Me and a HASSELBLAD 500 C/M - first time
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 26 июл 2024
- In this video I am trying out a Hasselblad 500 C/M for the very first time. You see my first steps with a medium format camera.
This video is not supposed to be a comparison between the Hasselblad and the Leica M6 which I am also using during the video.
I do not intend to compare the shots from the Leica with the shots from the Hasselblad. Neither from a photographic point of view nor from a technical point of view. I leave it up to the viewer to decide which ones they like better.
I am speaking purely from my first experiences in shooting with the Hasselblad when it comes to my approach to photography.
Hasselblad 500 C/M, 80mm f/2.8, Kodak Tri-X 400
Leica M6, 50mm f/2.0 APO Summicron, Ilford HP5+
This video is not sponsored!
I hope you enjoy the video and would be interested in your opinion in the comments below.
I you liked the video and want to see more please subscribe to my channel, press the like button and/or leave a comment.
Instagram: / the_m_photo
Facebook: / the.m.photo3025
A nice video from a good B&W photographer depicting a first-time experience with a Hasselblad V System camera. The Hasselblad is definitely more demanding to use but I think you missed several points.
First, you do not have to measure light for every shot if your lighting environment hasn't changed much - most experienced film photographers shoot 400 ASA negative (not slide) film 2 stops overexposed to get better shadow detail with no loss of highlights. So just get a reading for 100 ASA for your 400 ASA film, set the EV, pick an aperture and depth of field range by using zone focusing using the red markers on the lens. Move the focusing point to bracket the range you want to cover - you don't even have to focus! You use your eyes to estimate if your subject is in the zone.
This allows you to just point and shoot - no delay. The rangefinder Leica needs to be brought up to your eyes to frame the shot but with the waist level finder, the Hasselblad can be shot from the hip, which is less disconcerting for many subjects in candid shots because you are not looking at them. BTW, HP5 and Tri-X are very different films with the latter tending to deliver higher contrast results. The reverse image does take some getting used to but you'll be amazed how well your brain adapts.
So you need to use the camera better and also understand how you can use the latitude of negative film to avoid taking so many exposure readings. I liked all your photos but overall, the square format worked better in most of the shots, a testament to your skills with composition. The problem with 35mm format is that most people unconsciously use the long side as a crutch to achieve balance because the long side naturally creates balance... but that is a distraction because it can distract from trying to achieve more perfect balance by adjusting the composition itself. That's why square format feels like it's more work... because it *is* more work, but it's also often more authentic than a rectangular format and the results usually look better than 35mm because more work went into them.
Finally, it is always better to give yourself more time to make a shot, either by fussing over the image or by using smart presets that free you from fussing over the camera instead of the image.
Thank you so much for the comprehensive feedback. 🙏🏻 very good tips. Appreciate it. I am definitely not giving up on the square format nor Hasselblad. I like your comment about putting more work into the composition or the felling of having to put more work into creating a composition. Once again, thank you Mike!
I agree with Mike. Your compared images show the square format ones have stronger compositions. The square format in general has a stronger composition potential than the rectangular one. Nice work, thanks.
Thanks a lot Gerry.
wowza, really fluid and great review man. Good stuff! ended up on my recommended
Thank you for creating such an interesting tutorial! I fully understand the slight learning curve with using a different camera.
Give yourself more time with the Hasselblad. It's such a great camera. Also, it does take a little time getting use to this particular format, but once you get it, you'll enjoy the benefits. What I like about the Hasselblad is that it forces me to slow down, really look at what's in my frame, and then to let go of all my expectations! I own a Hasselblad 503cw.
P.S. I really liked the reflecting water image you captured with the hasselblad (2:33) as well as the one at the end of your clip!
Thank you so much for your kind words. 🙏 I totally agree with what you say. I will for sure shoot with the Hasselblad again. I want to learn more how to compose with it and truly embrace the slowing down.
Two the most beautiful camera ever made.
