Decision time, 50mm cf or 60mm cf

[Ccoppola82]

I have a dilemma. I’m trying to acquire my “forever kit” and I am whittling down the collection to only the highest quality stuff I can afford. I am in a trade with someone local about a Hasselblad system for some of my gear and I have the choice between the 50mm cf or the 60mm cf. the 50 has a TINY chip in the front glass which I suspect will Not be an issue. Typically I use the 35mm and 50mm for my Leica, so I am a bit torn as the 50/60 cf are so close in focal length. I’ll use it for landscape and general photography. I took the 50mm but I’m having second thoughts on seeing if he will switch the 60mm instead. It also came with the 150mm c. Is there much difference optically between the 60 and 50?? I hate abundance of choice haha. Thanks for your help!

 

[gbealnz]

Having the same dilemma (choice IS a dilemma after all) myself at the moment.
Acquired a nice 50CF to go with the 150 and 250CF lenses, but then chanced upon a nice CFi60. Darn, what to do. I'll likely sell off the 60, as the other three are "similar styles, etc, but the 60 IS nice. An advantage of the four of them is the commonality of the filter size, B60.
Either way, you can't go wrong. I'd be more concerned about the tiny chip, like you said it shouldn't be an issue, but if faced with chip/no chip, it's no chip for me every day.
Gary

 

[Ronald M]

Can you scale it from 35 mm. 80=50 and use proportions. 40=25.

 

[sleepyhead]

Back when I had a Hasselblad, I had the same dilema. I think a lot depends on what you plan to use the camera for. For me, it was a landscape camera and an environmental portrait camera, so I avoided the 50mm and chose 40mm, 60mm, 80mm, and 150mm as my "forever kit". I was very happy with the results, but in the end the weight of the system (with a couple of film backs) and my advancing age made me switch to the Mamiya 6 system.

Good luck with whichever you choose - and ENJOY!

 

[Rayt]

The Zeiss 60/3.5 is an exceptional lens IMHO better than the 50CF but if you need the coverage then you need the wider lens. I tend to use the 60mm the way I use the 35mm in 135 format.

 

[sleepyhead]

There's a lot of love for the 60mm Distagon. For me, it was a perfect all-around lens on the Hasselblad, I found the 80mm a little narrow, especially indoors.

 

[Ccoppola82]

My gut told me to swap for the 60mm. I think being used to the 35/50 combo for my leica, it was more sensible. I'm really glad to see that you more experienced users tend to like that lens also. I assume the 50 would be fine, but I'm glad I made the swap. Thanks for your help everyone!