New Blad vs 2nd hand

snaggs · Oct 31, 2012

Hi,

I have a friend who runs a camera shop, and the distributor still has a new 503CW. I can get this with A12 for about $4K, which is good considering we have to pay 10% GST here.

My other option is the various MIB Milenium's available at some asian dealers for about $3k. The Milenium's pretty, but I'm thinking chances of getting a new blad are getting slimmer. Any thoughts?

Daniel.

thegman · Oct 31, 2012

If buying new means a lot to you, then I guess it's up to you, but just body and back, $4k seems a little high to me.

snaggs · Oct 31, 2012

Theres just none available anymore. B&H is more expensive.

chriscrawfordphoto · Oct 31, 2012

For less money, you can buy a used one in very, very nice condition with a back, 50mm, 80mm, and 150mm lenses.

snaggs · Oct 31, 2012

I havn't been able to find many MIB on ebay or elsewhere for much less than $3k. I know you can buy a wedding photographers cast off quite cheap, but these have usually had a busy life.

Slixtiesix · Oct 31, 2012

If money wasn´t an issue and I had to chose between a brand new 503cw for 4k$ and a Millenium Edition for 3k$ then I would go with the new one, since the Millenium was 12 year ago and I would rather pay 1k more to make sure I have a pristine camera instead of spending a lot on a camera of which I don´t know how it has been treated. I would also prefer to buy from a friend rather than online and from someone I don´t know. In case something should be wrong with the camera during guarantee time (this is another important point) you can bring it back to the shop. With an used camera, you either won´t have guarantee or problems might occur if you have ordered it online (dealer can refuse to take it back, repairs might be unsatisfying ect. these are worst case scenarios of course).
I don´t have 4k to spend on a Hasselblad however, so I myself would look for a nice 501cm ;-)
What about the lenses? If you want to buy these new, it will come pretty expensive. Maybe your friend can give a discount if you order a lens with the body?

snaggs · Oct 31, 2012

You cant buy the lenses new now, so its a moot point. Only need 1 lens to start with, maybe ever. I have the Fuji 670W for wideangle (40mm), so Im more interested in 80mm for available light, 150mm for portraits (priority) and 250mm for landscape. All can be had relatively cheaply 2nd hand, even in there CFi versions.

Long lenses is one thing my field camera will never be good at, hence the blad.

Richard S. (rich815) · Oct 31, 2012

If money is no object go for it. But there are so many perfectly working 500 and 501 out there for so much cheaper, I mean WAY cheaper, what is the point? Even ones with recent overhauls by very good technicians. These are built like tanks, even well-used will still work perfectly for many years. Heck get two for less than half and have a back up. I did that with a 500CM and 500C about 5 years ago.....I've never even used the C.

mgb74 · Oct 31, 2012

Maybe I'm being foolish, but I've always thought of my 500c body as:
a - a spacer between an excellent lens and an excellent film back, and
b - a place to put the waist level finder or prism

In other words, of all the components, the Hasselblad body matters least.

Given the robust build, and the availability of qualified technicians for an overhaul, it would be hard for me to justify a new Hasselblad body. And while many MF cameras have seen hard use by pros, I think that's less true of the more recent Hasselblad bodies as so many of the wedding photographers went digital.

Of course, it's certainly your decision.

Too old to care · Nov 1, 2012

mgb74 said:
Maybe I'm being foolish, but I've always thought of my 500c body as:
a - a spacer between an excellent lens and an excellent film back, and
b - a place to put the waist level finder or prism

In other words, of all the components, the Hasselblad body matters least.

Given the robust build, and the availability of qualified technicians for an overhaul, it would be hard for me to justify a new Hasselblad body. And while many MF cameras have seen hard use by pros, I think that's less true of the more recent Hasselblad bodies as so many of the wedding photographers went digital.

Of course, it's certainly your decision.

Excellent response. I recently picked up a 501C with 80mm lens and A12 back. Everything looked like new and it came with a 6 month warranty. All for just a bit over $1K. I recently found an extension tube (55mm) that looks like new for $20 at a local camera store. Great deals are out there, just inspect the goods before you buy.