Oh, it will break that camera's heart. I thought you could be made for each other. My absolute favorite was at 3:33 (and also the first one with the reflection … and not to forget the entire cat scene) - it's refreshing to see in which areas you see these interesting light situations. Great video! It makes me think of trying to shoot square as well. Looking forward to your next one :)
Thank you. I won't give up on it. 😉 The cat was a welcome 🐈 surprise and it had to become part of the video. But can't beat your dog 🐕
I owned a 500cm back in the day, it’s more of a location/studio kind of camera, this vid brought back memories ! Great review, enjoyed,Thank you👍🏼
Yes, way more suited in the studio or at least on a tripod. But a beautiful piece of photographic equipment. Thanks for watching.
Just got a 501cm, Freakin LOVE IT! And i shoot with an M6 lots, the HASSY is just a different beast, once you use it for a few shoots you will get faster at it.
And again beautiful shoots. And always a pleasure to follow your videos. I can't wait to see the next happy capture hunting here from Italy 🇮🇹 😊 I can't higly recommend a prism finder I also had my difficulties with a wast finder
Thank you so much 🙏 yeah, a prism finder helps with a few situations. Definitely going to try that in the future. Greetings back to Italy and happy shooting on the weekend.😊
@@TheMPhotography hi I absolutely forgot to mention in the wast level you can correct the magnification like a regular camera it's inside can't remember precisely. But I mean in the front end inside it. There is away to adjust it specifically for your eyes. Don't give up on this amazing camera I did the worst thing I could do. I sold mine but I will instead buying a 35 mm analog buy à hasselblad again. And remember the reason or point that rolls are in a magasin you can Change them to a new magazine with a fresh film rolls. A bit like a rifle lol
Yes. The magazines are one of the most compelling feature. One can also easily switch between color and black& white film. Or switch to a film with a different ISO.
From my experience is difficult to be faster than a M6. But on the medium format there is so much informations in one shot, the quality is incredible. Thanks thanks for your work Markus.
Thanks a lot for your kind words Ludovic 🙏
They are beautiful pictures, some look better in 135, others in 120 in composition.
Thank you for sharing your experiences.
At the end of the video I like your color photos. ;)))))
Thank you so much Robert 🙏
Embrace the square!
Great video.
Thank 😃 I will over time. Just a matter of getting used to it.
Nice review, I just shot my first roll on the 500cm - looking forward to seeing the results. The lack of a built light meter certainly offers an extra challenge, but I have been using my Fuji X100F as a light meter/test shot. I think I might switch it out for my Nikon F3 though.
Nice. Congratulations. Hope you had as much fun shooting it as I did. As you say I used my Leica as a light meter in the end. But you will get used to the flow with time. Nikon F3 is a good choice
Hi great video as usual. The Hasselblad is something you need to get use to, for street is a Bit tricky. I use mine for my land scapes and when I travel to destination places. I suggest you try it on a tripod and do landscapes it's a whole different feeling but you will need a spot meter I notice you used a Sekonic incident meter, that will only give you reflective light metering. Thanks , Dominique.
Many thanks for your feedback Dominique. I agree. I need to give it a try for landscapes as well as for a portrait session. Both using a tripod. And also I need to get myself a better version of the Sektonic with a built in spot meter for such shots.
@@TheMPhotography ruclips.net/video/1daWIrkwvBM/видео.html
Square format is nice for portrait, for the rest I prefer rectangular landscape format. I agree with you camera without lightmeter does slow you down, not for every type of photo, you miss many shots because of the light measurement but you can use the sunny 16 rules, with practice you come to know your light
True. I can clearly see where the Hasselblad has it’s strengths. Also true that square is nice for portraits. I am aware of sunny 16 but I don’t like being limited by it. I might do a fun video in the future about me shooting a box camera by applying sunny 16. That’s when I have no other choice other than sunny 16, or if my light meter on the Leica fails 🙀
Hi Markus I just bought a 503 Hasselblad black body. I couldn't resist it. So slowly I will buy a prism finder and two magasines and then I will get two lenses a 80 mm and a 50 mm.
I use the M2 without a built-in lightmeter and the same with my 503cw.
I either use a Pentax Spotmeter and take two readings for the shadows and highlights, and place it on the zone scale. Great way to not disturb the scene and have to meter at the subject.
