Hasselblad 903 SWC Review
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 8 окт 2024
- In this episode, Greg and I review the Hasselblad 903 SWC, a purely mechanical super-wide angle medium format camera. We took the camera out on a photo walk around Würzburg shooting some architecture on Kodak Ektar 100 and Kodak T-Max 400 and some portraits on Kodak Portra 160.
Gear used:
Hasselblad 903 SWC
Films used:
Kodak T-Max 400
Kodak Ektar 100
Kodak Portra 160
If you'd like to get in touch or see some early behind the scenes footage, find me on Instagram: / analog_insights
![KSI - Thick Of It (feat. Trippie Redd) [Official Lyric Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/tXEPbotEjZE/mqdefault.jpg)
Such a great camera, the industrial design, the form, the optics the performance. If anyone is sitting on a fence about it I suggest they rent one and take it for a drive. Street camera, landscape camera, architectural camera, copy camera and more! My 2000FCM with 40 FLE couldn't quite replace it and now they have moved on. The SWC just lives on. If you get one, it does not have to cost 4K or whatever, it could be a used one, a beater or a rebuild/basket case. The more worn it is the more casually you can use it. Who wants to look like a Saudi Prince anyway? Stay approachable and stay out there. Buy one and keep it near.
So lovely to see you again. Great video, a brilliant camera and great results.
Great video on a interesting camera. What really stuck out to me was working with view finder and using a educated guess and they made another model for space.
Lovely image quality on this video, surprised to see you weren't using a cable release when using the SWC on the tripod? This lens is so good it tends to mask small imperfections like a shaky finger. :)
Super video, thank you guys so much. I got a 903 SWC these days and can say that this camera is the nonplusultra for me. It's so easy to handle and gives such amazing and outstandig results. Looking forward to 2024 when I plan to go to the Dolomites and hike around the famous Drei Zinnen where I will shoot with the 903 - and only with this marvellous camera. Little update about the prize: A really good one will cost not less than 3500 euros today, up to about 5000 - according to the condition. Go on guys and best wishes from Hof in northern Bavaria.
As usual, another wonderful video. Thank you very much. RS. Canada
That bit with the normally reserved and proper Greg was hysterical!
just a joke to not beeing too seriously 😉
Complimenti, bellissima recensione e bellissimo video di una macchina che con il suo obiettivo 38mm Biogon ha contribuito in maniera significativa a fare la storia della fotografia grandangolare. Personalmente sono felicemente possessore di un modello SW del 1957 perfettamente funzionante e che uso tutt'oggi! Grazie, Ermanno.
Ciao Ermano e mille gracie. Greg
What should be added to the model history of the SWC: There are late versions of the SWC/M fitted with the CF Biogon and the possibility to use a Polaroid magazine. I own one of these and despite some inconveniences in the handling seeing the results still blows my mind, provided that I got everything right. And by the way: the SWC also works brilliantly with the CFV 50 II digital back.
yes, we all 'GAFF' at some point, it's inevitable, but a suggestion, tie a string or strap between the lens cap and darkslide, so you know if both are off, as one should swing down to the front or rear, if the 'mate' is still on the camera.
don't beat yourself up, I used a sinar F2 recently, with the vario back, 120 Kodak Gold 200 and mis wound the first frame, losing it 😞, got the other 5 shots {was shooting 6x12 at the time} but the Other 5, where fantastic, great tones in the negative, and importantly for me at least, Not a washout with glare.
Damn!What a sweet machine, a landscape photographer's dream,stick it on f/22 hyperfocal focus for max depth of field walk around all day.Loved the music too.
diffraction
@@artby2wenty hardly an issue with such exquisite optics
Great video, excellent! I inherited a SWC from my father a while ago and really enjoy shooting with it. Keep up the good work.
Wonderful video, superb camera. Many thanks.
