mamiya 7 vs hasselblad 500 c/m

[stip80]

Yes, i understand that they are two totally different beast, one an rf another an slr. But i have used either one and have no problem with either two.

What im looking for is basically is a lighter camera to lug around than my rz which would give me bigger negative than 645. For anything else, if i would ever need an slr for certain type of work, my rz should the work.

 

[stip80]

Then either camera will work equally well. But it sounds like your mind is already made up.

And true; if you have an RZ then why is the Hassy even a consideration?

Go get yourself that Mamiya. I think you're going to love those negs, and it's a lovely, light setup.

Right now i thin im more inclined to mamiya because its faster to use and, as one pointed out before, i might be using it more often on travel than i would w/ hassy.

Rz does most things i need from 6x7, but it just way too heavy to lug around or carry while travelling. Hassy is significanly lighter, has amazing lens and still does 6x6, whereas mamiya despite being an rf is not that compact either (even bigger than hassy, shud be abt the same weight), thus the reservation on which would do what i need.

 

[stip80]

For the Hasselblad at least, much depends on condition and service history. Check the cost of servicing from someone like David Odess (here), and his second-hand (but serviced) gear. If you have the Acute-Mat D screen and some servicing history $900 is reasonable. I've paid more for a later body and lens.

Sorry I can't comment on the price/value of the Mamiya 7.

Chris, the camera body and the back is in pristine condition and they still come with the boxes and the original hassy leather strap. The lenses however is in good/fair condition and is still the CT* version. There are two screen, one the standard that comes with the body and the other one is bright screen, im not sure if it is acute matte or the beattie screen.

 

[bob338]

I'll chime in because I just went through this same decision process. I bought a 503CW and a couple of lenses, along with a prism finder and some extra backs. $3k later I discovered(again) that I just don't like SLRs.
I traded the Hasselblad for a Mamiya 7ii/80mm and bought a 43mm for it as well.
The RF way of shooting is more natural to me, so this was an easy transition. The negatives do not look better from the Mamiya, they look different, maybe a little sharper with a bit less character than the Zeiss negs. There is something special about the Zeiss lenses that is missing in the Mamiya but if I never shoot with the Hasselblad, what's the point?

I think this all comes down to what everyone pointed out above, do you like RFs or SLRs?

Feel free to PM me with any specific questions, I just did this trade in the last few weeks.

Bob

 

[jordanstarr]

If you are struggling with money, consider the pentax 67. It's half way between the two cameras in terms of functionality.

 

[furcafe]

Do you need interchangeable lenses? If not, that opens up other options, e.g., TLRs & fixed-lens RFs.

Yes, i understand that they are two totally different beast, one an rf another an slr. But i have used either one and have no problem with either two.

What im looking for is basically is a lighter camera to lug around than my rz which would give me bigger negative than 645. For anything else, if i would ever need an slr for certain type of work, my rz should the work.

 

[mathomas]

Two words. "Texas Leicas." 😀

Right. If you want RF handling and don't need to switch lenses, go Fuji GFxxx (IMO).

Edit: I mean GF/GW/GSWxxx.

Duh...

 

[Jamie123]

I'm very fond of Hasselblads but it seems like the Mamiya would be a better fit for you. For $900 it's probably also a better deal considering that the mechanical condition of Hasselblads seems to vary quite a bit more than that of Mamiya 7s. In case you don't like it you shouldn't have much trouble selling it for the same price.

 

[bob338]

^ IMO, the 43/50mm lenses are the real gems of the system. But I wouldn't say the Mamiya lacks anything in character; it's different as you say - but has its own charm. This was shot with the 65mm wide open:

I have only seen two rolls from my Mamiya so far, and only from the 80mm, I just got the 43mm a couple of days ago, so I haven't had a chance to see what it can really do.
I would love to have kept the Hasselblad just based on the negs, they are beautiful, big and have the old lens look but with contrast! In the end though, I just couldn't get comfortable with it.

Bob

 

[stip80]

Do you need interchangeable lenses? If not, that opens up other options, e.g., TLRs & fixed-lens RFs.

now, that opens up another discussion. actually, for 6x6, i may just pickup a rolleicord, which surfaces every now and then locally at a very good price.

TLR shud be easier to use and wont draw as much as attention as hassy will. anybody has used both of them? how does rolleicord compared to 500cm w/ 80mm planar?

 

[stip80]

Ahh, okay... Well, if you like the 80mm... You're gonna love the 43mm. It does vignette a bit wide open vs. the 50mm, but both are stupid sharp. Both are reputably copies of Zeiss designs, which I can believe...

The Hassy isn't everyone's cup of tea, certainly. The square format, the body design... If you've never used one, it's certainly a bit of an adjustment from what most are used to. I like it because of its system aspect and the fact that I can shoot it with film or digital and you can really bolt together a rig custom-suited to the task at hand. The older V system can actually be a cost-effective way to get into MF digital (relatively speaking).

A few teasers, shot with the CFV:

see, this is what keeps luring me back to hassy and 6x6, eventhough deep down i know this is probably not something i would be happily lugging around or carring around while traveling and that i would make a lot of more prints from rectangular than square format.

 

[bastian a.]

