diego_k. Posted March 30, 2005 Share Posted March 30, 2005 For some time now I have been toying with the idea of getting a 500 kit for street photos, last few years I used rangefinder cameras, Mamiya 6 in MF, and Leicas in 35mm. I looked into Hblad before but was not sure about it, tried one a few days back and really loved the feel of it, but I find myself limited to only 3 speeds 125-250-500 whereas with the mamiya I can go down to 1/15 without to much hassle. <p> What are your experiences about HBlad on this matter? Here are a few shoots I took with the mamiya, and about sum up my way of taking pictures. <p> <center> <img src=http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/3238737-lg.jpg> </center> <p> <center> <img src=http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/3238723-lg.jpg> </center> <p> <center> <img src=http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/3238719-lg.jpg> </center> <p> <center> <img src=http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/3238716-lg.jpg> </center> <p> <center> <img src=http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/3238714-lg.jpg> </center> <p> All taken with Mamiya 6 MF and 75mm 3.5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandeha Lynch Posted March 30, 2005 Share Posted March 30, 2005 Angle of view? If you use a chimney viewfinder it's light weight, but you're looking down into it, not at your subject (good or bad?) Add a 45 or 90 degree prism and your adding a lot of weight. <p> I reckon it would take a lot of practice to avoid the problems here ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bueh Posted March 30, 2005 Share Posted March 30, 2005 I occasionally do street photography with my Mamiya RZ67. It is a heavy sucker and due to the mirror slap speed are limited to 1/125th second and faster as you experienced yourself. With a wide angle lens I sometimes go down to 1/30, but only when I have to. The camera is pretty large and loud, so an inconspicuous approach is nearly always out of the question as I try to take pictures up close. When people have no problem with being photographed (e.g. at carnivals, some protests), I use the 65mm wide angle and don't try to hide my intentions from my subjects. Else I often use the 180mm portrait lens and try to shoot from a little distance, but this is also pretty obvious because of the larger lens (with hood it's rocket launcher style) and the mucher longer time I need to get things in focus due to the very shallow field-of-depth. <p>I will try to post some pictures later if you're interested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandeha Lynch Posted March 30, 2005 Share Posted March 30, 2005 I meant here ... :-) <p> <a href="http://www.photo.net/photo/3238848">newspaper seller</a> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
attilio_geroni Posted March 30, 2005 Share Posted March 30, 2005 Ever tryed the Hassy SWC with 38 biogon wideangle? When it comes to MF street photography is the most handable of the Hasselblad family. Focusing could be a bit of a problem because with the viewfinder you can only have scale focusing, but once you get used to it (after all is regarded as the best wide angle lens in the world and has a minimum focusing distance of 0,30 meters) it could be the kind of camera that suits to your style and need. Brand new they are deadly expensive but I also saw that the italian importer (www.fowa.it) dramatically lowered the recommended prices by at least 1200. Otherwise, is not that difficult to find them on ebay in good condition for about 2000/2500 euros and/or same amount in dollars Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevoi Posted March 30, 2005 Share Posted March 30, 2005 I think a Rolleiflex is a possible solution. It's like a Hasselblad (6x6, Zeiss Planar, Viewfinder) with the advantages of the Mamiya (no mirror slap, silence, handhold with 1/30 (1/15 without coffee) and lightweight). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank_bunnik Posted March 30, 2005 Share Posted March 30, 2005 My 503CX is my main travel camera. Not os much for candid street shots but I use it all the time for portraits and landscapes. Next month I am off trekking in Nepal and the Hasselblad and 3 lenses come with me, together with 2 A12 backs and a polaroidback. The polaroids are great to give an instant portrait away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aoresteen Posted March 30, 2005 Share Posted March 30, 2005 I use my Hasselblad for stree shots all the time. I use the 80mm and a 70mm back. The best finder is the WLF. Fairly light and easy to handle. I have used the 50mm Distagon as well but most often I prefer the 80mm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donald_brewster Posted March 30, 2005 Share Posted March 30, 2005 I'm with Stefan. Rolleiflex are fabulous street cameras. Love the Mamiya rangefinders, but street work is where the Rolleiflex shines. Blads are great, but again a Rolleiflex is better suited to your proposed job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aristotelis_grammatikakis Posted March 30, 2005 Share Posted March 30, 2005 I regulary use my Hasselblad 501CM with 80mm lens for street shots. I am quite comfortable with it, like the WL finder, the square format is great for quick composition and have had no trouble with the mirror. I just need to learn to change film quicker as for the moment I only have one back. A couple more backs and it would be great street shooter. I have posted somewhere a thread about "Handholding a Hasselblad" and have some photos from a parade from the same thread on APUG.org. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franka t.l. Posted March 30, 2005 Share Posted March 30, 2005 I do most 6X6 street shoots with either the 100 planar or 120, which i have no prblem shooting dowdward to 1/30 with WLF. But it do take getting used to though. The beauty of a Hassy is the ability to adept your prefered lens ( coverage ) and working with the SLR for comnposing/viewing/focusing. That simply is to me essencial. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hugh_crawford1 Posted March 30, 2005 Share Posted March 30, 2005 I used to use a Hasselblad for street photography, and found it worked pretty well. Not having the camera at eye level creates a much better dynamic with the people you are photographing in my opinion. I also found that composition was much easier looking down. One bit of advice, get the focusing lever! Attach it so that at infinity focus the lever is pointed straight down. After a short time you will be able to zone focus pretty well. I stumbled onto that by accident, although it's old news to Leica users. BTW, the Minolta Autocord is an excellent street camera for the same reason, plus it's lens is very good and an Autocord costs less than a Hasselblad film back. A microprism focusing screen would be a good idea, I have an old 500C with a Rolli screen adapted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nemeng Posted March 30, 2005 Share Posted March 30, 2005 I posted a link to my Hasselblad 501c/m (colour Sydney people candid) work a month ago:<p> <a href="http://4020.net/unposed/blad.shtml"> http://4020.net/unposed/blad.shtml</a><p> I don't use the built in viewer - too noisy. Instead I pre-release the mirror well prior to taking the shot, that way you only get the "click" of the built-in lens shutter. It isn't as quiet as a Rolleiflex or a Leica, but on the street it's okay.<p> For focusing, I work at @ 2.5m most of the time and I've been doing it long enough that I can eyeball with reasonable accuracy.<p> As for framing... well, that's my secret, isn't it :?)<p> The benefits of using a 'blad for this kind of work? Interchangeable film backs and, when the camera is pointing at a subject, then all they see is the lens. This is unlike TLRs or the Mamiya 7, which present a much larger camera front.<p> Another cool thing is that relatively few people use a 'blad for this kind of work, so you get bragging rights :?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fred_bonnett2 Posted March 30, 2005 Share Posted March 30, 2005 Diego Your pics are great, but unless you have model releases I would be hesitant about posting them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diego_k. Posted March 30, 2005 Author Share Posted March 30, 2005 Here in Spain model release is only for profit generating images. People are more relaxed over here, never had a problem with this kind of things. Regarding the original question, still am not convinced the change would give me any benefits. I will have to think this over, maybe rent a 500cm and a 100mm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spearhead Posted March 30, 2005 Share Posted March 30, 2005 There's no need for a model release in the US to post these photos. Also, I don't think these would be considered "street photography" by any definition. Music and Portraits Blog: Life in Portugal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nemeng Posted March 30, 2005 Share Posted March 30, 2005 Model releases? Permission? Not required in Australia either.<p> FWIW I cover this in detail in the "Candid Photography and Privacy" article on my site at:<p> <a href="http://privacy.4020.net">privacy.4020.net</a> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trixshooter Posted March 30, 2005 Share Posted March 30, 2005 I use my 905SWC for street photography regularly. The results can be stunning. The camera is light, fast to use, and sharp! Load some 400TX mix up some Rodinal and nothing is out of reach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron_l Posted March 30, 2005 Share Posted March 30, 2005 >>"Also, I don't think these would be considered "street photography" by any definition."<< why not? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spearhead Posted March 30, 2005 Share Posted March 30, 2005 There's no street in them. They look they were taken at a bar and someone's backyard barbecue. If you want to see street photos, try <a href="http://www.photo.net/bboard/forum?topic_id=2061">here.</a> Music and Portraits Blog: Life in Portugal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron_l Posted March 30, 2005 Share Posted March 30, 2005 how much different are they than the picture you posted in the Street Photography Forum of the Sausage Lady? in fact, Diego's first picture is of pretty much the exact same subject matter: a street vendor selling food. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spearhead Posted March 30, 2005 Share Posted March 30, 2005 It looks like a backyard barbecue, as I said. I also don't know what's up with the out-of-focus stuff in the front. Music and Portraits Blog: Life in Portugal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron_l Posted March 30, 2005 Share Posted March 30, 2005 ? don't know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claudia__ Posted March 30, 2005 Share Posted March 30, 2005 jeff, a BBQ...and then, perhaps it is a brilliant deconstruction/send-up of <b>"street"</b> which is often a photographic hyperventilation of ordinary life. love the self-serving link (-_*) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spearhead Posted March 30, 2005 Share Posted March 30, 2005 The link didn't go to any of my posts, Claudia, it went to a forum. There's plenty of street shots on there. You coming to my show? It's up for a whole month, so the usual excuses won't work... Music and Portraits Blog: Life in Portugal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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