Beautiful camera. Thank you for the information on the differences between versions. I enjoy seeing the beautiful architecture where you do the photoshoots in many of your videos. I'm envious that you have such locations.
great video, by the way here is a tip, with respect to the focus and lens cap issues; like the Arcbody & Flexbody you can fit a 'ground glass' focus screen, or one of the prism viewfinders via a back adaptor, this allows focussing, BUT importantly, as you are now seeing through the lens, you can see if the lens cap is off!! Also as a final check, set the lens shutter to time (press the shutter, and flick the lever on the base of the button, to hold it open), then peer into the optical axis, if you can see light, and the iris closed down, YES you are safe to shoot, after re-cocking and replacing the back of coarse.
Thank you again for the detail presentation.
One of my dream cameras. I already own a 501CM and 5 lenses, but the 40mm FLE doesn't quite compare with the 38mm Biogon, especially in terms of filter use.
Good review of a fantastic piece of photographic equipment.
Have you ever visited the old Hasselblad factory in Göteborg, Sweden ? They had an exellent slideshow with images only taken with a SWC camera :)
I enjoy every picture they give us.
thank you
*you give us
This video, all your videos are most informative and entertaining. Thanks for posting.
Very nice review. Enjoyed it very much. Really inspires me to dust of my old camera's and try analog again.
Poor Greg he just lost his marbles when he saw that lens cap. 🤣
Hi! Great video! Was that a rangefinder Greg was using? If so, which type?
I really prefer the 40mm f4 distagon on a 500 for its ttl focus and framing. But the 38mm would certainly trump it for infrared photography in being able to source filters. Nice review guys.
Thank you for another great video! I'm curious as to how the 38mm Biogon on the SWC variants compares to the 40mm f4.0 lens which is available for the 500 line.
Hammer 🔝video again! 👍🏻 I’ve missed you guys. Having read Kenn Rockwell comparison with the Mamiya N 43mm 4.0 for Mamiya 7II system and owning this lens, I’ m pretty curious though about the Hasselblad Biogon design. I’d love to see a side by side comparison even considering the format differences. Viele Grüße aus München Nord und danke nochmal für eure tolle Videos.
Ignazio, the Mamiya 43mm is a legendary lens which is in the same league as the Biogon! Both are really so good that debating whether one is better than the other is irrelevant in my opinion. Much more relevant is whether you prefer 6x7 or square format, as well as whether you prefer SLR or rangefinders. (A side question could be whether you are OK to rely on electronics or if you want a pure mechanical, repairable camera) To each his own, there's no right or wrong here. Happy shooting :) Viele Grüsse aus München Mitte!
Great review. I just took delivery of a 1988 903swc and it looks new to me. Fabulous build quality. The viewfinder is unlike anything I’ve used before, with the bubble level and exposure and focus info all visible. The one surprise was the size. Much smaller than I had anticipated, even tho I already own a 503CW.
that is my ultimate dream camera
Dream camera! Michael Kenna just came out with a new book of architectural design, most photos were shot with that camera (don't know the exact model) Cheers!
After watching some of your videos here I must say that Analog Insights is my reference when it comes to information on and tests of film cameras. Thanks a lot!
The downside may be the economic impact this may have :) as I so much want to buy several of the cameras you do reviews of.
Tolles Video, danke dafür. Ist ein Genuss anzuschauen!
Thank you! You've inspired me to dust off my cherished SWC903. Is there a digital back for this one?
I assume the 907x 50 and 100 MP digital camera works with this?
Bravo! Another killer episode! Great insight and locations. Keep inspiring keep clicking be well x ta
The first edition was called SWA "Superwide Angle", but some calle it "Supreme Wide Angle". The old shutter was a Compur, the new shutter was a Prontor. There is an adapter for using focusing screens and finders if you work on a tripod. My favourite Hasselblad wide angle is the Distagon 50mm 2,8 for the 200/2000F series, That I will very highly recommend, it´s a very good lens for many situations and it can focus close so the closest field is 15x15cm !
Classy review guys. I love using my '77 model with Ektar 100 more than with a digital back.
I love my Hasselblad cameras even today, but it pains me greately that only Instagram provides me the proper 1:1 aspect ratio to view its photos😔
Je me suis toujours posé la question comme faire la mise au point avec cette série ?
