Walking around with a Pentax 6x7 vs. Hasselblad 500c?

[Sirius Glass]

Long format (like Pentax 67) needs eye level finder because it is so awkward to shoot Portrait orientation with only waist level finder.
Same for 645 format cameras.
The RB67 solves that issue with rotating back, but then you have fundamental weight disadvantage...the Pentax 67 weighs about the same as RB67, when both have lenses.
Hassy can be used with waist level only, as its square format avoids the need to rotate camera to Portrait orientation

Except that with a prism a Hasselblad can be held at eye level and never needs to be turned on it side when shooting square.

 

[eli griggs]

Long format (like Pentax 67) needs eye level finder because it is so awkward to shoot Portrait orientation with only waist level finder.
Same for 645 format cameras.
The RB67 solves that issue with rotating back, but then you have fundamental weight disadvantage...the Pentax 67 weighs about the same as RB67, when both have lenses.
Hassy can be used with waist level only, as its square format avoids the need to rotate camera to Portrait orientation

The Hasselblad can also be held longer, above the head for elevated shots, without the awkward 6x7 formating to compose, because it's lighter and the square format naturally presents it's self to scenes.

The only way a 67 can take advantage of it's full, asymmetrical format, is to shoot a periscope lens or into a mirror.

 

[Mike Lopez]

The only way a 67 can take advantage of it's full, asymmetrical format, is to shoot a periscope lens or into a mirror.

As the kids say: LOL! I'm sure all the P67 owners out there will be saddened to hear this. If only the P67 were better about presenting "it's self to scenes."

 

[mrosenlof]

Many different ways to use a Hasselblad. In my case, I practically never use the camera handheld, sturdy tripod for me, usually with the WLF and my eye up against the magnifier, so more of a "Chest Level Finder". I own a grip and a 45 degree prism, and on the very rare occasions I"m walking around and shooting handheld, that's the combo I'll use. Even more rarely without the grip.

I rented a P67 for a weekend almost 30 years ago. I could have been happy with it. At that time ended up with a 6x9 Fuji RF. I have a 6x7 back for my 4x5 camera, and have found I dislike 6x7 because the frame count does not fit a PrintFile page. 2x5 doesn't fit 3x3 fits, but then there's frame no. 10.

The attached photo was going to just be a "crowd shot", but when the woman spontaneously posed for me, the photo got better. She also had a Hasselblad, but not with her. She had wanted to name the dog Hasselblad, but that was to long, so he (?) was "Leica". I said that my next cat would be named Victor. We still don't have a next cat.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Many different ways to use a Hasselblad. In my case, I practically never use the camera handheld, sturdy tripod for me, usually with the WLF and my eye up against the magnifier, so more of a "Chest Level Finder". I own a grip and a 45 degree prism, and on the very rare occasions I"m walking around and shooting handheld, that's the combo I'll use. Even more rarely without the grip.

I rented a P67 for a weekend almost 30 years ago. I could have been happy with it. At that time ended up with a 6x9 Fuji RF. I have a 6x7 back for my 4x5 camera, and have found I dislike 6x7 because the frame count does not fit a PrintFile page. 2x5 doesn't fit 3x3 fits, but then there's frame no. 10.

The attached photo was going to just be a "crowd shot", but when the woman spontaneously posed for me, the photo got better. She also had a Hasselblad, but not with her. She had wanted to name the dog Hasselblad, but that was to long, so he (?) was "Leica". I said that my next cat would be named Victor. We still don't have a next cat.

I on the other hand always use my Hasselblad hand held and with a prism. The WLF that came with the camera has not been on the camera since I bought it over a decade ago. The tripod is for night photography or when I use the 500mm lens with or without the 2XE extender.

 

[warden]

The only way a 67 can take advantage of it's full, asymmetrical format, is to shoot a periscope lens or into a mirror.

 

[Sirius Glass]

The only way a 67 can take advantage of it's full, asymmetrical format, is to shoot a periscope lens or into a mirror.

Wearing a truss is an import piece of necessary equipment for the RB67, but not so much for the Pentax 67.

 

[eli griggs]

Many different ways to use a Hasselblad. In my case, I practically never use the camera handheld, sturdy tripod for me, usually with the WLF and my eye up against the magnifier, so more of a "Chest Level Finder". I own a grip and a 45 degree prism, and on the very rare occasions I"m walking around and shooting handheld, that's the combo I'll use. Even more rarely without the grip.

I rented a P67 for a weekend almost 30 years ago. I could have been happy with it. At that time ended up with a 6x9 Fuji RF. I have a 6x7 back for my 4x5 camera, and have found I dislike 6x7 because the frame count does not fit a PrintFile page. 2x5 doesn't fit 3x3 fits, but then there's frame no. 10.

The attached photo was going to just be a "crowd shot", but when the woman spontaneously posed for me, the photo got better. She also had a Hasselblad, but not with her. She had wanted to name the dog Hasselblad, but that was to long, so he (?) was "Leica". I said that my next cat would be named Victor. We still don't have a next cat.

I may just name my next dog "Barnack".

Sort of rolls of the tongue, don't it!

 

[Sirius Glass]

I may just name my next dog "Barnack".

Sort of rolls of the tongue, don't it!

My next dog will be named "Such a Good Dog" so that everyone will know his name.

