polaroid pack film Dearest Billionaires.

And, dearest billionaires, please consider 4x5 sheet Polaroid too. It should be just as easy as the pack film once you get the ball rolling (again).

 

[xya]

And, dearest billionaires, please consider 4x5 sheet Polaroid too. It should be just as easy as the pack film once you get the ball rolling (again).

the one or the other, both would be a dream....

 

[MattKing]

To the OP question, we should consider asking if all those medium format SLR fans, who can not afford a Hasselblad for whatever reason, would buy or switch, aka, trade up to a Hasselblad "V" body and lenses, if enabled, because of its working properties, including all the many accessories out there, if you can find them.

I wouldn't. My Mamiya 645 equipment better meets my needs.

 

[xya]

I wouldn't. My Mamiya 645 equipment better meets my needs.

I would not trade my Mamiya systems either (C330/RB67). I'm the OP and the question was just irony on a day where most threads on the first page concerned Hasselblads. And yes, I had a complete Hasselblad system many years ago and I sold it, as the Mamiyas served me better. Another sacrilege: I own a complete working Kiev 88 system which gives nice results since many years...

 

[Steven Lee]

@xya in your original post you said you never owned a Hasselblad system.