Hasselblad SWC is cool

Out to Lunch said:
Interesting. I was blissfully unaware of the 're-enactment' scene. I've found some links to 'Confederates in the Attic' and will have a look. Thanks for sharing. Cheers, OtL
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Oh the boys over here are seriously into their Civil War re-enactments. They camp out in the most primitive conditions to endure what their forefathers went through. The battles are no small amateur event either, I have captured the fire blasting out of their canon and pistols.
Great weekend events and even having lived here since 1990 after leaving the Old Country as they call it, I always have the July 4th comments BLASTED at me…….the beer makes up for the insults and my wife is another consolation, more beautiful than any of theirs !!!!
 
largedrink said:
I'm interested in the design of the SWC Biogon and other attributes of the camera that lead to it having such a good reputation for low distortion.

Is distortion, or perceived distortion, reduced with the square format, as compared to the equivalent focal length on a 35mm rectangular photo, where distortion becomes more apparent at the periphery of the long side?
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There was an interesting discussion on RFF about this exact topic here, following a comment on the B&H blog.

It's certainly something I've noticed using the SWC/M, that the images look less distinctly 'ultra-wide' than when I use an equivalent wide angle on 35mm (eg. the Voigtlander 21/f4 on my M2).

My feeling is that it's a combination of things. First, the square format renders ultra-wides more neutrally than the 3:2 rectangle of 35mm because perspective distortion is identical along all axis, whereas 35mm is exaggerated along the long axis.

Second, the quality of the 38mm Biogon is such that there is very little sharpness or light fall-off away from the image centre. Likewise there's no perceptible radial distortion. Again, these qualities mean that the SWC renders very neutrally.

Or to ask a different way, is the SWC square image utilising the centre of the lens image circle where there is less distortion, whereas a rectangular format comes closer to the edge of the lens image circle where distortion may be greater?

Hope that makes sense.
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I don't think so. The SWC still (presumably) uses the whole image circle when shot with 6x6 back. If it were possible to shoot the 38mm Biogon with a 'native' 3:2 format, the diagonal of the negative would be the same.
 
nickthetasmaniac said:
There was an interesting discussion on RFF about this exact topic here, following a comment on the B&H blog.

It's certainly something I've noticed using the SWC/M, that the images look less distinctly 'ultra-wide' than when I use an equivalent wide angle on 35mm (eg. the Voigtlander 21/f4 on my M2).

My feeling is that it's a combination of things. First, the square format renders ultra-wides more neutrally than the 3:2 rectangle of 35mm because perspective distortion is identical along all axis, whereas 35mm is exaggerated along the long axis.

Second, the quality of the 38mm Biogon is such that there is very little sharpness or light fall-off away from the image centre. Likewise there's no perceptible radial distortion. Again, these qualities mean that the SWC renders very neutrally.



I don't think so. The SWC still (presumably) uses the whole image circle when shot with 6x6 back. If it were possible to shoot the 38mm Biogon with a 'native' 3:2 format, the diagonal of the negative would be the same.
Click to expand...

Perspective induced distortion varies according to the distance to the subject and does not depend on the brand or focal length of the lens used. In the case of of the SWC and its famous Biogon, pictures look more natural due to the square format and not to the use of a Biogon lens. I get similar results with my Sigma SD Quattro H with a 8-16mm lens: https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/65327015

Cheers!

Abbazz
 
Einstein said:
Oh the boys over here are seriously into their Civil War re-enactments. They camp out in the most primitive conditions to endure what their forefathers went through. The battles are no small amateur event either, I have captured the fire blasting out of their canon and pistols.
Great weekend events and even having lived here since 1990 after leaving the Old Country as they call it, I always have the July 4th comments BLASTED at me…….the beer makes up for the insults and my wife is another consolation, more beautiful than any of theirs !!!!
Click to expand...

Yes, and The Revolutionary War reenactments are very big here in the Boston area.

And, we have our own Massachusetts state holiday in April - Patriot's Day:

https://www.nps.gov/mima/planyourvisit/patriots-day.htm
 
And here in New Mexico, we have "Wild West" re-enactors. The gather together in period outfits, have chuck wagon dinners, and shoot guns. Lots of guns. All in good fun, of course!
 
Personally I think the Biogon is a bit boring..just because it is so good..
I noticed this when I got my Biogon for 2x3 Linhof..
I expected the heavens to open up..
So I think its up to the photog to make the composition..
And this aint easy on such a lens.
 
I reacquired an SWC/M after parting with mine a couple of years ago, great to have it back, still getting used to it again
52680088578_f5e14cb185_b.jpg
 
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