Hasselblad angst

<p>About 10 years ago I had the chance/money to jump into medium format. My first choice was of course a Hasselblad 500CM, but after looking at the prices I went for a Mamiya 645 series. Actually I purchased Mamiya M645 with AE finder, 80mm f2.8, grip, 2 negative inserts and a roll of film, for the price of one Hasselblad Back !<br>

Since then I upgraded to a Mamiya 645 1000s, because the film rewind started going bad on the older camera, but other than that, I have not experienced many problems. With the money saved, I purchased a series of lenses and other accessories to make my life easier. I figured one of these days I'll see what is the big deal is about Hasselblad, that day has so far never come.<br>

One of the reasons is that it seems that 90% of the posts on this thread about Hasselblad cameras are problem related. This, That and the Other thing does not work ! I understand that issues are unavoidable when purchasing Used equipment, but I thought that when you purchased an overly expensive Hassy those issues would be minimal.<br>

Maybe I'm just getting a bad impression, but how problematic are Hasselblad cameras and how easy is it getting parts and repair services ? </p>

<p>I worked with Hasselblad quite some years and never had any trouble. It's a great system and like they say, "take care of it and it takes care of you". I find that to be true of most systems including Hasselblad. Oh and by the way it's indeed Hasselblad and not Hassy. Only pretentious amateurs refer to it like that.</p>

<p>As for overly expensive that is quite relative. As long as you realize you buy into a expensive (but your moneys worth) system to begin with you can't expect everything to be at grabs for just a few cents can you?</p>

<p>Surveying the types of posts on web fora is not a good method of evaluating a product, because people who do have a problem will post asking for help while people who do not have a problem will not post "Just wanted to let you all know that my Hasselblad worked great this week." They're excellent cameras that get used for decades (literally - mine was made in 1986 and not considered old). So are Mamiyas.</p>

<p>I saw a used Hasselblad camera(500C) some years ago for $1400. Three years ago, I bought a 500CM with Chrome 80, WL and A12 back for $500 same superb condition. Last year a chrome 150 f4 for $175. I did have CLA on all but 80 and 150 lens (seals, back flap, A12 gear) so repairs did cost me some (David Odess is the repairman to use). In all that time I've never had the notorious jam. The camera has performed faultlessly. From the many, many posting on the web, I find most problems associated with Hasselblad involve operator error. Solution: read, and read some more before running out to take pictures. I also replaced the rapid wind crank with meter knob. I don't like "machine gunning" this camera. I believe a Hasselblad is ideal for contemplative photography (remember you only have twelve shots left before you start, not like a 32 gig memory card).</p>

<p>I have used Hasselblad cameras since 1975. I have had a 500C/M jam on me once in 1979. I also use a Mamiya 1000F. Both systems have proved to be relieable if properly maintained.</p>

<p>If I were to be on an island for a year and could have only one camera and one lens, my first choice would be my 500C & 80mm Planar. 2nd choice would be my Rolleiflex 2.8C Planar. My Mamiya 1000S would be way down the list, behind my 35mm RF & SLRs.</p>

<p>The Hasselblad V system (500C and cousins) is an extremely well-designed and well-built product line that will last much longer than any of its owners.</p>

<p>Although I've heard of them jamming, I've never experienced a jam in over 40 years of using them.</p>

<p>I repair them, and find them very easy to work on and quite robust.</p>

<p>The most important components in any camera system are the lenses. I don't think you'll find any better than the Zeiss optics of the V series. That's why I started using it, and continue to do so.</p>

<p>- Leigh</p>

<p>this is very much off topic, but perhaps of interest for Hasselblad enthusiasts.<br>

the Hasselblad body was cast by the Swiss enterprise Injecta (Teufenthal, canton of Aargau), specialized for high precision work. Unfortunately the economic situation forced this enterprise to cease its activity. The museum of the canton of Aargau is documenting samples of the wide activity of this enterprise.<br>

An important object, which will be transferred to the museum deposit, is the form, in which the Hasselblad body was cast. It is a highly complicated monster of steel, weight 1,5 tons...<br>

