gianlucapasto

Using the V lenses on the Fuji or 'blad compact mirrorless MF cams is one of those "sounds interesting, is doable, then when you try it you discover its not terribly practical" ideas.

 

The first disappointment is the crop factor: these cameras have 33x44 sensors vs the 6x6 field the V lenses were designed to cover. So the 80 Planar functions more like a 105mm, the 50mm or 60mm Distagon wides become your "normal" lenses, the 40mm Distagon becomes just marginally wide, and the tele/portrait focal lengths become significantly longer than you might be used to with 6x6. Depending on your preferred V focal lengths for various shooting situations, this can be very frustrating.

 

The next hurdle is handling: the 80 Planar is pleasant enough, and perhaps the 60mm Distagon, but everything else is very front-heavy, large and clumsy. The mirrorless EVF makes focusing accuracy technically easy, but in practical terms the lenses remain rather difficult in the field (C and CF have very heavy, long-throw focus helicals, the CB and CFi/CFe are better but still a bit awkward, and you need to remember to manually stop the lens down with its DOF button or slider). All of this gets easier with tripod shooting, but handheld "V-on-mirrorless" is a challenge that tends to nullify the fun/charms of handheld work.

 

Finally you have the shutter issue to contend with. The Fujis at the moment are the best (really only) fully usable mirrorless option for V glass, because they contain their own standard electromechanical focal plane shutter. The Hasselblad X1D relies on the leaf shutter in each of its bespoke lenses for exposure control: with adapted lenses like the Vs one is forced to rely on its sensor-based electronic shutter, which tends to create problematic artifacts in many common shooting situations. The X1D can be used effectively with V lenses, but you do need to be mindful of its shutter limitations.

 

Reduced to a nutshell: if you're very serious about wanting to continue V lens use with medium format mirrorless, you'll probably be happier with one of the Fuji bodies. The Hassy X1D is an extraordinary compact MF system when used with its own native lenses as intended, but loses much of its appeal with adapted glass. You might also consider getting the new Hasselblad CF-V50cII digital back for your existing V film body: it is very advanced compared to previous V backs and has much the same sensor/color as the X1D. What you lose in mirrorless EVF convenience, you gain in familiar V-body handling and ability to quickly shift between film and digital formats: a subjective preference. At present it retails for about $7500 (USD), including the novel new 907x camera body which converts the basic back into a supplementary compact mirrorless that takes X1D lenses.

thanks a lot for taking you time to share your huge experience!

Hi all,

I am tempted from the x1dII or the 5r being a Medium Format lover and owning almost all old V lenses. I still use my 501 and 503 with films and I have a A7RII with various 35lenses... but. very tempted from getting digital on MF as well so would like to hear your opinions and experiences.

I've read the V lenses are not up to today's standards about resolution, OK, but they have a great and special "look" or "feel" and I am wondering if someone can share his/her experiences in shooting with the 50mpx of the current fuji and Hasselblad MF cameras.

I shoot mostly handheld landscape and architecture, I am no PRO photographer, just an enthusiast.

thanks in advance for your help and suggestion

greetings from Europe!