Alternatively I just use an incident meter, like you did in the start of the video, and mostly meter at half box speed and meter for the shadows, making sure I have overexposed the film by 1-3 stops. Not for each shot though, but just when I start out, and if the light changes dramatically. Thus metering "is out of the way" quickly and can concentrate on framing and focusing.
Sometimes I just use Sunny 16 with a twist. I start at Sunny 8 instead, making sure I already have overexposed the film 1 stop. After a while I kinda have a cheat sheet for the film in your head. e.g. what shutter speed I use Porta 400 at f/2.8 if it is sunny, shadow, overcast, inside etc.
Thanks a lot Frej. I also do multiple readings as well and put them on the scale. I like precision in photography. Having the light meter built-in is very convenient though once you get used to it and I personally am a lot faster with it. With the Hasselblad or your M2 I guess sunny 16 is probably the fastest. 😊
Hi, I noticed that you used a lightmeter with the Hasselblad. Does the Leica have a built in meter?, and if so wa there a reason why you didn't use this for the Hasselblad?
At first I used a dedicated light meter because the Hasselblad doesn't have one. And I started measuring the light and then taking the shot with the indicated parameters first with the Hasselblad and then with the Leica. But I lost time and photo opportunities and so I decided to first shoot with the Leica and then with the Hasselblad. My Leica M6 has a built in light meter. That sped up the process tremendously.
Nice results for a first try, I have that camera and I really like it but for sure is not ideal to track fast movement if you want to do street photography. And the sound of the camera when takes the picture is not really silent :-)
Thanks Fabrizio. And you are right, not the most subtle shutter sound either 😉
It's also a matter of what mental approach one has toward the subject: it's possible to add the tripod where possible and let the subject stay more time in our perceptions. Photography can be more intimate than bite and run
Yes totally. Thanks for watching
I like to lift the mirror with button underneath the crank when possible to avoid the big mirror slap
While the Hasselblad excelled as a studio camera, but with some customization, I had used my 500 C/M and Nikon F2A + Motor Drive for almost everything (included street photography) when I started out my photography journey, four decades ago. My Hasselblad accessories included additional film backs, Polaroid Back, meter winding knob, meter prism, quick focus handle, focusing screens and rapid film advance lever. Of course, I also had a number of incident/reflective/spot/color meters on hand, if needed.
Due to the larger size of MF cameras, the square format lets us visually cropping the image for portrait and landscape, without the need to rotate the camera physically. To assist composing, one could DIY a grid on the focusing screen using very narrow strips of artist translucent tape.
Note that the CF lenses can be EV coupled, and many experienced film photographers can read the appropriate EV of a scene (plus the desired +/- EV for the image) without a meter or from memorizing the various suggested EV from an EV chart. It is similar to use one's palm to get an incident meter reading from the camera meter.
Quite a nice Hasselblad setup you have or had. The one I tried was just standard. Totally agree that the Hasselblad shines in a studio. As most MF cameras I guess. I shot one frame with a Mamiya RZ67 the other day. Thanks for your comprehensive comment 🙏
With your first use of the Blad you’ve not mentioned the fact that the images in the viewfinder move in the reverse direction, and will naturally seem difficult for a long time until you’re used to it.
They do make a metered pentaprism.
You will get fluent with eventually though.
I certainly preferred your square images overall.
A really interesting and enjoyable first go, very well done !
Thank you Gary. True, I should've mentioned how things move in reverse direction when looking through the viewfinder. What I also found to be difficult is to master the horizon. Dunno if it is because of the viewfinder and how things move in there or if it is because of the square format. In the meantime I was also able to try out a prism viewfinder. It was quite enjoyable I must say.
The M Photography Hi M, yes you’re quite right about the horizon, it took me a while even in the studio.
What I found amusing was that after a while on returning to the 35 mm I found it strange to readjust and was panning ing in the wrong direction for a time.
So pleased you enjoyed the pentaprism, May be interesting to see more of your comparisons with the prism maybe ?
Best Gary
@@TheGazmondo I might do a video on my experiences with the prism viewfinder on the Blad or shooting one of the Mamiya R*67 with a prism in the future.
