New Hasselblad - How did I do?

[Andrew Moxom]

Jeff, I get my Genuine hassy light traps off of E'bay for $24... they are a little spendy, but worth it. The guy that sells them has the instructions with them. like you say, the gooey black residue is light trap foam that is decomposing!! You just unscrew the black screws on the face of the film back and lift the plate off. Remove the darkslide and clean any residue out with a Pec cleaning tip (Not Q'tip!) and the smallest amount of mineral spirit if needed. Then place the foan inside the mylar strip as directed, then fold the mylar down and hold in place with the darkslide. There is also a small lever thatthe darkslide pushes as it slides in. Be careful that this small levers does not come loose... If it does, make sure you reseat it before placing the plate back on. You will know what I mean when you open it up.

A.

 

[Jeff Bannow]

Jeff, I get my Genuine hassy light traps off of E'bay for $24... they are a little spendy, but worth it. The guy that sells them has the instructions with them. like you say, the gooey black residue is light trap foam that is decomposing!! You just unscrew the black screws on the face of the film back and lift the plate off. Remove the darkslide and clean any residue out with a Pec cleaning tip (Not Q'tip!) and the smallest amount of mineral spirit if needed. Then place the foan inside the mylar strip as directed, then fold the mylar down and hold in place with the darkslide. There is also a small lever thatthe darkslide pushes as it slides in. Be careful that this small levers does not come loose... If it does, make sure you reseat it before placing the plate back on. You will know what I mean when you open it up.

A.

Excellent. Thanks for the info!

 

[jolefler]

Some things work out well, thankfully!

Glad it's working out for you, Jeff!

I got a hold of my first 500c/m about a month before we met recently at the restaurant before the Cleveland museum trip. I, too, just couldn't do the weight/size of LF any more (how does JP manage that huge thing?). Now my biggest problem is budgeting film consumption....man, they're sweet!

Seems like a great find for the price, too. Close to my deal, but you got a sturdy tripod/spotmeter/etc. as a bonus for the extra $.

I've since added a 50 & a 250, but the more modern optics.....I like the old non-T* 80 the best, though :confused: Go figure.

Jo

 

[Jeff Bannow]

Glad it's working out for you, Jeff!

I got a hold of my first 500c/m about a month before we met recently at the restaurant before the Cleveland museum trip. I, too, just couldn't do the weight/size of LF any more (how does JP manage that huge thing?). Now my biggest problem is budgeting film consumption....man, they're sweet!

Seems like a great find for the price, too. Close to my deal, but you got a sturdy tripod/spotmeter/etc. as a bonus for the extra $.

I've since added a 50 & a 250, but the more modern optics.....I like the old non-T* 80 the best, though :confused: Go figure.

Jo

Good to hear from you again - John is having another meetup at the end of the month and you should come join us!

Yeah, we love the RZ, but the Hassy is really nice too. It helps that I like the square format too. I think it is going to be a good fit, and the camera is very well designed. Very impressed so far.

 

[Kerik]

I'm also a recent convert the the 'blad. I started about 6 months ago with a 501c, 80mm CF Planar, 50mm Distagon and two A-12 backs for $600. That has since grown with the addition of a 150mm CF, a 201F body, another A-12 back and my personal fave, the SWC. I may add a 250mm, but then I'm done. Really.

 

[Jeff Bannow]

I have a feeling the extras are going to reduce this "great deal" into a whole lot of spending.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I have a feeling the extras are going to reduce this "great deal" into a whole lot of spending.

Well, we have a world wide depression going on, somebody has to stimulate the ecomony!

Now go out and get a 50mm, 150mm, and 250mm lenses and lens hoods!

Steve

 

[Jeff Bannow]

Well, we have a world wide depression going on, somebody has to stimulate the ecomony!

Now go out and get a 50mm, 150mm, and 250mm lenses and lens hoods!

Steve

"Really honey, I'm not spending money, I'm stimulating!"

 

[Sirius Glass]

"Really honey, I'm not spending money, I'm stimulating!"

"Honey, I got it on eBay/Craig's List/Pawn Shop/Thrift Store/garage sale for $50."

Maybe not eBay, she might look for a PayPal payment.

Now go out there and shoot film so you can show her what a great camera you bought.

Steve

 

[Kerik]

"Really honey, I'm not spending money, I'm stimulating!"

Too much information...

 

[Q.G.]

I have a feeling the extras are going to reduce this "great deal" into a whole lot of spending.

You'll have more.
It still is a "great deal".

 

[nicefor88]

Lucky you! For that money you get the camera body only in Belgium.

