jon_warwick Posted May 8, 2003 Share Posted May 8, 2003 Many thanks for your feedback related to this question which I posted a few weeks ago! I went to my local shop today, and tried a PM45 viewfinder .... yikes! what an improvement over the waist-line finder. The PM45 finder was extremely bright and clear (combined with a Accute D screen) ... but more importantly, in my opinion, it made the handling of the Hasselblad vastly more natural, fast and "dynamic". I like to photograph people (semi-posed) on my travels, and now that I've tried it, I reckon a PM45 finder will greatly help me to speed up focusing and improve composition to make the photo look more dynamic. The additional weight is also minor at only 360g. I'm not sure how well my plain glass screen will work with a PM finder, given the lower magnification of the PM45 versus the WLF .... however, time to swipe the card again for the prism, and the see if it's a problem without a split image/microprism screen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al_kaplan1 Posted May 8, 2003 Share Posted May 8, 2003 I never had a problem focussing on the normal screen with a Hassy 45 degree finder. I got mine really cheap, too, because I discovered that nobody wants to buy metered prisms with broken meters. I used it for 20+ years that way after paying next to nothing for the damned thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin_hundsnurscher Posted May 8, 2003 Share Posted May 8, 2003 The waist level viewfinder was quite a neat little novelty at first for me but it quickly wore out it's welcome. I have a friend who prefers his Hassy with just the waist lever viewfinder. I can't see how he could enjoy using it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulrumohr Posted May 8, 2003 Share Posted May 8, 2003 Well, for me, using the WL finder to focus is like looking at a 24X24" print when I'm focusing instead of an 8X10". It's also brighter than any other finder. It makes the camera very handholdable,too. You can hold the camera upside down and over your head for higher perspective shots. I think my Hassy is more dynamic without the prism. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank_bunnik Posted May 8, 2003 Share Posted May 8, 2003 I recently bought the same prism and I agree that it is a lot more comfortable than the waistlevel finder although I used that for a couple of years without serious problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay_. Posted May 8, 2003 Share Posted May 8, 2003 I've got the PM45 (2.5x) and for me it's difficult to focus quickly in dim light without the microprism/split screen, even with the 150. I used to have a PM5 (3x)which was borderline ok, and a PM90 which was totally hopeless with the plain Acutematte screen. The WLF is my preferred finder but I shoot mainly landscapes. I got the prism for the occasional party I shoot with it. I also picked up a new-in-box Kiev NC2-type prism for travelling in case I do want to shoot something moving. It's light and compact compared to the PM45, higher magnification, and it was under $100. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene crumpler Posted May 8, 2003 Share Posted May 8, 2003 I'm using the Kiev prism and find it much faster to work with than the WLF. I also added a focusing lever. With a split-image screen this is quite fast to focus and shoot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feli Posted May 9, 2003 Share Posted May 9, 2003 I also picked up a cheap Kiev NC-2 prism and paired with a split image screen it makes a huge difference. I also find the new style chimney that came swith the 503 series to be better than the older one (500cm style).One of the biggest problems I have with hand holding a Hassy is the long focus throw on my 80mm C lens. It's nearly a full turn. Maybe a focus lever would help feli Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay_. Posted May 9, 2003 Share Posted May 9, 2003 Forget the focus lever. How often do you go from one shot at close-up to another at infinity and vice-versa? If you make a habit of returning the focus to mid-point after each shot, you effectively cut the focus throw in half. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vlad_ravich Posted May 9, 2003 Share Posted May 9, 2003 I just wanted to contribute thefact that when I bought my 501Cm, I also aquired a PME45, later I tried using someone elses Kiev prism, just out of curiosity, and I must say the PME45 seems 10 times brighter to me. Its dramatically different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feli Posted May 10, 2003 Share Posted May 10, 2003 Jay, you're right about trying to leave the focus throw on the Hassy at about the mid point, but I still find it a pain in the neck. A few weeks ago I picked up a Rolleiflex 2.8F and now realize why this camera was the choice of PJ's for many years. The biggest drawback is that you can't reload it as fast as swapping a back on a Hassy. So I guess I'll just have to get a second one... ;-) feli Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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