Hasselblad swc/m in the White House.

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Booked in for a White House tour and I see they allow a camera with a fixed lens no longer than 3 inches. The wife is shouting at me but I am wondering if anyone with this camera has been denied entry. Some TMAX 400 might be useful for the visit. Not sure if there is anything worth making the effort for though, looked on line for tour images and I was not enthused at the results. It would be nice to have a BW image in a frame to remember the event though....any of you got some input here ?????
 
jmpgino said:
Booked in for a White House tour and I see they allow a camera with a fixed lens no longer than 3 inches. The wife is shouting at me but I am wondering if anyone with this camera has been denied entry. Some TMAX 400 might be useful for the visit. Not sure if there is anything worth making the effort for though, looked on line for tour images and I was not enthused at the results. It would be nice to have a BW image in a frame to remember the event though....any of you got some input here ?????
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No idea.. but I am interested in how your tour turns out and hope you will keep us updated! Good luck...:):):)
 
I was in the White House many years ago. The times were different then as they pertain to limitations on cameras used inside the WH.
 
I'd consider 120 Ilford Delta 3200, which I normally rate at 1000. With an F3.5 lens can you handhold at slow speeds with that camera?
 
Use a mini tripod as a camera handle. Turn the three legs against your chest to stabilize the SWC for long exposures.
 
jmpgino said:
Booked in for a White House tour and I see they allow a camera with a fixed lens no longer than 3 inches. The wife is shouting at me but I am wondering if anyone with this camera has been denied entry. Some TMAX 400 might be useful for the visit. Not sure if there is anything worth making the effort for though, looked on line for tour images and I was not enthused at the results. It would be nice to have a BW image in a frame to remember the event though....any of you got some input here ?????
Click to expand...

Why don't you use your phone?
What photo opportunity are you going to miss if you use a simple p&s as compared with a Hasselblad?
 
It’s got to be worth a try. Why on earth own a camera like a SWC if you just use a phone when you get such an opportunity?

A beautiful framed homemade print from your 38mm Biogon seems well worth the ‘trouble’ to me.

If they say “you’ll have to leave the ray gun outside, Sir” then at least you’ll always know you tried.

I have never been to your Capital so can’t offer first hand experience.
 
"Please note that no storage facilities are available on or around the complex. Individuals who arrive with prohibited items will not be permitted to enter the White House."
 
I'd use a string screwed into the tripod socket, step on the string and pull upward to give you stability.

Just clipped this from the URL.....
"tripods, monopods and camera sticks are not permitted."

Depending upon how you hold the SWC, you might try a cable release. Practice for a role or two before you go.

B2 (;->
 
Cameras with detachable lenses are not allowed....

I toured the White House back in 1980 with my Pentax K1000. In the current mood I'd recommend keeping it simple. If you really want to bring a film camera, as befits to this forum, make sure you can handle interior light, i.e. bring 400 ISO film and a single lens with large enough aperture. Wide angles are really needed there IIRC.
 
The lens is fixed and less than 3 inches in length, so that part passes. My problem maybe the film back, if I remove the dark slide, the back is then kind off fixed. But it is certainly not COMPACT as in their description.
Regarding a phone. I have a flip phone and have no desire for anything other than a simple phone. Quite frankly I am sick and tired of seeing people childishly taking SELFIES, when last in Paris, it was pathetic. They all had a stick and walked around constantly smiling in the air, like morons, thousands of them. It was called a self portrait when I was a youth. And sending images of your dinner plate onto another cretin friend, then awaiting their infantile reply, is also moronic.
There I have had my rant, and yes I am of the older generation.....
 
Some people are moronic. Doesn't mean iPhones can't be used successfully as cameras, particularly the newer ones. I can understand how you might not want to buy a new phone for your visit to the White House. If you decide to take your SWC, I hope they don't deny you entrance. It's an interesting tour.
 
Write up an email asking for review/approval prior to your trip and send it to your congressman's office in DC. It should include pictures of the camera and backs. Call about two days after to see its status. Keep calling ever two days until you get an answer.

I don't think you will have a problem if you bring it unloaded so they can see the back/film/camera. Both open up pretty easily the folks who check stuff can see they are empty and safe. Load the back in front them them.

Of course bring enough film and perhaps a small incident light meter (no spot meters).

B2 (
 
jmpgino said:
Quite frankly I am sick and tired of seeing people childishly taking SELFIES, when last in Paris, it was pathetic. They all had a stick and walked around constantly smiling in the air, like morons, thousands of them. It was called a self portrait when I was a youth. And sending images of your dinner plate onto another cretin friend, then awaiting their infantile reply, is also moronic.
There I have had my rant, and yes I am of the older generation.....
Click to expand...

I am with you with regards to people appearing like morons while trying to take selfies, especially those who stick out their tongues, it's disgusting..:eek:

You have to agree though, "selfie" sounds much cooler than "self-portrait" ;)
 
But "SELF POTRTRAIT" is so much more dignified and certainly more eloquent than the disgusting use of abbreviated words that we now have to endure in our daily lives. It was also something of a personal statement of skill with a film camera.
The present younger generation know nothing of the term exposure, let alone how it was calculated. My old man did not need an exposure meter, he used his brain and his exposures with a Zeiss a Super Ikonta and my grandfathers Newman and Guardia (a camera many of you have never heard of, that is behind me as I tap away) are incredible. Glass plates and thick negatives, lovely stuff. I miss the good old days, when life was dignified and certainly more civilized.
 
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