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40mm CFE or 903SWC
- Thread starter rcyoung
- Start date
I am an SWC user.
Although SWC is very basic, it is able to focus considerable shorter distance than the 40mm lens. There are many exciting and interesting images happening in this shorter distance. Together with a better optical performance, this was the reason that I went for the SWC.
The situation was different in 24x36 format. C-Y 21mm was able to focus down to 0.22m. I am not sure why they did not make the 40mm hasselblad to focus nearer.
Although SWC is very basic, it is able to focus considerable shorter distance than the 40mm lens. There are many exciting and interesting images happening in this shorter distance. Together with a better optical performance, this was the reason that I went for the SWC.
The situation was different in 24x36 format. C-Y 21mm was able to focus down to 0.22m. I am not sure why they did not make the 40mm hasselblad to focus nearer.
Robert, it depends on what kind of photography you are primarily interested in.
If it is more studied works, where you set up and take your time, such as landscapes, casual architectural images, or dramatic wide angle still lifes ... then the SWC is a great tool to have.
You can get the Hasselblad ground glass and various finders for critical focusing if desired ... although the depth-of-field of the 38, using hyper-focal-distance focusing also makes it useable for many other applications.
On the other hand, if you tend to shoot more spontaneously like street photography, weddings/events, general travel landscapes and such... then the 40 may serve you better.
I have both, and tend to get more use from the 40mm. This is because of the type work I tend to do, and that I need the 40 when using the CFV digital back that produces a 1.5X crop factor ... as opposed to optical considerations. Optically, the 38 is more highly corrected than the 40mm, and does focus closer ... although an 8mm extension tube will remedy that on the occasion you wanted to focus the 40 really close.
If it is more studied works, where you set up and take your time, such as landscapes, casual architectural images, or dramatic wide angle still lifes ... then the SWC is a great tool to have.
You can get the Hasselblad ground glass and various finders for critical focusing if desired ... although the depth-of-field of the 38, using hyper-focal-distance focusing also makes it useable for many other applications.
On the other hand, if you tend to shoot more spontaneously like street photography, weddings/events, general travel landscapes and such... then the 40 may serve you better.
I have both, and tend to get more use from the 40mm. This is because of the type work I tend to do, and that I need the 40 when using the CFV digital back that produces a 1.5X crop factor ... as opposed to optical considerations. Optically, the 38 is more highly corrected than the 40mm, and does focus closer ... although an 8mm extension tube will remedy that on the occasion you wanted to focus the 40 really close.
najobskalf
Member
I had to make the same choice and finally decided on a CF40, for exactly the reason you mention. The difference in optical performance is not as great as some would have you believe and if you intend to do any close-up work, the TTL view afforded by the 40 is invaluable. The SWC is very appealing but less practical, in my opinion.
semmelblad
Member
It very much depends on the intended use. I like the SWC as a compact lightweight travel camera e.g. for mountaineering. (please, somebody give me an Imacon scanner so that I can post pictures here ;-)
Ulrik
Ulrik
polypal
Active Member
I like the SWC for its simplicity.
It easily outperforms anything else with the same AOV and gives me the Leica M feeling when I use it in a crowd.
No shutter/mirror noise to attract attention just point and shoot.
When set at 5,6 it is hyperfocal from 2m to infinity.
I like it so much that I started to collect these unique cameras.
It begins with the Supreme Wide Angle and after several model updates with little or no optical improvement ends with the 903 SWC.
Last weekend I took the oldest a 1954 SWA with a late 903 to compare image quality
with an extra effort to see how both perform with strong backlight situations.
I am sorry to say that against all marketing talk I could not detect
a significant improvement if any at all with the later camera.
For exact focusing and image control it needs a focusingscreen with viewing adapter.
That is to me the only disadvantage compared to the 40 mm CF lens.
It is a pity this camera is no longer listed by Hasselblad.
Paul
It easily outperforms anything else with the same AOV and gives me the Leica M feeling when I use it in a crowd.
No shutter/mirror noise to attract attention just point and shoot.
When set at 5,6 it is hyperfocal from 2m to infinity.
I like it so much that I started to collect these unique cameras.
It begins with the Supreme Wide Angle and after several model updates with little or no optical improvement ends with the 903 SWC.
Last weekend I took the oldest a 1954 SWA with a late 903 to compare image quality
with an extra effort to see how both perform with strong backlight situations.
I am sorry to say that against all marketing talk I could not detect
a significant improvement if any at all with the later camera.
For exact focusing and image control it needs a focusingscreen with viewing adapter.
That is to me the only disadvantage compared to the 40 mm CF lens.
It is a pity this camera is no longer listed by Hasselblad.
