cl_ho2

I tried to request a GSW690 III catalogue from the Fuji agent in Hong Kong last month. However, it said the camera has been discounted too.

 

Does anyone has any idea if Fuji will introduce any new model for the 6x9cm format ?

I usually hand held the camera and set the speed to 125th second in most situtation for snapshot (using ISO100 slid film). I need a tripod when the shutter speed is less than 60th sec. It took sometimes for me to develope the hand held skill and it was awful at the very beginning with picture composition and hand shake.

 

Don't hesitate and take more practice.

If I really need to take panoramic photos, I will go to 6x17 cm format (Fuji or Linhof 120 panoramic camera). The image size is much much bigger than that taken by Xpan !

 

I won't pay that much for a 135 format and I won't consider Xpan, XpanII, III, IV or whatsoever !

I have 2 SLR camera bodies (F100 and F90X) plus several additional

lens and a Manfrotto 190D tripod. I would like to have advice from the

owners and users who have experience with these two camera bags.

Thanks for your comments and advice.

I am a new comer for the slide projector and I see there are different

kinds of slide magazines in the market :

 

1. Standard DIN 108 magazine

2. CS system magazine

3. LKM magazine

 

What are the difference between these magazines ? Are they specially

designed/accept particular slide mounts ? Do all of these slide

magazines take standard slide mounting from a general lab. (I mean the

slide I developed from either Kodak or Fuji processing lab.)

 

Thanks for advise.

Dear All,

 

Just want to know what is the average life span of 120 slide film ?

i.e. How long can the slide films keep its original colour before it

fades out ? Is it necessary to keep them in dry box ?

 

Thanks for your advise.

Nokia is a Finnish company, not Norwegian. Sorry for my mix up.

Dear All,

 

Don't bother to say about the slow process of product development from Hasselblad. This is the 'Hasselblad styles� and Hasselblad has this �unique� style in the camera market. That is why all of us still have an �unique� camera on our hand too.

 

However, does Hasselblad ever know that the market is keeping moving on? (No matter in Sweden, in Europe, in the US or in the Universe !) The product life cycle is much shorter today compared to 50 years ago. (Do we need to wait another 10 years for a CEF50/CFE60 for our V 500 series ?!)

 

It is fine if Hasseblad doesn't bother and reacts too slow and too little to the demand and needs from its customers. However, they should know the fact that "It is not what they will offer/introduce to the market, it is in fact they should sell/provide what the market needs". They introduces 645AF (H1) but why they don�t take the challenge to make a 6x6AF ? (At least I prefer they do so, don�t you ?) Rollei does make it but why Hasselblad didn�t ?

 

Take a real example from the mobile phone industry. Has the management of Hasselblad learned the lesson from the same Swedish company Erricison ???

 

Not so long ago Ericsson was a giant in the mobile phone industry, I am sure all of you actual saw many people held a Ericsson 337 or 338 or 788 GSM mobile (or a equivalent in the US market). It had a very strong world market share but the new product development and the reaction to the market remains the same. A Norwegian company called Nokia just recovered from the financial crisis in early 90s and started to work very aggressive to introduce many excellent mobile phones to suite customer's needs.

 

What do you see today ? Most of us have a Nokia or Motorola on hand. But where is the original Ericsson ? It is another story.

 

Who will win, success and remain in the market ? Time will tell.

In order to enhance the heavy investment, I will definite waiting for a 'CFE50" or 'CFE60' for my future upgrade.

 

Do you think these two lens will be available?

Hi Klaus,

 

What is the performance of the Gossen Digisix lightmeter ? Is it accurate ? I have checked the Gossen information which states Digisix has 25 degree of coverage (reflective). I am using 80mm CFE which is 50 degree coverage. How to get correct exposure using this small Gossen meter for reflective reading ?

 

Thanks for your help.

Hi Nick,

 

Is it easy to focus the subject through the small eyepiece in the PME45 ? I am worry it is not so easy to get focus using the PME45 attached, like the way using the standard eyepiece on the standard folding finder.

 

Thanks for further comments.

