Alan Edward Klein
Allowing Ads
I get to enjoy two sounds with my RB67. The first when I release the mirror lockup k-thump. and then when I release the shutter - click.
But, until today I could not put a finger on what it was that made me second-guess it. And ... it is the noise.
As you say: a matter of personal taste, really no right or wrong here. Some like beer, others prefer wine. Some like hard rock, others prefer classical music (well, I personally love both). Some dislike like the Hasselblad shutter sound, others (like me) record it and turn it into a cell phone ring tone. And in all honesty, despite my nerdy endeavour described in the previous sentence, I can fully understand why you dislike the sound.All this sounds maybe silly, except in all walks of life we each respond to noises in a different way.
5 Hasselblad lenses? That's not much...Why do you need so many lenses?
As you say: a matter of personal taste, really no right or wrong here. Some like beer, others prefer wine. Some like hard rock, others prefer classical music (well, I personally love both). Some dislike like the Hasselblad shutter sound, others (like me) record it and turn it into a cell phone ring tone. And in all honesty, despite my nerdy endeavour described in the previous sentence, I can fully understand why you dislike the sound.
There is no perfect system - you have to find the one which matches your preferences, which feels good under your fingers and in your ears! We can debate MTF charts and lens sharpness and camera weight and and and... all day; I am convinced that any medium format camera is capable of excellent results. If you expose a print in a gallery, no one will ever tell you "nice picture, but it would have been better if you had used a [insert the brand of your choice here]".
Now, this is probably the most boring - in a sense of "stating the obvious" or as we say in French "break open doors" - post I've done in a long time
Happy shooting, with whatever camera you decide to use!
Could you please explain why you find the 160 is an "ugly duck" ? Due to its reputation? Is its performance that bad compared to the others?For good balance, otherwise I lean to one side only
I think the CB 160 is an ugly duck in the lineup, too bad they made so few, but liked it. The 60 was to replace the 80, but that is no go for what I was hoping (mine also has manufactured-in wobble when mounted, so for that alone I don't like using it, even if it is a very fine lens otherwise, 135 macro is great for its purpose and along with variable extension tube, can be used handheld without any bellows. Longer lengths ... enough occasions when I cannot reach what I want without a cannon mounted. Of course never all that stuff in the bag at the same time.
I did not change the light seal foam on the original 500c backs for ~10 years, and they were fine. And back then, the dark slide probably went in and out more times than the shutter button got pressed. The OE used quality foam. After market replacement stuff available now is priced cheap, and it shows. I know people harp on this all the time, but it's like replacing the tires on a Porsche with the cheapest Walmart tires, and complaining the car handles poorly.Some entrepreneur should market a seal with indestructible foam. The ancient gray crud of the decomposed foam is terrible. The seals are easy to replace, not sure but I think that's a good thing.
Could you please explain why you find the 160 is an "ugly duck" ? Due to its reputation? Is its performance that bad compared to the others?
I did not change the light seal foam on the original 500c backs for ~10 years, and they were fine. And back then, the dark slide probably went in and out more times than the shutter button got pressed. The OE used quality foam. After market replacement stuff available now is priced cheap, and it shows. I know people harp on this all the time, but it's like replacing the tires on a Porsche with the cheapest Walmart tires, and complaining the car handles poorly.
With my aging ears I can barely hear it on mine anymore.
Back in my early days in photography I was at a wedding and every time the photographer took a picture it sounded like someone was dropping the lid off a trash can. Very annoying during the service. I made sure to find out what he was shooting and it was a Bronica.
I'm surprised Sirius Glass hasn't weighed in yet. He must be still in bedWhen I played around with a friend's Hasselblad, I found its mirror to be quieter than my RB67's. But I sure do love the sound my RB makes!
Why do you need so many lenses?
Tied up with multiple problems on multiple cars.
What is wrong with a good TH-WACKKK! I love the sound. It says, I have arrived.
Same in noisy environments (stream-side, etc). But since tripping the shutter is obvious to my finger, my bigger problem with the 'cord is remembering to advance the film and not accidentally double expose…
Thanks for clarifying. Your previous post on it already piqued my curiosity and I had to order one for testingJust called it a nice nameNo, I do like it, but I think it is discounted by many probably because in that focal range it is an "ugly duck the Tessar" between two Sonnars. Then its focal length is pretty much what 150 is and nearly the 180, the latter being called by many as one of the best in the whole line up. So why even bother?