Hi I have own a 501 Cw and 503 black body and yes you can shoot street and all. I advice you to buy more film magasins that's the point. So you simply have can change fast and effectively. Leica m and Hasselblad 500 is my two all time favorite cameras
The meter's invercone needs to measure the light falling on the subject, not reflected from it. Aim the dome towards the light source.
Both cameras, many can only dream of….
Thanks for watching and your comment. Yes agree with you and I feel lucky and privileged and remind myself of this as often as I can.
I have 503cx and felt the same. It gets in my way to shoot a photo. It just does not feel natural to use. Plus the finder is not the best especially compared to others.
Thanks for watching. Describes perfectly how I felt.
Don't give it up! You can find a lightmeter for Hasselblad too. A little more experience and you will love it!
Thank you Torbjörn. In the meantime I bought a Mamiya RZ67.
@@TheMPhotography You like perhaps 6x7 better
I really love 6x6
I think that is what I figured out in the end. Between shooting the Hasselblad and buying the Mamiya I went back and forth in my mind and somehow ended up realizing that 6x7 is more of my framing style. Nonetheless the shooting experience with the Hasselblad was amazing. It's beautiful, compact and very well built.
For your use I believe the Rolleiflex may be a better option. It has a shorter focus knob throw, basically silent shutter, built in light meter (later models) thus very street photography-worthy
Thanks for watching and your feedback. One of my favorite cameras from the look and definitely on the list of cameras to try in the future.
@@TheMPhotography or the Mamiya 6 which is a RF and thus a natural size up from Leica. Though I do not have experience in it. Do you still keep the Hassie?
The Mamiya 6 and 7 I don't like so much. They feel too much plasticy and cheap, although they are by far not cheap. Dunno if you watched more of my videos. Since the Hasselblad video I bought two Mamiya RZ67. I love those beasts.
Oh, come on give the Hassy a chance. If Vivian Meyer can do street photography in a large format so can you.
I am doing medium format in the mean time but I decided to go with the Mamiya RZ67. Felt more natural to me. But neither the Hassy nor the Mamiya can beat Vivians TLR Rolleiflex. Vivian did amazing work that I admire a lot. Thanks for watching Virginia.
If you should ever consider buying a Hasselblad for yourself: 1) having a built-in meter could be achieved by opting for a 200-series Hasselblad rather than a 500-series; 2) faster focusing could (possibly) be achieved by getting a split-field / microprism collar focusing screen for the camera. This may still not make it a good street camera in your eyes-fully understandable-but it might make it a more enjoyable experience using it.
Hi Peter. Many, many thanks for the tips. I definitely want to try a prism viewfinder to see how focusing feels with it. Also thanks for mentioning the 200 series. Didn't consider it yet. Appreciate it 🙏
You are welcome! And thank you for a both interesting and useful review of the Hasselblad as a street camera, by the way. I am sure many users will find it helpful. A prism viewfinder will no doubt give you a brighter and obviously left-right corrected image, and potentially also a lightmeter (PME versions), although not coupled to the camera. All the same, a prism alone doesn’t quite cut it for me. In my experience, the most significant focusing aid came from changing the standard focusing screen to a model with a split-field rangefinder and/or micro prism collar, such as catalog no 42215.
@@SilverHalides thank you as well for your comprehensive feedback. This really helps me and points me into the right direction. 🙏
No problem😊 I am no expert but the Hasselblad 203FE could be the best option for street photography in my opinion, since it has centre-weighted metering only. The 205TCC/FCC have spot-metering only. They all have aperture-priority automatic exposure. I warmly recommend Karen Nakamura’s article about the 200-series on photoetnography.com.
Give the Hasselblad another chance, but leave the Leica at home. Shooting both at the same time is like going out on a date with two women - it's going to get awkward. You need to enjoy both systems for what they can do and not have them compete. You are going to get very different images and they are going to be better if you are not simultaneously trying to compose for both systems.
Thanks a lot. I will give the Hasselblad another chance. Totally with you on this one. I think I learned a lot on this first “date” and I now know better what to try the next time.
