School me on Hasselblads

[PatrickT]

Thanks for all of the responses...I'm glad we got a bit of discussion going!

As for me...I currently own two Rolleiflexes....a T and a 2.8F. I love shooting with them. However, I just feel like I should own a 'Blad for a while to get that "experience".

I only shoot handheld with my Rollei's and have never had a problem, so I doubt I'd have a problem with the 'Blad. I also shoot my Pentax 67 almost exclusively handheld 🙂

From what you all have said and other things that I've read, I think a 500CM would be the way for me to go. I'd also get an 80mm, WLF and perhaps a prism (down the line a bit).

Now its a matter of picking one that's in good shape! The last thing I want to deal with right off the bat is having to get a CLA or repair done to the body/lens.

 

[djcphoto]

I think the 500C/M is perfect. Although I've recently added a motorised body too, the 500 has never let me down, nor have I ever felt restricted by it in any way. I wrote a quick review of my Hasselblad kit here:

http://www.djcphoto.com/index.php/hasselblad-500cm/

 

[Nokton48]

Here is Dave's website:

http://www.david-odess.com/

He's friendly, quick, and helpful. 😀

Check out his FAQ section, and his used stuff (especially the film magazines)

 

[bigeye]

I think the 500C/M is perfect. Although I've recently added a motorised body too, the 500 has never let me down, nor have I ever felt restricted by it in any way. I wrote a quick review of my Hasselblad kit here:

http://www.djcphoto.com/index.php/hasselblad-500cm/

Dave, that's an excellent presentation of the 500 kit. There are other lines and generations of HB equipment, but it's good to see a narrative that covers the configurations of the base 500 system.

I've got the 38 (SWC), 60CF, 150CF and 250C and agree with Marek (mfogiel) on his abrupt, generalized list. It helps to use a tripod with any of the teles, you have to work hard to keep movement down, particularly due to relatively slow color slide speeds. It's a bit easier with faster Tri-X, obviously. (I'm thinking of getting an monopod for outdoors.) These aren't and never were the easiest wildlife or sports cameras to use. If you can trap a moving target successfully, it will be stellar, but it's more difficult to accomplish than with other cameras. (I do have a friend who does shoot magnificent wildlife with one, caribou, yaks, etc in the arctic. He just works with the tools he has, a LF mentality). I wouldn't buy an HB with just a 80mm; it's not the point of this elaborate system.

The "C" lenses are very good and are probably cheaper to simply replace than the later models are to repair. I bought a clean 250c for $133 from KEH to see if I liked the FL and will probably replace it with a CF, simply to make all of the bayonet mounts the same (B60) throughout the lens set (though I do have a B50/B60 adapter on it now, it is a little kludgey). Accessory use can get complicated if you don't you don't stick to a single generation of lenses. If you want to dabble in things HB, I'd recommend a "C" kit, simply from the cost standpoint. It's 97% of the capability of the later generations at half the cost, and they're built like artillery pieces. You've never heard of any other camera wearing the skin off of your hand, so you'd better toughen up your lily white mitts for the challenge.

-Charlie

 

[Nokton48]

There is also a Hasselblad-Only Forum here:
http://www.hasselbladinfo.com

Lots of good info in the archives over there.

 

[Moogie77]

Dear forum friends,

I just purchased the old 500c and it came without a hood.
Now I am wondering which of the various hoods available match the 80mm planar f2.8?

Any insights?

Thanks to all of you.

Best regards, Miguel

 

[Moogie77]

Topic solved. Luckily in my purchase have been some accessories included and guess what was inside as well...

 

[DKimg]

Stop a moment and think: I will make bold points, so that you can get clear information

1) Haselblad is a tripod camera
2) If you only want an 80mm lens, Rolleiflex is better in almost every respect.
3) If you buy it for longer lenses, you should get 501 c, c/m or 503 cw versions - the previous ones vignette in the VF with lenses over 100mm, and also the later versions have acute matte screen, which otherwise will set you back 200 USD.
4) The Compur lenses (C version) have unreliable shutters, that have to be repaired periodically, and the spare parts are running out
5) Make sure you buy the magazines with a warranty - they often have problems and a cla is as expensive as the magazine at times.
6) Two best buy lenses are Distagon 60 and Sonnar 150.

I'm a little late to respond to this topic but I too have to agree about the Rolleiflex; IF you're only going to go with an 80mm lens.

Setting pricing aside, If you're looking for flexibility, such as interchangeable lenses, multiple backs, and prisms, go with a Hasselblad. If your style is more portable, smaller accessories, one sharp focal length lens and being okay with not having the option to change film midway, then go with a Rolleiflex.

I love both systems and never had any major issues holding them without a tripod. But functionally they serve for different situations. It would be a heavier setup and required more space, but doesn't bother me because I wasn't physically carrying it most of the time, in comparison toward my traveling overseas adventures...

