A Hasselblad, more than 40 years after first looking.

Richard,

I am both thrilled for you and jealous in equal measure :)

Ever since I first held a Hasselblad about 25 years ago (some gold plated model) I’ve dreamt of owning one. A stint as a studio photographer’s assistant a few years later only fuelled the fire. A magnificent ka thump indeed!

Now that the price of acquisition is increasing, I feel it inching out of reach, but I can’t quite let go of the dream. Then again, perhaps I’m just being romantic...

Enjoy your in good health for many, many years to come.

Cheers,

J :)
 
Congrats on the new-to-you Hassy. Hasselblad was always my favourite system. Started out in the early 1970s with a 1000F, which I traded for a then-new 500C. Still have the 500C and it is still in top shape. Now have added a 503CW and a 903SWC. I have been using a Mamiya 7ii more lately because the Hasselbald seems best mounted on a tripod, which is very inconvenient to carry around while travelling. But it is still a favourite system. Good luck and happy trails with your Hasselblad. And I, too, like your picture.
 
Thanks very much guys. I must say I am increasingly drawn to tripod use with this already. But on my walks I'll make do still with the monopod.

Here's another photo from the brochures. Do photographers actually hold it this way? I have both hands on the camera and use my right index finger for the shutter release. I suppose if I got better with it on the fly, as I tried to this afternoon with my cat, I would need to adopt something like this hold of the camera, and add the rapid focus lever mentioned above.


The grip (?)
by Richard, on Flickr
 
More of a catalogue of cameras, lenses and accessories, all in black and white:



The system
by Richard, on Flickr



This is the catalog I have referred to for many years, I now have collected probably at least 2/3 at least of the parts available for these cameras. Looking through this catalog you can realize why I call the Hasselblad "The Erector Set of Photography". You can literally configure these into whatever you desire for whatever project you are working on.

My new Hasselblad A500 magazine by Nokton48, on Flickr

Nobody else made all these accessories. Nobody else not even close.
 
Thanks very much guys. I must say I am increasingly drawn to tripod use with this already. But on my walks I'll make do still with the monopod.

Here's another photo from the brochures. Do photographers actually hold it this way? I have both hands on the camera and use my right index finger for the shutter release. I suppose if I got better with it on the fly, as I tried to this afternoon with my cat, I would need to adopt something like this hold of the camera, and add the rapid focus lever mentioned above.


The grip (?)
by Richard, on Flickr

I don't seem to hold it like that, my left hand is focusing and the right
hand is kinda under the camera with my index on the shutter button,
Maybe because I'm a Lefty.
 
Love the opening sentence on the Hasselblad Grip page. Made me look at my other cameras and wonder what use they could possibly be put to that isn’t photography.
 
This is the catalog I have referred to for many years, I now have collected probably at least 2/3 at least of the parts available for these cameras. Looking through this catalog you can realize why I call the Hasselblad "The Erector Set of Photography". You can literally configure these into whatever you desire for whatever project you are working on.

My new Hasselblad A500 magazine by Nokton48, on Flickr

Nobody else made all these accessories. Nobody else not even close.

Good grief, you continue to amaze me with your depth of knowledge and amazing collection of all things, and now this image! Like you, I am absolutely mesmerized by the modular concept of Hasselblad cameras. Pure genius!
 
I purchased a new 501CM w/80 CF, 50 CF, and 150 CF lenses and a couple of A12 backs in the 80's. Bitten by the Leica bug having owned a R4 SLR and wanting to try the rangefinder experience, I traded for a new 1985 Wetzlar M6 w/ v. IV 35 Summicron and some other items.

I never regretted picking up the M6 and 'Cron (still have them). But, I regret trading my 'Blad rig. I miss it.

I've been itching to pick up another 501CM w/80CF, WLF, and short H'Blad QR wrist strap - keep it simple. Still have my Gossen Luna-Pro SBC and always found it easy to transfer the EV reading to the CF lenses using the interlocking EV button.

The 501 felt so natural in my hand; using the technique above; cradling the camera in my left hand, my left index finger naturally fell on the shutter button, focusing and rewinding with my right.

Enjoy your 'Blad! They are fun.

4658868603_759abf0c37_z.jpg


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4659492466_f2249ed848_z.jpg
 
Hello Richard, Congratulations and I recommend using the left-hand grip and shutter-release if you want to be a fully-qualified Bladista - it makes it relatively quick to focus with your right and wang another frame in place also with the right. I used to use one in the 80's and have recently bought another one, a '77 500 CM. Photo taken below this morning of my '70 BMW (living the 70's all over again :) downtown at 1/60th, which I think the left-hand cradling most of the weight may help.
U51008I1514730620.SEQ.1.jpg

Hasselblad 500CM Planar 80/2.8 TMax100
 
Very striking device pictured. What’s the back? And even 1/3 of the catalogue would be an impressive inventory.

It's the Hasselblad 500 exposure A500 Film Magazine. Utilizes one hundred feet of 70mm film. I bought one recently, but alas, it was not as described, so I had to return it.

More of an item for the Hasselblad collector, rather an a user (I am both)
 
It's the Hasselblad 500 exposure A500 Film Magazine. Utilizes one hundred feet of 70mm film. I bought one recently, but alas, it was not as described, so I had to return it.

More of an item for the Hasselblad collector, rather an a user (I am both)

You need either strong arms & wrists, or a good tripod with such a large film back. I can see its usefulness for studio photography with a hasselblad.
 
I will be trying not to enlarge my Hasselblad cupboard too much. Another lens perhaps. Maybe one more body......or indeed maybe the SWC.

Hasselblad was wise to choose a camera for a single lens since that lens is as close to perfection as can be designed. Having no moving parts allows the lens to always be perfectly attached to the camera in perfect alignment.
 
You need either strong arms & wrists, or a good tripod with such a large film back. I can see its usefulness for studio photography with a hasselblad.

Actually Raid it is not nearly as heavy as you would think! I was amazed! Although, of course, it was not loaded with 70mm one hundred feet of film, that adds a lot of weight! And that is exactly why I returned it, there was no way I could load it (aside from the fact that it requires an EL/M NiCad to power the film back mechanics). The film counter was wonky, and the back would not properly close, so back it went (sniff, sniff!)

I would actually consider it to be hand holdable (but not discreet obviously!) :cool::cool::cool:
 
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