Is there a short FAQ guide for hasselblad MF to complete dummies like me?

[zoossh]

I had tons of questions to ask, probably tons to google and search, but it could have streamlined better if i can some pertinent advices from the senior's here.

i'm a DSLR user but didnt like its weight for travel, and had never been able to get used to using compact + changable lens due to the difficulty/non-user friendliness of its control and the way i'm so used to using viewfinder at eye level. and this is what i hope to buy, as i had always wonder how it feels to look through a big viewfinder and i really love the sexy vintage feel. i admit i had the vanity of wanting a nice looking camera.

1. for those using DSLR and converting to hasselblad, how much impact had it on your shooting style. do u now approach your subject matter differently from before, for examples towards strangers on the streets overseas?

2. if i want digital back, automatic focus, and a viewfinder that contains electronic info, would that be my last question here for asking something stupid. or should i venture and ask more.

3. does hasselblad takes zoom. for wideangle, how wide can it get, say using 1.5x crop factor equivalents compared to DSLR

4. anyone tried hasselblad with grad ND filter such as from lee's? do u find such combo so heavy that u would rather use an entry level DSLR (mine is currently nikon D7000) for travel photo.

5. what advises would u give to a girl who had always used color digital who may want to consider the good black and white with so inspiring blackness and crispness? is using a b/w film back an essential?

6. how much would be the basic damage? hasselblad body + viewfinder + digital back + a lens of 10-20mm equivalents to 1.5x DSLR

 

[sjackal]

Digital and autofocus makes no sense if going old school is what you seek.

A lot of the feel and romance came from film and manual focus when you own the focusing, exposure decision ontop of composition and let not technology take that away.

its the deliberation that differentiate between "did you make the photo? No your camera/phone did'.

 

[Nikkornos]

1. for those using DSLR and converting to hasselblad, how much impact had it on your shooting style. do u now approach your subject matter differently from before, for examples towards strangers on the streets overseas?

For those who are used to DSLR, the photo taking skill has to be improved because there are no automation. In another words, last time the camera takes care of exposure, focusing for you. Now you have to be responsible for the picture taking. The downward looking photo taking style is much less intimidating than the DSLR.

2. if i want digital back, automatic focus, and a viewfinder that contains electronic info, would that be my last question here for asking something stupid. or should i venture and ask more.

You can get a LEAF digital back, depends on the model. But cost is very high and the return is extremely low.

3. does hasselblad takes zoom. for wideangle, how wide can it get, say using 1.5x crop factor equivalents compared to DSLR

Yes, there is a zoom lens made by Fuji, but that is H mount. Crop factor is a stupid disability that manufacturers force down consumers who happily takes it.

4. anyone tried hasselblad with grad ND filter such as from lee's? do u find such combo so heavy that u would rather use an entry level DSLR (mine is currently nikon D7000) for travel photo.

ND is usable on ANY camera old or new and weight is nothing.

5. what advises would u give to a girl who had always used color digital who may want to consider the good black and white with so inspiring blackness and crispness? is using a b/w film back an essential?

The film back can take color or B&W film.

6. how much would be the basic damage? hasselblad body + viewfinder + digital back + a lens of 10-20mm equivalents to 1.5x DSLR

The Hasselblad H4D-40 is over SGD 30k. H5D-60 is over 50k. Basically, no 20k no talk.
If you are looking at old Hasselblad mechanical camera, don't waste time as you will be spending more money fixing it by repairman than using it.

Yes, if I see a girl carry a H4D-40 walking as a tourist, I will be very much tempted to rob you.

 

[Nikkornos]

INCIDENTALLY, The Russian makes a KIEV 88CM model which is the same as this Hasselblad you shown.

The Kiev 88CM takes Pentakon East German lens. The 50mm F4, 80mm F2.8 and 150mm F2.8 are very good.

The Kiev system can be bought less than 1k. But NOT recommended for beginners.

 

[azzurri]

i'm a DSLR user but didnt like its weight for travel, and had never been able to get used to using compact + changable lens due to the difficulty/non-user friendliness of its control and the way i'm so used to using viewfinder at eye level.

Nikkornos gave a pretty good and detailed reply. but if you consider the d7000 heavy for travel, i think you can effectively rule out blads. the basic kit of a body (500cm for eg), wlf, film back and 80mm lens is already about 1.5kg. that's about the weight of a d7000 (less battery grip) and nikon 17-55mm f2.8. a meter prism will add even more weight.

i'm not sure if you had an idea of the cost of a digital auto focus blad (which Nikkornos had pointed out). but if you can stomach the price and weight, blads are really fine cameras to use. i love shooting with them and have found them to be really enjoyable.

if the weight of the blad and dslr is a concern, but not price, why not have a look at the leica m9? you get your vintage look but still keep in a small and light body with excellent optics. the price of an m9, 28mm and 50mm is still lower than say the blad h4d-40

 

[azzurri]

and adding on :bsmilie:

have you also considered the fuji x pro1/xe1? old school looking and have auto focus too. plus they're definitely more compact than a dslr.

if you really want auto focus medium format cameras but at a lower cost, there's the mamiya cameras. they're relatively cheaper but with good optics too.