I have posted several positive comments in the past. I hope it’s fair I post the following comments today:
- I am really puzzled by the numbers of shots pointing up or down with that camera. To the exception of some deliberate artistic choices, one would assume a photographer wants to use the camera for how it’s designed to perform, which seems to be missed here.
- It takes a long time in the review to point that the Biogon design delivers a wide angle lens with almost no distortion. It’s an essential point that I would mention from the start as it should drive the way one uses the camera.
- The example where you highlight distortion shows the camera pointing slightly down. As a result it cannot be an appropriate example to show distortion.
- As you highlight it, the Biogon design is almost symmetrical. This allows extreme proximity to the image/film plane preventing distortion. Why saying it creates a problem to be used with a mirror? A mirror requires retro-focus lens design such has the later Zeiss Distagon design with its own pros and cons.
- The level bubble is barely mentioned. As some other reviews rightfully point this out, it’s possibly a more important feature than the finder itself for an extreme wide angle lens.
- You highlight challenges with focusing. It seems the huge depth of field one gets with such wide angle lenses is ignored.
Thank you for your constructive feedback, Nico. I really appreciate it. I can see that we should have made it clearer in the beginning of the video that the main selling point of this lens is that it basically distortion free and that we could have shot more images to actually prove that point. Sorry to see that you were disappointed by this review.
Analog Insights disappointed is a strong word. Ultimately we all enjoy having these reviews to start some discussions or debates. My view was that for specialized cameras, one needs to understand first what they are designed for as they are usually not fit for everything. From that standpoint it’s difficult to apply the same approach as a regular camera review IMHO.
It's interesting. If you want a practical alternative, a Pentax 67 with the fantastic 45mm f4 lens. A near identical field of view on a far more versatile camera. You lose the leaf shutter for flash photography, but for available light, it's superior in many regards - not just price.
thecaveofthedead - I have the Pentax 67 and this lens too. You are right. The camera and the lens are great, but I would never compare them in a sense which one is better . Both systems are gorgious, both systems have their right to exist, even as they are so different. You will see a Pentax 67 review also on this channel in the near future.
Cheers and best regards, Greg
@@ianthomas465 I'm not suggesting otherwise. Only that most people could never justify the cost of the Hasselblad 38mm system. And near-identical results can be obtained using the 45mm on the Pentax.
@@ianthomas465 ... and, I should add, you get to compose and focus with the reflex viewfinder.
The Hasselblad is a 21mm equivalent whereas the Pentax is a 23 mm equivalent. That’s a quite big difference at that focal length.
Amazing camera for so many applications, from snaps of the kids to serious landscapes. I use a mnemonic to help me remember to take the cap off and focus (easy to forget when viewfinder is always in focus), SWC/M - Slide (dark), Winder, Cap, Manual Focus!
Lens cup is my nightmare :) 3 times for half frames on film :)
This SWC camera must provide a completely different shooting experience to using digital. Is the tripod essential?
Nice video, good shots.
Nice video and images. Great music!
next please show us how to use the external range finder, good review
Virginia Hoffman We will do so. Review of the external viewfinder is noted for a video about old medium format folding cameras. Cheers, Greg
There is some detail about the rangefinder that you didn't show us.
There is always some detail I am not showing and someone like you commenting on it. I consider it a tradition by now. :)
Superb 👏
Beautiful work. Can you please tell me what lightmeters were being used?
which external rangefinder???
Interesting video... great music...
the blues tune plz ??
Interesting, as usual! I also rather liked the music... Can you - or do you somewhere? - list what the music is? Cheers!
My music always comes from Epidemic Sounds which is a site directed at RUclips creators.
Class! I photograph on Minolta only because I don’t have money on Zeiss. The rest is just rubbish.
Minolta was no lesser than Zeiss/Leica ... that is why Leica chose them for the only known partnership for their precious M system. I have both Minolta and Zeiss (C/Y) lenses and honestly the bokeh on the Minolta portrait lenses are something else.
Great review and thanks for sharing. The SWC has been one of my fav film camera. Check out my personal page at instagram.com/jerrylinphoto/ with all film photos.
what's the song name? it really reminds me of pulp fiction surf rock vibes!
