What are the best tele converters for c/m and fcm hasty?

guangong · Dec 17, 2014

I am interested in acquiring a 2x converter for my hasty fcm (where I have a wide choice of non-gassy lenses) as well as my cm. Since there are also several independent makers of tele converters for the hassle lad, I would like to hear from other apug members who have had experience with various converters for these cameras.

Sirius Glass · Dec 17, 2014

I have an off brand one. I think that it is a Kenko. I have a SWC [38mm], 50mm, 80mm, 150mm and 250mm and I have used the 2X extender exactly once since I bought it in 2008.

cjbecker · Dec 17, 2014

Sirius Glass said:
I have an off brand one. I think that it is a Kenko. I have a SWC [38mm], 50mm, 80mm, 150mm and 250mm and I have used the 2X extender exactly once since I bought it in 2008.

You just love to show your kit off anytime you can

I have a rokunar 2x and have used it with a CF150. I use the setup for wildlife, I have probably exposed 5 shots with it. Nothing to complain about.

mike c · Dec 17, 2014

i have one also, think Komura is the brand, used it once should use it again some time. It was thrown in with something else I had bought. The one Zeiss made for Hassleblad is way expensive.

Sirius Glass · Dec 17, 2014

cj my point is that if one has one or two telephotos the need for twice that focal length is limited. Highly limited unless one is shooting wildlife.

cjbecker · Dec 17, 2014

Sirius, I'm just messing with you. We always seem to post in all the same threads about hasselblads.

bdial · Dec 17, 2014

I have one too, not sure of the brand, Vivitar I think. Have used it just once. Haven't had much reason to go longer than my 150.

Brett Rogers · Dec 17, 2014

guangong said:
I am interested in acquiring a 2x converter for my hasty fcm (where I have a wide choice of non-gassy lenses) as well as my cm. Since there are also several independent makers of tele converters for the hassle lad, I would like to hear from other apug members who have had experience with various converters for these cameras.

I recently purchased one myself (I am yet to use it). I did a *lot* of searching and reading on line before buying. Hard data on the origins of the various options wasn't particularly easy to come by, but as far as I have been able to gather, Kenko made some which were at various times or in various markets also sold under the Vivitar, Rokunar and Teleplus brands. Some are six element multi-coated, some possibly not (although without physically inspecting various examples, I was not able to determine from the many different images I examined on the web how to differentiate these). Most of the Kenko/Vivitar/Teleplus/Rokunar examples you unearth look identical externally except for their respective branding. The Komura 2 x TC looks different cosmetically. What this means as far as its origins or its optics are concerned, I wasn't able to ascertain (which doesn't mean its performance is necessarily inferior to the others, of course). Unless you are prepared to pay considerably more for one of the OEM converters, the best third party ones, as above, usually have "MC6" around the top denoting they are a multi-coated six element design. I acquired one such Teleplus branded example ex-Japan that looked like it had never been out of its box. There are other discussions on the web concerning the performance of the third party converters including several on this site, at least one of which has some examples of them being used with a 250mm Sonnar as I recall. Hope this assists. You might also find the following helpful: it worked for me.
http://letmegooglethat.com/?q=Hasselblad+teleconverters

Sirius Glass · Dec 17, 2014

cjbecker said:
Sirius, I'm just messing with you. We always seem to post in all the same threads about hasselblads.

My chain was jerked.

chriscrawfordphoto · Dec 18, 2014

I had one of the MC6 2x converters from Vivitar with my Hasselblad (I've since sold all my Hassy gear). It was ok, but not as sharp as I'd have liked. I used it occasionally for landscapes with the 150mm Sonnar. If I'd had the money, I would have bought the 250mm lens as it would probably have been a better choice than the 150 with the 2x. I shot these with the 150 and 2x:

benjiboy · Dec 18, 2014

Sirius Glass said:
cj my point is that if one has one or two telephotos the need for twice that focal length is limited. Highly limited unless one is shooting wildlife.

I never owned one because if you lose two stops off a telephoto lens that are usually fairly slow there's very little left.

benjiboy · Dec 18, 2014

cjbecker said:
Sirius, I'm just messing with you. We always seem to post in all the same threads about hasselblads.

My now long dead mentor who I'll never forget used to say to me many years ago "if you want to impress me, don't show me or talk about your equipment, show me your pictures and I'll tell you if your'e a photographer".

guangong · Dec 18, 2014

Thanks for your opinions. I have an FMC that I use with long Olympic Sonnar and various Kilfit lenses. My purpose for a tele coverter would be to lighten the carrying load when using the 80mm or 150mm on the CM but still have an option for a longer lens while saving wt and space. I do this with my Leicaflex. As I understand, the earlier Hassy converters were made by Zeiss but the later ones are rebadged Kowas.
Chris's pics look good.
Thanks again for your opinions and leads.

jeffreyg · Dec 18, 2014

I have the Hasselblad 2xE converter and have generally used it with my longer focal length lenses and have found it to be quite sharp. I most often use it when traveling to reduce weight. For what I usually shoot when traveling I take the 50 and 150 plus the 2x. That way I have three formats. I don't use it with the 50 since I have the 150. At home I have used it with a 250 and 350 with excellent results but with a heavier tripod then the one I travel with. The last image I made with the 350 plus the 2x had as the subject a scene at least a half mile away shot over a body of water and had very good resolution.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com

Sirius Glass · Dec 18, 2014

Use a 2X extender to lighten the load?!? I include the 2X extender with my lenses. It makes for a heavy backpack and is part of my overall physical fitness routine. Get with the program folks!

jeffreyg · Dec 18, 2014

The 2x weighs 12.5 ounces and is 2.75 inches long while the 350 is 2lbs,15.5oz and 8 15/16 inches plus a lens shade and takes different filters. My backpack with the 50, 150, 2x and other assorted items weighs in at 27lbs so the extra 2+ lbs and space difference makes a difference. I prefer to do the heavy lifting at the gym.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

jeffreyg · Dec 18, 2014

Another factor is the focusing range with the close focus of the 150 being 4.5ft to infinity while not being affected by the 2x although you lose 2 stops and the close focus of the 350 is 15ft to infinity. Since I rarely shoot wide open and on a tripod the 2 stops have not been a problem.

Sirius Glass · Dec 18, 2014

My camera backpack with the 503 and lenses, but not the SWC weighs 20 pounds. At the end of the day, that backpack becomes heavy even without the tripod. It can provide a good work out for me.

rorye · Dec 18, 2014

I have a Komura 2x but it's not very sharp.

itsdoable · Dec 19, 2014

I have the Kenko Teleplus HBF MC6, which I picked up for $25. Like most here, I've only used it a hand full of times, with the 250 & 150 sonnar. It's decent, and I'm not sure if the loss of resolution is the limitations of the primes, or the TC.

The Hasselbald 2XE converter (Hassy designed, Fujifilm made) goes for ~$225 on a free auction, and is reported to be very good - that would be my preference (besides the fact that I use a 203fe), but you really can't complain about a $25 TC that you don't use much...

aoresteen · Dec 20, 2014

I've had one since 2006 or so. I've never used it. It's Vivitar I think.

Sirius Glass · Dec 20, 2014

Sirius Glass said:
I have an off brand one. I think that it is a Kenko. I have a SWC [38mm], 50mm, 80mm, 150mm and 250mm and I have used the 2X extender exactly once since I bought it in 2008.

I found that the 2Xextender can be used to flatten curly negatives and prints.

What are the best tele converters for c/m and fcm hasty?

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