Hi Alex,

 

I own a 503CW nearly a year and the camera operation is very different from 35mm camera. 500ELM is good with build in a motor drive but it will add the weight. I would rather consider 501CM or 503CW because manual winding is easy and battery independent.

 

The 500 series doesn't have a build in lightmeter and I still has problem in metering when using a separated spot meter. I miss the convenience build in auto AE function in 35mm camera.

 

Regards,

 

CL

I enjoy taking picture with the standard view finder on the 503CW but

it is a bit inconvenience to get accurate metering for the picture

with a separate hand held spot meter.

 

The standard view finder is bright and easy to focus without using the

magnifying lens/hook attached. I find it very difficult to get

accurate focus when the magnifying lens is used.

 

I just wonder it is difficult to focus the image when using the PME45.

Is the image bright enough for focusing? Does PME45 offer a view/image

which is similar 35mm SLR ? Or, it is just like the magnifying lens

on the standard viewfinder.

 

Thanks for your advice.

As listed in the Pentax catalogue, there are 3 methods to take macro

photos :

 

1. Auto Extension Tube Set

 

2. Helicoid Extension Tube &

 

3. FA 120mm Marco Lens

 

What are the different results using the above equipments ? What are

the advantages and disadvantage of these equipments ?

 

Thanks for your advice.

Sorry, the model no. is 'VARIO-4C'

I shoot 6x6 slides and I am also a stamp collector.

 

I store my slides using the stamp clear sheets from the brand 'Lighthouse' from Germany. You can easily obtain it from Stamp Shops.

 

It offers very clear and solid protection. Each page can store 15 6x5 slides (3 slides per roll; 5 rolls per sheet). I put all the sheets in a file box rather than the binder as it is easier for me to take them out to lightbox.

I use the monopod for my 503CW and the standard 80mm lens. Handheld the camera is no problem but the monopod offers more stability for the shooting. It is much more 'mobile' than a tripod, esp. for a heavy one. A monopod offers a good choice for snapshot. Of course, you still need a tripod for slow shutter speed.

It seems Pentax has set up a very good combination of zoom lens for the outdoor 645 work. I really appreciate Pentax introduces this new powerful zoom lens to complete the whole range:

 

33mm-55mm/4.5

 

55mm-110mm/5.6

 

150mm-300mm/5.6

 

Plus a 645NII AF SLR, it is really an unbeatable value for money plus excellent optical quantity 645 system. I think Hasselblad H1, Contax 645 and even Mamiya 645AF should reconsider their product mix (lens) and the pricing strategy for its 645 system.

 

As a potential 645 user, I will serious reconsider Pentax again although I have great interest in H1.

 

Awaiting more innovative products form Pentax in the near feature for its 645 system � FA 600mm-1,000mm ? 120/220 switchable film insert ? or may be a digital back ?

Dear All,

 

I am also interested in the lens combination/collection for the 645NII system. What is the best combination for the system ?

 

33mm-55mm + 75mm + 150mm + 400mm or

 

33mm-55mm + 80mm-160mm + 400mm or

 

33mm-55mm + 55mm-110mm + 150mm + 400mm

 

for landscape, portrait and sport all together !

 

Thanks for your advice.

I read a Hong Kong Photo magazine has a comparative report recently

regarding Hasselblad H1 and the Rolleiflex 6008AF. It seems to me that

6008AF has some advantages over H1 :

 

1. 6008AF has a larger film size (6cm x 6cm) over H1 (6cm x 4.5cm),

only if you compare the size but not the factor of chopping etc. to

the final effective usage area on publishing application etc.

 

2. 6008AF handles both 6x6 and 6x4.5 formats (with additional rotable

645 film back) while H1 has only a 645 format.

 

3. H1 body takes CR123 Lithium or the rechargeable battery handle

while 6008AF can fit rechargeable NiCd battery only. It may cause

battery shortage problem on remote area for long period of time.

 

4. 6008AF offers Schneider AF lens while H1 offers Fuji OEM H1 lens (a

bit disappointed without "AF Zeiss" lens offered)

 

5. 6008AF doesn't need lens adaptor and fixes its old manual focus

lens and accessories from 6000 series while H1 needs extra lens

adaptor for its manual V series lens.

