what to do,,

<p>Man, things have changed, I am a former wedding photographer, shot hassy's until the digital world took over. Since have sold 1 Hassy outfit, still have a 501c, hassy prism, 2 A12 backs that I bought new. That was my long-time dream to buy a new Hasselblad. I was a pleasure to own one. Never had to worry about uncle joe having a better camera like now days. Old school brides loved the classy square prints. I really don't want to sell it, but I have not shot it for almost 2 years. Other than testing it every several months. I also have a 50mm F4 chrome lens that is pretty cool. I even saved the boxes it came in ! Lots of good memories, shot some great wedding photos with it. It was even a selling point to brides when they asked what I shot !<br>

What is you guys opinion ? sell it ? Keep it ?<br>

digital is so easy, cheap, & easy to post on internet, color balance, crop, etc. so easy a cave man can do it ! less & less people process/print 120/220 film, I can develop B&W film, I thought about doing that. But is it worth the work ?</p>

<p>I'd keep the outfit, never let go of a long-time dream!<br>

When I was 14, I took my first photo class and was introduced to the then new Mamiya RB67.<br>

Now I have an RZ67 outfit and of course digital cameras too.<br>

But it is still a pleasure of using the medium format equipment with film.<br>

Christoph</p>

*Why* haven't you used your Hasselblad in the last two years? Unless you can think of a good reason, there's a good indicator that you might as well sell it.

<p>Chris you are right, it is a pleasure to use it,<br>

Jean, why ? lazy I guess ! I have shot my best work on film.</p>

<p>Easy!!!</p>

<p>KEEP IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</p>

<p> </p>

<p>I'd keep it, just knowing that if you did sell it, you'd regret it and probably buy another one later. That being said, if you need the cash to fund another camera purchase, that might not be a bad idea. You'll still regret it though. The 501c is still a highly usable camera and sells for good prices currently. Of course that may change in the future as digital continues to more or less obliterate film to the history books.</p>

<p>Well, it's yours and you can fondle it.<br>

Sell it and you'll gain $ 5.65 (sarcasm), but you will sure get less than what you paid for it.<br>

If you don't need the few dollars, don't need the space and still like touching and handling a real work of art/machinery, why not keep it?</p>

<p>Jim "Packrat" Momary</p>

<p>Mine are stayin' period. At one time they were a huge investment. I even used $3000 from a car I sold to pay for my 180mm, which I waited and waited for. That's the finest lens in the whole world as far as I'm concerned. I never saw any picture that could compare to a real print from that 180mm. So, keep your stuff unless you have no more food, 8-))</p>

<p>Dave said: <em>I'd keep it, just knowing that if you did sell it, you'd regret it and probably buy another one later</em><br />correct, I sold most of my darkroom stuff, a few weeks later a darkroom friend of mine had a decent enlarger he was giving away, so it is at my house,<br />Jim said:: <em>touching and handling a real work of art/machinery</em>,<br />you are right. I have owned several brands/models of medium format cameras, only one that came close was a Mamiya C220.<br />you hassy owners will appreciate this, I recently sold the Keiv prism with the other body & bought a real Hassy prism ! One of those good old 45 degree prisms. NC2 ?</p>

<p>I've sold several cameras and lenses that I really liked but wasn't using very much; they were sold to provide cash for other purchases. I've regretted the loss of most of those. Now if I have a body or lens that I really like, I find a way to get the funds for new purchases elsewhere; good equipment stays with me. <br>

Most telling is your comment, "I have shot my best work on film." That alone would have me keep the outfit, even if it isn't your primary camera. It could become a distinctive offering in your business, and/or in a year or two that old feeling may come creeping back.</p>

<p>dave said:<em>"At one time they were a huge investment." </em>Yes, at the time I bought all my hassy stuff. I paid $749.00 for a A24 back. I paid $950. for a chrome 50mm F4 lens. At the time I bought the 501C outfit, Hasselblad had a special that included a extra A12 back & B60 lens hood if you bought a A24 back. At the time it was a great deal. (14 years ago ?)<br>

Stephen said: "<em>I've regretted the loss of most of those" </em>yeah I know what you mean. The 500cm body was perfect on the outfit I sold. Hated to see it go. To me it was a good feeling having the extra hassy. I have Canon digital cameras, wish I bought Nikon, never wished I had something other than a Hasselblad. ( I did have a Pentax 645 that was really cool)</p>

<p>Developing film is relatively simple, and totally worth keeping your camera. Even if you incur the cost of a decent scanner and film holder, rather than making wet prints, it's still worth it. I picked up a 503cx earlier this year and love it, but the only way it was really practical was for me to do my own developing (the local lab charges $15/roll just for developing, no prints). It's not particularly time consuming, and it doesn't take lots of expensive equipment. The only real time consuming part is waiting for the negs to dry. Chemicals are readily available (freestyle.com) and are relatively inexpensive.</p>

<p>I do also make wet prints, and I find that process enjoyable also, but I'm just a hobbyist, and I have the time to spend on such things...if I'm busy, the printing waits until I have time. If you're a busy pro, it might not be worth your time to make prints vs having them scanned and printed by a shop.</p>

<p>Jay, you are correct on developing. I have had a darkroom class & still own stuff to develop film. Used to do 35mm frequently. I turned a closet into a darkroom, had fun printing. I owned a beseler 23CII. Sold it a few years ago. Hate to see the B&W darkroom pass away into time. It will be a lost art.<br>

Not a busy pro anymore. Photo'ed my last wedding 1.5 years ago.</p>

<p>Last month, our local camera club competition was judged by a semi-retired commercial photographer who specialised in architectural work both from the ground and the air (he is also a pilot).</p>

<p>He was telling us that a while ago he was condidering upgrading his DSLR but didn't really want to spend the thousands of pounds which he would need to spend to make a worthwile difference.</p>

<p>Then he remembered his extensive Hasselblad collection which had sat idle for a few years. He has about eight bodies, numerous film backs and almost every focal length of lens made for the system.</p>

<p>He now does his commercial work with his Hasselblads on negative film, sends it to a lab for processing and receives back highly detailed scans of a much higher resolution than a DSLR and his post processing time has been significantly reduced.</p>

<p>So keep it!</p>

<p>Keep it, I say. <br>

It is a nice machine that is a joy to use. It has gone down in value but for the user, this is irrelevant. I keep my 500cm with 3 lenses and 3 backs and use it often. I paid a lot then for a new 180 cfi and I will lose a big chunk if I sell it. But if I keep using it, it still worths a lot to me. I keep my darkroom too and as long as I can get the chemicals, I will keep developing my B&W film. I have my digital gear but those are for other times and situations. There are often times I just have to crank the film advance to feel good and smell the developer/fixer in the dark.</p>

<p>Raymond, it is a joy to use, I also love the smell of developer & fixer. I cam from a photography family & have been around a lab since I was 14? It is a smell you will never forget. The closet that I had my darkroom in has lost its smell, kinda sad.</p>