My first Hasselblad Images

[Jackaubrey]

Well I have now received my very first set of colour prints (and CD) this evening for my very first outing with my Hasselblad V system.

I used a 203FE with an FE 80mm F2.8 Lens and Fuji Superia 100 Colour Print Film. All the shots were handheld.

The venue was Kew Gardens in West London and the results......mixed!
I find that I am both disappointed and delighted at the same time and the reasons?


Disappointed

• A lot of the pictures were not as sharp as I expected because
  • I did not take into account the very narrow depth of field of medium format compared to 35mm that I am used to for comparable lens appertures.
  • I suspect the mirror vibrations are greater than I am used to
  • I handheld all the shots
  • I probably need to develop a steadier holding & release technique
• Some of the pictures have a distinct right hand slant caused by my lack of experience composing with a reversed image.
• Some images were underexposed. I have been spoilt by using 35mm SLRs with sophisticated Matrix metering and I now need to re-learn the technique of exposure compensation when using a Centre Weighted metering system.

Delighted

• With the amount of fine detail that has been resolved in many of the pictures.
• By the rich colours and hues.
• Amazed by the beautiful and smooth out of focus areas and this from a lens not renowned for the quality of it's Bokeh.
• A certain overall quality to the image that I have not experienced before in 35mm and that I find hard to explain in words.

I am certain that with practice and experience I can learn and improve my technique as I get used to handling the Hasselblad camera.

Here a few of the better images posted and I would be grateful for any comments and feedback. I will over the weekend create an album and (bravely) post some of the more problem images for review, gulp!



Kevin

 

[cs_foto]

congrats! and some comments on your conclusions..

80mm CF 2.8 agree, the best bokeh I have seen. shame that is not a bit longer...

Hand hold not less than at 1/125th otherwise it will not be as sharp,

There is no such thing as a relation between depth of field and un-sharp images, if you manage to calibrate your camera and learn how to get the focus spot on you will get sharp images no matter what format you use...

enjoy!

 

[vandevantersh]

Here a few of the better images posted and I would be grateful for any comments and feedback.
*********
That was pretty much my experience with the first rolls of film. With the 203FE you have a huge advantage with the TTL metering.

That is also my experience with vibration and critical focusing...cut corners (which I tend to do) and the results show it.

Looks as if you are off to a good start!!

Steve

 

[polypal]

Hello Kevin,


You certainly show courage with your intention to upload the images that came not out as expected.

CS and Steve have given you excellent advice nothing for me to ad.
Your conclusions are all correct nothing to ad to that either.


Although not a 100% hit rating this time your prior experience and ability to understand
what MF is all about will improve your rating fast.
Last but not least: the 203FE features an acurate light measuring system that has certain limitations because it is center weighted.
Once you are used to those limitations it will be a great help to expose correctly in other than standard situations.


Paul

 

[sperera]

the 80mm is my fave Zeiss Hasselblad lens.....i love the bokeh on it.....the only thing i don't like about it is the amount of turning you have to do to go from infinity to closest focus....apart from that its my fave lens of all.....

This pictures show the depth and substance of film compared to the metallic, thin quality of bad digital.....

 

[wbulte]

Some suggestions, in no particular order:

- I have found 100ASA film typically a bit on the slow side for handheld
(unless you have daylight levels like in the Western states of the US ;-)
- How are you releasing the shutter? With your left hand like the HB manual
suggests? If so, you might want to give a right-hand shutter release a try.
I have never felt comfortable with the left-hand approach, I can hold
the camera level much more easily and press the shutter release much more
gently with my right hand.

cheers,
Wilko

 

[Jackaubrey]

Hi Wilko,

I am left handed but I find it too uncomfortable to release the shutter with my left hand. I hold the Camera and focus with my left hand and release and wind with my right hand.

As a previous 35mm user this still feels comfortable to me although supporting the camera and focussing with my left hand can be a bit akward if the lens focussing ring is a bit stiff.

I have recently taken some images with a slightly different set-up using a Prism and a Grid / Split Image Focussing Screen which I hope will improve both the sharpness and alignment of my hand held images.

I need to get my film sent off for developing so I can review the results soon!

Regards

Kevin

 

[wbulte]

Hi Wilko,

I am left handed but I find it too uncomfortable to release the shutter with my left hand. I hold the Camera and focus with my left hand and release and wind with my right hand.

As a previous 35mm user this still feels comfortable to me although supporting the camera and focussing with my left hand can be a bit akward if the lens focussing ring is a bit stiff.

I have recently taken some images with a slightly different set-up using a Prism and a Grid / Split Image Focussing Screen which I hope will improve both the sharpness and alignment of my hand held images.

I need to get my film sent off for developing so I can review the results soon!

Regards

Kevin

Fascinating, I'm at least not the only one I am right-handed. If your lens focusing is stiff (guessing: C lens?) it might be a good idea to have the lens serviced. The grease in the helicoid deteriorates over time, making focusing less enjoyable (read: stiff). With fresh grease focusing will likely be easier. Newer generation lenses have helicoids using different grease, and have been redesigned to be smoother.

As for the prism: for me that helps a lot getting the horizon level. I have an AcuteMatte screen with split-image and checkerboard lines. IMO the best screen there is. The WLF I only use when I cannot conveniently use the 45 degreee prism. Like when the camera sits on the floor in a cathedral on my mini-tripod.

Wilko

 

[Jackaubrey]

Wilko,

You may be surprised to learn that the lens is in fact an FE 80mm. I purchased it very cheaply as the focusing felt quite slack and a bit 'grinding'.

It has had a service and had some good quality, original Zeiss grease applied but perhaps the Helicoid was slightly damaged through neglect. The focusing is not terribly stiff but not the 'knife through butter' feeling I have with my FE 110mm or FE 50mm.

By the way, I have finally got round to posting an album of my first attempts with my Hasselblad including some of my shots that did not meet my expectations.

I am looking forward to using my wonderful equipment more this year and learning to improve my technique with medium format.

Regards

Kevin

 

[wbulte]

Blurk.. I just read in your original post about the FE80. Never mind my musings on a C80.

Although difficult (at best) to judge the feel of your FE80 from a distance it could be that the lens has experienced an impact of some sorts during its previous life. I have seen (at a veteran HB repair guru here) helicoids that were just ever so slightly egg-shaped (as in: not perfectly round). Most often after experiencing a fall. He calls them 'eggy' (ei-ig in Dutch). The guy has managed to fix some of these eggy helicoids, but that is guru work for sure ;-)

Wilko