Help understanding Hasselblad models

[Matthew Runkel]

The prior generation of focal-plane-shutter bodies, the 2000 series, gets very little attention but probably should since these cameras offer a number of advantages over the leaf-shutter models, including a higher top shutter speed and the availability of faster, lighter, closer-focusing lenses (which, lacking their own shutters, have less to go wrong with them than leaf-shutter lenses). These bodies accommodate the leaf shutter lenses, which can be shot using either the focal-plane shutter or their internal shutters.

The original 2000FC model was criticized for its delicate exposed shutter, but this was corrected with the 2000FCW model, which retracts the shutter when the film back is removed.

The F series lenses are often very well priced, perhaps since they are not suited for most Hasselblad cameras out there.

I don't know of an operational disadvantage of the 2000 series over the leaf-shutter cameras for shooting film, and there are various advantages as noted, not to mention access to lenses such as the 110mm f/2 Planar. I have heard there is not a good digital-back solution for these models. I also suspect few besides Hasselblad can repair these models. Those disadvantages may deter some users.

 

[Spoks]

Hasselblad is some very fine cameras. And they are very cheap on the 2.hand market today. Wonder if that will last....

 

[venchka]

Cheap is relative. I can't bring myself to commit to Hasselblad over my paid for Pentax 6x7 and 3 lenses. Any way I slice & dice it, the Hasselblad and 3 lenses will cost me more than the Pentax kit.

 

[ray*j*gun]

Just missed on a "mint-" 500c with a an early 2.8 80mm (chrome) by $10.00 on e**bay. This could take some time.

 

[Frank Petronio]

Another vote for the electronic shutterized F models, at least the later models in good condition... the 110/2 F lens is legendary for portraits.

If you go 500-series, the CF era lens were the best all around and there are still repair parts. The old C lenses require cannibalizing other C lenses to get parts... so while they are cheaper to buy upfront, the repairs may hurt more down the road. Or just toss 'em ;-)

All you guys who buy Blads and then only use the 80 are strange... why not just get a Rolleiflex? The Rollei 80 Planar is one element less, less flare prone, and imho a better lens in a smaller, easier to use package.

The reason to get a Blad is to use the cool lenses! Or to compliment your SWC/M ;-)

 

[Livesteamer]

I have an early 500C, 1963 I think. I use mostly just the 80mm. I have a Rollieflex 3.5F but the Hasselblad just feels much nicer in my hand than the Rollei. Both are great but the 500C is just much more comfortable to me. Joe

 

[Keith]

I'm really enjoying the 500cm that I bought recently ... I think the last time I was this impressd with a camera was when I got my M2!

A couple of people have said to me how much they like the look of it ... handing them the camera creates an amazing reaction generally. After they comment on the weight they usually mention how much they like the look of it! The shutter sound in particular seems to make their eyes widen! 😛

I read numerous comments about the unsuitability of the Hassy as a hand held low light shooter due to mirror slap .... I must totally disagree here. I'm using mine regularly hand held at 1/30 and the quality of the images blows me away but admittedly I'm not obsessed with sharpness in my photos.

This was hand held at 1/30 and f2.8 with no added sharpening before or after the scan! I really love the way the Zeiss lenses render ... there's almost a gentleness to them that belies their potential for sharpness ... does that make sense? 😀

 

[shadowfox]

doesnt look that bad Will, it wouldnt win first prize in a beauty contest, but those contests are sooo demeaning lol and the models give lame answers!

nice knurled knob on the winder though!

Good eye for noticing that knob.

The original knob was lost when I bought the camera, so a machinist friend of mine took a thumb-screw for computer cases, cut the screw off just enough, inserted it into the hole, flattened the end so it'll catch, and viola! a custom knurled knob 🙂. Works really well too.

 

[ray*j*gun]

Another vote for the electronic shutterized F models, at least the later models in good condition... the 110/2 F lens is legendary for portraits.

If you go 500-series, the CF era lens were the best all around and there are still repair parts. The old C lenses require cannibalizing other C lenses to get parts... so while they are cheaper to buy upfront, the repairs may hurt more down the road. Or just toss 'em ;-)

All you guys who buy Blads and then only use the 80 are strange... why not just get a Rolleiflex? The Rollei 80 Planar is one element less, less flare prone, and imho a better lens in a smaller, easier to use package.

The reason to get a Blad is to use the cool lenses! Or to compliment your SWC/M ;-)

Yes one must start somewhere. I want to be sure I like the basic rig before I think about expanding.

From what I've seen so far 500 c/m's seem to be expensive. I'll have to be patient.

I also love the Zeiss lenses..... my favorites right now are old Sonnars.....LTM's and Contax mounts.

Thanks again guys fro the thread which has been VERY helpful for me!!

 

[Olsen]

Another vote for the electronic shutterized F models, at least the later models in good condition... the 110/2 F lens is legendary for portraits.

If you go 500-series, the CF era lens were the best all around and there are still repair parts. The old C lenses require cannibalizing other C lenses to get parts... so while they are cheaper to buy upfront, the repairs may hurt more down the road. Or just toss 'em ;-)

All you guys who buy Blads and then only use the 80 are strange... why not just get a Rolleiflex? The Rollei 80 Planar is one element less, less flare prone, and imho a better lens in a smaller, easier to use package.

The reason to get a Blad is to use the cool lenses! Or to compliment your SWC/M ;-)

No. There is no need to canabalize old C-lenses. The Compur shutters are still in use with a wide range of German lenses. Zeiss is even offering new C-lenses today. I would be a lot more wary about certain electronic parts in some of the FE lenses, even though that might be many years down the road. Several shops offer service and repair of all types of Hasselblad gear. - While my M8 can only be serviced by Leica, Solms.

 

[ray*j*gun]

Well, I purchased a beautiful 500C/M transition model and thanks to the help I received here I was able to get just the combination of features I wanted. This is a one owner kit in mint condition (probebly paid too much......lust can be expensive) which seems to operate very well. I have run my first roll through it and will post some pics when I get the results from the lab. I have posted some pics of the kit here.

Of course I have some questions.....I am looking for a conversion filter ring that will take the B50 to 52mm screw....my question is will that cause any sort of shadows...it appears that 52mm is too small compared to a B50 filter. I am looking at 52mm because i have most of my B&W filters in that size. Anyone who has experience with this? I would like to use my existing filters but only if the size will work.

Thanks to all as always a wonderful resource here!!!!