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#1
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Stick with Hassy or go Bronica?
This is a more thinking-out-loud post than a serious question- I just wanted
thoughts from those who might have more experience. I have a Nikon 35mm outfit, and can see that being replaced by digital in the next five years. I have access to a darkroom with large format enlarger and black and white print processor, so I decided to explore black and white medium format photography. I got a good deal on a Hasselblad 500c/m- with 80mm T* and PM (45 degree) prism, Accumat D screen, 16mm extension tube, proxar, 2x backs etc. I started by spending 10% of the cost of the kit on a mirror foam replacement by Hasselblad UK. Then the backs both had their light seals go, so I bought new seal kits and new darkslides. I then had various jamming problems (lens jam with extension tube, body jam, etc). I am in a love/hate relationship with the machine. I don't feel like I can rely on it. But I like its looks and it feels like it should last a while. However, when Hasselblad UK looked at it for the mirror foam, they said it was 'running dry' and needed a service (which would cost more than another secondhand body). I currently use medium format for still life, landscape and portraits. I want to add a 40mm or 50mm lens to my outfit, for landscapes. However, looking at the price of Zeiss glass has put me off- I can get a Bronica SQ-AI outfit with 80 and 50/40mm lens, AE prism, speed grip, spare backs, etc. for about the same price once I sell the Hasselblad kit I already have. I tried out the SQ-AI (handled it, didn't shoot any film), and it seems quite 'plasticky', but the lens felt much nicer to my 35mm-accustomed hands than the stiff metal Hasselblad C lens. I don't think I would use AE all that much, as it is unusable with mirror lock-up (which I use for 95% of shots). I also would need at least one extension tube (and the Bronica ones are very expensive). I don't feel 100% happy with the reliability of the Hasselblad, but I am OK with the time it takes to set up for still lives, etc. I love the bright viewfinder image. I'm dreading a malfunction of the mechanics that results in a dead lens and body- I feel electronics would need less servicing, and love the shutter speeds down to 16 seconds on the Bronica. What do people think are my best options? Keep the Hasselblad with just the 80mm and keep wideangle for 35mm? Keep it and buy an expensive 50mm CF lens? Sell it and buy a Bronica outfit? Any thoughts appreciated. Ben |
#2
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Stick with Hassy or go Bronica?
"Angry Angel" wrote in message ... I have a Nikon 35mm outfit, and can see that being replaced by digital in the next five years. I have access to a darkroom with large format enlarger What do people think are my best options? Keep the Hasselblad with just the 80mm and keep wideangle for 35mm? Keep it and buy an expensive 50mm CF lens? Sell it and buy a Bronica outfit? One advantage of the Bronica is that the focus orientation is the same as Nikon. Counterclockwise for far to near. I think it's opposite on the Hasselblad. That alone would drive me crazy. Sorry but due to spam I shall not provide a valid e-mail address. Please reply to group with questions or comments. |
#3
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Stick with Hassy or go Bronica?
I won't disuade you from Hassy, because it's a fine product, but consider these
facts: 1) Hassy backs all need work eventually. In fact just about ANY camera with removeable backs needs work on the backs. Hassy's just seem to need backs done more than other areas. 2) A used Hassy might have lots of miles on it, because so many Hassy's start life owned by a pro, whereas most Bronica's don't start off in pro usage. There are areas which are predominantly filled with pros using Hassy (Florida is one example), so Bronica's are pro caliber, don't think otherwise! 3) Foam breaks down due to oxidation...that is natural. I have speakers with foam surrounds around the 12" woofer cones, and they had to be replaced after about 10 years! 4) Yes, electronically timed shutters do tend to hold calibration over the years better than mechanical shutter timing mechanisms, but even electronic shutters do break down on occasion. 5) 35mm SLR's departed from metal bodies long ago, an no one thinks twice about buying 'plastic', so buying MF should be no different in that regard. A plastic outside simply goes over a metal chassis in most 'plastic' cameras. --Wilton |
#4
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Stick with Hassy or go Bronica?
Angry Angel wrote:
What do people think are my best options? Keep the Hasselblad with just the 80mm and keep wideangle for 35mm? Keep it and buy an expensive 50mm CF lens? Sell it and buy a Bronica outfit? I have no experience with Hasselblads because I never owned one. Many photographers seem to think of them as sort of a status symbol...gotta have it and every known accessory or you're not a real pro. I was a professional photographer for 50 years and my goal was to maximize profit. Hasselblads are are just too damn expensive to justify IMO. Especially considering that they seem to be a bit on the fussy side, especially the magazines. Never used that particular Bronica but did use Bronica ETRs for years and never had a moments trouble. -- dadiOH _____________________________ dadiOH's dandies v3.0... ....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that. Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico ____________________________ |
#5
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Stick with Hassy or go Bronica?
The famous lens-jam problem is mentioned in the manual. If you don't have a manual, ask here and I can email you a PDF version. |
#6
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Stick with Hassy or go Bronica?
