"poor man's digital hasselblad"

[jotloob]

I visited the new homepage of NOVOFLEX . http://www.novoflex.com
The english version is still under construction but is already partially available .
If you select lens adaptors , you will find a topic called : adapter finder .
Here you can select your camera and the lens you want to adapt .

Looking at µ4/3 (LUMIX G1) and HASSELBLAD , you will find that there will be an adapter , to adapt your HASSELBLAD lenses to the G1 . It is called :
HARING + MFTA . Price will be 240 € .
I think , I should better say , you adapt the camera to the lens .
This adapter will be available in about 6-8 weeks time .
Adapting G1 + HASSELBLAD lenses is the "poor man's digital HASSELBLAD" .
Of course there will be limits in the handling and quality , but you should not take all that too serious .
But , I must say , depending on the used lenses , the G1 produces very good results . A very good tool for gambling around and do some good shooting .
Have fun .

Jürgen

 

[ulrik]

Jürgen,
I already tried to convince my wife to buy an Olympus E-520 body but without success. But currently she has misplaced (or lost?) her digital Sony thingy, so maybe there is a chance to make some digital snapshots with decent glass and image stabilization in the near future.

Ulrik

 

[cs_foto]

talking about adapters, i have been using hasselblad lenses on a fuji s5 pro(through nikon-hasselblad adapter) and although the results are amazing, i feel a bit depressed:

basically i can't stand using nikon lenses anymore... this puts me in a sad situation where i have to discard the system altogether....

reason is, the hasselblad lenses work fine in studio or location shoots where you can afford to stop down the lens, focus and shoot, slow pace.. for candid or social events, theatre or music gigs they are almost impossible to use...

what to do???

 

[CarstenW]

basically i can't stand using nikon lenses anymore... this puts me in a sad situation where i have to discard the system altogether....

I am curious about this comment. Could you explain what you mean, and which lenses make you feel this way? (Note: I am not a Nikon owner, just curious.)

 

[polypal]

CS probably means he is quite happy with th results he gets from his Zeiss/Hasselblad lenses using the Fuji S5 Pro as digital capture device.

He misses the functionality of the lenses that respond to the body like his Nikon lenses.

CS is is now on a junction and has to decide which way to go taking into account the financial repercussions.

Maybe a pre owned CVF digital back can take away the operating limitations?
Keep in mind your budget also needs a reserve for extra costs like a suitable MAC, yes Jürgen MAC, or PC that allows post production.

 

[cs_foto]

CS probably means he is quite happy with th results he gets from his Zeiss/Hasselblad lenses using the Fuji S5 Pro as digital capture device.

He misses the functionality of the lenses that respond to the body like his Nikon lenses.

CS is is now on a junction and has to decide which way to go taking into account the financial repercussions.

Maybe a pre owned CVF digital back can take away the operating limitations?
Keep in mind your budget also needs a reserve for extra costs like a suitable MAC, yes Jürgen MAC, or PC that allows post production.

I could not explain myself better... heheh

 

[jotloob]

Keep in mind your budget also needs a reserve for extra costs like a suitable MAC, yes Jürgen MAC, or PC that allows post production.

Paul , it looks as if you finally discovered the MAC . MAC , that is the tool .

 

[blowupster]

My old contribution to this theme.

Read juste the first posts. Then the post are out of subjet as usual.

I used the CF 180mm/4. Perhaps more interesting as this lens is allready excellent at 4.0. No need to think abouit stop down. However the porblem is always focussing with blind screens

 

[fotografz]

Semi poor man's digital capture with V lenses:

While not exactly cheap (I paid $2,700. for mine) ... the Sony A900 is an excellent tool for use of all our V lenses C & F type. Using a $79. Fodex adapter allows access to my entire collection of V lenses.

This camera offers 25 meg capture, and unlike anything in it's class, has in-camera image stabilization ... so ALL of our Zeiss optics are image stabilized on this camera! This makes a huge difference compared to using them on other 35mm DSLRs ... (I also currently use the Zeiss lenses on a Nikon D3 and D700 ... and also used them on a 5D and 1DsMKIII prior to that, and a Mimiya 645 with Leaf back before that, and on a Contax N and Contax 645 before that : -) ... proving how versatile this investment in glass has been over the span of years.

The Sony already offers fully auto/AF Zeiss optics ... but we all know that some of the Zeiss V lenses have unique characteristics unavailable in 35mm land. Like the 110/2F/FE ... and currently Sony lacks some key prime lenses in the Sony/Zeiss line-up. Like a really good macro (I use my Zeiss 120/4). I can't wait to try the 350/4FE on this camera.

RE: Manual Focusing: this Sony is full frame 35mm and has a big bright viewfinder, maybe one of the brightest I've experienced since the old Leica SL2. What I am hoping is that Bright Screen will eventually start making diagonal split microprism focusing screens for the A900 to make manual focusing even easier.

Here are a few quick shots using the 110/2 ... the Greek Vase close up was at ISO 1250 which isn't even available on the CFV.

 

[jotloob]

Marc

Thank you very much for your very interesting contribution and also showing some images about the a900 .
What I do like with the SONY a900 is , that you can replace the screen for a "manual focus screen" and also , that the camera has an internal stabilizer .

I have a small but good local dealer here in my small village .
He owns and uses a a900 and is willing to let me have the camera for a weekend .
He has not heard of an adapter for HASSELBLAD V lenses yet .
I have seen , there is one with a tripod mounting thread . Which one do you have ? ? ?

I went for the G1 , to have a small and very light "system digi" , where I can use my outstanding KONICA HEXAR lenses . And I am delighted .
But that is an other story .

You made me think about that a900 combo , and I uasually end up at good solutions very soon .

