Now I know ... I think ... what annoys me most in Hasselblad

eli griggs · Mar 6, 2023

If the shutter/mirror sounds bother your target, like birds and other wildlife, baffle bags and long lenses are traditional solutions.

If it's just you that is irked by the sound, you can live with it and a great system or choose differently.

Its that simple.

itsdoable · Mar 6, 2023

Slixtiesix said:
.... The 2000 series has a metal shutter that has a somewhat harsh and metallic sound too, although still quieter than the 500 series....

The 2000 series Hasselblads are definitely louder than the 500 series.

5 years ago, I measured and recorded a bunch of my MF camera shutter sounds, and posted them to Sirius' "most satisfying shutter sounds" thread:

https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/most-satisfying-shutter-sound.159556/page-3#post-2076144

The Fujifilm GX680 was a close second, along with the Bronica S2. Unfortunately I did not measure or record the RB (no longer owned it) or a SL66 (waiting to own it), both of which are nice sounding cameras. In my opinion.

Slixtiesix · Mar 7, 2023

Very interesting! I did not know we had a most satisfying shutter sounds thread. You obviously measured it scientifically, while I just wrote from my subjective impression. Had not expected the 2000 series to be 7 db louder. It certainly has a more pronounced peak against the 500 series´ broader "flap", which may have given the impression to me that the latter was louder though it´s actually not.
I can confirm that the SL66 has a very nice shutter sound.

Sirius Glass · Mar 7, 2023

itsdoable said:
The 2000 series Hasselblads are definitely louder than the 500 series.

5 years ago, I measured and recorded a bunch of my MF camera shutter sounds, and posted them to Sirius' "most satisfying shutter sounds" thread:

https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/most-satisfying-shutter-sound.159556/page-3#post-2076144

The Fujifilm GX680 was a close second, along with the Bronica S2. Unfortunately I did not measure or record the RB (no longer owned it) or a SL66 (waiting to own it), both of which are nice sounding cameras. In my opinion.

Can I get my 503 CX to be as loud as the 2000 series? Interested reader wants to know!@

eli griggs · Mar 7, 2023

A medium format choice that practically has little noise is the Minolta Autocord "E", from 1958, with a leaf shutter.

The Canon 17 QL and, the Minolta Himatic 9 are two of the quietest 135 format cameras I own.

The wonderful noise of the Hasselblad V series cameras make, is, in comparison, a bit surprising, when you consider the "C" Center setting is also a leaf shutter, especially after the mirror pick-up is employed.

I wonder if new materials and methods can now deliver over 1/500th, mechinical, shutter speeds for, so far, imagined leaf shuttered lenses?

abruzzi · Mar 7, 2023

I had a wierd issue with my Fuji rangefinder--I started getting random blurry photos. After a couple of rolls, I realized the problem was that with the 180mm lens about half of the time, the shutter wouldn't trigger when you pressed the shutter, but rather when you released the button. I just didn't notice becasue there was still a small physical click (but not really audible) on depress which released the film advance. My brain felt the click and faked me into believing I had heaerd it as well. So I'd take the shot with the camera handheld, and when I released the button, I wouldn't be listeneing and I'd moving the camera down from shooting position, hence the blurry mess. Its clearly a lens issue since the 100 and 65 never have that issue. So sometimes a loud noticable shutter release has some value. Now to find someone who can CLA the 180.

guangong · Mar 7, 2023

I owe a thanks to Sirius. After his warning about letting a Hassy sit unused for a while, I realized that mine has not been used for at least three years. So I exercised my 500 cm. At first the barn door shutter would sometimes hesitate closing, but after 15 min, everything back to normal. If it sat around for much longer, a CLA would be in order. Will start shooting with it next week.

guangong · Mar 7, 2023

Except for my not lamented 1000F, my Hasselblad has been one of my least expensive cameras considering my years of active use vs upgrading to a supposedly better camera every few years.

Sirius Glass · Mar 7, 2023

guangong said:
I owe a thanks to Sirius. After his warning about letting a Hassy sit unused for a while, I realized that mine has not been used for at least three years. So I exercised my 500 cm. At first the barn door shutter would sometimes hesitate closing, but after 15 min, everything back to normal. If it sat around for much longer, a CLA would be in order. Will start shooting with it next week.

I will send you a bill in the morning.

BrianShaw · Mar 7, 2023

I like the sound so much that I made a ringtone of it this morning.

itsdoable · Mar 7, 2023

BrianShaw said:
I like the sound so much that I made a ringtone of it this morning.

500c/m for people you like.

2000fc/m for those you don't.

guangong · Mar 8, 2023

Sirius Glass said:
I will send you a bill in the morning.

Glad you were able to read my note.

campy51 · Mar 9, 2023

I never connected with the 500 C/M for hand holding. I prefer my Mamiya 6. I have had my 500 C/M on the FS board for months and no one seems to be interested.

skylight1b · Mar 9, 2023

abruzzi said:
I've always wished there was a fast motordrive for the Pentax 67--load it with 220 film hold the shutter down and it would sound like a galloping horse for a few seconds.

I have actually been laughing at this for days now. I do love the sound of the Pentax 67, but I admit it's loud. With my first couple shots on it, I would jump a bit every time.

warden · Mar 9, 2023

campy51 said:
I never connected with the 500 C/M for hand holding.

You are not alone. ;-)

Edgy01 · Mar 18, 2023

There are always issues with any cameras or systems! The Hasselblad sound is very unique, as you observe with the 500. The SWC is a joy because it’s so quiet. I love the tactile feel of my chrome Hasselblad—500 EL/M, 503CW, and the 903SWC. Optics from Zeiss are nearly second to none. And more affordable today than ever before.

Hassasin · Mar 18, 2023

Edgy01 said:
... Optics from Zeiss are nearly second to none. And more affordable today than ever before.

This is not exactly so, is it? Time to load up was good ten years back.

Sirius Glass · Mar 18, 2023

Edgy01 said:
There are always issues with any cameras or systems! The Hasselblad sound is very unique, as you observe with the 500. The SWC is a joy because it’s so quiet. I love the tactile feel of my chrome Hasselblad—500 EL/M, 503CW, and the 903SWC. Optics from Zeiss are nearly second to none. And more affordable today than ever before.

The Zeiss optics were even less costly in the time frame from 2005 to 2015 when I loaded up with them.

Now I know ... I think ... what annoys me most in Hasselblad

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