These are totally different cameras and systems with their particular advantages and disadvantages.
It's not a question of quality!

You are the only person who can descide which one suits your needs and the way you take pictures.

I use both, a Mamiya 6 and a Hasselblad 500cm (and Rolleiflex 3.5F+2.8F and Fuji GS6454+GS645S), and ususally it is the subject I want to photograph that descides which camera I take.

 

[rpsawin]

Actually the choice is quite simple. If you want a RF, choose the Mamiya 7. If you want an SLR, choose the Hassleblad. That is a major difference, all the other differences are minor.

I own and use both a Mamiya 7 and a Bronica SQA. I use the Mamiya 7 about 50X as much as the Bronica because my normal style is more suited to rangefinders. When I am shooting something that is more suitable to using an SLR, I choose the Bronica though.

I also have an M7II and a SQb. I agree with Bob about the usage as I find I am a rf shooter at heart.

Best regards,

Bob

 

[Benjamin Marks]

I had both. Sold the Mamiya and bought a second Hasselblad. I couldn't live with the slower speed or the close-focus limits of the Mamiya design. There was a lot to like about it, but I hit my limits with the Hassie much less often.

 

[EdSawyer]

Get the Mamiya 7

Get the Mamiya 7

Mamiya 7!

It's such a spectacular camera and lens(es), it would be shame to pass it up. $900 is a good deal. the 80 by itself usually sells for over $400 on ebay, and a good 7 body will bring from $500 - 800 by itself, usually. Get the 43 (or 50) and you have one of the best wide-angle setups of any format.

With the RZ you already have, pair that with the 110/2.8 and a WLF for a portable portrait rig that I think is every bit the equal of the Hassy w/80 (except it will be more reliable, probably, and focuses closer). Get the 6x6 back (or just crop) If you really want square shots.

-Ed

 

[PatrickT]

As others have said, it depends on how you shoot and what you shoot. What your style is.

I had a Mamiya 7 and currently use Rollei TLRs. I sold the Mamiya for a few reasons. First was the slow (but great) lenses. f/4 was too limiting for me and I prefer a bit more light gathering ability and shallow depth of field. Second was the plastisity of the body. I couldn't stand how cheap the body felt. Lots of plastic. This may not bug some, but it bugged me. Third was the fact that it was an RF. Don't get me wrong, I love RFs, but for some reason shooting that large of a negative, with 10 shots per roll didn't jive with me while shooting an RF.

Anyway, that's my 2c. Personal experience only. Lots of people LOVE the Mamiya 7 (and 6) and I can see why. Just wasn't for me.

PS. There's something to be said about focusing on ground glass. There's nothing like it.

 

[tlitody]

These cameras are so different I'm surprised you are making a choice of one over the other.

The Hassy has a huge range of lenses including 500mm, macros and zooms. If its for studio then the hassy wins hands down. If its for wildlife the hassy wins hands down. If its for street or travel the Mamiya wins hands down.
The hassy has big shutter lag. The hassy interchnageable backs meaning you can have several films loaded and just need to switch backs.
If you don't need or want lenses longer than 150mm then mamiya gets a look in, but if you want longer the hassy wins easily.

The weight thing is all relative. Once you've back packed a 4x5 or bigger system the hassy seems like a feather weight.

Persoanlly I think the hassy is a tripod camera unless you are in the studio but I expect others will disagree.

 

[PhotoMat]

I have both the Mamiya 7II and the Hassy 500CM, and as others have said, they are quite different beasts. In my case, their primary use is for landscape/nature work and I must say that the Hassy doesn't see much light of day compared to the Mamiya. Out of my set of Mamiya glass, I use the 43 and 65 the most -- the 43 is simply stunning. I think that the reason that I gravitate to the Mamiya is the 6x7 format -- I find it to be a better fit with my subject matter vs. the square 6x6. I also shoot a lot of 4x5, so maybe I'm conditioned to that aspect ratio.

Your camera choice will be dictated more by your shooting style and subject matter, and regardless of which one you choose, you will end up with a fine setup either way!

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Actually the choice is quite simple. If you want a RF, choose the Mamiya 7. If you want an SLR, choose the Hassleblad. That is a major difference, all the other differences are minor.

Ditto. It's like debating whether to get a nice mountain bike or an Audi Q7 to have a "mountain experience". One isn't "better" than the other: they're different. Depends on taste/preferences/means/purpose.

 

[segedi]

My advice, having owned all the systems you have and the ones you want...

The Bronica RF645 is the best medium format camera for portability and street/travel. I used it way more than my M7II and with 220 film, you get 32 shots.

While I think we all go through neg envy after seeing those great 6x7 shots - it really isn't all that necessary. My best advice is to not get either the Mamiya nor Hasselblad!

Had and sold a Mamiya 7II with 50mm and 80mm, even tried the 65mm. The size was an issue as was close focusing. I kept and use a Hasselblad 503CW. It's light and works well. Works well meterless as well, if you meter a scene, it's not likely to change all that often so you can make minor adjustments on the fly. Makes for faster work anyway. And with a waist level finder, it works well for street. Better than having a camera at your eye and "looking" at someone. If you have to go into a different camera - I'd opt for the Hasselblad - but still recommend you use the very nice RF645 you already own.