Hasselblad film camera, which?

treeman

treeman

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I've used a few Hassleblads back in the day, but for the life of me I could't tell which models they were.

Now I find myself thinking about having a play again, so which model should I go for?

Any duffers, ones to avoid, do they all take all the lenses etc, best standard (ish) lenses?

Any advice, much appreciated, thanks :)
 
Budget ?

Format ?

Level of assistance, metering/stuff ?

Any caveats, like you've only got one arm, or you can't see out of your left ear ?

How do you plan to get your pictures from the camera to a pc screen

:)
 
Under £1k
6x6
I'm all good (currently)
Might just produce real prints, but will scan negs if need to.

Oh and no metering needed.

:)
 
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Presuming you have no long term plans to add a digital back I would stick with the V series (500cm being the most popular model) if you do want a digi back in the future I believe the 503 is the most suitable model.
 
No Digital plans, I just fancy slowing things down a little and seeing if I've still got the skill to do it.

Is there anything in particular to look out for in the V series like any part that shows signs of wear more quickly than other parts?
 
Related to this, I've spotted a 500 C/M with 50 & 80mm Zeiss lenses, backs for 6x6, 645 and Polaroid for ~£470. Also includes assorted bits (but no bobs) like extra screws, seals etc.

Is this a) a good deal? b) madness as a first foray into MF? :)
 
vaizki said:
Related to this, I've spotted a 500 C/M with 50 & 80mm Zeiss lenses, backs for 6x6, 645 and Polaroid for ~£470. Also includes assorted bits (but no bobs) like extra screws, seals etc.

Is this a) a good deal? b) madness as a first foray into MF? :)
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If its all good and working its a great deal!
 
Ok thanks and sorry for the thread hijack, I probably should have posted a separate price check thread.. I blame not having my first cup of coffee before logging on.
 
ChrisR said:
Um, why?
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Wrong shape format it is years out of date very impractical.
Do you see square computer, TV, cinema, ipod no because 6x6 it really is the wrong format.
If interchangeable backs are not needed Pentax 6x7 all the way it has electronically controlled horizontal focal plane shutter and a 1000th sec which is suitable for action photography.It is also suitable for studio work and has some of the fastest medium format lenses available 165mm f2.8 is one. You get 10 full size 6x7cm images that you can use all the format. 6x6 cm usually has gap at the top making the useable format more like 6x4.5 cm:cool:
 
kestral said:
Do you see square computer, TV, cinema, ipod no because 6x6 it really is the wrong format.
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There are some things where square is not particularly suited to, but there is some shots which are perfect as squares. You are comparing electronic devices that are in the era of widescreen cinema format compared to a format which was dominant in the middle part of the 20th century - and deciding, on that basis, that it is a "wrong format". Why do we have to make blanket decisions on these things? Surely it is whatever works for the type of photography that is being shot, and when it doesn't, there is still a large negative for cropping to achieve the best results.

Sure, it may not work personally for you - 6x7 as a format is unattractive to me for several reasons - but I don't doubt that many people can get brilliant results out of it, as shown by many RB/RZ67 owners on this forum (as well as the other 6x7 cameras).
 
freecom2 said:
There are some things where square is not particularly suited to, but there is some shots which are perfect as squares. You are comparing electronic devices that are in the era of widescreen cinema format compared to a format which was dominant in the middle part of the 20th century - and deciding, on that basis, that it is a "wrong format". Why do we have to make blanket decisions on these things? Surely it is whatever works for the type of photography that is being shot, and when it doesn't, there is still a large negative for cropping to achieve the best results.

Sure, it may not work personally for you - 6x7 as a format is unattractive to me for several reasons - but I don't doubt that many people can get brilliant results out of it, as shown by many RB/RZ67 owners on this forum (as well as the other 6x7 cameras).
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It is up to each individual as to what format he uses. You could always tell us why you find 6x7 unattractive,it may help others trying to decide.
I just want to point out to those who are considering a 6x6 format that the will really have a 6x4.5. Our vision as humans is not square.If you have a 6x7cm format you have a 6x6 format incorporated into it with a bit extra at the side (difficult to argue against that). I've done it worn the T shirt ect,ect.:naughty:
For those who like their 6x6 format all good and well done. But for me I was taken in by the hype of certain 6x6 cameras being "The best" and it proved to be completely wrong.:bonk:
 
6x7 cameras are generally quite large, certainly larger than most 6x6 and definately larger than a TLR, for me that is what makes the format so unattractive. Having seen members here cart around RB67's on meets just looks like too much effort and strain on the back. Hasselblad equipment is smaller and easier to carry, in the context of this thread, and so may well be used more. As for 6x7 being a better ratio, it is still nowhere near that of modern widescreen tvs and monitors as you mention and will need significant cropping to reach those too.

It is each to their own, so lets not make this a digitalesque FF vs crop willy waving contest! ;)

Anyway we would all lose to our large format using friends here!
 
Whatever camera you'd buy I'd recommend an Acute Matt focusing screen with split/microprism.

500CM 501C or 503CX (if you intend to take flash pictures and would like TTL metering capabilites with a dedicated SCA adapator).

Avoid any of the motor bodies like the 500ELM. or the older bodies with focal plane shutters
 
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