what lens to buy for Hasselblad 500c

[robertbrown]

I just purchased an inexpensive Hasselblad 500c with a back. Now I

need to get a lens and probably will start with an 80/2.8. Which

models make sense? Also, which models fit this older camera?

I'm trying to find something reasonably priced but good quality.

 

I bought this on a whim--the price was right. I've got a month to

test it out.

 

As background, I'm an amateur. I have an older Mamiya 645 and a Fuji

670. I've had some prints in galleries, sold a few, and have had some

used as book covers. I tend to shoot a lot of landscapes, so I wonder

if a 40mm lens might make sense.

 

Any responses would be helpful.

[philip_kecher]

Welcome to the Hasselblad world. I am sure you are aware that the camera body and back is the least expensive part of the package.

 

IMHO, I would skip the 80mm. It is the least used lens in my set-up.

 

For a good value look for a 60mm C or CF lens. If you buy an older lens and shoot color then make sure it is a T*.

 

The 60mm on a 6x6 camera is similar to a 35mm on a 35mm system. That focal length is very useful.

 

Good luck.

[q.g._de_bakker]

Robert,

 

All 80 mm lenses, past and present, will work on your 500 C, except (!) the shutterless F and FE versions.

What 'version' lens to get? The newest possible, of course. All versions are more than good enough, however there's wear (up to 35 years worth) to consider, and changes between versions were all (mainly ergonomic) improvements.

[philip_kecher]

BTW

 

Any Hasselblad lens from 1957 to present except for the F series which doesn't have a leaf shutter will work with your camera.

[robertbrown]

Thanks for the responses. I'll start looking on an unnamed site.

[squareframe]

Robert,

 

I really think you should find an 80mm lens and have the time of your life. don't analyze too deeply ... maybe find a cheap extension tube and have a great time. there will be plenty of time to obsess to an endless degree on what the ultimate lens might be, but for now ... enjoy your Hasselblad and the moment.

[kevin_kolosky]

Bob

 

I suggest that if your budget can stand it you stay away from the C lenses and go with the CF lens line. The reason being that although optically the c lenses are very very good, Hasselblad no lcatologs and supplies parts for them. Yes, there are still parts available from various sources, but getting scarcer.

 

I would agree that for your style of shooting perhaps if you are only going to buy one lens a 60CF might be the one. However, why not peddle the Mamiya and the Fuji and go ahead and buy a 60, an 80, and a 150 and a prism viewfinder (PM5) and have at it.

 

Kevin

[bill_dewberry]

first a 120, second a 60. Thats all you need.

[dan n.]

Hi Robert,

 

Just transfer what do you like as lenses in other format into medium format...it depends on your style... for me a combination of 50mm + 80mm + 250mm but nor for everybody....

[paulrumohr]

Buy a 60! You will love it!

 

Then add a 120!

 

I'm biased, this is my set up.

[uncle_ziba]

> If you buy an older lens and shoot color then make sure it is a T*.

 

What T* has to do with color rendition? All lenses, even the oldest ones, are color corrected. Why re-distribute the myth? :-)

[gl5]

I disagree with the above comment to 'skip an 80mm lens'. the

80 is the 'normal' lens for a Hassy and is quite versatile. You can

shoot both portraits and landscapes with it. If I had to choose

just one lens, it would be the 80 Planar CFE.

[audun_sjoeseth1]

If the price of the 60, 80, 100 and 120 were the same, I would go for 60 and 100 or 120 (CF, CFi or CFE), but the 80 is cheapest, and I got my CFE80 in a 501CM kit. I think my next lens will be on of the 60, 120 or 180(150) and within 5 years hopefully also a 350/4 or SA350/5.6.

[audun_sjoeseth1]

100mm and 150mm are often used for landscapes (120 is for close range). In your situation i would start with a 60mm, if you want a wider lens later you may consider a SWC with 38mm.

[Robin Smith]

I would go 80mm. It is the fastest C type lens and is good for portraits (which the 'blad is marvellous for), as well as general shots and it is the cheapest and probably the smallest too.