"Angry Angel" wrote: This is a more thinking-out-loud post than a serious question- I just wanted thoughts from those who might have more experience. I owned a Hassy 500C for a long time: sold it to go back to grad school. I got a good deal on a Hasselblad 500c/m- with 80mm T* and PM (45 degree) prism, Accumat D screen, 16mm extension tube, proxar, 2x backs etc. I started by spending 10% of the cost of the kit on a mirror foam replacement by Hasselblad UK. Then the backs both had their light seals go, so I bought new seal kits and new darkslides. I then had various jamming problems (lens jam with extension tube, body jam, etc). The lens/tube/body jam problem is user error. You have to assemble/disassemble things in the right way. RTFM. (It's not hard if you understand how it works.) I am in a love/hate relationship with the machine. I don't feel like I can rely on it. But I like its looks and it feels like it should last a while. However, when Hasselblad UK looked at it for the mirror foam, they said it was 'running dry' and needed a service (which would cost more than another secondhand body). The 80/2.8 Planar's a lovely lens. If you find yourself without it, you will always be wondering how much you are missing. Get the thing serviced and keep it. You'll regret it if you let it go. (Been there, done that.) I currently use medium format for still life, landscape and portraits. I want to add a 40mm or 50mm lens to my outfit, for landscapes. However, looking at the price of Zeiss glass has put me off- I can get a Bronica SQ-AI outfit with 80 and 50/40mm lens, AE prism, speed grip, spare backs, etc. for about the same price once I sell the Hasselblad kit I already have. Yup. Lens prices is why I don't own Hassy. Kits are in the US$1,100 range, quite reasonable. Cheaper than a Rolleiflex 2.8F! I don't feel 100% happy with the reliability of the Hasselblad, but I am OK with the time it takes to set up for still lives, etc. I love the bright viewfinder image. I'm dreading a malfunction of the mechanics that results in a dead lens and body- I feel electronics would need less servicing, and love the shutter speeds down to 16 seconds on the Bronica. I think you are wrong about Hassy reliability. Tamron/Bronica are retreating from MF as fast as they can run, and I'd be seriously worried about parts and repairs. If you avoid silver lenses (and a couple of other minor exceptions), that's not an issue with Hassy. What do people think are my best options? Keep the Hasselblad with just the 80mm and keep wideangle for 35mm? Keep it and buy an expensive 50mm CF lens? Sell it and buy a Bronica outfit? You could forget other Hassy lenses, and do Pentax or Mamiya 645 for wide (the 35mm lens is an amazing amount of fun on 645, and they're much cheaper and much lighter than either the 40 or the 50mm Hassy lenses). Keep the Hassy for 80mm work and closeups. The Mamiya 645 110/2.8 lens is a sweet lens, but it's been discontinued, and I don't think there was ever a Pentax equivalent. Most people use a 150mm lens for portaits anyway. Also, I really liked the plastic focussing grip for the Hassy, if you find focussing painful on the fingers. Others don't like it, so YMMV. David J. Littleboy Tokyo, Japan |
#7
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Stick with Hassy or go Bronica?
Angry Angel wrote:
What do people think are my best options? Keep the Hasselblad with just the 80mm and keep wideangle for 35mm? Keep it and buy an expensive 50mm CF lens? Sell it and buy a Bronica outfit? This is why I didn't buy a hassy. I just couldn't stomach the lens prices. I'd need a 40mm and I know I'd never be able to aford one. If I am going to be "stuck" with one lens, I'd use a rolleiflex or a fuji rangefinder. Do you really need 6X6? I too like it but added a mamiya 645 to my kiev collection and like it so far, used older models are super cheap, I paid $150 for a M645 body from KEH in excellent condition. Also I can use all the P-6 lenses (and others with hacked mounts) using adapters, which opens up all sorts of options using CZJ lenses, arsat shift etc. I can relate to the "love/hate" thing when a machine isn't trustworthy. I finally have some kiev bodies I trust but I went through several to get there! :-) -- Stacey |
#9
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Stick with Hassy or go Bronica?
On Tue, 22 Jun 2004 12:19:15 +0100, Ben Micklem
wrote: Could someone tell me if the Bronica Auto Bellows S requires a double cable release, or does it maintain electrical conenctions? It retains the electrical connections to run the shutter but the flash sync is on the front standard of the bellows and is not connected back to the camera, so on an SQAi you could not use a TTL flash connected by the TTL port, it won't fire the flash. I rigged a workaround by mounting an 18mm extension tube between the bellows and body to make some clearance from the camera body and use a Metz male to male pc connector from the body pc plug to the front standard pc plug and everything worked fine. If you are using the SQA which the bellows was originally designed for then theres no problems other than exposure calculations you would normally be dealing with using a flash. |
#10
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Stick with Hassy or go Bronica?
I currently use medium format for still life, landscape and portraits. I want to add a 40mm or 50mm lens to my outfit, for landscapes. Have you considered a Mamiya C330 TLR with a 55mm? You could get it for around $300 or even less, and the 55mm is really, really good. It could be a very affordable solution for your problem. Even cheapr, a C220 would be perfect for landscapes: it lacks parrallax correction, but it is not a problem with long distances, and it is much lighter (but as solidly built) and more convenient to carry around. Just keep the Hassy and the 80, as the Mamiya's 80 is not that good. Regards, -- Vincent Becker Photographie et appareils anciens - Photography and classic cameras URL:http://www.lumieresenboite.com Merci de passer par mon site pour les réponses par courriel |
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