H4D-50 one time around the world....

[mal_mac]

Marc

I did have a short try out with the Mamiya 645D and did not like the menu system or control very much - where as I have read through the H4D manual and while I have not held the camera in my hand (that comes in March when we travel to Sydney to have a demo of the H4D 40 & 50) I like the logic of the controls.

The battery system on the Mamiya has certainly been noted as a negative - same as Canon 580EX2 flash units - why cant we have a proper rechargeable camera style battery -

The lenses have also been noted - thanks for that.

So all in all - rock on March when I get to have a test drive on the H4D and see if it hits the spot.

Thanks again for your generous information.


Mal

 

[fotografz]

Mal,

Hopefully the dealer will know the camera inside and out so that you will get full value out of the demo. It really is an amazing feat of logic and engineering.

There are some things to ask to see that many initially do not ask and never find out about ... and some features require a bit of a learning curve which takes a little time but pay off big time in the longer run. So do not be impatient.

Like other cameras, the H4D allows you to custom set the camera for your shooting needs ...but it is HOW Hasselblad designed many of these that is the genius.

For example, I assigned manual white balance function to the front grip button normally used for stopping down the lens. This is the fastest camera I've ever used for setting WB ... all you do is press that button once and the camera fires a WB shot and sets the proper WB. No menus to access, no multiple buttons ... press, BAM! the WB is set and ready to shoot.

Another feature not found on any other camera is the ability to set a delayed mirror actuation ... up to a 100 ms delay ... this actually works and visibly improves hand-held shots at lower shutter speeds.

I've become so familiar with the control layout on the H camera that I can adjust the exposure compensation without taking my eye from the viewfinder. The button for adjustments lies right where the grip thumb can press it. Very fast and easy once practiced a little bit.

Many people do not know that the camera has a TTL flash meter built in so you can fire a shot with strobes and adjust exposure without a light meter. Plus, unlike other MFD cameras, the H camera assumes all control of a Metz speed-light with proper Hassey TTL module ... and all the flash compensation adjustments are visible in the viewfinder. No fiddling around accessing menus and pressing buttons on the speed-light.

I should be a Hasselblad rep ... LOL!

Best of luck,

-Marc

 

[mal_mac]

Marc

I went onto your website and started looking through your slide show of images - you have some very beautiful shots on display. I did that last night after we arrived home from shooting a wedding so I must admit I was ready for bed after a fairly intense shoot so did not look at all the images yet.

I had noted the option of a single button press white balance and thought why dont all top end cameras provide this feature.

The other feature I like the sound of (pardon the pun) is the audio feedback - it sounds like you also like to make extensive use of the view finder info to make adjustments without taking the camera from your eye.
Do you find the audio feedback works for you in the real world?

In regard to flash which I use extensively with our Canon gear do you use a radio trigger so you can use both on camera flash with one or more remote flashes on location shoots?
I have built a bracket for my 1D which allows me to run a TT1 with area controller on top of the TT1 and the bracket holds a TT5 with a 580Ex2 on top. I then set up some remote lights, either 580's or we have a 600W Profoto AcuteB unit which we use (for instance I use this to backlight the bride during the bridal waltz and the on camera flash to fill flash the couple. Will I be able to use a radio trigger in a similar way with the H4D?

So many questions but I don't want that buyer remorse after I part with $50,000 for a camera and a few lenses, maybe a Metz flash and a Hasselblad cap.

Thanks for your help - I would use one of those smiley faces for you but not sure which one means thanks as the pop up text is all in German or something on my computer.

Talk some more soon I hope.


Mal

 

[fotografz]

I do use the audio feedback which functions well as a warning regarding exposure. It becomes second nature.

I use a Kirk grip with a left hand handle, and mount a Elinchrom Skyport radio trigger on the grip top with a sync cord to the sync port on the camera ... AND mount the Metz speed-light in the hot shoe set to TTL for fill. The Bride reclining on the couch on my website opening presentation was shot that way.

-Marc

 

[mal_mac]

Marc


Thank you for your advice.

I just now have to get down have have a test demo and all going well will be reprting back on my satisfaction with the new gear.

cheers for now.


Mal

 

[rem]

mfd files processing

Marc, you are writing that the most mfd shooter don't know how to process the mfd files. So, what you think are the most faults, or what points of workflow you will suggest? And thank you Marc, its always interesting to read your posts! Sometimes I ask me, when you have the time for shooting!;-)) rem

 

[fotografz]

Marc, you are writing that the most mfd shooter don't know how to process the mfd files. So, what you think are the most faults, or what points of workflow you will suggest? And thank you Marc, its always interesting to read your posts! Sometimes I ask me, when you have the time for shooting!;-)) rem

When I referenced the idea that most shooters don't know how to process ... it is in context to those initially trying out the MFD gear and making pronouncements about the image quality without really knowing the software very well and the differences between processing images from CCD sensor cameras and those with CMOS sensors.

For example ...

CCD sensor cameras do not have AA filters which tend to "soften" the pixel contrast, therefore CCDs often do not need as much sharpening as CMOS sensors found in all 35mm DSLRs. A lot of people use Light Room to process their RAW files, and the default sharpening setting is often to strong for MFD CCD sensors ... which leads to halo effect sharpening, and increased noise.

The other difference is that the proprietary software that comes with the medium format backs is quite sophisticated and features very well tuned profiles ... where ones in software like Light Room tend to be generic. There is a list of different profiles to apply to a Hasselblad RAW file in Phocus, there is only one in Light Room.

I shoot plenty of shots Rem ... I just did a shoot for GM all day Sunday. It is a little slow because wedding photography won't start up until spring.

-Marc