Hasselblad SWC

I made the first exposures with the SWC that I bought in December ... just yesterday. (!)

In the meanwhile, I've picked up in addition a lovely Hasselblad 500CM kit with 80 and 150mm lenses. I wanted to test the 500 so loaded a back and made a few exposures on the patio, and then that realization and smile came over me—I can just swap the back to the SWC and shoot a couple of exposures with it too.

Ah, the joy of a completely modular system.

Film will be processed this weekend. Woo hoo!

G
 
Have you considered a Fotoman dMini? I've never used one, but it appears to be pretty much a clone of the SWC.

I have used another Fotoman camera though, the 69, which I really enjoyed, and of course, you have a choice of lenses from modern to vintage, as they just take regular large format lenses.

My experience of the Fotoman 69 would mean that if I was again in the market for a wide angle medium format camera, I would not hesitate to get a dMini.

Finally, they're available brand new, so perhaps you don't need to worry too much about condition etc.
 
thegman said:
Have you considered a Fotoman dMini? I've never used one, but it appears to be pretty much a clone of the SWC.

I have used another Fotoman camera though, the 69, which I really enjoyed, and of course, you have a choice of lenses from modern to vintage, as they just take regular large format lenses.

My experience of the Fotoman 69 would mean that if I was again in the market for a wide angle medium format camera, I would not hesitate to get a dMini.

Finally, they're available brand new, so perhaps you don't need to worry too much about condition etc.
Click to expand...

They look pretty neat, but they're a somewhat different beastie than the SWC, which is dedicated Hasselblad. They're more a technical camera for ultrawide lenses, with body, back adapter, lens cone, and lens all separate components. The total price for something of equivalent quality and lens to the SWC I got would cost me a bit more than I paid for the SWC sans back. More flexible in configuration, if that's what you're after. And new too. 🙂

The SWC is more of a piece. I like it for its simplicity, handling, and for the integration with the Hasselblad V system. I can't see street shooting with something like the dMini, it just doesn't look like it lends itself to being used hand-held like the SWC does.

G
 
Godfrey said:
The real advantage to the CF version lens is the easy availability of lens hood and filters, at reasonable prices. Finding a good set of filters and hood proved both an expensive and a challenging entertainment for the Compur shutter model.

G
Click to expand...

Aye, Bayonet 60 (B60) accessories are simpler to deal with. As I have a 500 kit with most lenses being B60, it's a nice 'system' feature. Along with /M, for the polaroid back, the CF SWC/M was my choice.

I would not turn my nose at a clean old chrome model at all and would love a T* Synchro-Compur, too. The build/operation of the S-C lenses is steamship engine room grade and I'm not afraid of the age or repair-ability. The CF feels a bit cheaply in comparison. (The late models are too costly for picayune benefit).

- Charlie
 
Godfrey said:
They look pretty neat, but they're a somewhat different beastie than the SWC, which is dedicated Hasselblad. They're more a technical camera for ultrawide lenses, with body, back adapter, lens cone, and lens all separate components. The total price for something of equivalent quality and lens to the SWC I got would cost me a bit more than I paid for the SWC sans back. More flexible in configuration, if that's what you're after. And new too. 🙂

The SWC is more of a piece. I like it for its simplicity, handling, and for the integration with the Hasselblad V system. I can't see street shooting with something like the dMini, it just doesn't look like it lends itself to being used hand-held like the SWC does.

G
Click to expand...

Fair enough, different strokes etc. I exclusively used the Fotoman 69 handheld, in fact I replaced my 503cx with it, as I didn't like using the 'blad handheld, as it had no grip, and I did not want to make it any bigger than it was by adding one.

The Fotomans obviously don't have the prestige of Hasselblad, but I don't really have a bad word to say about them except that the optical finder is just awful. They are easily replaced with a Voigtlander or something though.
 
S.H. said:
I tried an old one once, I really did not like the finder (I wear glasses). And I'm accustomed to old cameras with dodgy finders, but for some reason, this one did not impress me.

So I'd advise to try one before you sink 1500-2000$ in it, its ergonomics are special imho.
Click to expand...
'Special' is quite generous. "Not very good" is what I'd say. Yes, it's compact. Yes, the 38/4.5 is wonderful. That's the end of its appeal for me.

This is not to put down those who love it: merely to point out that there are others (like you and me) who are unimpressed.

Cheers,

R.
 
I've never really found a viewfinder that is exceptional on any camera. I find it hard to see the whole frame without sticking my eyeball almost up against the glass. The best finder that I have must be the PME-5 finder on my 501CM.

The worst could be the nasty little thing on my SWC. It took me a while to reconcile this with the fact that in the camera can really perform.

This is a view with my friend Cliff taken with the SWC, handheld, looking through that wretched little finder and glancing at the bubble level trying to keep the thing level and getting the composition.