It is lighter and an underdog, and I support underdogs. And I don't do microscopic evaluations either.
Let's put one thing aside: this is not a Hasselblad bashing thread, and I own it too, with lots of saved beer and cigars to make it happen,
Until now I was not sure which part of Hasselblad was making me second guess the decision to go in. The decision itself was based on SWC purchase and I remain convinced, had I not bought SWC, none of the other V system would have ever made it into my garage. This however, would be for another thread, which I don't plan on starting.
Coming off Mamiya's 645 and RB67, Bronica ETRSi & EC, Pentax 645 (original and NII), among several other TLR and non-SLR MF cameras, I got the SWC and soon after thought V-system was worth trying.
Wound up with the 503CW, 2006 build, probably never used, along with some lenses CFi 50 & 150, the unfortunate 60 CB, 135/5.6 CF macro, and 250/5.6 CF (non-SA). To the latter end, probably not the end of lenses as I need to acquire back the Tessar 160 CB for sure and at least the standard 80 and possibly the 350. Quite a few accessories are in my stall too. Honourable mention needs to go to Flexbody, right after the SWC.
I've kind of mentioned, Hasselblad is a fine photographic tool, but not everyone will be all that pleased. I think part of it comes with cost involved, really at any time of the market as Hass has alway been, relatively, one of the most expensive. I won't go into my dislikes any more now than I had already mentioned in another thread. I do think that money spent implies some matching expectations, and many will not find the two on the same plane, I never did, including ergonomics, build quality, sense of ruggedness etc.
But, until today I could not put a finger on what it was that made me second-guess it. And ... it is the noise. That thumping slap after releasing shutter. Surely some will put forward praise for same, so I'll leave it purely as a personal matter. Seems like that barn-door flipping out of the way, mirror going up ... no idea.... Every camera is different in what they amplify out. For whatever reason, Hasselblad's slap feels more off-putting to me than even the Bronica EC (some brilliant engineering and forethought in that one, of course not without own issues).
All this sounds maybe silly, except in all walks of life we each respond to noises in a different way. I like quite a bit about Hasselblad, just not everything and it is not my go to camera.
The Hasselblad 501c and its Carl Zeiss lenses are the finest photographic tools I've ever bought and used. They don't make you a better photographer but, at least you know if something doesn't work out, it's not the equipment's fault.
Mine is a VB and has a switch for double-exposure or not. My problem is forgetting to cock the shutter, getting the shot all line up, and then…dang.
The Hasselblad 501c and its Carl Zeiss lenses are the finest photographic tools I've ever bought and used. They don't make you a better photographer but, at least you know if something doesn't work out, it's not the equipment's fault.
I respect that, except there are lots of photographic tools just as capable and not ever a limiting factor to anyones creations. But I also said the same thing as you, "fine photographic tool", even if I would never extend it to THE finest. And it it is not without own flaws, that's probably what gets me most when I hear comments of implied perfection of V system. But it takes one to use several systems, long enough, to see that difference.
And going back to Bronica for a moment, engineering wise, Bronica S and then all the refinements of the EC, was heads above Hasselblad in several areas. Even if, like everything else, it was not perfect.
In the end, the key is to stick with a system and develop enough connection to marry it, something that can be achieved with any system from all major brands. Divorces still happen, but making a commitment remains critical to focus on images, not technical prowess.
Since I don't make a living from photography, I remain committed to putting my hands on what I wish to use on any given day. It's fun, even if it made me quit drinking and smoking cigars
Have a great day Ralph, I always appreciated your contribution to analog photography, and your opinion matters a lot.
And how exactly could anyone line up the photograph with the mirror up?
Maybe because he's talking about a TLR. Just a thought.
On a Hasselblad bitch thread?
Well, I got rid of the Fuji GW690 even though by most criteria it was a perfect camera for me. Because of the noise it makes on shutter release. One should not cringe and be dreading the moment of releasing a shutter.
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?