Luminous Landscape Forum
Equipment & Techniques => Medium Format / Film / Digital Backs – and Large Sensor Photography => Topic started by: ErikKaffehr on December 30, 2012, 11:05:58 am
-
Hi,
I'm considering to build a small system around Hasselblad 500 series. What MFD (pre owned) would I be able to put on a V-series camera?
Best regards
Erik
-
A 22mp like the P25 or Aptus22 is perfect.
Any smaller pixels will only cause problems.
I have tested all 33mp, 39mp and 80mp.
The smaller the pixels the more problems with focus and vibrations.
Henrik
-
Hej Henrik,
Tack för info!
Erik
A 22mp like the P25 or Aptus22 is perfect.
Any smaller pixels will only cause problems.
I have tested all 33mp, 39mp and 80mp.
The smaller the pixels the more problems with focus and vibrations.
Henrik
-
http://www.cesarlloreda.com/ (http://www.cesarlloreda.com/)
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Tia98LTwKrY (http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Tia98LTwKrY)
-
Not the answer you want: A12. They were just made for one another - the perfect marriage.
;-)
Rob C
-
What do you want to use it for?
A P25 or same generation 22MP is worth a look at current prices.
My IQ160 still holds up very well on these rusty things. I even get the impression that the IQ160 suits my 503cw better than the old P25 I had, when it comes to sharpness. Tolerances (and training after a few years with that body), I suppose.
Tom
-
http://www.cesarlloreda.com/ (http://www.cesarlloreda.com/)
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Tia98LTwKrY (http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Tia98LTwKrY)
Of course you can use a smaller pixel back if you use blitz or with very fast shuttertimes (faster than
500 in most cases, but all together you will gain very little IQ in perfect situations and without the blitz you will be
completely lost. On the screen it will look fine, but when you get home and take a closer look
you will have a lot of unsharpness from vibrations in the camera.
Just my experience..
Henrik
-
We need more info to have answers be relevant to your search.
What do you want to do with the camera?
What are you ok NOT doing with the camera?
What do you love about cameras / what's important to you?
What is your broad budget range?
What are your wants/needs/priorities for:
- ISO
- long exposures
- resolution / print size
- shooting speed
Etc
The better the question the better the answer.
-
Not the answer you want: A12. They were just made for one another - the perfect marriage.
;-)
Rob C
Or a CFV which happened to be made specifically for the 500as well. You don't even need a sync cable from the lens to the back with most 500series models either.
-
The real question is which back has the biggest coverage area, i.e., closest to the full-frame 6x6?
-
Hi Doug,
Really just a crazy idea. I just tested an old Sonnar 150/4 and I was really impressed by it's performance. Old Hasselblads can be have dirt cheap and lenses, too. So I was thinking about building a kit with a few Zeiss lenses, old 500 body. Still need a decent viewfinder and an 'acute matte' screen.
I essentially shoot on tripod, MLU, minimum ISO. Largest prints I made are 70x100 cm but my normal print size is A2. I often crop wildly, but only in one dimension.
Obviously, what I would consider is a lower end back
Best regards
Erik
We need more info to have answers be relevant to your search.
What do you want to do with the camera?
What are you ok NOT doing with the camera?
What do you love about cameras / what's important to you?
What is your broad budget range?
What are your wants/needs/priorities for:
- ISO
- long exposures
- resolution / print size
- shooting speed
Etc
The better the question the better the answer.
-
Hi,
I agree on the issue, but what I have in mind is just to make use of some dirt cheap cameras and lenses. I bought a Sonnar 150/4 for 400$, mostly for testing an I'm quite impressed.
Best regards
Erik
The real question is which back has the biggest coverage area, i.e., closest to the full-frame 6x6?
-
... what I have in mind is just to make use of some dirt cheap cameras and lenses...
maybe look for a P21+ refurbished (or even "new") directly from Phase One (a Phase One dealer that is). The back actually never sold very well and today you should get a 18MP back for a very good price. Of course the crop is 1.3 (wrt 645!). But the look of the P21+ is gorgeous... it looks very filmic (up to ISO800 even without applying any Luminance NR in C1).
just a suggestion...
-
For the closest to full frame and at a reasonable price the P25+.
Nice solid back. Simple design.
Second option an Aptus 22, but not as simple and solid as the P25+
You could also consider the Contax 645D with the 120mm f4. Really nice lens too.
-
Hi,
I agree on the issue, but what I have in mind is just to make use of some dirt cheap cameras and lenses. I bought a Sonnar 150/4 for 400$, mostly for testing an I'm quite impressed.
