My first new Rolleiflex TLR...

venchka

venchka

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...is a Hasselblad 501cm with 80mm Planar lens and film magazine. That's all folks. One lens. One camera. One film at a time. Just like all those folks who use a Rollei TLR with a similar lens.

I have been given 1 year. During which time I must...

  1. A. Decide if I wish to keep said fixed lens 6x6 P&S camera.
  2. B. Liquidate some rangefinder gear to generate the funds to purchase said 6x6 P&S camera.
  3. C. Return the 6x6 P&S camera.

"What a long strange trip it's been." :cool:
 
I have a Rollei and a Hasselblad. They handle very differently. I almost never handhold the Hasselblad, its controls are just too awkward for that. The Rollei handholds nicely, it is a lot lighter, the knob focusing is much easier that the focus ring around the big hassy lenses.

You'll love the hasselblad's image quality, but I would not think of it as a fixed lens camera. If you never intend to buy more lenses for it, I think you'll be MUCH happier with a nice Rollei. I use my Hassy a lot but I use it for old buildings and such, on a tripod, and I use my other lenses all the time.
 
Interesting. I definitely think handholding a Hassy is feasible, but the mirror and second door in front of the film just might add a little bit of vibration. The Rollei is about as vibration-free as it gets.

But have fun with the Hassy and lens; you'll have fun doing this.
 
I find the hasselblad to be just as handholdable (assuming you have a strap) as a tlr- you cradle the camera with the left hand, trip the shutter with the left index finger, and make all of your adjustments with the right hand. It is backwards from what 35mm users are used to, but it doesn't take long to gain confidence.
 
I had a 45 degree prism on my 'blad when I was had holding. I preferred the chimney finder on a tripod.

The best side grip I found for it was the one for the Mamiya 645. You'l have to file about 2mm off of the pins which line up with holes on the bottom of the Mamiya. The grip's trigger release mechanism lines up to perfection.

For something to carry around a TLR is the way to go. Lightweight and quiet! The Mkinolta Autocord is a bit easier to handle than a Rollei.
 
Chriscrawfordphoto said:
I have a Rollei and a Hasselblad. They handle very differently. I almost never handhold the Hasselblad, its controls are just too awkward for that. The Rollei handholds nicely, it is a lot lighter, the knob focusing is much easier that the focus ring around the big hassy lenses.

You'll love the hasselblad's image quality, but I would not think of it as a fixed lens camera. If you never intend to buy more lenses for it, I think you'll be MUCH happier with a nice Rollei. I use my Hassy a lot but I use it for old buildings and such, on a tripod, and I use my other lenses all the time.
Click to expand...

The Rollei is my choice. But then again I haven't touched a Hasselblad for about 15 years. Chris, that focusing ring statement brought back memories. The Rollei is a dream to focus and lens rings are not dreams. Sometimes, if you are hardwired to a camera even the bad ergonomics become second nature. Maybe that is why I like the Rollei so much.
 
As I stated in another thread, my Life With The Square began a long time ago in a Galaxy far far away. Back in The Land Before Time I owned a Mamiya TLR for about 6 months. 1 lens. 1 film at a time. No tripod.

Fast forward............the Hasselblad is a huge improvement over the Mamiya in my mind.

Just to prove the Nay Sayers wrong, I may never put the Hasselblad or the Pentax 6x7 on a tripod again. Ever.
 
I've had a number of medium format cameras from press to view to SLR. These are more versatile cameras with interchageable lenses, swings & tilts, etc., but as a light weight carry about, a Rollei or similar TLR can't be beat. It's also extremely quiet because the mirror knows its place.

http://thepriceofsilver.blogspot.com
 
I know. everybody wants everyone to own a Rollei TLR. I don't happen to have one. I wasn't offered one for a year.

What I have is a Hasselblad. Funtionally equal to the Rollei except for through the taking lens viewing. There are worse things to have.

I made a failed attempt at humor. Sue me.
 
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