Hasselblad 500 c/m vs. Mamiya RZ67

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edmelvins

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Hi guys,

I just bought a 500 c/m with a 80mm a while back and I really love it. Now I need a wider lens and I'm thinking about getting another body with the 50mm lens. I know that it's not cheap but I'm willing to sacrifice a little bit of my pocket money to do so.

However, somebody just came up to me and offered his rz67 (not pro II) with 65mm and a polaroid back for $550. This is way cheaper than the Hasselblad. But I'm afraid that I will regret it and sell it eventually. How good is the 65mm lens?

Would you get a Rz67 instead of 500 c/m because of the price?

I used to have a RB67 and I have taken some good pictures with it however it is very heavy and not portable. Also I don't really like the focusing system (I think it's very slow). The Hasselblad is still relatively portable. Also, I think it'll be nice to have two bodies of 500 c/m since I can just switch the backs, lenses, and other accessories between the two.

What do you think? What are the pros and cons?

Thanks guys. 🙂
 
Oh, I have given up on 35mm. After my experience with MF, I just can't see the point of using a 35mm (for my type of work). It's not that it's useless. But I prefer more details and richer tones in my pictures. I will use 35mm just for the fun stuff. 😀
 
There is nothing wrong with Mamiyas but Hasselblads are nicer... so why not wait and do it right?

FWIW I think a nice combination would be the 60 and 100 CF lenses and two bodies, one with a prism or chimney. I like spending your money though ;-)
 
Frank Petronio said:
There is nothing wrong with Mamiyas but Hasselblads are nicer... so why not wait and do it right?

FWIW I think a nice combination would be the 60 and 100 CF lenses and two bodies, one with a prism or chimney. I like spending your money though ;-)
Click to expand...

What is wrong with the 50? I'm also drooling over the 120mm macro. I guess you're right but the thing is I'm leaving for Paris next month and I need to get myself a complete set of MF cameras as soon as possible so that I could thoroughly check them.
 
I had an RZ and its a BIG (with big negs) camera but it was unbelievable including the lenses. I now have a 500c/m with an 80 and its much more "handy" but I don't think its better in any way. But the RZ is just a lot to carry.
 
I bought a 500c/m as a compact travel camera, simply because my better camera is too big to carry easily. Granted, it also makes the Mamiya look small, but my point is that you already have a camera that you know you like and that works for you, so why add an incompatible system?

Wait for the wider lens for your `blad.

(not that it's my money…)
 
The thing is, it's very hard to find a good used Hasselblad here. The customs here doesn't help either, they heavily tax expensive cameras (except that it's a gift). So I'm kind of desperate to get my kit completed (knowing that I'm leaving soon).
 
I chose Hasselblad over the Mamiya RZ because I REALLY like square photos. If you do not like square and will crop most of them to rectangles, then get the RZ. A square neg cropped to a rectangle gives an effective image the same size as what you get with a 645 camera, much smaller than a 6x7 image.

Why do you want a second Hasselblad body? Just buy the lens you want. I have the 50, 80, and 150. Makes a nice kit for most work. If you get a 50, make sure to get either the CF-FLE or the CFM version. These are FAR better optically than the older C and CF non-FLE lenses. The FLE lenses are well worth the extra cost. I had a CF 50 and it sucked. Was very soft at the edges. Mine was so bad it was almost like a holga, so I may have had a bad copy, but the FLE is still supposed to be better.
 
I started ou using Hasselblads in the early 70's and went to Rollei SL66's for thirty years until I started having problems getting repairs. About 7 years ago I went back to Hasselblads. For a short period in the late 70's I used a RB67 and didn't card for it.

The kit that I use is a 500cm, 501cm & swcm with a 50, 60, 80, 120, 180 & 250 with 45 degree prism an A12 backs. I particularly love the 60 & 120 and reach for first. For my Rolleis I had a 30 fisheye & 40 and really liked the 40. I had a 150 and its fine but like the 120 much better.
 
Chriscrawfordphoto said:
I chose Hasselblad over the Mamiya RZ because I REALLY like square photos. If you do not like square and will crop most of them to rectangles, then get the RZ. A square neg cropped to a rectangle gives an effective image the same size as what you get with a 645 camera, much smaller than a 6x7 image.

Why do you want a second Hasselblad body? Just buy the lens you want. I have the 50, 80, and 150. Makes a nice kit for most work. If you get a 50, make sure to get either the CF-FLE or the CFM version. These are FAR better optically than the older C and CF non-FLE lenses. The FLE lenses are well worth the extra cost. I had a CF 50 and it sucked. Was very soft at the edges. Mine was so bad it was almost like a holga, so I may have had a bad copy, but the FLE is still supposed to be better.
Click to expand...

I do too. I thought of it as a back-up body so in case something happens I can still take photos. Thank you for the insight, Chris. I just found a 50mm CFi for $1200. Is it a good price?
The seller said it's in a good condition, etc.

If I buy this lens I may have to buy extra film backs though. Anyway, I'm thankful for your input on the 50mm. I thought the CF version was as good as the CFi version.
 
Yes $1200 is a good price for the CFi, which was the last version of the Hasselblad 50mm Distagon. I have the one that came before it, the CF-FLE. The regular CF version is older still and has the same optics as the original C version, but in the newer CF style lens barrel. The CF-FLE added floating lens elements to correct for aberrations at different distances. I think the CFi is a different design than the CF-FLE, even more updated.
 
Chriscrawfordphoto said:
Yes $1200 is a good price for the CFi, which was the last version of the Hasselblad 50mm Distagon. I have the one that came before it, the CF-FLE. The regular CF version is older still and has the same optics as the original C version, but in the newer CF style lens barrel. The CF-FLE added floating lens elements to correct for aberrations at different distances. I think the CFi is a different design than the CF-FLE, even more updated.
Click to expand...

From the serial number it was produced in 2001. I consider myself very lucky then. 😀
Thank you Chris for the information. 🙂
 
Thanks everyone. I just got a 501c and a 50mm CFi for $2200 (quite high if you ask me) but I'm very happy with it and I'm glad I didn't buy the Mamiya.
Now I have the set that I've been dreaming of. Thank you everyone for the information! Much appreciated.

-ChrisN

That isn't too shabby at all! Maybe Chris got a bad copy after all.
 
Michiel Fokkema said:
I switched from RB to Hassy and never regretted it. My 50C is more then adequate for me.
But why two bodies? Why not just another magazine.

Cheers,

Michiel Fokkema
Click to expand...

I just couldn't help it! 😀

I quickly fell in love with it (I'd fall in love with any Hasselblad actually) and the guy was desperate to sell it.

And it serves as a back-up body and I thought I wouldn't have to change lenses which is always a good thing for me. I could just carry my two cameras and keep on shooting.

But I have to say though, the brighter screen is very helpful especially on low-light conditions. Now I have to save up to buy another matte D screen.:bang:
 
You have an excellent kit! The 501 has the gliding mirror - so no vignetting (in the viewfinder) with the 150. Have fun making great photos with it - cheers!
 
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