Here you have a snapshot:</p><div></div>

<p>I forgot: Image copyright: Museum Aargau, photographer Felix Ackermann</p>

<p>Felix, that is interesting to see. I have just come into my house after making 3 aluminium castings in sand moulds. I am afraid that my castings were not quite up to Hasselblad standards but adequate nontheless.</p>

<p>Felix, that picture makes me very sad.</p>

<p>With the quantities those things sell in today, you'd never amortize the tooling for those monster dies. The Hasselblad 500 bodies could actually be build more economically by setting up a CNC mill to hog the whole thing out of a solid block.</p>

<p>I think most posts are problems or "how do I do this" types of things, regardless of brand/model. Not too many people post to say, "my X model camera worked perfectly today!" or "I figured out how to change the X setting!"</p>

<p>I wonder if the volume of Hasselblad posts being higher is based on the proportion of users?</p>

<p>I think from 1986-1997 I used Bronica SQa system and from 1997-2011 I'm still using Hasselblads, although MUCH less than in the past. I've had the occasional jam (4 or 5)and two film backs fail. One thing I had to get used to, was I would often leave my finger lightly on the shutter button while shooting an assignment in between shots. For Bronica that was not a problem, but for the Hasselblad it set off a body jam twice. I depressed the button just enough to spring the lens shutter, but not enough to set the body off, so then you have to go in the back with the "tool of choice" and reset the lens via the little actuator inside the body behind the lens. I discussed this one day when I was at Hasselblad repair in NJ where I live and they adjusted one of my bodies so the tollerance was tighter and that seemed to have eliminated the problem. Overall though, I think it's the top shelf for me, but my digi Nikons are getting more use.....</p>

<p>I used Hasselblad 500 cameras for about 10 years and not once did I have a problem with these cameras. I used it in deserts, tropical heat and up in the mountains up to about 5,800 meters. Each time they performed perfectly.<br>

Kind regards, Frank<br>

<a href="http://www.frankbunnik.zenfolio.com">www.frankbunnik.zenfolio.com</a></p>

<p>I'm just a tad amused by assertions that Hasselblad cameras have problems. When there is ever an issue of malfunction it is invariably caused by the user not knowing how handle it, doing something wrong, rough handling it, or complaining that their 40+ year old film magazine, lens or whatever, which has never been serviced, is not functioning as new.<br>

Every Hasselblad camera is a finely engineered piece of equipment. In the hands of respectful, competent professionals and amateurs alike, they will give years of excellent service. Because they are mechanical, they require maintenance, like even the best of motor vehicles. The regularity of general service: ie. tune-up and lube, depends on the workload, just like the mileage on a car and the terrain covered. With all these considerations, there remain those individuals who are, shall we say 'mechanically challenged': the drivers who crash gears, are hard on the breaks, leave rubber on the road. and are simply bad drivers. They will always experience more downtime due to their own incompetence.<br>

Hasselblad cameras are not fool proof. Well, ... they are not made for fools. Nor are they "Hassys".</p><div></div>

I'm really curious now. Where does the sensitivity come from regarding calling your Hasselblad a Hassy?

So am i. What's the deal with that?

<p>The OP questions what the big deal is with Hasselblads. As someone who has owned an Hasselblad 503cx outfit for less than a week, perhaps it is outrageous that I should comment, but I will chance my arm.</p>

<p>I've used/owned most tlrs including Rolleiflexes. For sometime I've been using Bronica ETRSi with PE series lenses and Mamiya RBSD with KL series lenses. The image quality is superb. The Hasselblad lenses might be better, but I shall be surprised if I notice.</p>

<p>What is different - and noticeably so - is the sheer quality and "feel" of Hasselblad equipment. I drive our Subaru or VW and they get me where I want to go. If I had an Aston Martin or Bentley, so would they. But I know what the difference would be: a certain special kind of pleasure. It isn't just the journey, it's the fashion in which you undertake it.</p>

<p>Possibly the Hasselblad will need repair/service and it may be fairly expensive. But you usually can get it done, and the quality remains.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>What is different - and noticeably so - is the sheer quality and "feel" of Hasselblad equipment. I drive our Subaru or VW and they get me where I want to go. If I had an Aston Martin or Bentley, so would they. But I know what the difference would be: a certain special kind of pleasure. It isn't just the journey, it's the fashion in which you undertake it.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Isn't there some variant of Godwin's Law, which states that the first person to use a <em>car analogy </em>in a thread about cameras has automatically lost the argument?</p>