Best regards
Erik
I had one of those too; it was very nice in the studio but also very prone to flare in outside shots against the light, which I learned to avoid, but that's not a good thing to have to do: it cuts down your artistic choices. It worked well with a Softar, though... What would worry me today, is the shutter. Using such a lens on a camera with is own shutter is different to depending on the ancient leaf shutter in the old lens itself.
Rob C
-
Hi,
The issue with lens flare I have noticed. I had some side light and got a lot of ghosting. I normally use lens shade, always. But this lens came without shade, shame...
Best regards
Erik
I had one of those too; it was very nice in the studio but also very prone to flare in outside shots against the light, which I learned to avoid, but that's not a good thing to have to do: it cuts down your artistic choices. It worked well with a Softar, though... What would worry me today, is the shutter. Using such a lens on a camera with is own shutter is different to depending on the ancient leaf shutter in the old lens itself.
Rob C
-
Hi,
The issue with lens flare I have noticed. I had some side light and got a lot of ghosting. I normally use lens shade, always. But this lens came without shade, shame...
Best regards
Erik
The bellows lenshood is very useful; looks cool, too!
Rob C
-
Hi,
I'm considering to build a small system around Hasselblad 500 series. What MFD (pre owned) would I be able to put on a V-series camera?
Best regards
Erik
Erik -
A reasonable pursuit. The interesting thing is that most of our Hassleblad and Contax customers are the most stable, in terms of feeling the (lack of) need to upgrade camera/backs. I think that speaks to a genuine fondness and preference for the camera platform. And if that is in place, then there are a number of ways you can go.
I had a client try out the CFV-50 a couple weeks ago. Even though he would have to turn the camera itself over to shoot a vertical (he mostly shoots landscapes), he was still intrigued by the simplicity of the CFV, with no cable. It felt very simple, and that was his key, he wanted simple. In fact, that is why he wants to continue shooting his Hasselblad. But for some, turning the camera on its side would be a deal breaker, and if they wanted long exposures past 30 seconds, only the Phase Plus backs provide that option. It is pretty subjective, but the positive is there are quite a few models to choose from.
Some of the below solutions start at less than $4,000, even from a dealer like CI.
**Phase One P/P+ Series
Pros: Plus backs can perform very long exposures, can be re-mounted on the camera for orientation change
Cons: Small, mediocre LCD screen, Sync cable required
- P21+/P30+ - Expanded ISO Range
- P25+/45+ - Larger sensor, long exposure
**Leaf Aptus/Aptus-II Series
Pros: Enhanced functionality (input lens data, pinpoint tonal range, etc).
Cons: Large mediocre LCD (but best chance of checking sharpness vs competitors), Sync Cable required.
- Aptus 65/Aptus-II 28 - More megapixels than Aptus 22
- Aptus 22/75/Aptus-II 22/33 - Larger sensor
**Hasselblad CFV Series
Pros: No Sync Cable required, looks sweet (just like the film back)
Cons: Small mediocre LCD, DB cannot be re-mounted in vertical orientation
- CFV-39/50 - Large sensor, ample resolution
- CFV-16 - Smaller sensor, square sensor (you can also pre-crop larger sensors for square capture.
Steve Hendrix
Capture Integration
CI Pre-Owned Digital Backs (https://www.captureintegration.com/product-category/podigitalbacks/)
-
maybe look for a P21+ refurbished (or even "new") directly from Phase One (a Phase One dealer that is). The back actually never sold very well and today you should get a 18MP back for a very good price. Of course the crop is 1.3 (wrt 645!). But the look of the P21+ is gorgeous... it looks very filmic (up to ISO800 even without applying any Luminance NR in C1).
just a suggestion...
I truly love my p21+ on the Contax. It's fast, shoots at almost the film frame rate and as mentioned the grain structure is very pretty as long as you don't pixel peep into the shadows on a computer. In print it looks "right".
(http://spotsinthebox.com/boxers.jpg)
I use it next to the P30+ and honestly when I uprez in C-1 I have a difficult time telling the difference.
There is talk about the 1.3 vs. 1.1 crop of a p21 vs a p25 but actually it's more like 1.16 vs. 1.26. If you come from a larger sensor back you notice the difference, but if you don't you never notice it.
In fact I find the p21 and p30 crop just perfect for the 80mm f2 which makes it in theory around 100mm if compared to a full frame sensor or film. I also use the 55mm a lot which comes in at around 70mm.
It seems I shoot 90% with the 55, 80 and 120 macro. I guess I'm so used to the crop I don't notice it anymore.
