Mamiya C330 or Hassy 500c(/m) - which one to get?

[felipe s.]

Hi,

I currently own a yashica MAT 124 and a bronica S2 w/ Zenzanon MC 80 f/

2.8.

I have shot about 14 rolls with each of them, and while I love the Yashica for

"snapshots" and holidays, I am not quite sure if I sould keep the Bronica.

Pictures are very sharp even at f/4, but imho they lack this certain "something".

 

Looking at pictures made with a hassy + 2.8 80mm, I find them more

appealing, the images feature more depth, and I guess they have that certain

"something" I have been searching for with the bronica.

Although this may very well be just wishful thinking, and maybe I should

rather focus on getting further into the equipment I actually own.

 

Now to the point:

I am thinking of buying into another 6x6 system..reasons stated above left

aside - I can't decide which one to get.

The C330 f or s seems to be a very nice camera, the lenses may not be up to

CZ glass, but I like their rendition and bokeh a lot.

Also they are quite easy to catch at bargain prices, and ebay seems to feature

tons of black MC lenses for reasonable prices.

 

The 500c/m is a whole other story though.

It feels rock solid, and even the 500c supposedly "dim" viewfinder was very -

bright - in my eyes, and easy to focus...

There are quite a few customized 500c out there that allow you to exchange

the groundglass, so even with a 500c this is less of a problem.

Plus, there is a 500C/M classic + CF 80 f/2.8 + A12, new & boxed on sale at a

local dealer for 1400�.

 

I have a few questions left:

1. It seems to be realy hard to find filters (esp. polarisers) for a C330. any

tricks or tips?

 

2. I read in some other thread that the 500c/m doesn't feature a palpas

coating. Does this really justify the $1k plus I would be paying for a 501

(considering not using long tele lenses - glide mirror system)

 

3. What different is a 500C/M classic to the original 500 C/M?

 

4. Since i don't dig into all those CZ lenses, and there seem to be quite a few

:-), what standard lens should i get, is there anything in particular to keep in

mind? Can you actually SEE the difference using e.g. a C planar and a CF

planar?

 

 

As already mentioned I have never had a Hasselblad, I thought a customised

500c or 500c/m would fit my needs (at a reasonable price compared to a ..say

503, which my budget wouldn't allow). And since I won't need a built-in meter,

won't be using 200+mm lenses I don't need a 501 either.

Please add your thought on this naive view of mine if you feel I missed

something rather important!

 

Thank you for your answers!

Phil

[steve_bingham]

You can't go wrong with the 500c or cm. A classic camera that has provided thousands of photographers a living for the last 40 years. It does require a lot of practice though, as it is not the easiest camera to use. You didn't say what type of photography you do, but you might want to consider the old Pentax 67 or the newer Pentax 6x7. The normal 105 actually out resolves the Hassy 80 AND gives you a bigger neg AND is quick to use. Slow synch speed and mirror slap (1 sec to 1/15 sec) are potential problems areas. The later models come with mirror lockup.

[the tightwad]

"

Now to the point: I am thinking of buying into another 6x6 system..reasons stated

above left aside - I can't decide which one to get. The C330 f or s seems to be a very

nice camera, the lenses may not be up to CZ glass, but I like their rendition and

bokeh a lot. Also they are quite easy to catch at bargain prices, and ebay seems to

feature tons of black MC lenses for reasonable prices"

 

It sounds like you enjoy casual shooting and if that's the case the

Mamiya c330 is a very good choice for a lot of reasons. There will

always be those who prefer an SLR but to savor the enjoyment of

shooting with a good TLR is a rare treat. I've used both SLR's & TLR'S

finding the TLR to much easier, less "fussy" than any SLR. I've also

noticed that people don't seem to be put off about having their photo

taken with a TLR. Must be the "Old Timey" aspect of the TLR.

