Why do I want a Hasselblad 500 c/m?

[BobYIL]

Originally Posted by dreilly

Funny that this thread appears now. I got the latest issue of National Geographic in the mail last week and I opened up to an article shot by Lynn Johnson, and I found the photographs refreshing and somehow familiar. A little grainy, but brilliant colors. Wait a sec, they're square! What is she shooting? Flip to the Letter from the Editor, there's Lynn with a....Hassy.

If you've never seen a 6x6 slide projected...don't. It'll ruin you for the rest of your life.... .

There should be a reason of why this 29 picture-series Lynn shot on film but not digital.. I wish I could really be seeing the projected slide show of it:

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/20...photography#/1

[Mudman]

I bought one back in January. It's only been the last month or two that I've really gotten the hang of it for some reason. Biggest learning curve for a camera I've ever had. From what I can see though, the results are going to be worth it. I bought it mainly for landscape work, but I have used it handheld. I've found that I get better accuracy focusing with the prism then the waistlevel for some reason.

Cheers,
Eric

[loquax ludens]

Originally Posted by Keith

Jonmanjiro makes a good point ... I went through exactly the same process.

If your into cameras Hasselblad ownership at some point is almost inescapable IMO!

Agree! It hit me a few years ago, and I ended up with a 503 cxi and an 80mm lens, plus a half dozen film backs and a metered prism. Now I just need to get a wider lens.

[Sejanus.Aelianus]

There should be a reason of why this 29 picture-series Lynn shot on film but not digital.

Whatever his reasons for doing it, I'm rather impressed with the results!

[burancap]

I came from Hasselblad to rangefinders via the X-Pan. I ended up selling off all of the Hassy gear and invested into Leica. Then I bought another Hassy, and another, etc...

They have a "special" feel to them. I always loved their sort-of "legoesque" construction. You can transform them from a walk-around to a tripod mounted studio queen in a few clicks of this-n-that, and back again. That was always half the fun for me!

They simply must be experienced as part of your photo life. Their slower, more methodical approach is endearing. Buy one... you will not regret it. If you do, they hold their value like Leicas. In fact, I believe I have noticed a recent gradual increase in values over the last ~year or so.

[Mudman]

Street Shot with the Hassey

[thegman]

I used to have a 503cx, on a tripod it was just fantastic, could not want for anything more really. I could not get on with it handheld at all though, you've probably already got the best MF handheld camera in the Mamiya 7. For squares, hand held, I'd be torn between a Rolleiflex, or a GF670. The GF670 is a range finder, obviously, so maybe not the change you're looking for. The Rolleiflex I think is amazing, but I didn't like the stares I got using it, some people just looked at me as if I'd just stripped off or something.

Rolleiflex offer amazing value I think, it's premium brand, premium quality camera which can be had for way under $500. I got used to the reverse thing reasonably easy, but I don't do street shooting, where maybe you need to be a bit faster than I am taking shots.

[shadowfox]

Try to find an old Bronica S, not the newer SQ series.
You may be smitten by it like I did.



In terms of rareness, it's more uncommon than a 'Blad.
And just as much metal if not slightly more.
... And it's easier on the wallet

Pardon me? a sample shot, you say?



Nikkor-P 75mm/2.8 at somewhere close to f/2.8.
Yes, I think Plaubel Makina owners can relate.

For the record, I had a 3-lens, Hassy 500 C/M kit once.
Excellent camera, no doubt. Sold it with a decent margin.
I'm now happy with the Bronny.

[FrankS]

Had a Bronica C. Great results at close focus with the nikkor 75. But if you think the Hasselblad is loud ...

[dreilly]

Lynn Johnson spoke about the need to establish trust with her subjects, specifically for this story. Elsewhere she has talked about the somewhat formal nature of shooting with the Hassy, and I must wonder if there's a connection here, that the slow, deliberate nature of shooting with the Hassy helped people feel more at ease as opposed to the rapid-fire of other cameras, and the fact that it (she was shown with a Hassy with a waist-level finder) stayed out from between her face and her subjects.

In terms of aesthetics, I wonder if the older style of rendering of the medium format film and lenses just matched the theme of languages that still exist, though are endangered?

[Ronald M]

If you can not deal with l/R reversal, a waist level Hassy in not for you.

A 45 deg top finder is beautiful for studio work, as is a RB 67 with prism.

It makes the camera a bit large for walk around use to have the top prism.

To steady a Hassy without a tripod, use a wl finder and push it into your chest.

The lenses are big and heavy and expensive and have shutters that fail without warning.
Buy lenses from David Odess who overhauls them b/4 sale. You will pay a little more , but you know what you are buying.

I really do not think much of 2 1/4 systems other than Hassy and Rollie.

Full frame digital is equal to 2 1/4 film if you want digital. I have used both. Nikon D3, D700 will compete with square film any day. D800 is a gem

[traveler_101]

Originally Posted by MaxFrank

Because, in my opinion, it is one of the most beautiful cameras ever. Every time I see one I can't help but think I'd like to own one, even if I have enough cameras as it is.

You've got to be kiddin' me. I just took a look. It appears to contain a neat mechanism for advancing the film, but it is also looks like a brick. Sorry, but opinions can differ sharply.

[Pete B]

I was struggling with whether to shoot B+W or colour on my next trip. Doh! Take two backs
Pete

[jamais]

Originally Posted by Johnmcd

Any love for the Bronica SQ?

