Why do I want a Hasselblad 500 c/m?

mrisney said:
I had the same itch 2 years ago, felt that I needed a more serious studio type medium format camera, thought that my Mamiya 6 was too field-y or something . Wanted a 500CM all black, but on my quest I found a Rolleiflex 6006 outfit. Got it all together, had it for 2 weeks, and realized there was no way I was going to carry it around my neck. It's a tripod camera in practice ( I am a little guy @ 145 lbs ). After selling it back on EBay, my thoughts are - and I hate to say this, go digital.

Yep, consider the Nikon D800. You already have a very well regarded MF rangefinder, I think you are approaching redundancy with a Hassleblad. Bite the bullet and go full frame, or stretch yourself to the Pentax 645D. Acquiring a SLR MF system camera and lenses is going to consume your time, shoot often and bypass analog-to-digital workflow and hone your results. You can output 1:1 on most professional grade digital SLR's if you want the square.

I do love my Mamiya 6 and I would never give it up though.
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I understand your point if it was solely about image quality but I am not interested in any more digital. The OMD was purchased to use in the rain (fire hoses) and I have a R-D1. My Canon 7D is going up for sale soon. When I shoot for enjoyment, I shoot film. Though the OMD with OM lenses is fun.
 
I understand your interest in the Hasselblad. 🙂

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There are lots of optional viewfinders for the camera that correct the reversed view - my Bad Phone Pic shows the 45 degree version I chose and it better suits the way I like to shoot. Now my car lists to the right due to the added weight and I had to hire two assistants; one to carry the viewfinder and one to steady the camera while I use it. 🙂 Seriously, the viewfinder is no problem at all. It's a big viewfinder on a big camera, and the view through the thing is just superb.

I'm just a hobby shooter and don't use this camera every day, but from my limited experience (four months) I can tell you a few things. First, as a rangefinder shooter you're going to notice the vibration and weight of this camera. I can go to 1/60s but only without caffeine, and only with the smaller 80mm lens. I have a 150 Sonnar and (just for me) it's minimum hand holding speed is probably 1/125, but 1/250 is better. And it's an extremely loud camera, but you probably already know that.

It seems to me you already have a great MF solution that can also pull double duty as a quiet street shooter, and cropping a 6x7 to a 6x6 is no hardship of course. Still, it is fun to compose in a square viewfinder, and the selection of lenses for the Hasselblad system offers a difference in rendering from the Mamiya, and life is in fact short, and etc 🙂
 
Hassy vibration? Not really. Surely everyone has seen the youtube clip with the coin balancing on the camera during an exposure? No? Link here.

With the 80mm lens I have made good exposures down to 1/30 on several occasions. With the 150mm lens more care and a higher shutter speed is preferred.
 
Funny that this thread appears now. I got the latest issue of National Geographic in the mail last week and I opened up to an article shot by Lynn Johnson, and I found the photographs refreshing and somehow familiar. A little grainy, but brilliant colors. Wait a sec, they're square! What is she shooting? Flip to the Letter from the Editor, there's Lynn with a....Hassy.

If you've never seen a 6x6 slide projected...don't. It'll ruin you for the rest of your life.

So anyway, I'm sitting here in the same boat, probably watching the same auctions, wondering if getting back into medium format is the craziest idea in the world...or the best.

I never shot a Hassy. Shot lots of TLRs and loved them. The Minolta Autocord is a wonderful camera. Those 2.8C Rolleiflexes are too. But I do really like the look of that 110mm lens.
 
ChrisN said:
Hassy vibration? Not really. Surely everyone has seen the youtube clip with the coin balancing on the camera during an exposure? No? Link here.

With the 80mm lens I have made good exposures down to 1/30 on several occasions. With the 150mm lens more care and a higher shutter speed is preferred.
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That's a cool video, showing just how much stability a table can offer. 🙂

On a tripod (or a table) the camera has no vibration issues that I have noticed, especially with mirror lockup. Handholding, at least for me , has been an issue though. I'm not complaining, btw; this camera is the bomb and I love it but like every camera it has limitations.
 
dreilly said:
Funny that this thread appears now. I got the latest issue of National Geographic in the mail last week and I opened up to an article shot by Lynn Johnson, and I found the photographs refreshing and somehow familiar. A little grainy, but brilliant colors. Wait a sec, they're square! What is she shooting? Flip to the Letter from the Editor, there's Lynn with a....Hassy.