My best friend in Paris, Didier Bizos uses a p21+ on his V series. He has a contract with a famous Paris studio to shoot celebrities during the Cannes film festival where they set up a portable studio and they make huge prints. He uses the P21+ exclusively and they rave about the prints. A lot of his subjects think the prints were shot on film because of the look and always say something like "you can't get this look from digital".
He uses that p21+ and V system for almost everything and it gets the job done.
In fact 800 iso is quite usable with the p21+ and all phase backs have an almost free update with c-1 v 7, as they have come a long way with noise reduction.
IMO
BC
-
Hi Steve
Just a quick question on the CFV. I got a CF39 and I still need a synch cable between the back and the CFE 80mm. Am I doing something wrong? The back won't capture anything unless the cable is plugged.
Also, how is the CF39 in terms of sharpness? I've been playing around it to be honest the images are not as sharp as I'd like at 100% I shoot under good day light and around F11 125s so I don't think it's an aperture or focus issue (focused at infinity). I'm thinking it might be due to slight mirrow slap or the older lens?
-
Hi,
Try shooting on tripod, with MLU and self timer. Try apertures from 5.6 to 11. You may alsomhave a focusing issue. Try to vary focus.
Best regards
Erik
Hi Steve
Just a quick question on the CFV. I got a CF39 and I still need a synch cable between the back and the CFE 80mm. Am I doing something wrong? The back won't capture anything unless the cable is plugged.
Also, how is the CF39 in terms of sharpness? I've been playing around it to be honest the images are not as sharp as I'd like at 100% I shoot under good day light and around F11 125s so I don't think it's an aperture or focus issue (focused at infinity). I'm thinking it might be due to slight mirrow slap or the older lens?
-
Hi,
Looking at old postings - check out this good info from Steve Hendrix! Really great guy!
So, what happened? Once prices dropped below 10000$US I bought a P45+ from Poland, got me a Hasselbald 555/ELD. I have been trough something like 9 lenses.
The system worked decently well. After something like 2 3/4 years of usage it went into retirement. A nice but a bit expensive experience. The reason it went into retirement is the arrival of the Sony A7rII.
Just to make things clear: The advice from Steve was extremely good. The fact it did not work out for me has nothing to do with Steve's advice. I may add that the Hasselblad 555/ELD P45+ combo did make great images. But, the Alpha 99 I had also made great images, and those images made it to the wall…
Best regards
Erik
Erik -
A reasonable pursuit. The interesting thing is that most of our Hassleblad and Contax customers are the most stable, in terms of feeling the (lack of) need to upgrade camera/backs. I think that speaks to a genuine fondness and preference for the camera platform. And if that is in place, then there are a number of ways you can go.
I had a client try out the CFV-50 a couple weeks ago. Even though he would have to turn the camera itself over to shoot a vertical (he mostly shoots landscapes), he was still intrigued by the simplicity of the CFV, with no cable. It felt very simple, and that was his key, he wanted simple. In fact, that is why he wants to continue shooting his Hasselblad. But for some, turning the camera on its side would be a deal breaker, and if they wanted long exposures past 30 seconds, only the Phase Plus backs provide that option. It is pretty subjective, but the positive is there are quite a few models to choose from.
Some of the below solutions start at less than $4,000, even from a dealer like CI.
**Phase One P/P+ Series
Pros: Plus backs can perform very long exposures, can be re-mounted on the camera for orientation change
Cons: Small, mediocre LCD screen, Sync cable required
- P21+/P30+ - Expanded ISO Range
- P25+/45+ - Larger sensor, long exposure
**Leaf Aptus/Aptus-II Series
Pros: Enhanced functionality (input lens data, pinpoint tonal range, etc).
Cons: Large mediocre LCD (but best chance of checking sharpness vs competitors), Sync Cable required.
- Aptus 65/Aptus-II 28 - More megapixels than Aptus 22
- Aptus 22/75/Aptus-II 22/33 - Larger sensor
**Hasselblad CFV Series
Pros: No Sync Cable required, looks sweet (just like the film back)
Cons: Small mediocre LCD, DB cannot be re-mounted in vertical orientation
- CFV-39/50 - Large sensor, ample resolution
- CFV-16 - Smaller sensor, square sensor (you can also pre-crop larger sensors for square capture.
Steve Hendrix
Capture Integration
CI Pre-Owned Digital Backs (https://www.captureintegration.com/product-category/podigitalbacks/)
-
Hi,
Looking at old postings - check out this good info from Steve Hendrix! Really great guy!