Eine Beziehung kann mit der Zeit wachsen und reifen. Es ist eine andere Art der Fotografie und man muss sich darauf einlassen. Ein anderer verglich das beinahe zeitgleiche Fotografieren mit 2 Kameras mit einem Rendezvous mit zwei Damen. Ich musste schmunzeln, aber es trifft in gewisser Weise den Kern. Ich hoffe, Du wirst Deine Hasselblad lieben lernen. Oder ist die Romanze schon Geschichte?
Wolfgang
Lieber Wolfgang. Vielen Dank für dein Feedback. Die Romanze ist leider schon vorbei und ich habe mir eine Mamiya RZ67 gekauft. Irgendwie war das quadratische Format nicht so mein Ding. Schliesse es aber in Zukunft nicht aus. Habe mir eine Holga gekauft, mit der ich jetzt übe. Stimme dir aber voll und ganz zu.
Bei mir war es anders herum. Ich habe eine Mamiya 645 Pro und das 2:3 Format ist mir zu langweilig geworden. Ich warte auf eine Hassi und verkaufe die 645. Bei uns in Köln sagt man, dass jeder Jeck anders sei. Ist wohl auch bei den Fotografen so. Habe eine gute Zeit
Wolfgang
Ist tatsächlich so. Danke dir! Schöne Grüße nach Köln
A new kind of photo amusement.
Very funny and a bit pathetic too.
Brian Duffy once said to David Bailey:
"A non professional shooting with a Hasselblad is a wanker
or a gynaecologist living in Kensington".
Playing with a 35mm rangefinDer camera and a medium format camera,
is like comparing a DKW to a BMW motor bike.
You should first read the Hasselblad manual and then learn how to hold
and handle the 500 C/M.
Ask your friend for the genuine neckstrap made by Hasselblad.
It is not wise to use two different brands of films during a photo shoot.
You must out of your mind:
"Using the Leica camera as the lightmeter for the Hasselblad".
Next time:
Will you use a Hasselblad 500 C/M with its Cds-Prism to do a light measuring
for your 4 x 5 inch sheet film Linhof Technika and SINAR Norma camera?
Most of the time films will be developed in a lab or a darkroom, not in a studio.
If you do not like the Hasselblad, send your complains to Hasselblad, Gothenborg
in Sweden.
Professional photographers can do all sorts of photography with the Hasselblad
500 C/M, 500 EL/M and SWC/M: portrait, sports, nature, science, architecture,
macro, news, art, lunar and street.
Hasselblad cameras are not heavy and bulky.
What is your problem with the bokeh of Hasselblad Zeiss optics? You might try
some other lens brand for the Hasselblad: Kodak, Ross, Kilfitt, Rodenstock or Schneider.
Of course the lenses made by Voigtländer, Berthiot, Meyer, Busch and Cooke will suit
to the Hasselblad 500 series by the genuine adapter plus bellows or by adapting the
Hasselblad body to a view camera like the SINAR or the Linhof.
Thanks once more for your comprehensive feedback. I am sorry that I offended you. The video was not intended to be a review or me wanting to make the Hasselblad work for my type of photography. I don’t see a reason why I should complain to Hasseblad. They make fantastic cameras and people love them. 6x6 is just not my style of photography. It’s a matter of personal preference. I highly appreciated your comment though. Just understand that it was a view on the camera from my perspective at that time. In the mean time I am happily shooting medium format with a Mamiya RZ67. In fact I even own two of those in the mean time. They are even bulkier than the Hasselblad.
Adverts are killing RUclips
maybe you should try a rolleiflex for your style of photography
Yeah. Someone else was suggesting that as well. I know someone I might be able to borrow one from. Going full Vivian Maier then 😉
The Hassy images were much nicer in every respect.
Thank you for your feedback Joe! Much appreciated.
I just noticed that you have four legs.
And I thought nobody will find out my biggest secret 😉
A review after one roll of film? Oh man!
Practice, practice, pratice, get used to the 'Blad and you'll never touch the Leica again.
Hi Stefan. The video was not intended as a review. I am sorry for the misunderstanding. It was merely me trying out a Blad for the first time and sharing my view coming from the Leica world. If I ever decide to do a review I will make sure to highlight the fact in the title of the video.
OMG you just place the camera on the floor! Maybe you are too rich!!
🙈