Most of the time when I traveled overseas to different countries and just wanted the lightest weight, I always leaned towards a Rolleiflex, either a 3.5F or 2.8F. It served for most of my needs and loved the results. To have a Rolleiflex 2.8F with 2 rolleinars, a couple of color filters and lens hood, was awesome.

For something more local or shorter distance, I would usually go with a Hasselblad, as it provides so much flexibility when I needed to change lenses and film backs depending on the client's session.

I would really consider your shooting style and needs before deciding on a camera, but what most said already, you can't go wrong with a late 500c / CM with a CF lens. I would also consider looking into a 201F body for a bit more flexibility with lens options and a slight increase in shutter speed.

 

[Range-rover]

I would start with this site -a nice, simple introduction: http://photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/Hasselblad500.html

Having had a lot of these from V through H -if I had to do it all over again, I would stick with the bottom line: 500C/M and an 80.

That's for posting the info.

 

[Rob-F]

Stop a moment and think: I will make bold points, so that you can get clear information

1) Haselblad is a tripod camera
2) If you only want an 80mm lens, Rolleiflex is better in almost every respect.
3) If you buy it for longer lenses, you should get 501 c, c/m or 503 cw versions - the previous ones vignette in the VF with lenses over 100mm, and also the later versions have acute matte screen, which otherwise will set you back 200 USD.
4) The Compur lenses (C version) have unreliable shutters, that have to be repaired periodically, and the spare parts are running out
5) Make sure you buy the magazines with a warranty - they often have problems and a cla is as expensive as the magazine at times.
6) Two best buy lenses are Distagon 60 and Sonnar 150.

1) Funny, my two 500CMs and my SWC are only tripod cameras when I put them on a tripod. The rest of the time, they are handheld cameras. Versatile, the Hasselblad is! I believe Victor Hasselblad felt the same way. I have a book with a photo that shows Victor Hasselblad using his Hasselblad handheld. One photo shows him and E. R. Heidecke photographing each other with their respective cameras. When Hasselblad photographed birds, I have a photo of him using a 500C with a chimney finder and what looks like it could be a 150 Sonnar (or it could be the 60mm CT*). No tripod. He carried it with the short hand strap (So do I).

2) Rolleiflex is better handheld at slow shutter speeds. It is also lighter for hand carrying, especially with the f/3.5 lenses. But no interchangeable backs, though.

3) Mine does not show any cutoff with the 150mm Sonnar. when I tried a 250mm Sonnar, I didn't notice the vignetting. I'm sure it was there, but I wasn't looking for it, so it didn't bother me.

4) The C lenses with Compur shutters have springs that are reportedly less strong than what is desirable. On the CF lenses, they took out the self timer to make room for beefier springs. When I sent my 80mm chrome C Planar to David Odess, he replaced the springs even though I had not complained of any problems and was only looking for a CLA. I do like the engraving, the cross-coupled EVS, and the auto DOF indicator of the C lenses, and I will probably keep my 80C and my 60 CT* forever. Outside of that, I use the newer CF lenses, and I just put up with the silkscreened lettering wearing off.

5) Yeah, a malfunctioning film back can really ruin your day. The pictures overlap.

6) I agree, the 60 and 150 are good buys. Unless you don't need those focal lengths! Personally, I use them. The 60, I would say, gets proper recognition for its image quality. I'm not sure the 150 does. It is a fine lens! Sharp as can be even wide open and even in the corners.

 

[Rob-F]

As far as the Rollei being better in some ways, I enjoyed reading this thread by sara, one of our members.

https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=160684

sara is using both a Hassie and a Rollei now, for good reasons. I made a mistake selling my Rollei, and I'm in the process of correcting that. I plan to have a 2.8D with Planar, just like sara bought.

 

[teddy]

I made BOLD points, however I have serious doubts about shooting wildlife handheld at 1/30th with a Hassy. I have several bodies and all lenses between 38 and 250mm, and the only one that does the trick is SWC.

I agree with your bold points. Well, who ever is a sucker for punishment - let them do whatever they want and shoot sports and wildlife with a hassy, carrying nearly 2 kg or more. Sure! Anything is possible in photography.

I have grown into photography enough now to know that for the most practical part - a Hassy is lovely, but it's heavy. It's a camera best for a tripod. A studio camera. For most things, I use my Rolleiflex if it has been acquired.

I truly recommend a Hassy. It is tough and possibly over engineered - which is a plus. Like a Leica and a Rolleiflex.

 

[jazzwave]

I use 500 C/M with 80mm and 50mm ...love it.
Tried Mamiya RB67, perfect for studio but too big for mobile.

In you want more modern MF, you can try Rolleiflex SLX or 6000 series.

Good luck and happy shopping

~ron~

 

[mike rosenlof]

I had the shutter on a 250 C rebuilt a few months ago. It had been working until I tried the self-timer. It buzzed a bit and froze. No way to unwind the self timer, so it went to the shop. The repair guy said it was gunked up lubricant. My main point is that if things aren't truly **broken**, the older lenses are repairable.