Do I really want a Hasselblad 500c/m?

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ROOOO

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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/

I would start out with an 80mm f/2.8 lens, as 50mm is my favorite focal length on 35mm.

I do pretty much all of my photography on the street or at events. I don't use a flash or lights. I very rarely use a tripod. I would have no idea what to do if I was ever put in a studio. The perfect camera for me is a Leica M. And yet I've become sort of enthralled by the idea of the Hasselblad, the depth and tonality of the images I've seen it produce, and brightness and size of the waist-level viewfinder.

Is there a chance that I would actually enjoy this camera, given my predilection for handheld, available light photography? I'm especially interested in responses from people who primarily use 35mm format rangefinders, Leica M, etc.

Thanks!
 
DanP said:
Want? Yes..by the amount of excitement you reveal.

Need? Only you can decide..:D
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Hehe. I meant want in the long term. I suppose the real question is "Would I love shooting with this camera the way I love using my M7?" For reference, I've given up my film and digital SLRs almost entirely because I don't enjoy as much the process of actually using them. I've also never really shot medium format. I have no doubt that the Hasselblad can produce great images, but so can a lot of cameras. Part of the reason why I think I want one is that it seems like a very well-built and timeless camera, and those things are inspiring to me as a photographer.
 
You might start with a Yashica Mat 124 or some similar camera to see if you like using one for street shots! If you find that you do like the results then go for the Hasselblad!
Tom
 
I have a Hassey 500 c/m and a SWC! The thing I enjoy about them is the backs! With three backs you can load with b/w, slide film and reversible to cover any need you may have!
Tom
 
I just received my 500cm with the 150 Sonnar last week, and I'm lovin it. Enjoyed it so much I got concerned about the 700 rolls of 135-36 I have in the freezer. But then when I used up my 12 exposures this afternoon, I switched to my M4-P with 50mm Lux and just kept on making pictures. I was having a blast. I have both with me all the time. They serve a different purpose and the square format lends itself to a different style of picture taking. There's shear joy in using both. Don't worry, you will have these camera's for years. Some days or weeks will go by and you will just use one format, then you will soon find yourself drifting back to the other. That's okay, Leica's and Hasselblad's are timeless tools.
 
Buy a Blad you wont regret it!!!!!!!!!!!!! But I must warn you shooting with a square format will take some re-adjustment. If you are used to the 2x3 format , shooting the square will take some getting use to, but the square format is the best portrait format bar none! I have recommended shooting with the 6x6 format to a number of photographers and many of them have fallen in love with it! Some have given up 35mm. you really cant beat Medium Format for image quality with the only thing better is large format. I love to shoot medium format rangefinders like the ISKRA you have best of both worlds! - Kievman
 
When you get Hasselblad lust nothing else will do because it's as much the camera as the format IMO. They are such an enigmatic brand and you can't go for long in photography without considering one.

The thought of owning a Hassy haunted me for ages before I eventually took the plunge and got a 500cm with WLF and 80mm. I do really like the camera but never really developed a preference for it over other MF gear I own. That said I wouldn't sell it because it just plain oozes class and charisma and using it is quite unique.

Go ahead and get one is my advice ... you have nothing to lose and plenty to gain.

:)
 
Just make sure you handle one and listen to the shutter/mirror train wreck going on inside the camera each shot.
After a Leica M it will sound very LOUD and as you like street and event photography it is a factor to consider. Nevertheless, they are marvellous cameras. I've gone a different route and got myself two Rolleiflex TLR's which are very quiet and only a little bit larger in the hand, even though they look bigger. With a standard 80mm lens on one and a 55mm on the wide it covers my needs and takes up about the same amount of room as a Hasselblad with spare backs etc.
 
A Rolleiflex is much more "Leica-like", it is subtle, well-made, quiet, unobtrusive... and delivers images as good or better than the Blad in a handheld, street environment.

Of course if you want to use their other lenses then by all means, a Hasselblad is great. But if you like 80mm on a 6x6, why complicate things with an overly complex and more delicate mechanism that prevents you from hand holding as steady at lower speeds? Doh!

When I had a nice Hasselblad kit I ended up keeping it in the studio and using a Rollei for my "real" shooting.
 
A couple of you have recommended Rolleiflexes. I actually have an old one in my family that I could get CLA'd and probably use. What should I be looking for? Are some of these cameras good and some not so good? I believe the one I have is from the 1960s. Is there a way to install a split-image viewfinder or some sort of viewfinder that confirms focus somehow?
 
ROOOO said:
A couple of you have recommended Rolleiflexes. I actually have an old one in my family that I could get CLA'd and probably use. What should I be looking for? Are some of these cameras good and some not so good? I believe the one I have is from the 1960s. Is there a way to install a split-image viewfinder or some sort of viewfinder that confirms focus somehow?
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Just get a 500cm and get it out of your system ... seriously!

Don't listen to these people who are trying to convince you get a Rollieflex ... it won't get rid of Hasselblad gas! :D
 
I concur with Keith, also if you're doing street stuff, stick with the Leica. Get the 500cm, it's so much fun. You'll love the loud "clack" of the mirror slap... seriously. Then get a nice lens like the 100, 120 or 150 and go make some great portraits.

Plus you'll love the film size. Check this out:

5528254196_7f905fd594_z.jpg


here's my setup

5508164429_c10d4d12aa.jpg
 
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Don't get me wrong - the Hasselblad is seriously a great camera. Just make sure that the shutter/mirror noise isn't going to be a problem for you. Only way to tell is hold one and fire the shutter a few times.
 
I was using 50/80/150 CF lenses (that had EV lock) and metered with a Gossen Luna Pro SBC and simply transferred the EV readings from meter to lens. Liked that system.
 
I bought a 500cm to accompany my M3 as I really like medium format and mechanical cameras. It's been a great experience, with the 80mm it really is easy to carry around and use. There's lots about the Hasselblad which is really well thought out and makes it a delight to use - such as the EV setting on the lens which once set to the meter means you can change the shutter and aperture together to have an easy choice of exposures at the same value.

One thing to note though, is that whilst the 80mm is a relatively lightweight lens the other lenses I have - a 50mm and 150mm - are much heavier and substantial and carrying a full set of gear, plus spare backs, lenshoods etc soon becomes heavy.

Worth it though for the sheer quality of the pictures you can produce from a combination of the quality of the kit and the tonality of the medium format film.
 
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