Hasselblad 501 CM Model -- Please Help

Thanks to all who are continuing to help me ... I think I've

decided on the Haselseblad 501 CM Model Medium Format ... A few

questions ... Is this 6X6? I can't find anywhere on the product

specs. that says ...

Also, I noticed that additional lenses are almost as pricey as the

camera ... Will the lens that comes with the camera suffice while she

learns, or will she need more lenses rather quickly? She shoots

outdoors (buildings/riverwalks, etc).

 

Thanks

It is 6x6cm or 2 1/4 square. Lens are very pricey. I would opt for a wide angle (40mm egual to a 28mm in 35 first choice then a 50mm if to expensive ) as a choice for the subjects you described. Usually people go for the 150mm for portraits.

You could use the 501 and 80mm lens from now to eternity and you'd be happy. There is plenty to learn in composing squares with an 80mm. There is no need for other lenses- save your money buy film, shoot the film and examine your transparencies or contact sheets - see what you like/don't like and develop your style/technique. Don't get more gadgets/lens - keep it spartan/simple. And lastly, don't dump or shelve the camera after three or four roles because the results don't look professional - keep shooting - its like golf mostly your shots are crap but occassionally you'll hit a great 5 iron right at the pin and it is this shot that keeps you coming back for more. Eventually more of your shots will be better - just keep practicing.

Actually, for Hasselblad, the cheapest is the body. The price for a spare flim back (Which you will eventually need) is as expensive as the body and the price of a lens is 3 - 4 times the price for a body. Most Hasselblad are 6 x 6 format, that includes 501CM.

 

She is a beginner, I think it is best if you could consider something cheaper. A Mamiya 645 or a Pentax 645 will be good. A SQ-AI is a poor man's hasselblad. I own a SQ-AI and is still very happy with it, the colour reproduction is great. Too bad Tamron discontinued it.

 

I don't know if she will need more lenses rather quickly as it differs by individual photographer. Some can make do with the 80mm standard lenses, others will get more lenses for more perspectives. I suspect your girlfriend might need more lenses as some buildings pictures requires shift/tilt lens for correct perspective, riverwalks will be better taken with wide angle lenses for the majestic feel, portrait lens will be required for portrait... etc etc.....

If this should be a christmas present, you're on the right track.<p>Let me tell you: <b>Chicks dig Hasselblads.</b><p>

And that's the only thing that would justify this expense, in my humble opinion. You'll get everything cheaper (and this means more stuff) with any other 6x6 camera system (well, maybe except with a Rollei 600X).<br>

But, hey, they went to Moon! Hooray!

Chis,<p>

1) Take a chill pill ? all this aint that serious ? this will NOT be the last camera you buy! <p>

2) Go to <a href = "http://www.keh.com">www.keh.com </a> <p>

3) Select a Mamiya 645 1000s body in bargain or better condition w/a 120 film insert. <p>

4) Select a 80mm f2.8 lens in bargain or better condition.<p>

5) Select a standard or metered prism in bargain condition. If you go w a non-metered prism, buy/borrow an inexpensive light meter.<p>

6) Have it shipped to you via ups 2nd day air. <p>

7) You should be able to get all of the above for less than $300 (in bargain condition).<p>

8) Pull out your credit card and buy it. <p>

9) If it does not suit you/your woman, send it back during the 14-day no questions asked return period. <p>

10) If is does suite you, keep it and buy a 45mm and 150mm off ebay or at KEH

11) See #1.

I would go with the Hasselblad 501 only if she is the "Love of your life", and this is like a precursor to engagement or something :>)

 

Other wise, listen to Sheldon.

Buy a MF camera after renting it first! This camera may have been to the moon, but I assure you it is a lot more physical effort to take it around one's neck.

 

The additonal Hasselblad lenses are not just as pricey but they can be MUCH MORE pricey. Once you have multiple lenses, it is no longer a comfortable companion for riverwalks.

Chris,

 

All those who've answered above have given good advice. The KEY points made are IF she

is the "one and only" in your life--daughter, wife, long, long time girl friend and you have

intentions to make it permanent--get the Hasselblad. That's the same as saying,

"Throw all hesitation to the wind and buy the BMW or the Mercedes!"

