OT: medium format

[jackal]

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guys..

 

is this one worth a look:

 

eBay.co.uk: HASSELBLAD 500 C/M 25TH ANNIVERSARY SIGNATURE CAMERA (item 160125414455 end time 14-Jun-07 22:29:31 BST)

 

 

 

i dont know if thats the right square A12 magazine ?

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[erl]

Jackal,

I would pass on the commemorative Blad version. It is purely collectable and you would not want to use it. There are plenty of Blads around that won't have a premium price. I am assuming you want to use it!

 

Find a basic outfit and start with that. You will develop a sense of where you want to go with it as you use it. This will be governed by the work you do with it.

 

Luigi, I am not offended by this post being "O.T." especially as the title declares it as such. I can, as a Mod move it, but I don't really see the benefit. If you don't like OT threads, don't open them. I think this one has enough interest as clearly generated, to be tolerated.

[pete_g]

Jackal,

 

Although others have suggested it, and they are not wrong, don't get hung up on the prism finders until you've used the camera for some time. the finders are bulky and heavy, the waist level finder is great, especially with the flip up magnifier which is essential for focussing but also good for framing. When you're done it folds away and the camera is much lighter and smaller on the shoulder. I've found the Optech Pro strap really helps with these cameras, you can get one with the correct Hasselblad style lug fittings. A cheap(ish) lightmeter is required, I got a Sekonic and take incident light readings. The great thing about the 500 range is they are still developing digital backs for them, as a camera it's a great foil to the M8.

[Woody Campbell]

The 500 CM is one of the many, many cameras that I've owned. I agree with the poster who said "get a strong tripod". I never got the hang of hand holding it and it has a colossal mirror slap - many frames were spoiled by camera movement. I had much greater success with a Rollei 2.8F which hangs in a stable fashion at navel level (same glass but not interchangable) and the Mamiya 7, which has equivalent glass (it's effectivley and big plastic Leica) with quirky metering - a fairly small spot is the only option.

[luigi bertolotti]

Jackal,

I would pass on the commemorative Blad version. It is purely collectable and you would not want to use it. There are plenty of Blads around that won't have a premium price. I am assuming you want to use it!

 

Find a basic outfit and start with that. You will develop a sense of where you want to go with it as you use it. This will be governed by the work you do with it.

 

Luigi, I am not offended by this post being "O.T." especially as the title declares it as such. I can, as a Mod move it, but I don't really see the benefit. If you don't like OT threads, don't open them. I think this one has enough interest as clearly generated, to be tolerated.

 

Uh... no problem of tolerance, and BTW Hassy has been for years a dream of mine... what does it mean O.T. ? Out of Theme ?

[stunsworth]

what does it mean O.T. ?

 

O.T. = off topic, that is it's not related directly to the subject matter of the forum.

[jackal]

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Jackal,

I would pass on the commemorative Blad version. It is purely collectable and you would not want to use it. There are plenty of Blads around that won't have a premium price. I am assuming you want to use it!

 

 

its the same as all teh other CM's though isnt it ? if you mean i wouldnt use it cops its some sort of special edition then no, i most definitely would use it regardless of how many plaques are on it. Also, it might end up quite cheap that auction..... here in the uk a used one goes for ~$1500

 

 

didi you see the dutch auction ? is there anything wrong with that spec ?

[jackal]

"25th ANNIVERSARY

 

This special camera was issued in 1974 to mark the 25 years since the introduction of the 1600F. This is a series of 1500 cameras (1 in black, 1499 in chrome) and is basically a 500C/M with a hallmarked sterling silver plate affixed to the left side of the camera body. The plate has Victor Hasselblad's signature engraved on it and an individual serial number. The film magazine and the lens (a black T* 80 mm Planar) have no special distinguishing markings. The bodies are in the serial number range UP 148xxx-UI 155xxx- not a single block of serial numbers. The film magazines used were made in 1973 and 1974 and the lenses generally in the serial number block 565xxx (1973).

This camera was delivered in a special gold box with a blue and gold cloth strap over the box with two red seals on it. Inside the box were a commemorative booklet (with a serial number seal) and a card with a photo of Victor Hasselblad and his signature. "

 

 

 

sounds just fine to me

[AlanG]

I'm not sure what you want to do with medium format. But the important design characteristics of a Hasselblad is that it represents a flexible system. That's why I jokingly said you really needed a bunch of lenses, extra magazines, Polaroid back, etc.

 

If aren't planning to buy other lenses or backs, then you can do just as well with a lot of other medium format cameras. In my opinion, the minimum Hassy system is 3 lenses, a couple of backs, Polaroid and a prism finder. I had both prisms but I prefered the 90 degree one because it lets you look at the subject with your eyes and then aim the camera without having to constantly look up and then down. I shot a lot of architecture handheld from ladders and lifts and it is much harder to precisely line up a camera with a 45 degree prism or waist level finder.

 

That being said, I still remember a presentation by the photographer Wingate Paine at my school where he said he used a waist level camera because it allowed him to "shoot from the gut instead of the brain."