So, what happened? Once prices dropped below 10000$US I bought a P45+ from Poland, got me a Hasselbald 555/ELD. I have been trough something like 9 lenses.
The system worked decently well. After something like 2 3/4 years of usage it went into retirement. A nice but a bit expensive experience. The reason it went into retirement is the arrival of the Sony A7rII.
Best regards
Erik
I can't disagree on the technical end results Erik but as an amateur a lot of the pleasure in my photography is the shooting experience and that, for me, is where the Sony falls flat on its face.
-
Hi Chris,
The intention of my post was to tell about the great advice I got from Steve Hendrix. I felt that his advice was accurate, honest and to the point.
That MFD didn't work for me is another issue, fully unrelated. But, it is also a part of the story. Another part of the story was that I really enjoyed the experience, but I don't feel that results justified the expenses.
On the personal side, I could feel no pride in spending a lot of money MFD. I just felt ignorant, irresponsible and stupid. I guess that you should never buy against your best judgement. I was quite a bit skeptical going into MFD and I got far more skeptical using it.
Best regards
Erik
I can't disagree on the technical end results Erik but as an amateur a lot of the pleasure in my photography is the shooting experience and that, for me, is where the Sony falls flat on its face.
-
I guess it depends on what you're using it for.
If you need long exposures in dim lit situations perhaps combined with high ISO etc - then you're better off with a cmos back or a 35mm DSLR or a Sony mirrorless.
But for portraits (especially in a studio environment) or still life (with camera movements) and many other scenarios a medium format back is great.
-
It seems odd reviving such an old thread....
I love my V series bodies. I love shooting film. I love shooting with my ancient H25 back even more.
It's such a "back to basics" experience.
Why does anyone need/want the latest or greatest for these classic cameras? As long as the crop from real 645 isn't too big (1.1 is about the limit) then just enjoy the experience.
We all have other camera systems, nobody would really choose MF for their high ISO low light needs, surely. We'd just pick up our A7 something or our ugly canikon plastic lumps.
-
Hi,
The reason I revived the thread was that I stumbled over it and wanted to give an example of great advice from Steve Hendrix of Capture Integration. Steve is informative and helpful and his suggestions always makes sense.
Best regards
Erik
Erik -
A reasonable pursuit. The interesting thing is that most of our Hassleblad and Contax customers are the most stable, in terms of feeling the (lack of) need to upgrade camera/backs. I think that speaks to a genuine fondness and preference for the camera platform. And if that is in place, then there are a number of ways you can go.
I had a client try out the CFV-50 a couple weeks ago. Even though he would have to turn the camera itself over to shoot a vertical (he mostly shoots landscapes), he was still intrigued by the simplicity of the CFV, with no cable. It felt very simple, and that was his key, he wanted simple. In fact, that is why he wants to continue shooting his Hasselblad. But for some, turning the camera on its side would be a deal breaker, and if they wanted long exposures past 30 seconds, only the Phase Plus backs provide that option. It is pretty subjective, but the positive is there are quite a few models to choose from.
Some of the below solutions start at less than $4,000, even from a dealer like CI.
**Phase One P/P+ Series
Pros: Plus backs can perform very long exposures, can be re-mounted on the camera for orientation change
Cons: Small, mediocre LCD screen, Sync cable required
- P21+/P30+ - Expanded ISO Range
- P25+/45+ - Larger sensor, long exposure
**Leaf Aptus/Aptus-II Series
Pros: Enhanced functionality (input lens data, pinpoint tonal range, etc).
Cons: Large mediocre LCD (but best chance of checking sharpness vs competitors), Sync Cable required.
- Aptus 65/Aptus-II 28 - More megapixels than Aptus 22
- Aptus 22/75/Aptus-II 22/33 - Larger sensor
**Hasselblad CFV Series
Pros: No Sync Cable required, looks sweet (just like the film back)
Cons: Small mediocre LCD, DB cannot be re-mounted in vertical orientation
- CFV-39/50 - Large sensor, ample resolution
- CFV-16 - Smaller sensor, square sensor (you can also pre-crop larger sensors for square capture.
Steve Hendrix
Capture Integration
CI Pre-Owned Digital Backs
It seems odd reviving such an old thread....
I love my V series bodies. I love shooting film. I love shooting with my ancient H25 back even more.
It's such a "back to basics" experience.
Why does anyone need/want the latest or greatest for these classic cameras? As long as the crop from real 645 isn't too big (1.1 is about the limit) then just enjoy the experience.
We all have other camera systems, nobody would really choose MF for their high ISO low light needs, surely. We'd just pick up our A7 something or our ugly canikon plastic lumps.