New user seeks advice

[bigalbest]

Hello, my new H3DII-22 should arrive today and I have a couple questions I hope someone can answer. I already have an H1 with 80mm lens and will probably have enough shortly to purchase a couple more lenses. I mostly do portrait and event work but also do action with strobes and some macro. I'd like to get the 50-110 and the 150mm, but might need to get the 120mm first. I understand that extension tubes can be used to make regular lenses work as macro, but there is very little information available on the subject. Hasselblad offers three different sizes, but what these are for I have no idea. Any help on lens selection or info on extension tubes would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

Alex

 

[Paul Claesson HUSA]

Alex,

Hasselblad has posted datasheets for extension tubes on their website.
The sheets provides information for:

- Subject to film plane distance
- Subject to lens distance
- Magnification
- Exposure reduction

Extension Tube datasheet (Imperial)

Extension Tube datasheet (Metric)

I hope this helps.

Paul Claesson
Hasselblad USA

 

[bigalbest]

Thank you Paul, I think I now understand the distances and compatibility when using different HC lenses. Has anyone used these with the 80mm and were results as good as the 120mm? Can the 120 also be used as a good portrait lens?

 

[fotografz]

Generally, Macro lenses are optimized for close focusing range. The 120/4 macro is a razor sharp optic and is f/4 max aperture ... which can be actually too sharp for portraits, especially when shooting women.

The 120 Macro is much better than the 80 with an extension tube, but the tube is a lot less costly if money is the main issue. So it depends on how much you'll be doing macro.

My favorite portrait lens in the H/C series is the 100/2.2 for waist up, and the 150/3.2 for head and shoulders. IMO, the 80 is to short a focal length for portraits.

I've not used the 50-110 so cannot comment other than to say I think it is too big for hand-held portrait work ... but I think my 120 Macro is too big also.

My favorite spread of H/C lenses is the 50, 100, and 150 with a 1.7X in the bag if I need more reach and compacted perspective for a portrait, I use the 50 for "environmental type portraits".

In the studio the 120 macro rules for table-top.

What has not been mentioned is that all of the Zeiss V lenses for the 500 series Hasselbalds can also be used on the H camera with the CF Adapter.

 

[bigalbest]

Generally, Macro lenses are optimized for close focusing range. The 120/4 macro is a razor sharp optic and is f/4 max aperture ... which can be actually too sharp for portraits, especially when shooting women.

The 120 Macro is much better than the 80 with an extension tube, but the tube is a lot less costly if money is the main issue. So it depends on how much you'll be doing macro.

My favorite portrait lens in the H/C series is the 100/2.2 for waist up, and the 150/3.2 for head and shoulders. IMO, the 80 is to short a focal length for portraits.

I've not used the 50-110 so cannot comment other than to say I think it is too big for hand-held portrait work ... but I think my 120 Macro is too big also.

My favorite spread of H/C lenses is the 50, 100, and 150 with a 1.7X in the bag if I need more reach and compacted perspective for a portrait, I use the 50 for "environmental type portraits".

In the studio the 120 macro rules for table-top.

What has not been mentioned is that all of the Zeiss V lenses for the 500 series Hasselbalds can also be used on the H camera with the CF Adapter.

Ahhh thanks fotografz, very good information. After shooting some portraits tonight with the 80, I can't wait to try the 100 and 120. My budget is limited so a third lens will have to wait, here is a photo of my daughter and a 100% crop. I am very happy with the first results.