Cliff-hansen.jpg
 
I put mine up for sale last month ; it sold almost instantly.
If I was still shooting more than the occasional film, I don't think I would have been willing to part with it.

But the lack of shift always niggled me; often too much foreground - if only it had 10mm fixed shift built in like the Linhof 612 PC.
A square cropped 21mm on a M9/MM gives me the same view as the SWC.
If the crop is offset, I have the shift I desire.
 
FrozenInTime said:
I put mine up for sale last month ; it sold almost instantly.
If I was still shooting more than the occasional film, I don't think I would have been willing to part with it.

But the lack of shift always niggled me; often too much foreground - if only it had 10mm fixed shift built in like the Linhof 612 PC.
A square cropped 21mm on a M9/MM gives me the same view as the SWC.
If the crop is offset, I have the shift I desire.
Click to expand...

My Plaubel has shifts and is 6x9.

I'm also going to get a 21/3.4 Super Elmar to hone the ultra-wide skills.

Cal
 
Of course, there's always Alpa. No movement with the 38 Biogon on 44x66mm (a format I much prefer to 56x56) but Frances loves her 35 Apo-Grandagon on her 12 S/WA, with a 6x9 back (56x84) AND rise.

Cheers,

R.
 
Definitely my favourite camera of all time. Capable of results which blow other cameras away. After a lot of experimentation and then discussion with a knowledgeable Hasselblad technician I now shoot mine always at infinity for urban landscape work.

Here are some examples from a favourite haunt of mine, the Barbican High Walk on London Wall. All on Kodak Portra, either 160 or 400.

Incidentally, mine is a SWC/M with the C type ("cheese cutter") barrel. I had a choice of a CF and C barrel and as the optical formula is the same I saved some money. I had mine serviced recently - no problem - and well looked after your grandchildren will still be using the camera. I keep hankering after a 903 but to honest I doubt the image results would be better.

The cover of my latest Blurb book "Ampthill" was shot with the SWC demonstrating that for print publication it is still a valuable camera.

The only camera which is likely to vie for my affections over time is my Sigma DP2M but that is another thread entirely...

6887878277_ca24218734_b_d.jpg



8245591094_ced4761b36_b_d.jpg
 
thegman said:
Fair enough, different strokes etc. I exclusively used the Fotoman 69 handheld, in fact I replaced my 503cx with it, as I didn't like using the 'blad handheld, as it had no grip, and I did not want to make it any bigger than it was by adding one.

The Fotomans obviously don't have the prestige of Hasselblad, but I don't really have a bad word to say about them except that the optical finder is just awful. They are easily replaced with a Voigtlander or something though.
Click to expand...

Just looked at the Fotoman 69. It looks more hand-holdable than the dMini, less irregular at the sides where you need to be able to get a clean grip on the camera.

My preference has nothing to do with "prestige". I find the Hasselblads to be very usable, solid pieces of machinery that suit what I want to do most of the time. I tend to use them on a tripod a good bit of the time, although shooting hand-held with the SWC in particular is a kick, and I like the modularity and simplicity of the system. 6x6 is my favorite format. Et cetera. 🙂 They work well for me.

It's all good. 🙂

G
 
Godfrey, I certainly never meant to imply that you (or anyone else) chose Hasselblad for it's prestige, only meant to say that it's easy to overlook some of these little camera makers, when in fact, my experience has been very positive indeed. No question the SWC is a superb camera, but the tinkerer and underdog-supporter in me would choose a dMini, if only because it's quirky and different.

Roger, the Alpa is probably the only camera left on my lust-list which I've never tried. I'd like to try an Ebony too maybe, but the Alpa is easily at the top of untried cameras which I'd like to sample.
 
louisb said:
Definitely my favourite camera of all time. Capable of results which blow other cameras away. After a lot of experimentation and then discussion with a knowledgeable Hasselblad technician I now shoot mine always at infinity for urban landscape work.

Here are some examples from a favourite haunt of mine, the Barbican High Walk on London Wall. All on Kodak Portra, either 160 or 400.

Incidentally, mine is a SWC/M with the C type ("cheese cutter") barrel. I had a choice of a CF and C barrel and as the optical formula is the same I saved some money. I had mine serviced recently - no problem - and well looked after your grandchildren will still be using the camera. I keep hankering after a 903 but to honest I doubt the image results would be better.

The cover of my latest Blurb book "Ampthill" was shot with the SWC demonstrating that for print publication it is still a valuable camera.

The only camera which is likely to vie for my affections over time is my Sigma DP2M but that is another thread entirely...

6887878277_ca24218734_b_d.jpg



8245591094_ced4761b36_b_d.jpg
Click to expand...

Louis, Amazing work, this shows why the Biogon has been the unmatched industry leader for decades. Can't wait for my filmorder to arrive, to put in to good use.
 
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