GAS advice needed : M9 or 501CM ?

What I did was first get a Hasselblad, then a 4x5inch viewcamera (Cambo) and then saving up for a Hexar RF (I'm still saving up for a lens right now)...
I'd go for the Hasselblad if I were you :)
 
You could try several high quality film cameras and trade/break even as you save money for the digital Leica, and perhaps along the way discover something that you really connect with.

The Hasselblad is such a different sort of camera than a Leica - your subject matter, composition, even the light you choose, are going to be different when you use them to their strengths.

Also, while the Blad can make images as good or better than an M9, you will need more light and a better scanner. Scanning 120 on a flatbed is a large quality compromise -- you really would want a Nikon Coolscan 9000 ($2300) to do it right.
 
Jamie123 said:
I don't get this reasoning. The M9 can be bought later, too, and at a much lower price. The Hasselblad will cost roughly the same a year or two years from now.
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My assumption is that he has the money for the M9 now...and later may not. It is easier to get the cash for an older hassleblad than the M9. The M9 won't be cheaper for another year or so...Leica dealers still don't have stock of the M9.
 
Roger Hicks said:
Well, I've used MF lots, and must still have
Unlike Double Negative, I've an M9 and no Hasselblad, because I gave up Hasselblads in the 1980s. If you don't mind a slow camera, and want a LOT more versatility (and a bigger neg) consider a 'baby' Linhof, though a reflex is more use for portraits.

Cheers,

R.
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Worked in 'Fleet Street' for a bit during the late 60s/ early 70s and remember Anne Ward one of two female 'Daily Mirror' Staff Photoraphers and she used a Linhof Press 70 for everything including some of the most violent anti Vietnam War demo's in London. That was real 'Street Photography'.
 
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Heck, if you can afford an M9, you might as well throw the 'Blad in there too!

Having said that, you can get used Hasselblads for a song right now -- a couple of years ago, I bought a 500C with a waist level finder, 120 back and 80mm lens for $325. And, last year I bought a 500ELM body for $172. So you could definitely outfit yourself nicely with a Hasselblad (not necessarily a 501CM) for under $1000.
 
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parsec1 said:
Worked in 'Fleet Street' for a bit during the late 60s/ early 70s and remember Anne Ward one of two female 'Daily Mirror' Staff Photoraphers and she used a Linhof Press 70 for everything including some of the most violent anti Vietnam War demo's in London. That was real 'Street Photography'.
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Dear Peter,

Ah, well, the Press 70 with the trick backs (twist one of the grips to wind on, as I remember) were indeed a bit quicker than Tech 70s or ST IVs. Solid, too!

Cheers,

R.
 
Thanks for all responses esp. to jamie123 , nice better half ;) and raydm6 for posting the picks of Hassey shots (even not scanned).
The basic issue with the M9, that I potentially could buy tommorrow in cash, is that I find the price absurdly for a pure hobby. Even if my better half would most likely be ok with it, I might not feel ok myself. Is there no end in GAS :bang:.
OK this was a purely rhethorical question in this forum....wasn't it?
 
The thing is, the two are so different that it's hard for many people (including me) to understand why you see M9/Hasselblad as the choice. What are you unhappy with about your current pictures? What sort of pictures do you shoot?

Cheers,

R.
 
Roger Hicks said:
The thing is, the two are so different that it's hard for many people (including me) to understand why you see M9/Hasselblad as the choice. What are you unhappy with about your current pictures? What sort of pictures do you shoot?

Cheers,

R.
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Hi Roger,

what I shoot you can easily see in my gallery ;), as I have already mentioned in the intial post, it's what I call street photography. The M9 would be the digital alternative to my film M's. I never even thought about the M8 , 8.2 for various known reasons. I do love my film M's and it would be very difficult to part from them - I parted from my 2 T90's though, so it might be easy if the M9 really is the real deal. And honestly I'm fed up with scanning.

The Hassey is just something that came to my mind after stumbling over the "Hassey Possey" thread and was amazed by the images. A boring picture doesn't get any better by great IQ, that's a given. I just think that quite a few of my shots could be very interesting on MF and the IQ value for money for film Hassey vs the M9 is not all that bad, at least my guess ;).
 
I have both an M9 and a Hasselblad, and I'd choose the M9. But that's me and my preference for a fully digital workflow.

If I were to stick Medium Format however, I'd probably not choose the Hassy... it has never been a favorite for me. If it's sitting on a tripod anyway, I'd take an RZ. If I'm carrying it around, I'd take a Mamiya 7. If I could only have one, I'd probably choose a TLR.

j
 
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