Why do I want a Hasselblad 500 c/m?

Johnmcd

Johnmcd

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Maybe I should should just stop looking at camera porn on ebay, but I keep coming back to a Hasselblad 500 c/m.

I already own the sharpest camera around, a Mamiya 7 and find it fast and accurate and a joy to use.

I am though looking for a 6x6 (and I don't want to crop the 6x7). I've looked at TLR's but without the prism, I just can't do the reverse view thing! Though I haven't completely ruled them out. I have also thought of a Mamiya 6 but apart from being more expensive, I would rather have a completely different system for the change in format (a change is as good as a holiday).

I do enjoy SLR's and my first MF was a Mamiya 645J. And the Mamiya 7 is not great for portraits which I enjoy. I was also looking at a Bronica SQ but they seem as rare as hens teeth.

So back to the 'blad...

I shoot exclusively handheld and with B/W. Any advice or alternative would be warmly received.

Cheers - John
 
Johnmcd said:
I've looked at TLR's but without the prism, I just can't do the reverse view thing!
Click to expand...

But that might exclude the Hasselblad! It clearly was conceived around waist-level finder use - with prism, it turns into a clumsy, top heavy thing solely intended for tripod use.

The same goes for all other cube-shaped medium format SLRs except for the later 645es (e.g. Mamiya Pro and AF, Pentax, Contax) that were designed around prism finders and motor grips.
 
The reverse image thing has never bothered me, until I look at the negative and see the image is reversed! Often I'll print it the way I saw it in the viewfinder.

Of course you can shoot a Hasselblad with a prism finder to get the corrected image (as you are well aware), but for me that is not as attractive as it makes the camera heavier and means I have to lift it to my eye of course. I really like shooting the Hasselbad from the waist. I find the ergonomics of the Hasselblad much better than a TLR too (again, for me).

Difficult decision - good luck!
 
The trick to hand holding a Hasselblad fitted with a prism, is to also fit the pistol grip. In my experience, the grip turns the 'blad from a "clumsy, top heavy thing" into a very fast working tool.

The pistol grip is distinctly left handed, I certainly can't hold it in my right hand without considerable strain. However, all the controls are easily operated with the right hand.
 
Hasselblad is a MF Leica. So is Rolleiflex, but to a lesser degree due to limited lens options.
If the primary interest you have is portraiture, you can buy a Tele Rolleiflex plus a Prism, and Rolleinars ( close up adapters), this will give you a great portrait tool for head and shoulders type of shots. Look up Sanders Mc New, he shoots most of his stuff with this camera.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sandersnyc/show/with/6889517449/

In Hasselblad Line, there are a few good portrait lenses, but 4 of them are great:
110/2 Planar , 150/2.8 Sonnar in the F line and 120/4 Makro Planar, 150/4 Sonnar in the C line.
There are some people, who go into the F line just for shooting with the 110 Planar alone.
Have a look here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/magda_andrzejewska/sets/72157627416191511/show/

And others, who swear by the Makro Planar in the same way, although this one is definitely sharper and less dreamy wide open.
120/4;http://www.heylloyd.com/toc.htm

For anything else, Hasselblad is just much more flexible.

MF20120504 by mfogiel, on Flickr
 
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.
 
Sejanus.Aelianus said:
The trick to hand holding a Hasselblad fitted with a prism, is to also fit the pistol grip. In my experience, the grip turns the 'blad from a "clumsy, top heavy thing" into a very fast working tool.
Click to expand...

Well, it puts MY hand at least at a very uncomfortable angle, worse than having no grip at all. The only comfortable medium format SLR grips I found so far are the winder/motor (or thumb wind) system grips of the various 6x4.5es, and the Mamiya Multi-Angle Grip (which is size matched to the RB).
 
What great shots Chris and mfogiel! And thanks for the links. Some absolutely stunning portraits. Not helping the bank balance here.

The reversed image is only a problem from a speed of use point of view. I have an old Mamiya C220 that's not working and every time I fiddle with it and frame things, the frustration is incredible as I turn one way when I should go the other! No doubt one could get over that with practice, but do I want to invest that much time and frustration?

