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How many Leica owners also have a Hasselblad ?


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I know that this is the wrong forum, but I think I can get an honest answer here. Thanks in advance to those that have an opinion.

 

It seems natural for people that like film to also like medium-format. I have both an M6 and a Mamiya C330, but I have always wanted a Hasselblad. Ebay is full of them for reasonable prices and I am looking at a 501 with standard 80mm lens and A12 back. What I am afraid of is I will get the camera and it will just sit on the shelf like my Mamiya. I love 2 1/4 but the Mamiya is so large it is not discrete or easy to carry around as a street camera. What about the Hasselblad, do others here use one as a street camera, and how does it work? Or better, should I just stick to my M6?

 

Thanks,

 

Wayne

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I had a 503CW with both A12 and CFV-39 until last year. It is definitely not a street camera for someone who is used to M. Of course nothing prevents you from setting up a tripod in the street and shooting whatever passes in front of the lens, but discrete it is not. Handholding it is just about possible at the expense of increased medium format quality so is a bit futile as well. Plus a prism finder is almost a necessity for quick action, making the whole setup even bulkier. There are nice examples of street with this combo; obviously nothing is impossible. But for me the M was and is the best choice.

 

That said, body, lens and back are going for peanuts these days so it's a great time to try it out.

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I have a 503cx with three lenses. It was the only camera I had until I got my M6. I usually take two cameras with me plus a tripod when I go on road trips.

 

I really enjoy using my Hasselblad for a number or reasons:

 

1. Forces me to slow down and think about the composition and shots that I am taking.

 

2. I love the fact that I can interchange the backs to accomondate different types of film.

 

3. It is a little moe bulkier than an M6 however, the Zeiss lenses combined with the Hasselblad system produces stunning images.

 

4. I just love it for landscapes.

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I've been shooting a lot of MF on the street this year. Don't use a pentaprismm finder, which I have, and don't use a tripod.

 

So far, I've been concentrating on using my Rolleiflex 2.8F, but by design I was out with my Hasselblad on the street this weekend with 50mm and 110mm lenses. Lots of street from the Rollei on my Fickr site. It's just as easy for me to shoot this as it is to shoot a film M. Approach is different and the results are different, moving away somewhat from the quickly grabbed snap.

 

Shooting the 80mm on the Hass would not be much different as the lens is relatively light. Cameras with other lenses become heavier and more cumbersome as the lens grows and the lens throw increases.

 

I like my M's because they are small, fit in a pocket and I don't need to bother with a bag at all. I can carry two that way. With MF, I need a small Domke 803 bag to transport the gear to the location, but once there, it's out and ready. In comparison, I'd agree that the 330 would be a bit of a beast.

 

I don't think you benefit from trying a Hass on the street, or any other serious gear; you have to commit to it and find your way of making it work. Have fun.

Edited by Rolo
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Thanks to everyone with their suggestions. Like always, I wait until the last minute to do anything, and the sale ends soon. I am going to take a chance and get it. I am also familiar with the Kowa 6, having used Kowa SLRs back in the 60s. Even if I do not use the Hasselblad, just having one for a reasonable price is worth it.

 

Thanks again,

 

Wayne

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I own a 501cm. I love it although it is a bit big for street photography. Nevertheless, I have taken my best pictures with this camera. The size of the negs really give you more resolution. Go for it, you will not regret to own an Hasselblad!

 

Steve

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I have had a 501cm for almost 20 years, and I love it, although it has not been used that much with the M9 in my bag. I have backpacked with it, a macro lens and tripod for years, sacrificing morning tea and the weight of extra fuel to lighten the load in my pack. I have used it in the city, but mostly for architectural shots, but I am not really a "people" photographer. MF is a more thoughtful photo process, (especially with film), and I always found that whenever I would set up a shot and rethink the composition, people would always come over to chat, or, if nothing else, stand next to me and try to figure out what I was shooting! I am sure you will enjoy it, and you can use your M for a very expensive light meter! One note, I am sure you know to check that the serial number of the film back and the insert match.

kaethe

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I have a 503cw and an 80mm lense. I love the output, but it's slow to use (at least I'm slow using it) so more often than not reach for my MP instead for portraits. The Hasselblad is very nice for things that move less than my kids do.

 

Karen

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Wow, what response, thanks everyone for the advice. I am happy that everyone was positive about their experiences with Hasselblad. I bought it (Ebay, "buy now") a little while ago from a dealer that has 100% satisfaction. Of course I have not seen it yet, but the the photos and description looks good.

 

Thanks again,

 

Wayne

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FIIW, have 9 leica M bodies, five lenses the money-makers are Linhoff Super-Techicas and Hasselblads and a few super-wide 55x*cm super-wides. The Leicas make small change, albeit awesome images for second-choice - they win with this generation of 'editors', but not for the big bucks of LF or MF.

Edited by pico
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For 6x6 street work, I prefer(ed) a Rollei TLR. Usually they are lighter than Hassys (I don't know about the last ultra-fancy GX models), and far less shake for hand-holding (no swinging mirrors and light-proof doors, no double-acting shutter). Significantly quieter than even a Leica M film camera. And the last couple of times I've tried "discount" Hassys, the aging backs have had light leaks at the slot where the dark slide goes in.

 

Frankly, after I made 16" x 16" prints of the same scene, shot with a Hassy/80 Planar/Ektar 100, and an M9/35 'cron cropped square (which equals "80mm" FoV) -- and >90% of viewers could not tell which was which (or picked the M9 print as the "medium format" shot) -- I moved on.

 

But everyone should try a Hassy at least once - if only for the fun of field-stripping it down to the component modules. ;)

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Most of my working life was with Hasselblad. The bulk of that time I spent competing with staff photographers using 35mm film cameras. I was freelance (still am) and had to beat the 'pack' to get a commission again. I shot 35mm style with a bag of 220 magazines, and just a touch more discipline. ;) I relied heavily on a 45 Deg. finder (essential) and a winder in latter years. I never 'machine gunned' but chose my moment to shoot carefully, sometimes grabbing 2 or 3 shots. Obviously I won or I would not still be here.

 

I am now a dedicated Leica user, film and digital. The lighter kit is now a boon, but habitually I used to carry 2 Blads, up to 6 magazines, polaroid back and seven lenses. Add to that a heavy tripod, two or four studio light and stands, plus power cords, reflectors etc. Never thought about the bulk, just always had it in the car and 'cherry picked' gear for each assign.

 

Re using a Blad for street. I have never really done it seriously, but have just taken the kit out of 'mothballs' after a 10 year break. I intend trying it for serious street, just to test myself. I anticipate the 45 finder to be a great advantage as subjects see you tending to look down rather than at them. A rollei would be superlative for street these days as it is probably less obtrusive that any Leica. The Blad is definitely 'out there'. I used to use it's presence to 'sweep aside' 'obstructions' in my path. Even security (such as it was) some years ago used make way for 'me and my Blad.' Not any more!

 

I have an appended question, without hijacking the thread. Do any members here recommend a good Hasselblad forum that measures up to what we experience here at the LUF?

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