Off my Hasselblad System for a Fujifilm GF670 Rangefinder?

daleeman · Oct 30, 2011

Troll said:
I have a fairly nice Pentax 645N system, with 9 lenses. I love the system. Having few opportunities for trekking, if any, and finding the camera with 3 lenses already heavy for a daily carry when working (so not using a backpack), I bought a Plaubel Makina 67 with the Nikkor 2.8/80mm. Ever since, I'm shooting more, always taking the Plaubel along wherever I go. I had to get used to focusing, but sort of like the different method of framing, and adore the detail I get out of it on 6x7.
My only real regret is that it's not for portraits (and I don't think the Mamiya 6 and 7 are, either). But then, I have a system that really is (Pentax 645N with either 135 or 150mm). The Mamiya 7 has a reputation for sharpness that is apparently unbeatable. If weight is a concern, every ounce counts. I'd go for the Mamiya if I wanted more lenses. If only one, you have more choice.

That is a very cool camera. I had to look it up since I have not seen one before. The idea of a compact 120 just sounds exciting

ParkerSmithPhoto · Oct 30, 2011

I saw a movie about the great photographer Keith Carter. He had his Hassy with his 80mm and said something to the effect of "I've made almost all of my photographs with this camera." In Twyla Tharp's book "The Creative Habit" she talks about how constraints actually enhance your creativity, rather that limit them. So go light! Take the Hassy and the 80, or the Makro and let that be that. You'll be surprised how very rarely you'll say "dang, I wish I'd have brought the 150!") Like almost never.

Case in point from my personal experience: I use only long-normal lenses, so the 127mm on the Mamiya, and the 110mm Macro on the Bronica SQ, which if you do the math are basically the exact same focal length. (One exception to this rule, but a very tiny one.) Since I read Twyla's book and "constrained" myself, my work has gotten much clearer and more focused. I highly recommend it.

You'll find too that one lens helps give your images an optical consistency, so they fit together better on the wall.

BrianL · Oct 31, 2011

I'm going through the same process as you and first found that by recording what I used in the field helped. I then decided to see how far I could strip my camera down and still find it useful. Traded the metered prism first for a nonmetered prism the, just the waist level finder, skipped the speedgrip, then moved from the 40mm to 40mm lens as it is a few onces lighter and then back to the 40 as I liked it better. Then stopped carrying multiple backs loaded with the same emulsion and moved to a lighter tripod. Learned to shot with the one lens and let my feet do the walking. It helped quite a bit but still heavey for me as I've lost more than half my body weight and a lot of muscle tone. I finally started to pack the Rolleiflex T as it was lighter and finally realized none of this was going to be the answer down the line so I set it all aside and now I just pack my Leica CL with the 40 and 90mm lenses. The lightest weight and highest quality combination I am sure I will be able to carry in the long run. Also, allows me to use a much light Gitzo tripod that I have.

NormanV · Oct 31, 2011

I have to confess that I havn't read all the posts (I am in the middle of cooking supper) But I would suggest a Fuji GW690. It is huge, but really good to handle, the negs are likewise huge. the only drawback is the film loading, it is horrible but I am prepared to put up with that for the good results.

eclarke · Oct 31, 2011

Lee, I have the GF670 and it's really a great camera..6x6 and 6x7.. Evan Clarke

daleeman · Nov 1, 2011

eclarke said:
Lee, I have the GF670 and it's really a great camera..6x6 and 6x7.. Evan Clarke

Evan,

I am still interested in getting one. Question: have you used it in cold weather, like 10F or lower? I wonder how the original lube keeps things moving in the real cold days. One large attraction is to tuck it in the coat pocket while I use the trecking poles and get out after fresh snows. Still looking to get some awsome fresh powder in the trees looking photos.

Looking at our stock market I start thinking about how my 101K that used to be a 401K has probably lost a few GF670 camera just today as the world markets take a beating AGAIN. Woops there goes a 'nuther GF670 again.

Lee

jbbooks · Nov 1, 2011

I started with the Hasselblad in the late 70's. Most of what I use, without the extra bodies and backs and the long, telephoto lenses, fits into a Pelican 1510 case that goes on the back of my Harley. I do not even try to carry any of it, anymore. I, also, have a Pentax 67II with three lenses in a backpack that I am trying, but the camera that has really taken over for when I have to carry it, not stick it in or on a vehicle and for when I cannot use a tripod, is the Mamiya 7 or 7II. I have both and would just as soon use one as the other. They are not quite the equivalent of my 4x5 and, of course, lack movements, but they are close enough that when movements are not critical, I pretty much use the Mamiya's--tripod or no tripod.