My Mamiya 645J had a grip and I used it like a big SLR with no problems at all. Would the 'blad really be that much less usable? Is the grip readily available?

Lastly, what do you think a good price is for a good user?

Thanks for the advice so far - John
 
Because it's a very handsome camera.. However it's rather a tripod camera. IMHO, the best handheld reflex MFs are the TLRs if you can cope up with very limited choice of lenses. I have tried the 500C years ago but that "flapp!" sound and relatively high vibration was not for me. Kept my favorite lenses 100/3.5 Planar and 150/4 Sonnar and switched to Pentax 645N.. smooth and quiet, I can handhold it down to 1/30sec. and using the Zeiss lenses via adapter. BTW, some Pentax 645 lenses are first class too; extremely sharp and very affordable these days. Once I planned to buy a 501CM too however with the 645N I do not see any reason for it anymore.

(I also have 645 right angle viewer for low-level shooting)
 
In many ways I agree with what BobYIL says, in that the Hasselblad is better for considered, slower photography. A tripods not necessary but you can get more out of it, if you slow down and use one. For snap-shotty type photos the Mamiya 7 is great with it's AE, but I found that if I am taking that kind of picture, I'd rather use 35 mm. So for the sort of photography I'd rather do in medium format, the Hasselblad makes more sense for me. Especially when you have a couple of film backs for different films, or different development etc. ts gets the most out of the system. Good luck with it, they really are great handling cameras!
 
BobYIL said:
Because it's a very handsome camera.. However it's rather a tripod camera. IMHO, the best handheld reflex MFs are the TLRs if you can cope up with very limited choice of lenses. I have tried the 500C years ago but that "flapp!" sound and relatively high vibration was not for me. Kept my favorite lenses 100/3.5 Planar and 150/4 Sonnar and switched to Pentax 645N.. smooth and quiet, I can handhold it down to 1/30sec. and using the Zeiss lenses via adapter. BTW, some Pentax 645 lenses are first class too; extremely sharp and very affordable these days. Once I planned to buy a 501CM too however with the 645N I do not see any reason for it anymore.

(I also have 645 right angle viewer for low-level shooting)
Click to expand...

Is the vibration really such a problem? Does it rule out low shutter speeds hand held? Lots of 645's to choose from but I need 6x6 to deal with this GAS 🙂
 
Before you buy, ponder carefully which lenses you want to use, Beyond 100mm the old C bodies exhibit some vigneting in the VF, and in order to overcome this, you have to go for the latest models like 501CM or 503CW, which are fitted with the gliding mirror. However, as others have said, the Hassy is mainly a tripod camera, particularly the C models, as the shutter speed is limited to 1/500 and the mirror slap is strong. Some F models go down to 1/2000th.
 
I don't think that vibration is too much of a problem. There is mirror lock up, if iyou are concerned. Tne other thing is that medium format usually allows you to use a slower shutter speed than you would use for 35mm, as you may have found on your Mamiya?
 
I have a hasselblad and a mamiya 645 Super with wind grip. The 645 is a million times better as a handheld camera. I won't use my Hasselblad handheld, it is too heavy and awkward for me to hold steady and level. Tripod only. Its an incredible system though!

1today2tomorrows.jpg
 
Johnmcd said:
Is the vibration really such a problem? Does it rule out low shutter speeds hand held? Lots of 645's to choose from but I need 6x6 to deal with this GAS 🙂
Click to expand...

Yes, IMO.. BTW, if I had a Mamiya 7 I would not be thinking of an Hasselblad (you have MF Leica!) and rather spend my money for the great 43 and 150.. Use it handheld down to 1/15 as well as on a tripod, just like a Leica. 🙂
 
John, I nearly bought one this year and did a lot of research online. In the end I bought an M9. The square format and the magic of SLR and the waist level finder are what attracts me, apart from the beauty of the thing, and the Zeiss lenses. I worked out that a good 500CM or late 500C with removable finder and an 80 planar CF, newer, or recently serviced by someone reputable, was what I wanted. Cost would have been between $1200 and $1600.
 
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