<p>Sorry Mervyn, couldn't resist. (;)</p>

<blockquote>When there is ever an issue of malfunction it is invariably caused by the user not knowing how handle it, doing something wrong, rough handling it, or complaining that their 40+ year old film magazine, lens or whatever, which has never been serviced, is not functioning as new.</blockquote>

<p>Is that ever true for me! I've made just about every mistake possible with the Hasselblad I bought in 2003, all the problems have been operator error.<br /> <br />My Hasselblad allows me to take the pictures I see. That's what I love about it. In addition, it keeps on, despite its age. When it fell off the tripod awhile ago, the lens hood was damaged but not the camera. A brief immersion in salt water killed a digital camera; when the Hasselblad was briefly immersed in salt water I continued shooting.<br /> <br /> Tripod, changing lenses, loading film, checking the meter. . . slowing down, making sure everything is just right before that satisfying CLICK. Other cameras would perform the same way but I enjoy using well-designed, well-constructed equipment that has the advantage of being sturdy. Not to mention some of the best optics in the Zeiss lenses. --Sally</p>

 

<p>Ray - I take no offence whatever! I think Godwin's law - or a variant - is as relevant as Oglethorpe's fourth stratagem. It either doesn't exist or isn't applicable or is nonsense.......</p>

<p>Perhaps a counter argument on your part - if there is one - might be more telling!</p>

<blockquote>

<p>Isn't there some variant of Godwin's Law, which states that the first person to use a <em>car analogy </em>in a thread about cameras has automatically lost the argument?<br /> Sorry Mervyn, couldn't resist. (;)</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Ray, dear friend, I think you are even further off the mark. For a start, I was the first person in the thread to use a <em>car analogy</em>, and it is very carefully used in reference to mechanical maintenance, the same principles applying to cars and cameras. The car analogy used because everyone and his dog knows a car needs service, but many take the magic of camera functions for granted, especially when it comes to the <em>Rolls Royce</em> of cameras. (Sorry, I couldn't resist that)<br /> Now I could look into the many corollaries to Godwin's law, just to give you some slack, ... but, excuse me, wasn't this about cameras?<br /> (This could be fun. What a pity we can't all do it over a laugh and a coffee ;-)</p>

<p>Oddly enough, I almost alluded to a Rolls instead of a Bentley, but the latter sounded a bit more dashing. It is rather off topic, but when I was a student in Manchester in the 1960s, I could have bought an early 1930s Rolls for 35gbp. It was sound mechanically and the coachwork was first class. The downside - it was a funeral hearse. I suppose the back would have just about held all my present camera gear. Around the same time, I knew someone who traded in a MarkVI Bentley and was allowed £50 against a Wartburg! The Bentley is probably still going strong. I won't even speculate about the Wartburg since it was scrap even when new.</p>

<p>I have been working with Hasselblad cameras for over 15 years now and I must honestly say , I never ever had any issues with the camera. <br>

That said, just because one owns a Hassy that does not mean they know how to use it. And thats where I believe the problems start. How to load the film, how to change the lens, is this knob suppose to be here or there. etc, etc<br>

I think people need more education about the gear that they are using and if you find that for eg Hassy is not for you, there are plenty of other 6x6 cameras out there. Find the one that is right for you.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>Ray - I take no offence whatever! I think Godwin's law - or a variant - is as relevant as Oglethorpe's fourth stratagem. It either doesn't exist or isn't applicable or is nonsense.......</p>

</blockquote>

<p>OK, Mervyn, you got me...!</p>

<p>I was just moved to quip when I noticed the car analogy crop up. It seems to happen so often in these places. And somehow, more often when MF cameras are being discussed than any other type! I think that's down to the wide diversity of MF designs and features...more so than 35mm and LF.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Ray, I really wouldn't worry about it - not that I think you will.</p>

<p>I actually think the car analogy is quite a good one.............</p>