peter_klosky1

Stroboframe makes a model for the Hasselblad, I believe model QL-66. I have been using this bracket for a number of years with good success. They have a handle mount attachment that has been quite sturdy for my METZ 60 CT 1 as well as Sunpack 522 and 544. They also have 1/4 20 and hot shoe attachments.

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I don't like the Jones. It is heavy, and the one I had did not tighten properly. The stroboframe goes up nice and high, has a comfortable handle, and allows focusing. Did I mention that it also stands up on a table-top properly? I have several stroboframes. Great product, great company.

Yes, the Hasselblad can jam. Some ways to get it to jam are to have the back half-on when winding, or press the shutter release while removing a lens.

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As another poster said, you can un-jam, if you know how. A lens can be cocked with a coin in the slot on the mount. A body can be un-jammed by using a special tool or screwdriver inserted through the rear curtains to turn a small screw directly below the rear element. Carry spare gear, and have someone show you how to un-jam, just in case.

The 500 series has the leaf shutters, the 2000 has focal plane. If you plan to do photos of people, the higher flash sync of the 500 will be a distinct advantage. The focal plane shutter 2000 series is aimed at the action photographer.

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In my observation, 99% of people go for the 500 series. The 2000 series would be good for high resolution sports, but most sports people use something like a Nikon F5 and a 300 AF, anyway.

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I guess a case could be made for the focal plane offering faster shutter speeds, so narrower depth of field is possible for a "telephoto look" portrait. But again, I agree you should consider the classic 500.

The Fuji 645s rangefinder with 60mm lens is a fine camera. The color

contrast on the lens is fantastic. I ran this camera side by side

with the same film against a Mamiya C330 with 65mm lens. The Fuji

result was much better; the images were sharper and the colors were

more vivid. The 645 format is very convenient, as many of my

clients call for 8x10 prints. The two tripod sockets, one for

vertical and one for horizontal, work very well. This camera is

very light and easy to carry; weighs much less than a 35 slr.

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On mine, the focusing had a little trouble, but the dealer had it fixed. It would stick in the display, and not follow the lens setting. Mostly I focus by estimation, unless the subject is quite close. In that case, such as a subject 1.5 to 2 meters, I use the viewfinder rangefinder aid. I have found that this camera makes a very nice waist up portrait with the lens wide open. In this situation, the background does fall out of focus so as to be less distracting.

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This is a great camera. I am glad it is light and small, and does not have all the weight and complexity of its overweight brother, the AF model. Much quieter, too. The AF model is very loud.