New Toy!

wowzer! I can just imagine you sat there stroking it saying "my precious"
 
Nod said:
I understand that "oop North" there are towns where the cost of LH's new camera will buy not a house but a street full of 'em! (I'm a soft Sotherner but from Sheffield stock.)
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.........yep and I think I live pretty close to that area if it's the town I'm thinking of.
Love the camera btw and would love to own it if I had so much disposable income but (for now) I'm happy with my D800.
JohnyT
 
markmullen said:
Cool kit, hope it does the job for you and makes the investment back many times over.

Can I ask if there was any reason you went for the 'Blad rather than a Phase or Leaf?
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I can't lie, I didn't do much research. What research I did do was biased. I was basically just searching to confirm that Hasselblad is the best for what I need. So many things about it appeal to me. I like the fact that it's a more complete system, the TrueFocus is good for me, coming from a 5D2 where I found myself constantly frustrating achieving good focus at wide apertures.

Also, I was very much seduced by the buying experience of the Hasselblad, I'm sure PhaseOne is no different, but Hasselblad really looked after me.

When they left me with the camera for a week, I contacted them again and told them I was about to appear on a television program, and asked if they could lend me the camera agin for appearance purposes. They said no problem, and dropped the entire package off to me again, but with an added 35-90 lens as a bonus. When they asked what I was shooting with for lights, I told them I was hiring everything from Procentre, and they offered to bike me over an entire Broncolor system for free.

It's things like that that just made me actually want to go with them regardless of which camera was the best. I know I'll never regret the purchase, because I know I'll always be looked after. A definite family feeling!
 
London Headshots said:
I was sitting next to my girlfriend on the couch the other night, and I started getting fidgety. I jumped up and said "Oh **it, I think I might've left the safe open in the studio!". She told me I best drive down and check. So I did.

When I got there I casually unlocked the safe, which I knew was locked, and sat staring at the camera for about 25 minutes and then just drove back home.

She never suspected a thing. I had an affair with a camera.
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Brilliant.... :clap:

And stunning camera.....
 
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This thread is like watching Peter Hurley's video - glamour, headshots, lot's of money and Hasselblad ;)
 
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I'm very happy for this chap that he has now procured the camera that will further progress his career/ business through this investment and I also wish him a very prosperous future as a result of this through what are very difficult economic circumstances.

However what does slightly puzzle me is that he advertises this new business investment as a "New Toy" when quite clearly it is not and this does sound a little conceited.
 
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bobman said:
However what does slightly puzzle me is that he advertises this new business investment as a "New Toy" when quite clearly it is not and this does sound a little conceited.
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Not at all, I call my new gear "my new toys too" so I know exactly where the OP is coming from. I don't think this is conceited at all, it just shows that we can still get a little excited by new kit even if it is mostly a tool. Nothing wrong with that IMVHO and it's what makes us enthusiasts.
 
I think it's fair to split the responces to this into two camps: i) In awe; ii) Annoyed someone has something that they can't or won't have.

I think it's fantastic and am glad for you mate. I hope it does take you to the next level of your career.
 
Very nice. I look forward to seeing some pics and thank you for posting. The next time the wife moans bout me spending more on "yet more photography crap" as she puts it. I will show her this and remind her that it could be a lot worse :-)
 
London Headshots said:
I can't lie, I didn't do much research. What research I did do was biased. I was basically just searching to confirm that Hasselblad is the best for what I need. So many things about it appeal to me. I like the fact that it's a more complete system, the TrueFocus is good for me, coming from a 5D2 where I found myself constantly frustrating achieving good focus at wide apertures.

Also, I was very much seduced by the buying experience of the Hasselblad, I'm sure PhaseOne is no different, but Hasselblad really looked after me.

When they left me with the camera for a week, I contacted them again and told them I was about to appear on a television program, and asked if they could lend me the camera agin for appearance purposes. They said no problem, and dropped the entire package off to me again, but with an added 35-90 lens as a bonus. When they asked what I was shooting with for lights, I told them I was hiring everything from Procentre, and they offered to bike me over an entire Broncolor system for free.

It's things like that that just made me actually want to go with them regardless of which camera was the best. I know I'll never regret the purchase, because I know I'll always be looked after. A definite family feeling!
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Great, they certainly sound to be looking after you and at this level it is arguable that the relationship is more important than the kit itself, they'll no doubt move heaven and earth to help you out of a tight spot in future which is invaluable.
 
bobman said:
I'm very happy for this chap that he has now procured the camera that will further progress his career/ business through this investment and I also wish him a very prosperous future as a result of this through what are very difficult economic circumstances.