 

I had a Hassy system from when I was in student in 1971 to about 1986 when I replaced it with a Rollei 6006 system. The Hassys work well, but I felt even back then that the system was a bit antiquated. The Rollei was much better integrated, had more features, was more refined and faster and easier to use - especially handheld.

 

Those old Hassys are not state of the art but still work well and can do a good job. Why not just buy an old one in user condition (I see them for about $700) and get your feet wet? If you like it, you'll want to buy more of a system. The first one can always serve as a backup or be sold for about the same as you paid for it. Then you can put that money toward an H3 or a Hy6 system.

 

You should keep in mind that the main reason there are so many Hassys on the market is because the users replaced them with modern 35mm digital systems. (That's what I did with my Rollei.)

[jackal]

its not really something that i want to think about, to schematise or intellectualise

 

i just want a 500 'cos i like the look of them and have always want to try MF

also, david bailey is connected with my family and he always used hasselblads, its the first camera name i ever learnt as a kid

 

 

i dont want lots of lenses, more than happy just to use one lens and work with the contsraints or the particular type of shots that that will give

 

i also dont want an old beaten up one, I want a mint one as my posts have suggested. I also don't want a Mamiya

[charlesphoto99]

I also sold my Hasselblad 500 system to get into the Mamiya 6 (and now 7 as well). I also have a Rolleiflex 2.8F that doesn't see much use these days but I'll never part with.

 

It all depends on what you want to do. I'm more of a reportage style photographer and the Hass is just to awkward, heavy and LOUD. That said, I know plenty of people that carry them all over the world and take amazing street photos with them. They work - just not for me in that way.

 

I'm tired of this old bit about digital 35 replacing MF. If ease of use and the same look as everyone else is what you're after than fine. But MF has a look of it's own owing to the depth of the lenses (a 35 digital is still a 35), the way one composes in a square (or 67, 69, 612) format, and the way it forces one to work. I'm currently shooting a series of breakdancers in MF (with Mamiya 6/7 and Hass SWC) and the images have a look very distinct than if I was shooting them with the much more obvious (and way easier to use) 35 (film or digi).

 

As much as I like the M8, my dream camera would be a FF digital Mamiya 6 and/or Rollei TLR. I know it will never happen, so that's why I still shoot film with those and invested in an Imacon. As far as I'm concerned the dslr/drf are not the end all be all. Have fun with the Hassie (but don't spend too much for the basic- you will end up wanting more lenses and backs!).

[jlm]

no one has mentioned the square format, which I happen to love

[AlanG]

 

i also dont want an old beaten up one, I want a mint one as my posts have suggested. I also don't want a Mamiya

 

So why the questions then? Just find a mint one and buy it.

[jackal]

why the questions ?

 

well, for some guidance about anything else i might need or anything to avoid (like a specific model or serial number) , any info about focusing screens, any pitfalls and for someone to maybe glance over some of the ebay auctions i have posted. Some people have an I am grateful for that.

 

if you look my opening gambit, it already states what i intend to buy... that is a given

[AlanG]

...used hasselblads, its the first camera name i ever learnt as a kid

 

 

Sometimes that name means a lot...

 

I remember a couple of times, I'd be shooting an architectural project with my 4x5 Linhof view camera and the client would say, "How come you aren't using a Hasselblad? Isn't that the best camera in the world?" So I went out and glued "Hasselblad" stickers over the Linhof crests. It made them happy.

[AlanG]

 

if you look my opening gambit, it already states what i intend to buy... that is a given

 

Yeah, but you asked about metered prisms, light meters, focusing screens, etc. It seemed to me, and probably others, that you were asking about usability and not nostalgia. I wonder if Bailey would have used a Hassy as much if he didn't have a Polaroid back for it.

 

And you said the $2000 one was too expensive after you'd have to pay $500 at customs.

 

Sorry if I misunderstood. I was just trying to help you out.

[charlesphoto99]

Sometimes that name means a lot...

 

I remember a couple of times, I'd be shooting an architectural project with my 4x5 Linhof view camera and the client would say, "How come you aren't using a Hasselblad? Isn't that the best camera in the world?" So I went out and glued "Hasselblad" stickers over the Linhof crests. It made them happy.

 

Well, I'm being considered for a job where the client insists that it be shot with a Canon MkII because it has 16mp. How do I convince that the 10mp M8 is as good if not better (I don't own a Canon). Unfortunately I doubt I can get away with Canon stickers - the client is German! (and the M8 silver).

[jackal]

is the A12 filmback for 6x6 film ?

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[Sandokan]

... So I went out and glued "Hasselblad" stickers over the Linhof crests. It made them happy.

 

Ha ha. very good. I sometimes feel like gluing a sticker on my Leica to say "too stupid to RTFM and use digital or autofocus"

 

... and yes the A12 is for 6x6 and will take 120 film to deliver 12 exposures.

[jackal]

thanks bindrar