Wayne

snaggs · Nov 2, 2012

Thats great, but doen't do TTL flash. This is for a significant birthday, so I don't get to "upgrade" or sell it ever and want to get it right first time, but I hear what your saying.

Mark Fisher · Nov 3, 2012

I understand the desire for a new camera. That said, I ended up doing something in between.....I bought a body/viewfinder/back and 80mm completely overhauled from David Odess. Here in the States, he is considered one of the best Hasselblad service people. Right now he has a 503CX with waistlevel for $550. He has some backs, but only 40mm and 150mm lenses right now, though. Probably could get a whole 3 lens kit freshly rebuilt for $2500. Personally, I think a freshly overhauled camera would be more reliable than a new-old-stock camera that hasn't been used for several years....but it isn't new either.... Choosing between the NOS camera and the millinium camera, I'd probably go new. It is, well, new and comes with a Hasselblad warrantee. I'm not a fan of fancy limited edition cameras. The Hasselblad is the camera I will take to my grave.....it is the perfect camera and you will love it no matter which one you get.

Alan Gales · Nov 3, 2012

snaggs said:
Hi,

I have a friend who runs a camera shop, and the distributor still has a new 503CW. I can get this with A12 for about $4K, which is good considering we have to pay 10% GST here.

My other option is the various MIB Milenium's available at some asian dealers for about $3k. The Milenium's pretty, but I'm thinking chances of getting a new blad are getting slimmer. Any thoughts?

Daniel.

Daniel, do you shoot color or b&w? A lot of us speculate. Will color film be available 5-10 years from now? I doubt it. I do think b&w film will exist for quite some time, just like black powder for muskets.

Take this in consideration before you drop 4 grand. Personally, I would look for a much less expensive used Hasselblad camera.

Alan (a Hasselblad 500cm owner)

StoneNYC · Nov 3, 2012

Have you even looked at the Mamiyas? To me buying a Hassy is like buying a Leica, you're spending an assload of money for the name, sure the quality is there, but even the used prices are ridiculously overpriced, and the poster above who said "it's a place to put your viewfinder" I mean, it's essentially a box with a mirror and you're willing to spend $4,00 on that! You're insane if you do....

Look at the Mamiya RZ67 Pro II's pretty sure they have ttl, you could buy the camera, 2-3 lenses, a metered prism viewfinder, and a 6x6 back that takes 120 AND 220 all for less than $1000 and trust me the lens quality on the Mamiya Sekor-Z lenses is just as good as Hassy's Carl Zeiss. I even researched it, the glass is just as good, sometimes better since its fully fixed.

Just a thought....

If nothing else at least follow the photographer axiom "put your money in the glass" buy a crappy used body and get a brand new perfect lens...

~Stone

The Important Ones - Mamiya: 7 II, RZ67 Pro II / Canon: 1V, AE-1 / Kodak: No 1 Pocket Autographic, No 1A Pocket Autographic

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Alan Gales · Nov 3, 2012

Stone makes a lot of sense.

I took a Hasselblad 500cm with an 80mm lens in as a trade for another camera because I had always wanted to try a Blad and I knew it would hold it's value. They are great cameras but are they worth the money?

I have also shot Bronica, Mamiya, and Pentax medium format cameras. You can make great images with any of them.

I like the Hasselblad for carrying around because it's lightweight and feels good in my hands. If I was using a tripod I would much prefer the Mamiya RZ67 that I used to own.

BrianShaw · Nov 3, 2012

Alan Gales said:
They are great cameras but are they worth the money?

Yes.

snaggs · Nov 4, 2012

Alan Gales said:
Daniel, do you shoot color or b&w? A lot of us speculate. Will color film be available 5-10 years from now? I doubt it. I do think b&w film will exist for quite some time, just like black powder for muskets.

Take this in consideration before you drop 4 grand. Personally, I would look for a much less expensive used Hasselblad camera.