However what does slightly puzzle me is that he advertises this new business investment as a "New Toy" when quite clearly it is not and this does sound a little conceited.
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I'm sure no pilot has ever referred to a spanking new fighter as their "new toy".

Get a grip man, its a sexy new camera that many of us aspire to even hold, yet alone own. The OP is probably very excited to be in a position to be a able to buy something of this calibre and quite rightly refers to it as such. What would you rather they said..
"look at my new business investment product"

That sounds like someone being conceited.
 
This thread is nothing without Duckshots! :rules:

:D
 
supersammy said:
I think it's fair to split the responces to this into two camps: i) In awe; ii) Annoyed someone has something that they can't or won't have.

I think it's fantastic and am glad for you mate. I hope it does take you to the next level of your career.
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What is funny about some of the responses is that most people here are amateurs who take photos as a hobby and yet some will have equipment worth thousands of pounds. Multiple bodies, full frame pro level SLRs, expensive pro lenses. The OP is a professional who makes money from photos and has obviously made a rational business decision that spending so much on a camera will enable him to make even more money through his business.

I find it interesting as it is a level of camera i will never use and I want to see just how sharp those duck shots are.
 
supersammy said:
I think it's fair to split the responces to this into two camps: i) In awe; ii) Annoyed someone has something that they can't or won't have.

I think it's fantastic and am glad for you mate. I hope it does take you to the next level of your career.
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Add iii) Don't really care just came in to see why it's got to 4 pages ... only to find it's mostly kiss-assing
 
LOL at all the bitterness.

Nice camera... enjoy.
 
Where? I see none in here. It's a nice camera ... that's about it for me. I don't think everyone should be obliged to come in and go "Woweeee" I love how you lot think others are simply bitter or jealous because they're not wetting themselves over a ... camera [that the D800 is capable of matching in most if not more ways] ... hence the ass-kissing remark.

Took you 4 pages to look in too so you'd also be in iii)
 
Where are the bloody duck shots fella................:bat:
 
supersammy said:
I think it's fair to split the responces to this into two camps: i) In awe; ii) Annoyed someone has something that they can't or won't have.

I think it's fantastic and am glad for you mate. I hope it does take you to the next level of your career.
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Hey thanks, Sammy, much appreciated.
 
RE: duck shots. I bet if I take this down to the park, I wouldn't be able to lock focus on a single one! You need a DSLR if you ever want to actually have fun with photography. Medium Format is a party killer for sure.
 
You payed all that money and you cannot get a duck. :razz: :D
 
London Headshots said:
RE: duck shots. I bet if I take this down to the park, I wouldn't be able to lock focus on a single one! You need a DSLR if you ever want to actually have fun with photography. Medium Format is a party killer for sure.
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"Dear Hasselblad, why you no tracking AF and 10 fps?" :lol:
 
Would love to have an extended play with a piece of kit like this - I'm sure it would quickly show up flaws in the performance of my software and computer though :)

London Headshots - out of interest, are art directors (etc) even more in-tune these days with the kit available and what each photographer is using? I assume that they are, and being able to promote yourself as as having access to medium format digital is something that those looking to commission you will actively take into account?

Do you think that there will be changes made to your photography as a result of going into a new system that has a very different lens selection when compared to the 35mm DSLR equivalents? I can imagine that at the prices the lenses sell for, the decision to buy one demands greater thought than blowing a few hundred pounds on a dedicated DSLR macro lens (for example)?

I can imagine that this camera opens up possibilities beyond anything DX and FX ever could - exciting times ahead :)
 
Without a doubt, marketing yourself as shooting with medium format definitely makes a difference. There really are jobs out there where people wouldn't look twice at someone shooting on a 35mm DSLR. And I'm willing to bet half of those jobs don't even need medium format. It is what it is though.

It's kind of the same as Profoto. I made the switch to them because so many commercial jobs demand that kind of lighting. I don't think I've ever been on a job where I've said "thank God I had Profoto today or we'd be screwed".

So in both instances, shooting with Hasselblad/PhaseOne and Profoto/Broncolor DEFINITELY makes a difference in the eyes of a lot of art buyers and clients.