 

I've sold all of my SLR gear and built a complete Mamiya C330s system

with the money (had change left over too). I shoot everything from

the outdoors to casual weddings (for friends)enjoying the experiance

all the way. My Mamiya has never been to little camera. It should serve

you just a well. Enjoy!!

[lkv]

The Mamiya C330 is also "rock solid" ! and it is a great camera that I use and like a lot.

 

With the Hasselblad, you are in a very different system. Also very good, more modular, but

more complex and more expensive... It is also closer to the Bronica in handling.

 

In the end, I think you have to just try them both and buy the one you feel better !

 

Lenny

[art_karr]

Phil:

 

I have both systems and have been using them for more than 30

years.

 

They are very different beasts. Both work very well. Just a few

points instead of a long lecture. Note that these only relate to my

preferences.

 

1. Use: I find the blad more suited to the studio or a controlled

environment. I seldom haul that equipment in a backpack into

the back country. The C-series with the close focusing capacity

is very good out in the wild. You have to get used to things like

the paramender.

 

2. Both systems have been very reliable.

 

3. Lens differences: These are very easily noticed under

conditions of flare, shooting into a bright source or when contrast

is low [T* is better]. For other situations, both work well.

 

4. Filters are no problem with most of the C series lenses.

Certain lenses, such as the 65 mm, require filters with thin

mounts. Mamiya made special filters to fit those lenses and I

have them so I don't know if modern thin rimmed filters will work.

 

5. Personally, I have always found the C series easier to focus

than the blad; even with a prism.

 

6. If I am going out into the mountains or the plains to shoot

something, I will always take the C-series rather than the blad.

 

Art

[loren_sattler]

I have a C330 system with three lenses. I have a couple of Mamiya filters, but most are an assortment of a variety of brands. I have not had a problem using different brands.

 

Some of the lenses use a 46mm filter while others use 49mm. I have standardized on the 49mm filter size and use a step up ring to adapt for lenses using 46mm. This works for me. It also allows me to use one lens shade (for the 65mm lens) on a 55mm, 80mm and 180mm lens. The shade grips on the out diameter of the filter, rather than on the lens.

 

I have no experience with Hasselblad equipment for comparison. I find the C330 system well built, inexpensive and very functional for what I do, B&W landscapes and portraits. It is not a camera for fast action.

 

Good luck with whatever you choose.

[richard_cochran]

A friend loaned me a Hasselblad 500c/m with three lenses (50, 80, 150)

for a year. Later, I bought a C330 with 65, 80, and 180mm

lenses. The big reason was price.

While a Hassy with a standard 80mm lens can be had for a

price somewhat near the same ballpark as a similarly equipped

Mamiya, a three-lens kit is much cheaper on the Mamiya.

And the full kit is very small, light and portable,

despite the fact that you have a pair of lenses for each

focal length. The helicoids are heavy on the SLR lenses.

<p>

The Hassy system is much better supported, with rental gear

available, and a big selection of lenses and accessories.

The Mamiya system is now somewhat orphaned, which means it's

harder to find certain things, but they're generally very inexpensive

when you do find them.

<p>

The Mamiya is a lot quieter than the Hassy, if that matters to you.

<p>

I found I did most of my shooting either in the studio or on a

tripod, where I could choose my aperture freely, and I ended

up stopped down for DoF reasons. The Zeiss lenses

may be marginally better in lens tests than the Mamiya lenses, but

at the actual apertures I ended up using, there was no difference

I could see.

<p>

But the Hasselblad is a real jewel to work with. There's a reason

it has such a reputation with pros. I think the Hassy is a better

camera system, but the Mamiya is a better value.

