New in the H system.

[Bruno]

Hello Everyone!

I'm thinking to jump into the MF, after try a contax 645, but it's to difficult to get backs for that system so.. I want to sell all my M material and go for a goal system, the Hasselblad one.

Are the HC lenses as good as the Contax Zeiss?

I Really love the square and the MF images, and I think no system today (despite LF), has the quality of the MF.

I have been blowing my mind with all the brands, mamiyaleaf, phase one, hasselblad, Contax... My Good!

Could You tell me the advantages of the Hassy system over the other ones?

I'm amateur, but in the near future I'll be studying in a Good school of Pohotgraphy. I really love my M system but I feel that I need something more... (Love the DOF of the MF).

Then, I have a good offer for a HD3II 39, 80HC and the 50-110 (which I Don't want, I'm not zooms guy and probable trade for a 35 or a 110..). Is it good for today? I come from a Leica M9 system and luxes asph..

Thanks for all and so sorry for the text.

 

[Swissblad]

Personally after the HB Lunar debacle, I would be very careful about "buying" into the HC system, as it is unclear what direction the new owners want to take HB.

Just my 2C.

 

[fotografz]

Personally, I wouldn't worry about the "Loony Lunar" project to the degree that it would stop someone from getting the best MFD system available.

Hasselblad also introduced the newly redesigned H5 and a much awaited HCD 24mm at Photokina. A former Hasselblad employee now working for a competitor gave an even handed appraisal of the H5 and said it is a well improved camera, and looks better in person than in the promotional photos. That is heartening news IMO.

Coming from the Contax 645, you will be amazed at the AF of the H camera in comparison.

Phase One has the edge in digital backs for some applications (like use on a technical field camera), but used on the Mamiya DSLR body in no way compares to the H camera no matter how many band-aids they plaster on the Phase One DF camera body.

Anther main difference between Phase One or Contax 645 cameras is that ALL of the Hasselblad H lenses are leaf shutter for higher sync speeds. 24mm through 300mm + 1/7X.

True Focus on the H4 and H5 cameras is like nothing anyone else has. It is simply amazing!

I had the Contax 645 prior to the H system ... including all of the Zeiss/Contax lenses. The optical comparison depends on which lenses and what optical characteristics are important to you personally.

IMO, and direct experience, the Hasselblad HC50-II, 100/2.2, and 150N lenses are better than the Zeiss optics for use with digital backs (keep in mind that the Contax 645 lenses were developed prior to digital).

Hasselblad also provides digital software lens corrections for Distortion, CA and fringing in both LIghtroom and Phocus. For this reason, the Hasselblad wide-angle lenses produce better results than lenses like the Contax 35mm.

-Marc

 

[Bruno]

I was talking with an phase one expert in London and He told me that the edge on digital backs no is PhaseOne... The lenses are better the shcneider ones, and the body is more ergonomical.. (comercial).

I just want great lenses, great bodys with great viewfinder and optimal relation between cameras and backs. (Of course a great IQ).

 

[fotografz]

Bruno, sorry I couldn't quite understand all of what you wrote ... but I'll try to offer more info based on using both Phase One and Hasselblad systems (as well as the Contax 645).

Yes, the edge on digital backs goes to Phase One right now ... but only for certain applications where the features of the IQ backs are of use. So, it depends on what and how you shoot. Phase One is better for use on a technical camera, and landscape shooters like Phase One.

Hasselblad is used a lot for commercial and fashion photography, where many of its features are more suited ... brighter viewfinder, all leaf shutter lenses, True Focus/APL

Hasselblad is fully integrated and each modular part is matched and calibrated before it leaves the factory.

The Phase One body is not more ergonomic, especially for portraits, commercial and fashion work. I also have used one, and it is a clumsy camera IMO. Phase One shooters are the ones clamoring for a new camera that equals their backs, and most Phase users freely admit the H camera is much better in almost every respect. The H camera is modular and offers a waist level finder, the Mamiya/Phase does not. Phase cameras are know for their power issues ... with the back powered by one battery, and the camera separately powered by grip batteries requiring multiple batteries. The H has one grip battery that powers everything. Phase does not have anything like Hasselblad's True Focus, True Color, or true focus adjust to correct focus shift when altering aperture.

I've seen absolutly nothing from the Schneider lenses that make me believe they are any better than the Hasselblad lenses. There are only a limited number of them available and no wide angles ... otherwise you have to use Mamiya lenses. All the H lenses are similar, and the HCD/35-90 zoom is better than any other out there ... until we see what Leica does with their recently announced 30-90 for a mere $10,000).

BTW, I am not a Hasselblad dealer, or have anything to do with Hasselblad.

-Marc

 

[Bruno]

Thank You dear Marc.

Do You think is a good travelling companion?

I've seen Steve McCurry whith one Hassy video, around India, quite amazing.

Sorry for my english.

I can't afford the H4D at the moment, but H3D 39 with 100 and 50... will be a great quality kit coming from 24x36 world.

Main for portraits. In the future, I want to do something comercial, I'm not a pro, but hopefully one day will.

About the viewfinders... really are better than the other systems?

