Considering buying a Hasselblad, am I mad...

[satans worm]

So Ive worked my way from a 110 camera, Minolta X300, Minolta 7000, canon eos3 and currently eos 6d

My next step was going to be to buy a new high pixel mirrorless canon but the r5 specs seem to be for a video person not landscape photographer kind of person, and I’ve kinda run out of patience with waiting

I thought of the large pixel count Sony , considered jumping into the 50mp medium format Fuji, but after watching lots of Nick Carver and Ben Horne YouTube videos, I have gained an itch for a Hasselblad 500 ( well aware they never shoot with one but the whole rabbit hole thing happened...)

So looking to supplement , not disregard, my digital camera with such a beast

Anyone done this or has experience with one?

I have no idea if don’t meet your hero’s is a thing in the camera world, but I might find out, as soon as I find a decent priced one that is

[satans worm]

So in answer to some of the questions, I currently have 2 ‘L’ lenses , the 16-35 and the 70-200 2.8
I wanted to get the 3rd trinity lense but that’s when mirrorless hit the market and the canon rumours. on a landscape style camera made me hesitate.

I think the pull for the blad is the physical side of it, the movement of the lens and wind on of the film, really appeals, I also like the slow you down approach, I’m always a bit uneasy over point and shooting with my camera as it feels like the camera did the work and I pushed a button, too much like my office job

For sure I will miss the instant gratification of seeing what you took, especially being able to see at the scene if you cocked it up, that bit will bite hard when a bunch of dud exposures are returned!

But the challenge of finding a square composition for landscape I think will be fun and is the kind of thing I enjoy as strictly a hobbyist In this

I’m not 100 pct sure yet, I’m worried it will be a fad so will take my time and ensure the itch remains before pulling the trigger, it’s good to hear from others who may o& done it, or considering the same

As for price, I think 1.5/1.75 k USD should get a decent 500cm with a 2.8 80mm lens, I’d look to buy a 50 mm lens as well for around 750usd

[satans worm]

seanyfez said:

I think you need to look at the reasons behind your photography before making this decision because it will be these that dictate whether moving to a Hasselblad is a sensible option.

Just for background I have been using 500 series Hasselblads for the past 25 years (currently using a 500cm and a 553ELX).
But, I also use a Nikon D800 and Sony A7 for work, as well as owning numerous other 35mm and 4x5 cameras for play (we don’t have kds!!).

I had always wanted a Hasselblad after studying photography at school as I felt it would ‘lift my game’, of course it couldn’t without years of use behind it and then things began to ‘click’.

The 500 series will make you work for the results, it’s a very manual camera, but in my view it’s worth the effort - i get far more satisfaction in seeing good results from my Hasselblad’s than I do from the digital kit.

I have used the ‘blads for portrait, landscape, still life, macro and motorsport (admittedly VSCC hill climb and paddock) - I find that if the subject matter deviates from these then I reach for another camera.

Obviously lenses are a critical part of the decision - my kit comprises 50mm, 80mm, 150mm and 250mm along with some tubes. Get them as new as you can - although my 50 and 250 are ancient the results are still very good (thanks Zeiss!).

I use a 6x4.5 back for motorsport/paddock work and 6x6 backs for everything else. Yes, I would love a 50m megapixel back, but the D800 covers this base for me.

If you intend to keep a digital camera then a Hasselblad will add an extra dimension to your photography - a bit like having a F355 in the garage for high days and holidays. If it’s going to be your only/main camera think carefully about what you are trying to achieve - I gave up driving a Ferrari every day after a week!

I intend to keep my digital gear, I see the blad as complimentary to, rather than a instead of situation

For me the pleasure is in the taking of the photograph, getting the composition, adjusting the camera settings, thinking about what I want from it, when I look at the technological marvel of the R5 , where you can take a 38megapixel still from videoing 4K, I think it’s about as far removed from what I’m looking for.
The skill of taking the picture feels like has all but disappeared, composition aside, the you just click the button.
I fancy the back to basics , spending more time in front of the camera rather than light room etc,
It’s not a criticism to anyone who likes playing lightroom Etc, just my personal enjoyment lies at the camera

I also see that the Mamiya 645 is a nifty camera at considerably less cost, although slightly smaller negative, so that’s a possibility too, It even has a Panasonic back for 35mm.
It also seems that the Mamiya 7ii is a top film camera, although it’s a rangefinder so maybe not what I’m looking for

[satans worm]

So itch scratched, almost.
Just bought a 503cx with the 80mm 2.8 cf lens , looks really clean and most important the lens seems free of fog, mood etc)

I got it on eBay from japan( who seem to have the cleanest examples) so will take a few weeks to arrive.
Meanwhile I need to get a shutter release and a spot meter ( probably the Pentax ala Ansel Adams style) and of course some film!!!

I’ll post the first roll ,warts and all, on here !

[satans worm]

So all a bit late but been a bit busy recently so didnt get the chance to post my initial images

Well, in truth , my initial 2 rolls of film came out blank i managed to load the film round the wrong way! (writing goes in upside down on a Hasselblad it seems!)

Still, wont make that mistake again (a bit annoyed as both rolls where at the Empire State at sun set! will have to make the trip again!

So, the first viewable photo was...

20150002 by justin bowdidge, on Flickr

over all very pleased, highlights a little blown but was relived it was in focus, and not too far out metering wise (plus, i loaded the film correctly, yay!)

Several rolls later these are the better ones, note i have spend 10 -15 seconds in light room on each one, mainly removing the border and straightening the horizon !)

14280010 by justin bowdidge, on Flickr

---_0429 by justin bowdidge, on Flickr

---_0423 by justin bowdidge, on Flickr

---_0412 by justin bowdidge, on Flickr

71920005 by justin bowdidge, on Flickr

71920007 by justin bowdidge, on Flickr

71930001 by justin bowdidge, on Flickr

71930006 by justin bowdidge, on Flickr

71930011 by justin bowdidge, on Flickr

71940003 by justin bowdidge, on Flickr

71940012 by justin bowdidge, on Flickr

71950004 by justin bowdidge, on Flickr

71960010 by justin bowdidge, on Flickr

I know its a few there, but have been experimenting in different light settings etc to try and get it right

Totally love the Hasselblad experience, the noises it makes, the whole analogue experience of it, dont get me wrong, its only good for certain types of photography , i did a helicopter over Manhattan and took the Canon 6D with me, plus the amount of times i lost a shot due to needing to load a roll of film!

But its brought me more in love with photography, i feel more like i earned the photo than before, even if that doesnt make sense.

it certainly slows you down and makes you think!.

Edited by satans worm on Wednesday 28th October 01:22

Edited by satans worm on Wednesday 28th October 01:23

[satans worm]

C n C said:

Some good shots there - I particularly like the first two.

What film(s) have you been using?

Also are you scanning these yourself (if so what scanner) or are you getting the film processors to provide scans?

Used Portra400 mainly, Ilford for the B and W stuff. id say Portra has a great 2 stop or so tolerance of getting it wrong

At the moment im getting the negatives scaned by the processor at 25MP, they can do up to 80MP but unless i really like one of the pictures and print i t large, 20 is fine

Id like ot do myself to save a lot of cash, but when i looked into it it seems quite a hassle unless you have a USD2k machine to stick it in, so for now, ill stick with the processor doing the work

I need to utalize lightroom and maybe photoshop to clean them up and make the pop, but i really hate that part, most my pictures have a small amount of lightroom work then leave it at that, but i do wonder how much better with a little more effort they would be, if it would be worth learning that particular craft....i feel a new thread coming on regarding AI , lightroom and other ways to post process