 

[pikapig]

it might be heavier than ur dslr

 

[Nikkornos]

and adding on :bsmilie:

have you also considered the fuji x pro1/xe1? old school looking and have auto focus too. plus they're definitely more compact than a dslr.
if you really want auto focus medium format cameras but at a lower cost, there's the mamiya cameras. they're relatively cheaper but with good optics too.

Mamiya AFD with LEAF cost more than Blad now!

Why carry medium format camera for traveling? Those who do so is because
1. They need to make large enlargements
2. They do not want to compromise picture quality
3. They need to deliver what the customer wants

Assuming you are going to Nepal with DSLR:
2 bodies + lenses and backup body about 13kg
eg. Nikon D7000 + D300 + 2 zooms, LX-3
batteries, remote, chargers, plug connectors, card readers, back up cards, etc etc etc.
Back up hard disk, notebook (?) note book charger etc etc total will be more than 40kg!

OR you can carry:

Mamiya AFD film with 50mm lens, 80mm lens and a longer lens.

By the way, the older Hasselblad body mirror always JAM in the cold, or at the time when you least expect.
If you don't believe, you can try. :bsmilie:

 

[lkkang]

A big welcome to film side.... :thumbsup:

We are all expecting stunning pictures from you here.

I hope I can share and answer all your questions here.... but....
somethings, you just have to experience it yourself... :bsmilie:

Billy

 

[zoossh]

Yes, if I see a girl carry a H4D-40 walking as a tourist, I will be very much tempted to rob you.

LOL. but that is my consideration in places that are very safe, such as for japan and north europe.

For those who are used to DSLR, the photo taking skill has to be improved because there are no automation. In another words, last time the camera takes care of exposure, focusing for you. Now you have to be responsible for the picture taking. The downward looking photo taking style is much less intimidating than the DSLR.

the downward looking style and possibly a more comfortable viewfinder is what i desire and had been curious in.

i didnt really consider that automation take away the photographer's creativity and control. I used autofocus to lock onto the desired point of focus, and then compose. as for exposure, i perceive the light and my prior takes, and control the aperture and do exposure compensation.

my guess is all the above is only partially possible and at a huge price?

The Hasselblad H4D-40 is over SGD 30k. H5D-60 is over 50k. Basically, no 20k no talk.

look like i have to have my second thoughts.

 

[zoossh]

if the weight of the blad and dslr is a concern, but not price, why not have a look at the leica m9? you get your vintage look but still keep in a small and light body with excellent optics.

how does electronic viewfinder fare for the m9?

 

[Nikkornos]

OK here it goes

$100-300 = Seagull TLR

$300-600 = Rolleicord

$600-1000 = Rolleiflex Automat, 3.5E, 2.8LokKok

$600-700 = Fuji 645 Zi zoom or Fuji 645 wide 60mm (eye level shoot, optical view finder)

$1000 = Zenza Bronica SQA SQB etc (get the 6X6)

$1000-2000 = Mamiya AFD (645) (eye level shoot, optical view finder)

$2000+ = Rolleiflex 2.8F Xenotar or Planar

$3000+ = Hassy + repair bills (??)

I think in your case the Zenza Bronica is a good choice. Prevision, sharp lens, OK weight, dirt cheap, reliable.
Borrow one set from LO SHEN. He is a Bronica guru.

 

[Nikkornos]

how does electronic viewfinder fare for the m9?

M9? Why don't you buy Nikon D800, much better option and still got change to buy Hasselblad, laptop, spare lenses, air ticket, hotel etc etc.

 

[azzurri]

how does electronic viewfinder fare for the m9?

the m9 doesn't have evf. focusing is done via the rangefinder patch

 

[sprewell]

I do write occasionally about my Hasselblad V series cameras. You can search those articles on my blog.

 

[zoossh]

the m9 doesn't have evf. focusing is done via the rangefinder patch

how abt this?

Leica Camera AG - Photography - VISOFLEX EVF2 ELECTRONIC ACCESSORY VIEWFINDER

but i guess i still havent solve the AF issue. there is probably a deliberate division that do not allow the features to overlap. i wanted a small classical camera with digital output, that had good eye-level viewfinder, simple AF-S, exposure compensation, and most controls on the outside and not on the menu.

 

[zoossh]

I do write occasionally about my Hasselblad V series cameras. You can search those articles on my blog.

this one?

W.T.B

 

[ricohflex]

Try 903 SWC with film back and take some shots. See for yourself what Biogon can do.

If you are using 500CM, 503CX, 503 CW, remember not to jam the lens in the body.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lE20W-9Q-KQ

 

[azzurri]

how abt this?

Leica Camera AG - Photography - VISOFLEX EVF2 ELECTRONIC ACCESSORY VIEWFINDER

but i guess i still havent solve the AF issue. there is probably a deliberate division that do not allow the features to overlap. i wanted a small classical camera with digital output, that had good eye-level viewfinder, simple AF-S, exposure compensation, and most controls on the outside and not on the menu.

That's for the leica m. Think only the m can use an evf. The m is the latest offering from leica but no af too

 

[Nikkornos]

A big welcome to film side.... :thumbsup:

We are all expecting stunning pictures from you here.

I hope I can share and answer all your questions here.... but....
somethings, you just have to experience it yourself... :bsmilie:

Billy

Zoossh, you need to listen to Master.

Or

You pay school fees.