 

And believe me, a 'blad is a lot less expensive than a BMW, but it has "meaning" beyond

just being a practical "camera." It's not a Chevy or a Pontiac. It's the "real deal" as was

mentioned. She can shoot for a couple of years with the 80 mm lens and get superior

results. Somebody mentioned a 40 mm wide angle lens--nice, verrrrrry nice and equally

as expensive. In fact the most expensive of all the Hasseblad wide angle lenses, but not

necessary to give her a chance to try a different perspective. Besides, by the time she's

ready for a 40 mm Retrofocus wide angle at primo-dollars, you'll know whether the

investment in the 'blad was worth the bother. BUY NEW, so she has the box, warranty card,

key chain that looks like a little 'blad, instruction booklet, etc. Get "the works."

 

A recently discontinued 60 mm CB lens will make prints up to 30x40 and you will save

$2000 or more over a 40mm. (Even I don't own a 40 mm and I have 3 'blads and nine

lenses.) Or later you can pick up a used 50 mm at KEH or someplace similar and save

$1400.

 

Then again, once you have the basic camera and lens and film back, you can go to a "Gray

Market" importer who will get you anything you want at a savings about 30% off US prices

as far as lenses and camera backs are concerned.

 

Many of these "Gray Market" dealers will honor the "International Warranty" if the one time

out of 1000 something goes wrong with a lens. A "gray market lens" is the exact same

lens but it is bought in Hong Kong where the International Distributor for Hasseblad is

based. A reputable "gray" dealer will send the lens back to Hong Kong for repair. And

they will get better service than you would because they are buying hundreds of cameras

and lenses a year. (I saved $3,000 on my brand new 250mm F5.6 CFE Superapochromat

using a big gray market dealer.)

 

I always "split" my equipment purchases this way because I like to have a relationship with

a local dealer when i need someting in a hurry and can get it under list price from him. But

when it comes to superexpensive lenses, I can buy them usually $1000 less than his

"dealer price" and they gray market guy I use stands behind everything.

 

So there are options. And, if your camera body is US purchased, chances are the US

factory service people will fix any problems if you send in the camera and the lens.

Another option is to send it for "Intenational Repair" warranty to Montreal, Canada which a

some people do when necessary. But when you pay $2800 to $3400 for a lens, you

expect the finest quality and do not anticipate it breaking down.

 

Good LUCK! But there is no "cache" with anything but a Hasselblad in 6x6 Format.

CPeter,<br><br>I though the 30 mm F-Distagon was the most expensive wide angle (costing almost 50% more than the 40 mm, it is). ;-)<br><br>While the CB version of the 60 mm lens is discontinued, the same lens can still be found used in C and CF version, and new in CFi version.<br>A good lens, in any version.<br><br>Buying "grey market" and warranty is a rather confusing thingy. While Hasselblad provides a one year warranty, honoured by all official Hasselblad representatives, the extended warranties often are a service provided by importers and distributors. What any importer, official or "grey" does with a faulty camera not yet one year "old" is send the bill to Hasselblad. Even you and i can do that. When the Hasselblad factory warrenty expires you're depending on good-will, or lack thereof, of whoever you bought your camera from.<br><br>But what's this talk about an "international distributor" based in Hong-Kong??? All Hasselblads go to wherever they go from Gothenburg, Sweden.<br>Hasselblad's current owner, formerly and presently official distributor of Hasselblad goods in some parts of the world, has main offices in Hong-Kong, yes. But he's not "the international distributor".<br>Grey market products are products not bought from Hasselblad or a official Hasselblad representative, but from dealers somewhere in the wold who offer lower prices, cut their margins to generate turnover, or make use of whatever tax-laws in their bit of the world make possible.<br>I live just a stone's throw away from an international border. Prices of Hasselblad were a good deal lower "on the other side" many years ago. So much lower that i could have gone to regular retail outlets, buy a Hasselblad, take it across to my side of the border again, sell it on for still less than what they did cost here, and still hold more money in my hands than the whole excercise would have cost me. Had i done that, i would have been a grey importer. No "international distributor" residing in Hong-Kong involved, or needed.<br>Now what if i had done that, and somebody returned a broken Hasselblad to me, claiming warranty? Simple: i'd take it back across the border to the shop where i bought it, claimed warranty there, and let them handle it. Or i might have said: "oh dear, too bad, never mind", mumbled something about caveat emptor, and done nothing.<br><br>

<i>"I think I've decided on the Haselseblad 501 CM Model Medium Format ... A few questions ... Is this 6X6? I can't find anywhere on the product specs. that says ... "</i><p>

You are about to buy a Hasselblad camera, and you don't know if it's a 6x6 camera ??? It is amazing !<br>

And you don't know where to find informations ? Are you kidding ?<p>

Of course, if your search key is "Haselseblad", and not "Hasselblad", you'll probably never find anything about it !<br>