Paul
Robert:
I think both would be the best option, however, the 40 CFE IF was my choice to use with my 203FE .2m close focusing to me is as Mark stated is easily overcome but not a concern of mine. The ease of use with my 203 was a primary factor for me. And, I don't have to change my shooting mode, if you will.
BTW-When I bought it 4 salesmen were very openly jealous.
Regards:
Gilbert
I think both would be the best option, however, the 40 CFE IF was my choice to use with my 203FE .2m close focusing to me is as Mark stated is easily overcome but not a concern of mine. The ease of use with my 203 was a primary factor for me. And, I don't have to change my shooting mode, if you will.
BTW-When I bought it 4 salesmen were very openly jealous.
Regards:
Gilbert
wbulte
Active Member
Hi Robert,
What do you want to go and use the 40 versus SWC for? I opted for a CF40 myself. Maybe I need to borrow a SWC to use that camera and possibly appreciate that cameratype better. But for me the SLR viewfinder on a 500 camera with a CF40 outclasses the much more compact and lighter SWC. Even knowing that the SWC has the superior lens.
Wilko
What do you want to go and use the 40 versus SWC for? I opted for a CF40 myself. Maybe I need to borrow a SWC to use that camera and possibly appreciate that cameratype better. But for me the SLR viewfinder on a 500 camera with a CF40 outclasses the much more compact and lighter SWC. Even knowing that the SWC has the superior lens.
Wilko
One is a speciality camera, the other is a general use kit.
There is no mirror box in the SWC, which allows a different kind of lens design. Sacrifices are made in one area to improve another.
Perhaps the historical experts here can elaborate on this question:
Was, and/or how long was, the Zeiss 38 Biogon available as a separate lens? I vaguely recall,
this in conjunction with an ALPA MF (a camera I aspire to to this day). Was it ever "generally" available, or was it just a special thing like for the ALPA?
There is no mirror box in the SWC, which allows a different kind of lens design. Sacrifices are made in one area to improve another.
Perhaps the historical experts here can elaborate on this question:
Was, and/or how long was, the Zeiss 38 Biogon available as a separate lens? I vaguely recall,
this in conjunction with an ALPA MF (a camera I aspire to to this day). Was it ever "generally" available, or was it just a special thing like for the ALPA?
wbulte
Active Member
Hi Robert,
Try an EL camera with a 40mm (preferably a C40), a 70mm magazine and a 45 gr viewfinder. First it is a perfect workout, secondly it scares the natives out of their wits.
True macho pro's could exchange the plain 70mm magazine for a 70/500 magazine, and maybe toss in the 500mm lens.
Kidding aside: SWC versus 40mm is something you really have to lay your hands on and experience what you like best. In case of severe indecisiveness: buy both. And a camel. To carry it all.
Wilko
Try an EL camera with a 40mm (preferably a C40), a 70mm magazine and a 45 gr viewfinder. First it is a perfect workout, secondly it scares the natives out of their wits.
True macho pro's could exchange the plain 70mm magazine for a 70/500 magazine, and maybe toss in the 500mm lens.
Kidding aside: SWC versus 40mm is something you really have to lay your hands on and experience what you like best. In case of severe indecisiveness: buy both. And a camel. To carry it all.
Wilko
wbulte
Active Member
Hi Marc,
On the Biogon on Alpa you can check here:
http://www.zeiss.de/C12567A8003B0478/Contents-Frame/8F50D2BAAE0EA127C125708B004A2D8B
Note that Zeiss explains that only on Alpha you can get the Biogon 4.5/38 as an exchangeable lens (as opposed to the fixed lens on the SWC etc).
As far as I can tell it is a current product.
Wilko
On the Biogon on Alpa you can check here:
http://www.zeiss.de/C12567A8003B0478/Contents-Frame/8F50D2BAAE0EA127C125708B004A2D8B
Note that Zeiss explains that only on Alpha you can get the Biogon 4.5/38 as an exchangeable lens (as opposed to the fixed lens on the SWC etc).
As far as I can tell it is a current product.
Wilko
wbulte
Active Member
While we are talking Alpa,
I like this one a lot, for true wide angle on a digiback it apears to me as a very nice solution to have the 24mm Schneider:
http://www.alpa.ch/index.php?path=products/lenses/digital_lenses
I do worry about another mortgage on the house though..
Wilko
I like this one a lot, for true wide angle on a digiback it apears to me as a very nice solution to have the 24mm Schneider:
http://www.alpa.ch/index.php?path=products/lenses/digital_lenses
I do worry about another mortgage on the house though..
Wilko
> That brings up an interesting point...I was also looking at some of > the older 40mm Hasselblad lenses ( a $ is a $ after all) ...I have > several CF and CFis in other sizes, and really don't see all that > much difference in my "normal" shooting. I wonder where the 903swc > "break point" would be where the older 40mms are 'really' 'really' > visibly poorer?