Yes (SQ-A). I love the rendering of the (relatively cheap) Zenzanon lenses in general. The Bronicas are of high build quality though the newer "i"-models may have a little more plastic than a Hasselblad. The Bronica's mechanics should be at least as reliable as that of the Hassy.

The Bronicas also have a strong mirror clap but I've never had any issues with vibration. For shooting static objects you can use the mirror lock-up also handheld (neck strap helps).

Another 6x6 option with prism finder would be a Norita 66 or a Kiev 60.

The Norita is not as well manufactured as a Bronica but still a very much fun camera - one of my all time favourites.

[Nokton48]

I've owned multiple 6x6 Bronica S's, but for just a bit more now, you can have Hasselblad. I happen to own four bodies, over twenty film backs, and the complete C-lens series. And nearly a hundred of the original accessories. Truly the "Erector Set of Photography". Fun and affordable to collect and use.

Nobody else is even close for me. Hasselblad repairman abound, I recommend David Odess, who does all of my work. And no other brand has so much stuff available out there.

Now, if I could just find an original CFV Digital Back for around $2000..............

[Keith]

Originally Posted by traveler_101

You've got to be kiddin' me. I just took a look. It appears to contain a neat mechanism for advancing the film, but it is also looks like a brick. Sorry, but opinions can differ sharply.

It would be interesting to do a survey of contented Hassy owners and see how many of them actually liked the older square Volvos ... I know I did and have owned several over the years!

[Aristophanes]

Why doesn't the Mamiya 7 take good portraits?

[jmooney]

There are two cameras I regret selling out of the 30 or so I've been through in the past 10 years:

My M6 and my Hassy.

With the Zeiss lens and Portra 400 I finally got "the look" I've been going for but I sold it in a fit of "financial responsibility" and I should have sold everything that wasn't nailed down except the Hassy.

There's some magic in them little Swedish boxes....

[Johnmcd]

Originally Posted by Aristophanes

Why doesn't the Mamiya 7 take good portraits?

I only have the 80mm and while I enjoy it immensely, I sometime find its minimum focusing distance a bit long and for the price of the longer lens I could nearly go another camera.

[Timmyjoe]

I picked up a Hasselblad 500 C/M and a Rolleiflex 2.8D at about the same time four years ago. Always dreamed of owning each camera and got a good deal on both.

For me, having shot for thirty plus years with SLR's and Rangefinders, I was more comfortable than I realized focusing and framing "through" a camera. Using the waist level finder on both the 'blad and the Rollei just felt completely un-natural for me. Just couldn't get used to it.

So I sold the Rolleiflex and found a 45º prism for the Hasselblad, and now I love shooting the Hasselblad and I can frame and focus through it like my other cameras. And the lenses are superb. My favorite "people" lens is the 150, but unfortunately I can't really shoot that hand held. But the images look great when shot on a tripod.

Hope some of that info helps.

Best,
-Tim

[Johnmcd]

So much conflicting information but very useful info. Like anything, 'it depends'. Nothing is black and white so why should this be any different.

In the meanwhile the camera I was looking at went for $1250. It looked like a very good condition late model all black 500c/m, PM90 viewer, 80 and 150 lenses all with original boxes.

I was hoping it might fall below $1000 but I would say the price it went for was good value.

Now the bug has bitten me, I'll be keeping an eye out. Bronica SQa, TLR and Mamiya 6 all still the race.

Thanks again for the discussion and advice.

[ReeRay]

Thanks for the thread John. Very interesting views and opinions.

Maybe you'll come back with your 6x6 at some point?

Good luck in your search.

[Sejanus.Aelianus]

If you can not deal with l/R reversal, a waist level Hassy in not for you.

Something of an aside: After 45 years of using SLRs and TLRs, I find it really difficult to use a digital camera at waist level because I automatically turn in the "wrong" direction.

Has anyone else noticed this?

[ChrisN]

Originally Posted by Johnmcd

So much conflicting information but very useful info. Like anything, 'it depends'. Nothing is black and white so why should this be any different.

In the meanwhile the camera I was looking at went for $1250. It looked like a very good condition late model all black 500c/m, PM90 viewer, 80 and 150 lenses all with original boxes.

I was hoping it might fall below $1000 but I would say the price it went for was good value.

Now the bug has bitten me, I'll be keeping an eye out. Bronica SQa, TLR and Mamiya 6 all still the race.

Thanks again for the discussion and advice.

John - another good reason to come up to the Sydney Camera Market on 22 July! Peter K usually has a couple of Hasselblads on his table (I bought my first Hasselblad outfit from him). I know another member here who might have something available too. What are you after exactly? A 500c/m with a 150/4 Sonnar and a non-metered PM5 viewfinder? Join me for lunch in Darling Harbour and you can borrow my 503cx to shoot a roll.

[bigeye]

John:

Some very confusing responses. I'd break it down to your Mamiya 7 as a relatively lightweight travel/carry camera - a MF Leica, really, vs a heavyweight 'system' camera that can do everything (macro, multiple VF, multiple backs, incl digital, shades, flash, grips, broader lens selection, etc) at a cost in bulk and speed. (I would never buy just a 500 with only an 80mm, unless I was a rabid Elvis Costello fan.)

A M (Leica or Mamiya) and a 500 kit are a pretty complete combo. Purpose drives the purchase for me.

Charlie

Yes, keith, we had a Swedish brick for 20 years.