 

[flavio81]

What a conversation, guys...

I wonder if the OP is still around.

It's obvious that a Hasselblad 500C is a lighter camera, and if lightness and nimbleness is the most important factor, it's the best option. (Cue @Sirius Glass singing "Amen!" in four different font sizes)

If you are going to shoot square (1:1) pictures and you don't feel the need to use a prism, then it's a no-brainer, a Hasseblad or any other 6x6 SLR/TLR.

However, if you're going to shoot rectangular pictures then the 6x7 advantage is realized over 6x6. And the Pentax lenses are magical, like the 90/2.8, 105/2.4 or 150/2.8. They're also very fast (compare 150/2.8 or 165/2.8 Pentax vs 150/4 Sonnar, for example) and have very narrow DOF. The P6x7 lenses, in my view, are what make the Pentax system great: Contrast, absolutely smooth bokeh, flare resistance, mechanical construction, ease of operation. Nothing beats a great piece of glass!

Note, also, that a Pentax 6x7 camera, fitted with the relatively-diminutive 90/2.8 and a waist-level-finder (or chimney finder) becomes a rather light, nimble machine. But you're stuck in the horizontal (landscape) format.

The most important thing, camera choice nonwithstanding, is to never use Pro 400H. Let it die forever.

 

[mtjade2007]

I started out young and poor with a Mamiya TLR which was what I could afford in medium format. Years later I needed to upgrade to a better system. I did not look at Hassy systems at all. The square format was the reason. I was sick of having to crop the square image to fit my photo paper always. No matter how good Hassy cameras are the square format was a show stopper to me. I went into a P67-ii and never look back. Yes, it has all the problems everyone said about. But in my opinion being 6x7 format it beats the stupid square both hands down. Of course this is just my own opinion.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I started out young and poor with a Mamiya TLR which was what I could afford in medium format. Years later I needed to upgrade to a better system. I did not look at Hassy systems at all. The square format was the reason. I was sick of having to crop the square image to fit my photo paper always. No matter how good Hassy cameras are the square format was a show stopper to me. I went into a P67-ii and never look back. Yes, it has all the problems everyone said about. But in my opinion being 6x7 format it beats the stupid square both hands down. Of course this is just my own opinion.

Trim the paper to match the format. Would you crop the Mona Lisa to fit on a sheet of paper? It is about the composition not the shape of the paper. That is why frames come in different shapes and sizes.

 

[eli griggs]

There's always an option of a transparent viewfinder mask to bring 6x6 into a 6x7 ratio and that's still a medium format negative or slide, plus there are the 4.5x6 backs, which still allow the changing of films midshoot, which is no the case with the Pentax 67; you'd must carry a separate camera for each film, if you do no like changing rolls midway through a session.

 

[dave olson]

Having owned and used a Pentax 6x7 TTL, and currently own a Hassy 503 CW, I'll state neither is great for walking around. I had the Pentax, among others, when I was shooting professional. It was around my neck hiking different areas of New Mexico. My 503 CW sports a chimney VF, or a 90 VF or 45 VF, the latter two are metered. The Pentax rides better against the chest because it's flatter than the 503 CW being boxier. How much walking around are you going to do and is it urban, rural or off the trail. The Hassy rides great on my Gitzo tripods.

 

[Steven Lee]

A Hasselblad becomes far more portable if you adopt a habit of carrying it in a small side bag. It is neatly brick-shaped and a one-lens kit with a WLF fits into the "small bag for mirrorless digital" category of camera bags on B&H. Yes. My 503cx shares the same bag with Fuji X-T3. Even the Mamiya 645 Pro isn't as neatly shaped.

I have migrated away from neck straps and carrying cameras on my neck in general towards no-strap + small bag approach.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Having owned and used a Pentax 6x7 TTL, and currently own a Hassy 503 CW, I'll state neither is great for walking around. I had the Pentax, among others, when I was shooting professional. It was around my neck hiking different areas of New Mexico. My 503 CW sports a chimney VF, or a 90 VF or 45 VF, the latter two are metered. The Pentax rides better against the chest because it's flatter than the 503 CW being boxier. How much walking around are you going to do and is it urban, rural or off the trail. The Hassy rides great on my Gitzo tripods.

A Hasselblad becomes far more portable if you adopt a habit of carrying it in a small side bag. It is neatly brick-shaped and a one-lens kit with a WLF fits into the "small bag for mirrorless digital" category of camera bags on B&H. Yes. My 503cx shares the same bag with Fuji X-T3. Even the Mamiya 645 Pro isn't as neatly shaped.

I have migrated away from neck straps and carrying cameras on my neck in general towards no-strap + small bag approach.

When I am traveling by air I carry a top loading back pack with the Hasselblad 503 CX with the 50mm and 80mm lenses, and the Hasselblad 903 SWC. Everything stays on my back but the 503 with a lens or 903 which kind of balance with the pack. If the 503 always has the 45 degree PME and always tips the lens down, the does not bother me and sometime I will hold it level with one or the other hand. When I am driving in the US I will take a larger pack with more lenses and more backs, put it all on the back seat or floor. I pull out the camera and the lens I want to use and return to the car to swap lenses if necessary. Years I go I found that for me a shoulder bag, even with just s 35mm slr, after a short time will throw my back off and I stopped using them.