Hasselblad Vs. Mamiya 7II: What would you do?

[Frank Petronio]

If you had the funds to get a digital back, would you really want to commit to having to use the 500-Blad bodies and lenses? Maybe if you got a great deal on an older back but it seems a shame to tie yourself to a clunkier system -- they essentially give those Mamiya Leaf camera away with their backs it seems -- and having an integrated back has to be smoother.

 

[BobYIL]

I am accustomed to the silent operation of the M-Leicas since decades, even the "clacks" of my Nikon Fs sound bothering sometime. As for MF, I admire Hasselblad but found it rather for tripod use, much vibration... The Pentax 645N for me was better, 4:3 format, not reversed view, comparatively silent and no objectionable vibration so could be handheld down to 1/30. To the range of excellent Pentax lenses and zooms (six in total) I have added the 100/3.5 Planar and the 150/4 Sonnar to be used via adapter; all costed me somewhere around $3K. Maybe I can add also a Distagon 60/3.5 but really no hurry, for these Pentax lenses are great...

Bob

 

[Asim]

There is now also the option of the Fuji GF670 (aka Voigtlander Bessa III). It's compact like a Mamiya 6 and also a rangefinder.

It is limited to the 80mm lens that folds out. But it combines the Hasselblad and Mamiya 7 in the sense that you can shoot both 6x6 and 6x7.

Also, you will be buying a new item for about the same price as the used Hasselblad and Mamiya 7 with 80mm.

 

[thegman]

I went from Mamiya 7 to Hasselblad, and I find I use the Hasselblad less, although when I do, I enjoy it more. The Mamiya 7 is a great camera, but just was not for me, the Hasselblad is just as great, but suits me just that little bit more.

Sometimes I think I'd have been better with a Rolleiflex, which I was advised to consider, but discounted for some reason which seemed clearer at the time than it does now.

I'd go with your instinct, if you want the Mamiya, go for it.