This arrived today!

[cyclohexane]

The joys of eBay and depreciation of the "obsolete" brought this quite inexpensively:



I'm now 1/4 of the way to where I can actually take pictures with it, LOL =)

Since we're here, any Hasselblad users- feel free to share your favorite accessories, finders, backs, lenses, etc. Not sure where I want to go with this set-up yet; I'm setting this guy aside for mostly for fine arts coursework, so I probably will not be shooting my usual news/sports fare with it, so budget is "under the cost of a current entry-level DSLR (D40, Rebel XTi/400D, K100D, etc.)".

[jfrancho]

Now your papers won't blow off the desk...nice paperweight!

Just kidding. I would like to pickup a similar kit, just to monkey around with it.

[cyclohexane]

LOL

All it is right now is a paperweight. That, and it can be used to scare animals...

Considering that this body cost less than two 50mm f/1.8 lenses from Canon, you should definitely pick something like this up if you're interested. I think the Mamiya RB models go for a little less (at least, I know their lenses do) but they're larger- you'd still have the square format though. Bronicas seem to cost next to nothing but they're 645 and fairly awkward to flip on their side.

[Nikonfreak]

I wouldn't mind a Mamiya 645 AFD if I could get one cheap...

Julio

[cyclohexane]

Define "cheap". LOL

[dougsmit]

Keep us posted on this project. I never owned a 500C but my employer provided one with 80, 150 and 250mm lenses. My personal cameras then were views (up to 8x10) and TLR's. I never warmed up to the HB except in studio settings and never subscribed to the theory that there was one camera that could do it all.

I went digital a few years back and have not looked back on film with any regrets for the move. Certainly there are good things about film cameras (especially the high end ones like this) but if someone gave me a 500C kit today, I'd sell it and buy whatever replaces the 5D. Call me lazy but I shot film from the late 60's to the early 00's - that was enough for me.

[kgphoto]

The RB is not a Square format camera. Hence the name, RB67. It is the same "ideal" format as a 645, that enlarges directly to an 8x10 with no cropping of the image.

I ahve shot with them all and while the RB is good, the Hassy still beats it. The only thing the RB and the C330 has over the Hassy is the bellows focusing that makes it quicker and easier to do close up.

Depending on the image quality you require, you will still get more out of a scanned Hassy (or any medium format film camera) than a 5D. A 5D makes a very nice image. I have one of those too.

[cyclohexane]

The RB is not a Square format camera. Hence the name, RB67. It is the same "ideal" format as a 645, that enlarges directly to an 8x10 with no cropping of the image.

Oops, my bad. It does have the rotating back though, right? Or is that the RZ?

[cyclohexane]

if someone gave me a 500C kit today, I'd sell it and buy whatever replaces the 5D. Call me lazy but I shot film from the late 60's to the early 00's - that was enough for me.

Heheh, I totally understand. I have to shoot color negative film for class, and the sizes we print start to stretch the quality of 35mm. I wasn't sold on medium format (might as well borrow one of the large format cameras available if I really want to make big prints), but then a friend put up some amazing prints.... =)

[kgphoto]

cyclohexane,

Yes is does have the revolving back. A cool thing to be sure, but too many times we overlook the moving cropping lines and compose vertically with the back horizontal or vice versa. After a while you get used to it and the frequency drops.

It also has the two step cocking of the body and back that was done away with on the RZ, if I am remembering correctly.

So the Hassy is more responsive as you don't have to turn or rotate anything to change composition and only one thing to "wind" to advance the film and cock the shutter.

[MrDave]

Hey, Cyclohexane

Nice toy you got there. I've got a Pentax 645. They are amazing bargains nowadays on ebay. If I didn't already have one, I wouldn't hesitate to get one. Adorama sells the camera, normal lens, and 120 film insert for $300, ready to go! It has tripod mounts on the side and bottom, so I put quick release bases in both places to change it from landscape to portrait position fairly quickly. I get beautiful pictures out of that camera. The transparencies are to die for! Exposures from the camera's metering are always spot on. I just need to get a film scanner. Anyway, have fun building your medium format system.

MrDave

[epatsellis]

If you use some of the fancy-dancy 6x7 motorised backs, you only need to cock the body on the RB. I don't have any, and after using RB's for nearly 2 decades, the routine is second nature.

I'm with Doug, there is no perfect camera, though until recently all I had in MF was the RB's, now I have a 500c/m and a 500 el. The hassis aren't as nice in the studio, might as well shoot 645, but outdoors/travel type shooting is where their strong point and attraction is for me at least.


erie

[cyclohexane]

Half-way there! Haha

[epatsellis]

cyclo,
while you wait for an affordable w/l finder, find a nice, well used 45 degree NC2 prism. I paid about $25 for mine. 30 mins of work and a $3.00 can of gloss black paint and it looks acceptable now.


erie

[cyclohexane]

Finally got a new snapshot off. Had it up to here for a while:



Anyone got a good handle on prices for lenses? The 80mm standard seems to run $400-500 for a real nice one, and 60mm over $600 if it's perfect optically.

[Tom Swaman]

Michael,

To complete the other half, remove the bottom from a can of Bud. Cover your eyes for safety. Make an indentation in the center of the Bud can bottom using the point of your favorite knife plade. Make sure your indentation is from the concave side of the can bottom towards the convex side. Take out your favorite nail file and rub the convex side of the mound in the convex side of the beer can bottom until you create an f/120 hole. Then get yourself some Duco Cement or Super glue and affix the concafe side of the pierced beer can bottom to the lens mount of your bargain,.....................

Now show us your resulting photos. We cannot wiat to seee the results.

Oh yes, and have fun too,
Tom

[cyclohexane]

LOL

I'm too young to have a can of Bud handy. I'll try to find something similar though. =)

[epatsellis]

keh has a bgn 80 c t* for 379, other than going the chrome C route, that's about as cheap as it gets.


erie