I am not giving up my Hasselblad gear, it is much too useful to do that, but, for walking around, general use, I highly recommend the Mamiya 7 or 7II.

John NYC · Nov 5, 2011

daleeman said:
Evan,

I am still interested in getting one. Question: have you used it in cold weather, like 10F or lower? I wonder how the original lube keeps things moving in the real cold days. One large attraction is to tuck it in the coat pocket while I use the trecking poles and get out after fresh snows. Still looking to get some awsome fresh powder in the trees looking photos.

Lee

I had one and the battery and shutter will crap out when it gets too cold.

Bertil · Nov 5, 2011

Not yet really problems carrying my Hasselblad on hiking (but not more than 2 backs, 80 mm and/or 150 mm, no prism); but sometimes a bit lazy, I really like just to carry my Zeiss Super Ikonta (Tessar 3,5/75 mm) with it's very nice coupled range finder, a small lens shade with a yellow filter – and I really can't see the difference in sharpness between this lens and my Planar 80! Unfortunately hard to make normal macro work with Super Ikonta, easier with my Rolleiflex and Rolleionar/Rolleiparkeill and this solution is just marginally more weight.
/Bertil

vpwphoto · Nov 5, 2011

I have been down your road a few times, but the precision of SLR or direct view on the ground glass suits my photography.
The viewfinder/rangefinder cameras are "too random" for the way I like to precisely frame and photograph.

Bertil · Nov 6, 2011

vpwphoto, of course you have a good point, but – depending on what kind of things you do – it may work fairly good with viewfinder/rangefinder cameras of folder type, if one shoot with some margins and allow oneself to do some cropping!
/Bertil

skahde · Nov 9, 2011

My suggestion is to take things just the way they turned out to be right now. Keep your beloved Blad and use it with the 80mm. I carry mine together with an small meter in a bag that previously thougt has enough room for a M6 and three lenses. I was surprised to find the Hasselblad with a normal lens and small a meter are very close in weigth and size everything taken together. I also had a Rollei 2,8f and it don't remember it to be significantly lighter and smaller. It's additional lenses and accessories that turn a Hasselblad into a heavy setup.

If you love to use the Blad, keep using it or you probablyy regret it at one point.

georg16nik · Nov 9, 2011

Every winter, I am using Voigtlander or Zeiss folders at temperatures around or even less than minus 10 F
Same goes for my Leicas I,II,III or my FED NKVD's.
At such low temperatures, most of the battery powered rangefinders will ballpark in disability state.
At low temps, SLR's mirror and GG are up for a challenge as well. Been there, done that.
Voigtlander Perkeo or Zeiss Messa Ikonta weight less than M2 and are smaller package.

vpwphoto said:
...The viewfinder/rangefinder cameras are "too random" for the way I like to precisely frame and photograph.

The Voigtlander Bessa I optical finder have parallax compensated frames for close distances.

daleeman · Nov 9, 2011

skahde said:
My suggestion is to take things just the way they turned out to be right now. Keep your beloved Blad and use it with the 80mm..... It's additional lenses and accessories that turn a Hasselblad into a heavy setup.

If you love to use the Blad, keep using it or you probablyy regret it at one point.

You are so right. It is all the other things that really add up. As I put in the OP I find most of my photos are really with the 80mm anyway. If I sold all the other lenses I could buy my wife a wonderful gift, vacation or a ton of bones for my friend John's two dogs. the girls would jump for joy!

thegman · Nov 9, 2011

I have a Hasselblad system, and also used my brother's GF670. My thoughts are that if you're happy humping a tripod, stick with the 'blad, otherwise, the GF670 is an easy winner for me. It's like carrying around a 35mm camera vs. carrying around a brick in the case of the Hasselblad. I'll stick with the 'blad as I don't mind carrying a bit of gear around sometimes, but if I wanted to travel light and shoot handheld, the GF670 is awesome. Also consider Rolleiflex...

Off my Hasselblad System for a Fujifilm GF670 Rangefinder?

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