[philip_kecher]

Robert:

 

As you can see you have a lot of good but different advice. What works for me might not work for you.

 

What lenses have you used with the Mamiya 645 and the Fuji 670?

 

Which lens have you used the most?

 

Are you happy with that focal length?

 

 

Answer these three questions and you should have the answer to which lens to buy first.

 

Good luck!

[gary voth]

The 80 is *probably* the best choice for a one-lens kit. For two lenses, a 60 and 120; for three, 60, 100, and 150 (my basic kit). However, everyone has different preferences of course.

 

I would look for clean used gear. The CF or newer lens would be best. And don't overlook the 80CB. Works with 500-series bodies only, but a like-new sample can often be had for 1/2 to 2/3 the cost of a used CF/CFe.

[al_kaplan1]

50, 80, 120.

[michael_franc]

This doesn't help much, but I think you need to go to a store that has a variety of lenses and look through them to decide. I have not been using Hasselblad for that long but I use 99% of the time my 100. I have used my 60 maybe for five pictures all; yet, I do use my SWC. However, for the next guy the 60 may be the one for all lens. You need to decide what a "normal" lens should see like. I use a Leica, too, and if the guys on the Leica forum ever find out that I use most my 90, then a 50, and seldom touch the 35, instead of using a 21 as a standard lens, they would banish me from that forum forever. So each his own. Best of luck with your Hasselblad though--it is a great camera.

[robertbrown]

Thanks for all of the responses. On my other medium format cameras, I use the standard lenses (80 for Mamiya, 90 for Fuji), but I was thinking of going a bit wider. I use my wide angle a lot on my Canon. I've notice no one's mentioned 50mm Distagon--is the quality that bad? I guess I need to do some more research!

 

Someone has offered 80 T lens for $400--is that a fair price?

[Rob F.]

Robert: No, the quality isn't that bad, but you must stop the 50CF or 50C down quite a bit before it is sharp at the edges. To about 11 & 1/2. The newer 50 with Floating Elements (the FLE model) is another story; it's better, but the improvements add $400 to the price of a used lens. I'm seeing figures of $1295 for the CF non-CLE; and $1695 for the CLE.

[fotografz]

Robert, I think you sort of answered your own question. If you want to

shoot a lot of landscapes then you need to translate your vision of how

you see landscapes into a focal length. If it is vistas and grandure then a

wider lens is where to start. The 40 and 50 are spectacular at such shots,

especially if you include natural objects in the foreground. The DOF is

amazing. A field of spring flowers with the nearest just inches away, off

into the distance, all in focus. If you prefer compacted shots where far

away things close up toward the foreground subject, then a longer lens

like the 150 or 180 are wonderful for that look. Extention tubes work on

all these lenses to get you even closer and magnify the effects ( with

some compromise in DOF). You really will need to eventually get at

least 2 lenses, and probably 3 to avoid limiting your expression of a given

subject. But to start, just decide which effect is closest to your most

important creative objective, then live with the lens until you are a master

of all that it can do.

[robertbrown]

Thanks for all of the input. I've decided to get the 80 T lens--then pick up a wider lens in the future.

[dan_lindsay]

Much like the world of 35mm photography, start out with a 'standard' lens to

get used to the differences the Hassy provides. Go with the 80mm which can

probably be obtained for a good price, and then occasionally rent various

lenses to check out the framing the others can provide. I'm a landscape guy

and recently sold off my 903SWC because of the setup time to shoot and

simply added a 40mm CFE to my collection of lenses. It's comparable to the

38mm Biogon and as you already know, wider is very good for architectural

and landscape work.

[thomas_turk]

<p>Great infor here in 2013. I will retrieve my old Hassy with its 80 and get a 40, 60 and 120/150,</p>

<p>I was about to switch to digits from 35, and MF film but the more I study, especially Rockwell et al, the more I wish to go back to MF, velvia and 81A filters, and rest the 35mm.</p>