Hasselblad 180mm Sonnar - Talk me in/out of purchasing it

[alonbenav]

Hi all,

I just recently got back into the Hasselblad system after a few years of shooting 8x10. I've put together a really nice little kit of a 503cx and a 553elx with the following lenses:

• 50mm FLE
• 80mm CF
• 120mm Makro CF
• 150mm Sonnar CF

I also have the 8, 16, 21 extension tubes. I'm using the camera almost exclusively on a tripod and for portraiture. Even though the kit has been really great for covering a lot of situations thus far, I've seen a 180mm Sonnar that I think I can grab at a really good price and I'm debating getting it. Either that or maybe a 250mm.

Given what I'm using the camera for, does anyone have some personal experience to add as to whether adding a 180mm lens is foolhardy or just kind of a good idea? I'd love to hear what anyone here has to say!

Thanks!

 

[FrozenInTime]

The 180 never appealed to me ( mirror cutoff ) - never found the 150 lacking.

http://www.dmin-dmax.fr/photoe2f.htm

 

[alonbenav]

The 180 never appealed to me ( mirror cutoff ) - never found the 150 lacking.

http://www.dmin-dmax.fr/photoe2f.htm

I snagged the 553ELX as a cheap backup to avoid this issue. It has the larger mirror 🙂

 

[mike rosenlof]

it's just not *that* different from the 150

I'm sure it's a fine lens (the 180, the 150 certainly is), but the number of situations is small that you might face that the 180 fits and the 150 won't.

Unless maybe you sell the 150. Then the 180 pairs pretty well with the 120...