 

6. It is quite interesting that the list price shown on the magazine

of 6008AF with zoom lens is actually cheaper than H1 with a standard

lens !

 

6008AF body plus a Schneider 60-140mm AF lens - HK$50,000 (US$6,410)

 

H1 body plus H1 80mm standard lens - HK$54,000 (US$6,923)

 

Although I currently own a 503CW, the Rollei AF package seems to be

very attractive (AF 6x6 format camera, cheap price with zoom Schneider

lens).

 

There are many discussion on H1 but there is little discussion on

6008AF. Has anyone tried these two cameras ? I have no experience with

the Rollei 6000 series before, is it as reliable as the Hasselblad ?

Can anyone share my view on the 6008AF and H1 ?

 

I also have the following two questions in the recent new 120 AF SLR

camera development :

 

1. Why Hasselblad doesn't offer truly 6x6 AF camera with AF Zeiss lens

? (in fact this is my dream camera !)

 

2. Hasselblad has the joint venture with Fuji for the new AF camera.

Why it sells the 645 format H1 that expensive ? I think the H1 should

be set a lower price which is at least comparable to the Contax 645,

Mamiya 645AF or Pentax 645NII in order to further enlarge the 645

market share and wins the hearts from current non Hasselblad users.

 

Thanks for your view and sharing.

I don't fully agree with the comment from Mr. George Kenney.

 

I don't know why he has such negative feeling with Chinese. People have the right to buy what they want from a shop. So as a company has the freedom to source its goods from everywhere - US, UK, Germany, Japan. It is an economic decision. No one force you to buy the Chinese made goods.

 

Consumer compares and selects the goods from the market. I think Mr. Kenny has to take an Economics lesson before he makes any judgment on the international trade. Who benefit most ? Sure, it is consumers. As you know most of the workers work for over 15hrs per day in China but they only earns little for their living.

 

If I am not wrong, both Hasselblad and Shriro are run by Swedish and British respectively, not Chinese !

Take a look for the Hong Kong international photo competition from visitors :

 

http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/hkii/ipc/hk_ipco_phot7.jhtml

Hi Doug,

 

What is the feeling of using PM45 ? Is it similar to the look from the view finder of a 35mm camera ? Thanks for your advice.

Hi Richard,

 

Here is my advice for you :

 

1. As others mentioned, there are lots of 2nd hand shops at Tung Ying Arcade in Tsim Tsa Tsui and at Stanley Street, Central. I have no experience for these shops. You should compare the 2nd hand items first with the brand new one before you make the decision. Most of the brand new items are less expensive than the US or UK retail price.

 

2. Most of the professional photo shops stock 120 roll film like Kodak or Fuji (Tmax 100 around HK$18/roll, 100VS around HK$24/roll and Provia around HK$26/roll). You may try CitiCall or Man Shing/Wing Shing for pack of 10. Developing is also easy and you can try the chain stores like Fotomax who charges you HK$20/roll and return to you around 3 working days.

 

3,i) The night shoot of the Hong Kong Island from the Tsim Sha Tsui harbor front (near Cultural Centre).

 

3,ii) From the Peak (both day and night shoot)

 

3,iii) Street shooting from the upper floor of the tram (cheap and lots of fun for a tourist).

 

Finally, you can always get the information leaflets at tourist centre or from the official web sites like:

 

http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/

 

http://www.yptourist.com/index.asp

 

Welcome to Hong Kong and have a nice trip !

I own a 503CW and a 80mm lens. I am very interested in the 645 H1 for

the automatic function like AF, AE etc.

 

However, there is only little news regarding the adaptability of the

existing V series lens on the H1 body. Does the coming Hasselblad lens

adaptor for the V series lens (CFE or FE) provide a true connection

(true auto AE, no need for step down)to the H1 body ? Any update news

regarding this adaptor ?

 

I would consider the H1 as a secondary body for quick shooting if its

lens adaptor provides full functional features (of course, except the

AF function) for my V series lens (I might keep buying for the CFE lens).

 

However,if the new adaptor is just a physical adaptor (like the MAM

for Contax 645), it might be less attractive for me as it is not so

convenience to use my CFE lens on the 645 body.