If you've never seen a 6x6 slide projected...don't. It'll ruin you for the rest of your life.... .
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There should be a reason of why this 29 picture-series Lynn shot on film but not digital.. I wish I could really be seeing the projected slide show of it:

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2012/07/vanishing-languages/johnson-photography#/1
 
I bought one back in January. It's only been the last month or two that I've really gotten the hang of it for some reason. Biggest learning curve for a camera I've ever had. From what I can see though, the results are going to be worth it. I bought it mainly for landscape work, but I have used it handheld. I've found that I get better accuracy focusing with the prism then the waistlevel for some reason.

Cheers,
Eric
 
I came from Hasselblad to rangefinders via the X-Pan. I ended up selling off all of the Hassy gear and invested into Leica. Then I bought another Hassy, and another, etc...

They have a "special" feel to them. I always loved their sort-of "legoesque" construction. You can transform them from a walk-around to a tripod mounted studio queen in a few clicks of this-n-that, and back again. That was always half the fun for me!

They simply must be experienced as part of your photo life. Their slower, more methodical approach is endearing. Buy one... you will not regret it. If you do, they hold their value like Leicas. In fact, I believe I have noticed a recent gradual increase in values over the last ~year or so.
 
I used to have a 503cx, on a tripod it was just fantastic, could not want for anything more really. I could not get on with it handheld at all though, you've probably already got the best MF handheld camera in the Mamiya 7. For squares, hand held, I'd be torn between a Rolleiflex, or a GF670. The GF670 is a range finder, obviously, so maybe not the change you're looking for. The Rolleiflex I think is amazing, but I didn't like the stares I got using it, some people just looked at me as if I'd just stripped off or something.

Rolleiflex offer amazing value I think, it's premium brand, premium quality camera which can be had for way under $500. I got used to the reverse thing reasonably easy, but I don't do street shooting, where maybe you need to be a bit faster than I am taking shots.
 
Try to find an old Bronica S, not the newer SQ series.
You may be smitten by it like I did.

7050940027_839c2dd12a_z.jpg


In terms of rareness, it's more uncommon than a 'Blad.
And just as much metal if not slightly more.
... And it's easier on the wallet 🙂

Pardon me? a sample shot, you say?

7110935793_159d5f9d4a_c.jpg


Nikkor-P 75mm/2.8 at somewhere close to f/2.8.
Yes, I think Plaubel Makina owners can relate.

For the record, I had a 3-lens, Hassy 500 C/M kit once.
Excellent camera, no doubt. Sold it with a decent margin.
I'm now happy with the Bronny.
 
Lynn Johnson spoke about the need to establish trust with her subjects, specifically for this story. Elsewhere she has talked about the somewhat formal nature of shooting with the Hassy, and I must wonder if there's a connection here, that the slow, deliberate nature of shooting with the Hassy helped people feel more at ease as opposed to the rapid-fire of other cameras, and the fact that it (she was shown with a Hassy with a waist-level finder) stayed out from between her face and her subjects.

In terms of aesthetics, I wonder if the older style of rendering of the medium format film and lenses just matched the theme of languages that still exist, though are endangered?
 
If you can not deal with l/R reversal, a waist level Hassy in not for you.

A 45 deg top finder is beautiful for studio work, as is a RB 67 with prism.

It makes the camera a bit large for walk around use to have the top prism.

To steady a Hassy without a tripod, use a wl finder and push it into your chest.

The lenses are big and heavy and expensive and have shutters that fail without warning.
Buy lenses from David Odess who overhauls them b/4 sale. You will pay a little more , but you know what you are buying.

I really do not think much of 2 1/4 systems other than Hassy and Rollie.

Full frame digital is equal to 2 1/4 film if you want digital. I have used both. Nikon D3, D700 will compete with square film any day. D800 is a gem
 
MaxFrank said:
Because, in my opinion, it is one of the most beautiful cameras ever. Every time I see one I can't help but think I'd like to own one, even if I have enough cameras as it is.
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You've got to be kiddin' me. I just took a look. It appears to contain a neat mechanism for advancing the film, but it is also looks like a brick. Sorry, but opinions can differ sharply.
 
Johnmcd said:
Any love for the Bronica SQ?
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Yes (SQ-A). I love the rendering of the (relatively cheap) Zenzanon lenses in general. The Bronicas are of high build quality though the newer "i"-models may have a little more plastic than a Hasselblad. The Bronica's mechanics should be at least as reliable as that of the Hassy.

The Bronicas also have a strong mirror clap but I've never had any issues with vibration. For shooting static objects you can use the mirror lock-up also handheld (neck strap helps).

Another 6x6 option with prism finder would be a Norita 66 or a Kiev 60.

The Norita is not as well manufactured as a Bronica but still a very much fun camera - one of my all time favourites.
 
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