And.. the software, why people write about Capture One Pro is the best?

Thanks!

 

[fotografz]

Yes, you can travel with the H system ... it is like the Contax 645 where you can remove the prism for more compact storage in a smaller bag. So be sure to get the protective caps for the body and prism when the camera is taken apart like that.

As I mentioned in another thread, I use a hand strap and a shoulder strap at the same time ... Camadapter makes dual lug bottom Arca type camera plates that allow you do use both. The strap is one of those that is wide and elastic, so it acts like a shock absorber when walking around a lot.

The camera isn't all that heavy with a 50mm, 80mm, or 100mm lens ... and when traveling I often only take the 50mm, 100mm, and the 1.7X extender to use on the 100/2.2 making it a 170mm f/3.8 when I need some telephoto reach. Relatively small kit for Medium Format.

Another amazing feature of the Hasselblad H camera is the ability to select different mirror delays in the grip menu ... this allows hand-held work at slower shutter speeds in lower light ... it is measured in milliseconds but actually works to lessen the effect of mirror slap vibration on the image. Since the H camera does not have a focal plane shutter, shutter vibrations are also minimized ... this combination visibly results in sharper images when shooting more spontaneously hand-held.

-Marc

 

[Bruno]

Is quite impressive! Is easy to focus with the H3D hdv90? And with the waist level viewfinder? Can't wait to use it! I think I will take the H3D 39, seems to be almost the same than the II version and also accept films backs! For sure the quality is superb.

Thank You Marc, and if You have some website I will be happy to visit it!

 

[fotografz]

Is quite impressive! Is easy to focus with the H3D hdv90? And with the waist level viewfinder? Can't wait to use it! I think I will take the H3D 39, seems to be almost the same than the II version and also accept films backs! For sure the quality is superb.

Thank You Marc, and if You have some website I will be happy to visit it!

If shooting film is quite important to you, the H3D-II, H4 and H5 cannot do that.

For digital shooting, the H3D-II made three improvements of importance compared to the H3D: a larger, much better LCD, a new filter surface on the sensor to reduce reflections, and the elimination of fan cooling ... the H3D-II uses a heat sink to wick away heat from the sensor. Heat is the enemy of image quality. (Phase One also uses a heat sink).

Also be aware that if you use a film back, the HCD/24, HCD/28, and HCD/35-90 zoom lenses cannot be used ... they are digital lenses exclusively.

If you only shoot film occasionally, I would caution you to reconsider getting the H3D and recommend at least the H3D-II. Perhaps later you can get a used H1 or H2 that uses the same lenses, and shoot film with that when needed. There is also the H2F camera which is newer than the H1 or H2 ... the "F" in the name stands for Film.

Frankly, if you are not in a hurry, I'd wait until the new H5D starts shipping and see if used H4D camera prices drop. A H4D/40 has newer sensor technology, features True Focus, has a LCD that is twice the resolution of the H3D-II, and added some newer features not available on the H3D-II.

When it comes to Medium Format Digital, patience pays.

-Marc

I have eliminated my commercial website, and currently only have a wedding and portrait website which I have not updated in almost two years (I need to do that). Many shots are done with MFD, but not all.

The first 11 images in my portrait portfolio were done with Medium Format Digital, specifically the cowboy shots ...

http://www.fotografz.com/portrait-portfolio.html

 

[Swissblad]

Personally, I wouldn't worry about the "Loony Lunar" project to the degree that it would stop someone from getting the best MFD system available.

Hasselblad also introduced the newly redesigned H5 and a much awaited HCD 24mm at Photokina. A former Hasselblad employee now working for a competitor gave an even handed appraisal of the H5 and said it is a well improved camera, and looks better in person than in the promotional photos. That is heartening news IMO.

Coming from the Contax 645, you will be amazed at the AF of the H camera in comparison.

Phase One has the edge in digital backs for some applications (like use on a technical field camera), but used on the Mamiya DSLR body in no way compares to the H camera no matter how many band-aids they plaster on the Phase One DF camera body.

Anther main difference between Phase One or Contax 645 cameras is that ALL of the Hasselblad H lenses are leaf shutter for higher sync speeds. 24mm through 300mm + 1/7X.

True Focus on the H4 and H5 cameras is like nothing anyone else has. It is simply amazing!

I had the Contax 645 prior to the H system ... including all of the Zeiss/Contax lenses. The optical comparison depends on which lenses and what optical characteristics are important to you personally.

IMO, and direct experience, the Hasselblad HC50-II, 100/2.2, and 150N lenses are better than the Zeiss optics for use with digital backs (keep in mind that the Contax 645 lenses were developed prior to digital).

Hasselblad also provides digital software lens corrections for Distortion, CA and fringing in both LIghtroom and Phocus. For this reason, the Hasselblad wide-angle lenses produce better results than lenses like the Contax 35mm.

-Marc

Marc

Thanks for putting it into perspective.
I was still mightily peeved off at not having a new digital Xpan announced at PK.
The H5D does indeed look very nice, as does the 24mm.

Take care, S

 

[Bruno]

Thank You all!

I'm more clear now.