Alan (a Hasselblad 500cm owner)

I shoot mostly colour. When I eventually get a dark room setup, I will do B&W. I just bought a Hasselblad PCP-80 projector to view the slides. I think colour film will be in use. The Japanese seem to be a bit like the Germans in respect that not every commercial decision is about increasing share price. There are many companies in Japan which make small volume items, because that is the purpose of the company, its tradition. I think Fuji will continue making film forever. With Kodak gone, they certainly have increased sales, and film will become remain as an artistic medium, if not a commercial one.

Have a look at the Impossible film project. E6 is a simple in comparison to re-creating polaroid from scratch, and there is enough worldwide demand for Polaroid. I guess they made me realise that I am willing to pay more for what I enjoy, and that E6 prices are very cheap in comparison to what they would be if produced by a niche company. I'll be happy to support Fuji, and if the day ever comes, can freeze 20 years worth of film and buy a Jobo to process myself.

I currently use a Fuji 670GW and are very happy with it. Compared to the price of a top end digital camera, which depreciates every year, and then becomes disposable, a hand-made mechanical master piece like a Hasselblad is very good value.

snaggs · Nov 4, 2012

StoneNYC said:
Have you even looked at the Mamiyas? To me buying a Hassy is like buying a Leica, you're spending an assload of money for the name, sure the quality is there, but even the used prices are ridiculously overpriced, and the poster above who said "it's a place to put your viewfinder" I mean, it's essentially a box with a mirror and you're willing to spend $4,00 on that! You're insane if you do....

Look at the Mamiya RZ67 Pro II's pretty sure they have ttl, you could buy the camera, 2-3 lenses, a metered prism viewfinder, and a 6x6 back that takes 120 AND 220 all for less than $1000 and trust me the lens quality on the Mamiya Sekor-Z lenses is just as good as Hassy's Carl Zeiss. I even researched it, the glass is just as good, sometimes better since its fully fixed.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Sure, the first MF camera I was wowed by was a Mamiya 1000S. Your analogy with Leica is a good one, but I look at it a different way. There are many nicely made 35mm Japanese cameras from the 70's rotting away on shelves, will no spare parts and limited serviceability. On the other hand, there is an entire eco-system for old Leica's. Likewise, Hasselblad. Also, I was born in Sweden, so there is a special attraction to something made there. Some decisions are best made with the heart. I don't spend money on cars (ride a motorbike), which saves me money every year, so I can afford this indulgence.

Dismayed · Nov 5, 2012

I'd be inclined to buy a fully-serviced Hasselblad from David Odess (if I were in the market for one):

http://www.david-odess.com/

Jerevan · Nov 5, 2012

I used to be an advocate for buying used, but when you count the repair cost into the total price, then I have to say that if I had the money, I'd buy new these days, if you can get it new and not a 30+ years shelf queen.

Just go for it, if the heart and wallet says yes.

Dismayed · Nov 5, 2012

Jerevan said:
I used to be an advocate for buying used, but when you count the repair cost into the total price, then I have to say that if I had the money, I'd buy new these days, if you can get it new and not a 30+ years shelf queen.

Just go for it, if the heart and wallet says yes.

That's why I suggested David Odess - he sells used cameras that he's fully serviced.

Richard S. (rich815) · Nov 5, 2012

Dismayed said:
That's why I suggested David Odess - he sells used cameras that he's fully serviced.

Me too. If this exact body fully serviced by him is available it is downright silly to buy new, unless you just want to leave it in the box and sell later as some pristine untouched museum piece.

snaggs · Nov 6, 2012

Thanks for that. Looks good, but he doesn't have any 503CW's.

Dismayed · Nov 6, 2012

snaggs said:
Thanks for that. Looks good, but he doesn't have any 503CW's.

KEH has several bodies for about $1,000. I'd suggest that you contact him - he may agree to accept delivery from KEH. He could then service the camera and ship it to you.

Richard S. (rich815) · Nov 6, 2012

So you must have a sliding mirror (long lenses) and plan to use a winder? If not the CX is pretty much the same.

New Blad vs 2nd hand

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