[picturesque]

You've got very good and interesting responses so far. I have both systems and shoot weddings with both. My Hasselblad gear is all new so I don't know about the older models. The new, Zeiss 50mm floating element lens is much sharper than the Mamiya 55mm, and I have two 55mm lenses, one is older but still a black series, and the other is a late model (just before they stopped making them). Also, the 55s are sharper than the 65s. So if you're shooting landscapes and need the wide angle, that is a consideration. If you have noticed the "something" about the Zeiss lenses, then you can see that the Mamiya lenses are very nice but less contrasty and as someone said, have a more "muted patina". If you get a Mamiya 80mm, make sure you get a black model, possibly an "S" model, because they seem to have better flare control. The Mamiya 180mm is extremely sharp and quite the equal to the Hasselblad in that department. If you get the Mamiya, get the appropriate lens hoods and use them--the front lens elements on these lenses are not recessed and need hoods. For filters, I adapted the filter tray from a Curtis Combo hood/matte box and it just happens to fit into the standard lens hood for the 55mm lens. Then I could use Cokin or similar sized filters as well as Series 8 filters and round filters slipped into square frames. It is a very fast filter system to use. Someone above said the C330s are not great for action--I disagree. I think they are better suited for action than the Hasselblads. They have no mirror lag, and with zone focusing and possible use of the action finders installed, they can be quite fast. The new Hasselblad screens are brighter than the Mamiya screens for sure--I got Maxwell and Brightscreens for the Mamiyas. Both systems, at least in my experience have had mechanical problems and breakdowns. One is not better than the other in this regard. It is an eye-opener to realize that you can get a complete Mamiya system for a fraction of the price of a Hasselblad system. I guess I would say that the one big reason to go with the Hasselblad is the lens quality.

[john_schulz2]

What a fasinating question. The Yashica was a favorite of mine until it broke. I used a C330 with only an 80mm to shoot weddings for 8 years before moving to the Bronica 6X6. I had an extensive Bronica system but the 80mm and 50mm got the most use. Then to Nikon 35. Then Nikon Digital for Customers. For my own 'personal' photography I use a Contax 35mm.

 

Anyway, all the years I used the twin lense and the Bronica, there were few things that the Bronice could do better. Film loading was much easier with the C330, the prints were outstanding and it was light weight.. oh yeah.. and you knew your flash went off because you watched it.

 

I would go with the C330 because the prints will be outstanding, it's easier to use, and the C330 is much less expensive.

 

Schulz

[k._rivkin]

If you have money to buy Hassy go for it. Rollei is also a good sqaure choise, and can cost you much cheaper.

 

There is one "right" two-lens polarizer for Mamiya, and to be honest c330 is a cheap, but not to mistake with nice solution - it's bulky, has parallax errors, and you really have to find late optics, and preferrably late camera (330f) in order to get the best for your money. Filters are the royal pain, and there is no DOF preview. It is quiet, but I guess you don't do weddings ? Focusing screens in some Mamiyas are simply horrible.

 

But if you like it - there is a gazillion of people out there who love them. And yes, it has a very good optics.

 

Hasselblad 500c/m _new_ ? Ok, may be I'm missing something...

I would really think about let's say Rollei 6006 for the same 1000+ level. Bronica SQA with newer optics can be something to rent for a day...

 

concerning lens a vs. lens b - they tend to have 10% fluctuation in resolution/contrast right after the plant, plus 20% from being dirty and used, and it comes down to individual pieces rather then T* vs. super-angulon :).

[felipe s.]

Thanks everybody for answering my post!

I spent quite some time thinking about a C330f, but then went for the hassy.

(2000FCW cond. B+ with CF 2.8/80 cond. A-, 2x A12+ filters for �1200, which is about

$1400) Is the price OK?

And I finally decided to seel the Bronica, although it makes me fell kind of sad to do so...

 

By the way if anyone is interested:

Bronica S2, Zenzanon MC f/2.8 80mm, 2x Mags, 3 Macro rings, bag

body cond. B, lens cond. A-, one of the mags is loosing the leather, Technically A+, No

fungus etc.. excellent working condition! Shipping to Europe only, �280.. contact me for

pics or if there are any further questions!

 

Again thanks for your advice!

 

Phil