There are enough tests to be found on the internet regarding the quality of the images made with the 903 and 905 Hasselblad. The new 905 lens design uses lead free glass because of environmental reasons. Lead free glass has different optical properties, so Zeiss was forced to redesign the complete lenssystem. This resulted in a lens with slightly different qualities compared to the 903 lens. The 903 lens produces excellent images with great results in the center, but lack the same great results at the edges. The 905 is not as good in the center as the 903 is, but performs better compared to the 903 at the edges. This said, it's almost impossible to see the difference in image quality produced by these two cameras when compared by the naked eye. They both produce superb images. I personally wouldn't bother about the 905 plastic lens filtermount, where this part is made of aluminium on the 903. I own a 905, and that so called plastic mount is actually made of hi-quality polymer which doesn't show any wear after years of use. This cannot be said from the aluminium filtermount on the 903 which starts to look shabby as soon the anodised coating starts to fade. I think when I had to make a choice between a 903 or a 905, the 905 will be a better bargain for me. On average a 905 has less 'mileage' compared to the the older 903, which justifies the higher price. Another thing is the more durable shutter in the 905, but on the other hand, most thirty year old SWC's still seem to work perfectly. This all shows that Hasselblad's goal was, and still is, making the perfect even better.
Amazing camera but it stays a dream. I already own a 500C/M and an XPan, that's enough :-)
Fabrizio Zago - Photography and Media I love my 500 cm🙌
I'm jealous of that XPan.
On the MF side though, I use my 503CX with a P65+ digital back for my studio work. Hehe
Vikman Photography I have been looking into some digital backs for my Hasselblad, but they’re just so expensive!
@@lancesmith6386 mine goes for about 5k nowadays but I can justify it. A quick Google search showed that a Hasselblad H3D- 31 (31mp) can be had for $630 which seems pretty manage, though I've not used that one to recommend it.
If you'll be tethering, the H20 is a decent cheaper option. If you need to shoot outside or free handed, I'd recommend something like a P25+/P45+ or Leaf Aptus 45 though. I'm not sure what your resolution needs/budget are but best of luck!
One thing I would seriously avoid is the Kickstarter "ImBack" project. That utalizes a really cool idea but cuts too many corners to get there, imo. I guess you could fire a test shot on digital (with any ultra-cheap back) and then switch to film for your keeper shot.
Vikman Photography I saw that ImBack company, but didn’t really like what I was seeing haha
A superb setup for architecture but NASA thinks moonscapes: can we both be right?
this camera doesn't have any sense except "wow it's best superwide lens" kind of thing.
because for serious use of such wide angle in medium format you absolutely need some control over perspective distortion otherwise you will get just regular wide angle photos (21mm is not uncommon and not nearly an "extreme wide") but with greater resolution.
wish this lens has a shift option.
you can't really shoot architecture with horizon line in the middle of a frame :/
And yet, photographers did use this camera for architecture projects for many years.
Ок
905Swc not a good len😅
great video !! What is the device at 6:28 (ruclips.net/video/CAxKe2y97Ps/видео.html) ?
Looks like an external optical rangefinder.
Класс! Я фотографирую на Minolta только потому что у меня нет денег на Zeiss. Остальное это просто мусор.
Personally this camera compared with Mamiya 7 43mm has almost no advantages excluding the fact you can change film. It is like a bad range finder with exchangeable camera bags. Maybe it has sense if you are already in this system.
The SWC cameras have another advantage in that you can attach a ground glass & reflex viewer to the back, which allows for precise framing and focusing, and also DoF preview. It's also worth noting that the ability to change film backs isn't a minor advantage, but a huge one.
I have an SWC because it is totally weird and makes me approach the world in a totally weird way. In the land of sensible we'd all just pick up a digital with wide angle zoom and correct any distortion in post - but where is the fun in that!
@@RogerHyam Some people focus on the journey, some on the transport mode and some on the destination - everyone is different in where they find the fun. If the output is the only thing you care about then there are fabulous digital cameras out there that can give you what you want also... so horses for courses. I personally enjoy all aspects of the discipline but after taking great photos of loved ones you do realise what the output means to others.