 

[mjs]

Well, I moved up to a 4x5 and the weight was too much for her to reasonably lug around. The camera itself is doable, especially with a grip handle, and I successfully handheld it for many shots. But in a backpack, with 3-4 lenses, 3 backs, etc. it was getting up to 30-40 pounds.

So, we've moved through a couple of options, and then the Hassy fell into our laps. Certainly the RZ67 is a great system with great glass, and I wouldn't hesitate to buy one again. It really is a do everything system - we used it in the field, in the studio, doing macro work with the built in macro bellows, hauled it into abandoned buildings and into the mud in the countryside and it never gave us an issue. Except for the backache.

Soooo .... if you can deal with the weight, or not carry all the extra backs and lenses I think you would be fine.

I think that the reason I haven't gotten a medium format system so far is related to the weight. I shoot mostly 4x5, then 8x10, then... 30 lbs is the weight of my 8x10 outfit, and the 4x5 weighs less. If I don't save weight or bulk, what will MF do that LF can't? I haven't answered that question to my satisfaction yet, so I remain sitting on the fence. It's beginning to make a crease...

I lucked into an old Rolleiflex TLR last year and the first time I took it out I hesitated for a moment next to the car, as I was starting out toward the park. I wondered for a moment whether I had forgotten the camera, it weighed so little in comparison to what I'm used to carrying. My wife asks me why I carry so much weight at my age: I look down at my middle and try to think of a smart response, then realize that she's looking at the backpack.

Mike

 

[Jeff Bannow]

I think that the reason I haven't gotten a medium format system so far is related to the weight. I shoot mostly 4x5, then 8x10, then... 30 lbs is the weight of my 8x10 outfit, and the 4x5 weighs less. If I don't save weight or bulk, what will MF do that LF can't? I haven't answered that question to my satisfaction yet, so I remain sitting on the fence. It's beginning to make a crease...

I lucked into an old Rolleiflex TLR last year and the first time I took it out I hesitated for a moment next to the car, as I was starting out toward the park. I wondered for a moment whether I had forgotten the camera, it weighed so little in comparison to what I'm used to carrying. My wife asks me why I carry so much weight at my age: I look down at my middle and try to think of a smart response, then realize that she's looking at the backpack.

Mike

Yeah, that was kind of our thought. I was pleasantly surprised when I got the Hassy - it's pretty light, especially with the waist level finder. Part of the weight of the RZ67 is that it is really an 8x8 system, plus the macro bellows on the front. If you like the TLRs square format, you'll probably like the Hassy.

We'll have it with us at Photostock this year, and you are welcome to take a look if you'll be up there.

 

[bill schwab]

I ended up with:

I stopped out at Jeff and Eva's last night and got a chance to look at the "new" Blad. It is just that... New. From the looks of it and any wear marks I could find, it hasn't had 10 rolls of film though it in its life.

Jeff, You got a GREAT deal. If you find out you're not satisfied, I'll give you $825.00!

 

[mjs]

Yeah, that was kind of our thought. I was pleasantly surprised when I got the Hassy - it's pretty light, especially with the waist level finder. Part of the weight of the RZ67 is that it is really an 8x8 system, plus the macro bellows on the front. If you like the TLRs square format, you'll probably like the Hassy.

We'll have it with us at Photostock this year, and you are welcome to take a look if you'll be up there.

I like the Rollie's lens; I don't believe in magic but there's something about that uncoated tessar that... well, it does things with color and tonality I really like. But I think that I've gotten off the fence regarding medium format, at least for now: I'll keep saving up toward my new Wehman 8x10, which should be coming this summer. I really really really really want another one (stupidly sold my old one last year, and now the price has gone up! Figures...) So that's going to be my #1 priority for now. I look forward to seeing everyone at Bill's next month: I hope everyone brings new prints to show and new equipment to fondle!

Mike

 

[Jeff Bannow]

I stopped out at Jeff and Eva's last night and got a chance to look at the "new" Blad. It is just that... New. From the looks of it and any wear marks I could find, it hasn't had 10 rolls of film though it in its life.

Jeff, You got a GREAT deal. If you find out you're not satisfied, I'll give you $825.00!

Thanks for giving it a look last night - good to see you again as always. You can come visit the Hassy any time you want.

I ordered seal replacement kits last night and they should be here this week. Can't wait to run a few rolls through it.

 

[bill schwab]

I ordered seal replacement kits last night and they should be here this week.

I just got the rest of the ones I ordered and am replacing them as we speak. They're pretty easy.

 

[Jeff Bannow]

I just got the rest of the ones I ordered and am replacing them as we speak. They're pretty easy.

Excellent. I like easy - leaves more time for actual shooting.