It might not be about the quality, it might just be about the commitment that photographer has made to wanting the best. I think it speaks a certain something about the level of seriousness that person has for his craft. Same as if you own your own studio. It's all relative, though. Not saying I'm more serious than someone who owns a great 35mm DSLR and a ton of lenses and speedlights. They might be even more so.

Changes will definitely be made as a result of this camera. It's more of a move towards film, in many ways. You can't rapid fire shots, because it only shoots at 1fps, so every shot is measured. Also, the screen on the back is absolutely terrible, so there's no point in chimping. You need a laptop or full desktop on set in order to tether, because the computer powers the back (the battery is terrible). This means that every shoot has a slightly higher level of production and requires more forethought. My shoots now mostly require that I have a digi-op on set in order to free me from having to chimp the laptop every few shots.

Focus is now a critical issue, as the detail of the sensor and the DOF of MF means that focus has to be 100% spot on, or it will show up vividly in the file.

Overall, I think it will slow me down and make me concentrate more on the pre-production, as well as force me to consider every shot I take.

I can't tell you if that's a good or bad thing. Some of my best work has come from commando style shoots where I arrive on set, throw a light up, and just happen to get it right. Wouldn't happen with a Hasselblad. You could complete an entire shoot in practically the time it takes to turn a Medium Format camera on.
 
Great stuff and I look forward to seeing the files! Thanks for sharing your new venture into medium format, I for one can't wait to see some examples as I'm sure ill be blown away with the detail on offer.

As mentioned everything is persona, you will be booked because you can offer the images and sizes needed. Coupled with your great work I'm sure you will re-coup the costs.

I don't understand the weird semi negative posts from people, you just bought an incredible camera that many many people would give there right nut for. I'm happy for you! Get out there and make some amazing images!! \m/ \m/
 
AndyHayball said:
Great stuff and I look forward to seeing the files! Thanks for sharing your new venture into medium format, I for one can't wait to see some examples as I'm sure ill be blown away with the detail on offer.

As mentioned everything is persona, you will be booked because you can offer the images and sizes needed. Coupled with your great work I'm sure you will re-coup the costs.

I don't understand the weird semi negative posts from people, you just bought an incredible camera that many many people would give there right nut for. I'm happy for you! Get out there and make some amazing images!! \m/ \m/
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Mmmm I dunno......yes I like the camera but after reading Headshots' post about setting it up etc.....put me off a bit tbh. Obviously if it's needed to progress fair enough.
JohnyT
 
AndyHayball said:
Great stuff and I look forward to seeing the files! Thanks for sharing your new venture into medium format, I for one can't wait to see some examples as I'm sure ill be blown away with the detail on offer.

As mentioned everything is persona, you will be booked because you can offer the images and sizes needed. Coupled with your great work I'm sure you will re-coup the costs.

I don't understand the weird semi negative posts from people, you just bought an incredible camera that many many people would give there right nut for. I'm happy for you! Get out there and make some amazing images!! \m/ \m/
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Thanks Andy :)

To be honest, the negativity in this thread has been pretty off the radar. I expected way worse.
 
Johnytuono said:
Mmmm I dunno......yes I like the camera but after reading Headshots' post about setting it up etc.....put me off a bit tbh. Obviously if it's needed to progress fair enough.
JohnyT
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Well, this is it. You have to make a trade off in the same way you made a trade off between a point and shoot and a DSLR. The more demands you place on quality, the larger the camera will get.

I'm probably hamming up it a little bit, it's not particularly stressful to use. This isn't a camera you pick up and walk around getting street shots with, it's for professional use. On the shoots I use this for I'll have a crew, and a lot of time to prep for shots, so it's all relative.

For other shots, I'll still have my Canon DSLR.
 
That's a lovely camera. I would imagine the detail is staggering!
 
London Headshots said:
Hey don't be so sure, I could take an awesome shot of a sleeping animal! As long as I had a tripod.
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Have to time the shot carefully - between its breaths!
 
Hi, thought I'd post a couple of example shots. Nothing special.

Both straight out of the camera. f8.0 ISO200 (ISO is very different on MF format, and the noise difference between 100 & 200 is very noticeable, so this is not 100% quality, but this is just about sharpness)

Full shot resized:

h2.jpg


100% crop ("ultrasonic" is the focal point)
h1.jpg
 
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