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CFV - The good, the bad, and the ego trip

M

michaelhcothran

Member
Hi guys,
I just went on my first landscape trip for the year this weekend to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. For those of you across the pond, this is the most visited national park in the country, and represents the true essence of the Appalachian mountains, which run up the east coast of the US. I was finally able to put my CFV plus newly acquired 4x4DPS viewfinder to work after a long boring winter. Tennessee winters are famous for that!

The Good - I noticed for the first time this weekend, after owning the CFV for a year now, that there is a high clipping blink on the LCD screen. I've never noticed this before, and am wondering if I just turned it on by happy accident or not. Granted, I always have the histogram on, and with it comes the data at the top & bottom of the screen, so much of the image is blocked out. I may just not have noticed it in the past. Well, nonetheless, this is a nice feature, and one that I plan to utilize now that I know it exists.

The Bad - I've read on this forum about the CFV mysteriously shutting down without notice. Well, for the first time again since I've owned it, I experienced this several times this weekend, but all with the same battery - a Radio Shack. It has not yet occurred with my original Sony. Could be the battery, who knows, but the unit would not come back on unless I detached the battery, and reinserted it. This Radio Shack battery also seems to die out faster than the Sony.

The Ego Trip - Being a landscape photographer means that I am often shooting in iconic places, which in turn means that other photographers are there also. The Smoky Mountains is one such place. Most everyone around me is nowadays sporting a Nikon or Canon, some high end. I am always amazed at what a conversation starter my Hasselblad mounted on a Gitzo tripod are. Most have heard of a Hasselblad, but have never seen one in real life. It's like the camera has a "celebrity" status or something!! I know, I know! The camera "doesn't make the photographer," but it sure is an ego boost whenever these guys come up to me to ogle the set up, and ask about it.
Michael
 
The Bad - I've read on this forum about the CFV mysteriously shutting down without notice.
********
When mine started shutting down, I initially couldn't determine the cause. The problem turned out to be a broken battery pin connector on the back.

Steve
 
Hello Michael,

Good to read weather conditions have changed for the better to allow new trips with the camera.

You are right, a Hasselblad camera from the V series is like an icon that will be recognised by many.
Not only photographers but also ordinary passers by know this camera.
It is one of the most used cameras for props in movies and television whenever a professional camera is needed on the set.

It pleases me you found your 4x4 DPS view finder.
Do not forget to mention what your experience with this finder is.


Paul
 
I had trouble with my CFV shutting down too. I noticed that when I applied pressure to the battery it would cause a shutdown. I took it up to Hasselblad in North London and a technician took it away for a few minutes and adjusted the pins on the back so that they were a little wider, this solved the problem completely. He agreed with me that the fit of the battery onto the pins seemed a little loose, "I'll mention it to the factory", he said. With his fix however, this looseness is much reduced. I personally think these pins seem rather fragile and exposed, if there was some form of spring loaded sliding protective cover i would feel better.
 
This problem has been discussed in an other thread , where I posted too .
Can't remember the thread name , but will find out .
Jürgen .
 
Great smoky moutains

Michael

This evening , I saw a very good film about the Apalachian Trial .
It was fantastic .
And I can understand you very well , that after a really long winter , you are very pleased to get your CFV out again and go into nature for shooting.

We too , had a very long winter with the most snow I ever experienced in my life .
I have not seen anything else but snow from the middle of November 2008 till the end of March 2009 .

So I do hope , you could do some good shooting and that you will be able to show some of your work .

Best regards Jürgen .
 
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