Hasselblad H3D-31 with 100mm vs. H4D-31 with 80mm

[lockstock]

Hello everyone,

I am a brand new member hoping for some equipment tips. We shoot stock photography and just moved to Knoxville, Tennessee from Los Angeles. I am about to upgrade to a medium format camera system from a Canon 1DSM2. We have had sharpness issues with the QC people at the stock agencies (very sharp people, those.

Also, there is a book project coming up featuring the gardens and interiors of a private estate in Northern California.
Thus the need (or perhaps urge) for larger file sizes. I have a Mamiya RZ67 now but the book budget would not cover film costs at this time. I searched for a way to put a digital back on my Mamiya, which included a trip to NYC but couldn't find anything that balanced better in my hands (and my pocketbook) than the Hasselblads.

My stock work is primarily food and portraits using available daylight shot wide open.

So I am currently looking at buying either a (used/demo) H3D-31 with a 100mm f/2.2 lens or an H4D-41 kit with an 80mm f/2.8 lens. The new focusing technology on the H4 sounds attractive, but the cost would preclude upgrading to a 100mm anytime soon.

I'd appreciate any thoughts. Has anyone upgraded from an H3D-31 to an H4D-31? Was it a hugely significant difference?

Thank you kindly,

Jennifer Boggs

[bpepz]

I don't have experience with the hasselblad, but I do use an rz67 with a leaf aptus 6-II back for my food photography for stock photo sites, and I really love the combination. Its not bad for people either, but since food is my main money maker, I am actually thinking of moving to using a view camera with a multishot back. Honestly though I am somewhat attached to my rz67 setup though but I cannot justify financially keeping several systems together that end up being somewhat redundant. Let me know if you would like any files from the rz so you can see if it could work for you.

[David Watson]

The benefits of the H4D are largely associated with the Truefocus technology which IMO will have a marginal benefit for your subject matter.  The 100mm lens is superb and again IMO much better than the 80mm.  If I were you I would buy a used H3D-2-39 plus the 100mm and then the 28mm lenses rather than buying an H4D body.  I have owned all of these - you might be interested in looking at another topic on this subject I have just posted.

[Nick-T]

Hi Jennifer
i agree with David, go with the H3D and 100mm.

Some for sale here:

http://www.hasselbladdigitalforum.com/index.php/board,14.0.html

Nick-T

[John.Williams]

Hi Jennifer,

As you can see, there is a large pool of resources to assist in your Hasselblad medium-format project

We also have an H3DII-39 kit available from an upgrade owner that you can find at our store that represents roughly a third of the savings from the H4D technology by comparison.

The TruFocus technology is a valid tool for hand-held performance improvements and a demo is the best way to get the feeling in your hands and see the results.

I personally fing the 100mm very helpful in social applications and the added aperture is great for available light; having said that, the 80mm hands-down is the work horse in the barn.

Good hunting!

John

[lockstock]

Hello Nick,

Thanks for the tip! I've registered at Hasselblad but am told the buy/sell forum is off limits to me?
Mysterious.

I am definitely leaning towards the H3D and the 100mm. After upgrading my computer systems to accomodate
the larger file sizes I will be working with I am just waiting to see what software/driver expenses I will have- there's always something surprising when that new Apple comes out of the box.

Then I can buy the new camera.

Best,

Jennifer

[epines]

Jen --

I vote for the H3D with 100mm as well. Give me a call, and we can discuss. By the way, I bought mine from John Williams, who posted above; he was a pleasure to work with.

ethan pines

[shaun]

Jen

I made the move from 1ds2 to Hasselblad a few years back and haven't regretted it. My issue was more due to sharpness at the corners on wide lenses. On the hasselblad everthing is just sharp no is it or isn't it anymore or shooting lots of frames just to get one sharp. I use the 80mm as my walkabout.

Having said that I have to say that after 4 years of MF shooting I have since got a 5d2 newer software and the sharpness issues are really not as evident.

Shaun

[hasselbladfan]

I would surely go for the 100mm.

The 100mm corresponds to an 78mm in 35mm. The 80mm is a 63mm on a 31 back, what strange duck is this. If you later complement it with a 28mm (a 22mm) and the new 50mm (a 39mm), you won't regret.

[JV]

The 80mm is a good standard lens but since I got the 100mm about a year ago I have only used the 80mm once...

[lockstock]

Thank you John, Shaun, Ethan (!), Rick and all of you.

How rare and delightful it is to witness a technical consensus in camera equipment.  It's a huge benefit to see all the fingers pointed in the same direction. I no longer feel lost.

Looking forward to opening the boxes and shooting.

Best,

Jennifer