Do I really want a Hasselblad 500c/m?

[ROOOO]

Dan, it was your 500c/m that prompted me to start this thread! I would want to be able to focus down to 2.8-3.5 at 10-20 feet. However, I also like the idea of the Hasselblad and the possibility of trying out a big, bright, waist level finder.

Rick

I found that I could never reliably focus a hasselblad quickly. That sent me to the fuji rangefinders. The gw690iii is about the perfect camera. It handles so well and since it is a rangefinder, I can focus it very quickly. I also just sold it. The 6x9 negs were too big for my vc67 enlarger. The 6x7 version will be owned by me shortly. I've found for me it's the best medium format camera.

Light, focusable, quick, intuitive, etc. The hassy is nice, but only if you have time or want to shoot at f/8 - f/16. I'm a wide open guy and the hassy is not a wide open camera. Or at least for me.

 

[Ronald M]

Lesser TLRs are like borrowing a dump truck to see if you would like to be a chauffeur.

You must get the Hassy, but keep in mind focus is slow and deliberate as are TLR cameras.

 

[Pirate]

My M3 goes around my neck and the 500C/M goes in the bag on my shoulder. 60mm Distagon, 80mm Planar, 150mm C Sonnar. The SW/C goes for street shooting and building shooting. If you really want bigger, and you love your rangefinder, try one of these:

Meanwhile, get the Hassy:

Change the backs to a colour roll, and you get this:

Find a 1000 year old castle and you can get this:

Change the Back to a Black and White again, hop a locked gate at that 1000 year old Castle, and you can get a private garden like this:

Get the Hassy.

 

[bigeye]

Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch vs. cow catapult.

Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch vs. cow catapult.

Hasselblad really shines as a system. I have picked things up for very reasonable prices, and have built up an entire system. Four bodies, 22 backs, 30,40,50,60,80,100,120,135 bellows,150,250,350, and 500mm lenses, plus most of the original accessories. What a workhorse/erector set of photography! What's not to like?

This is the (most logical, if that matters) answer!

I don't believe having a 500/80mm without the intent to expand into different uses with different lenses, multiple film backs, or VFs is...optimal. Other MF cameras are more rational choices, as mentioned above: rollei, texas leicas, Mamiya 6 or 7, etc.

But, the issue with these other MFs, is that they overlap the role of your Leica - which is why 35mm diminished them in the 70's. Do you really need MF image quality for street scenes? If so, I'd have one of them instead of the Leica.

I'd use a Hassie in a complementary role to your M7 (or an M9), rather than as a competitor for use. It does several things relatively better than the Leicas, if you feel higher image quality of MF is rewarding - formal portrait, landscape, macro, etc. (MF slides, as mentioned above, will melt your heart.)

The Leica a light weapon and the Hassie, rolling out the artillery (the rig is in a large pelican case on wheels).

- Charlie

 

[Rob-F]

Fireboy, what is that lens you have attached? Holy moly...I don't think I want to carry that around! 😀

250mm Sonnar-C.

 

[Andy Kibber]

I've been toying with the idea of getting a Hasselblad 500cm, primarily because I really love the photos shot with it on this blog: http://fromme-toyou.tumblr.com/

Photos taken with a Hasselblad are not animated. You're setting yourself up for disappointment.

 

[filmfan]

Photos taken with a Hasselblad are not animated. You're setting yourself up for disappointment.

my thoughts exactly 🙄

 

[f16sunshine]

Really difficult to imagine how a Hassy could be more effective than a TLR for street shooting. Especially if you only plan to shoot the planar 80mm. I thought of getting one to mount a f4/150 for Portraits and glamour (the lens fireboy posted a pic of) but found a Tele rolleiflex by good fortune. Good luck with whatever you choose. It's a good tine to buy as prices are low and seem steady. I suppose you could try both the heavy slr and tlr and sell the lesser fit.

 

[Nokton48]

I love this old Fujiroid.

I love this old Fujiroid.

Photos taken with a Hasselblad are not animated. You're setting yourself up for disappointment.

Shot with 500C/M, 350mm F5.6 C Zeiss Tele-Tessar (wide-open), handheld on Fuji 400 Instant Print Film (had to special-order from Dirk in Japan).

Plenty of animation, for me 😉

 

[Pirate]

I don't think any of the shots on that blog were done with a Hassy.

 

[andredossantos]

Out of curiosity: why did you stop?

Well, in a perfect world (aka, one where I have lots of money) Id still have it but long story short I got an incredible deal on a Rolleiflex and found myself using it a larger percentage of the time.

I didn't entertain selling the Hassie until it came time to sell some gear with an eye towards upgrading my digital camera. In the end, I decided to keep the Rolleiflex because I used it more and didn't necessarily find myself really needing interchangeable lenses.

I do definitely miss that 60mm Distagon!

 

[cjbecker]

I have a 500cm 80 2.8, 2 backs, wlf, nc2, I really enjoy the camera. I recently bought a rolleicord iii and I find my self using it lots more. I enjoy focusing with a dial instead of the ring a lot more. Even though the rolleicord screen is very dim I can focus faster and more accurate. I also like the simplicity of the rollei more. The 500cm is a great camera just too much for me. The loud shutter is to much for me. The only thing that keeps me with it is the possibility of a polaroid back which would be fun. I will probably end up selling it and buying a rolleiflex 2.8.

 

[venchka]

There is but one cure for Hasselblad Lust.

Complimented by Pentax 6x7 Lust.

Either is wonderful.

Both are Divine!

 

[Vics]

Don't buy one til you try one. Once I shot a roll with that Hassy I had longed for for years, My GAS was all gone! The Rollei does the same job as a Hassy with an 80, but does it much more quietly and more simply. I found the 500CM way too complicated. I'd love one for studio work, though, with all those lenses to choose from.
I think my Rollei MX is a better street shooter than my M3, because most people don't even know it's a camera.

 

[cjbecker]

well having said I was probably going to sell it for a rolleiflex 2.8, I ended up buy a polaroid back, and a quick focus handle. For portraits, which I do, the blad is the best tool for the job.

 

[cjbecker]

No matter how much I prefer the quietness, lack of mirror, and simplicity of TLR’s I cant get away from the blad Zeiss lens.