Jürgen

 

[fotografz]

A900 combo

IMHO, this is a REAL alternative to spending vast amounts of cash for a Medium Format digital back ... especially in these dire times. 25 meg. full frame 35mm produces a pretty big file ... and all that Zeiss deliciousness does come through. It is a perfect back-up to the CFV on my 203FE, and when on location or at an event, I put the A900 body with adapter mounted in the Hasselblad bag.

Now, if there were only a way to trick the A900 so focus confirmation could be activated.

The adapter I use doesn't have the tripod mount. I got it off of e-bay. It's the same one I used for Hassey to Canon and Hassey to Nikon.

 

[CarstenW]

IMHO, this is a REAL alternative to spending vast amounts of cash for a Medium Format digital back ... especially in these dire times. 25 meg. full frame 35mm produces a pretty big file ... and all that Zeiss deliciousness does come through. It is a perfect back-up to the CFV on my 203FE, and when on location or at an event, I put the A900 body with adapter mounted in the Hasselblad bag.

Now, if there were only a way to trick the A900 so focus confirmation could be activated.

The adapter I use doesn't have the tripod mount. I got it off of e-bay. It's the same one I used for Hassey to Canon and Hassey to Nikon.

As you might have seen on getdpi, I am considering getting an A900 instead of MF, for now, and I am very curious about the capabilities of the camera. Have you written at length about this camera anywhere? How do you find the accuracy of focusing the 110/2 with the A900 and the 203FE?

 

[jotloob]

Marc

Thank you for your feedback.
I am thinking about the a900 + HASSELBLAD adapter , because I do not want to miss all my fantastic ZEISS lenses . Never ever .
That is exactly , why I never tought about an H-SYSTEM , although , I do not want to compare .
I have read your contributions in the other forum . Good info , you gave there . Thank you .
Jürgen

 

[simonpg]

The Lumix G1 - at Jurgen's suggestion, I spent a few hours playing with a dealer's G1. At first I found the "live view" rather unappealing - like looking at the viewfinder of a video camera.

But later I got over that - the live view image is actually very good - and ALWAYS bright and unlike all but PRO level DSLRs it has a 100% view!!

In the hand the G1 is superbly comfortable and not TOO small - justl enough for larger westerners' hands to have enough room.

Amazingly I found the G1 to be one of the smartest and most intuitive cameras to use (of modern electronic everything cameras - still the Leica M and Hasselblad V remain my favourites). There are some brilliantly clever features:
- the main control wheel can be "depressed" and this changes its function from say aperture control in aperture priority mode, into exposure compensation!!
- when your eye gets near the view finder, the camera turns off the rear LCD panel;
- the rear panel has full mobility;
- the image quality for a COMPACT camera is excellent in resolution and noise because it uses a 4/3rds sensor instead of those bloody awful mini sensors!

The body has a solid and "soft" exterior feel.

So I ended LOVING the G1.

So what is the G1?? A mini DSLR with removable lenses? A cross-over camera?....?

IMHO, it is a fully featured top end "compact" camera - a fully electronic digital RANGE-FINDER camera!! The term "micro-4/3rds" simply means it is a 4/3rds camera missing the penta-prism made possible by live view. This enables much smaller lenses - a la M mount lenses.

Its range-finder characteristic is obvious - no pentaprism, thus accepts lenses that are designed for rangefinder camera - the film plane is right up to the lens mount!

So, when I have the money to invest in one, I will be using my Leica M series lenses on a Lumix G1 digital rangefinder camera - very compact for quality convenient shooting. And no doubt Cosina / Voigtlander will find its M mount lens sales boom!

Finally, Amateur Photographer did a mini test on the Novoflex M mount adapter - the guy liked it so much he bought one!

There is one MAJOR benefit of live view on this camera when you add fully manual lenses to it - live view is not affected by the aperture iris position. M lenses all stop down as you change aperture since with rangefinder cameras we do not look through the lens! But with the G1 and a Novoflex adapter for Leica M mount lenses, all modes like aperture priority, etc fully work due to live view - it is independent of the lens opening.

SO, now I hunger for a G1. It is just a shame that the G1 is quite expensive and much the same price as mid-tier DSLR cameras at AU$1,500.00. If the Lumix could be bought in a body only option at say AU$999 they would sell like hot cakes!

 

[fotografz]

Marc

Thank you for your feedback.
I am thinking about the a900 + HASSELBLAD adapter , because I do not want to miss all my fantastic ZEISS lenses . Never ever .
That is exactly , why I never tought about an H-SYSTEM , although , I do not want to compare .
I have read your contributions in the other forum . Good info , you gave there . Thank you .
Jürgen

Jurgen, I use the Ziess 500 series legacy lenses on the H camera all the time. I installed a Bright Screen diagonal focusing screen in my H2F ... and the H also provides in viewfinder focus confirmation. Other than the Hasselblad V cameras, the H is the only other camera that operates with fully auto aperture.

 

[fotografz]

As you might have seen on getdpi, I am considering getting an A900 instead of MF, for now, and I am very curious about the capabilities of the camera. Have you written at length about this camera anywhere? How do you find the accuracy of focusing the 110/2 with the A900 and the 203FE?

Not at great length yet ... I'm still exploring the camera. But I did post a thread on Get DPI titled "Acid Test" where I took only the A900s to shoot a wedding and left the Nikons at home.

The Zeiss 110/2 used wide open and up close is always a challenge on most any camera. But I equipped my 203FE with a diagonal split microprism focusing screen which did wonders. The Sony A900 was actually easier than I expected. But the DOF is pretty thin so you cannot sway ... good technique is a must even more with lenses like this. I found that you can stop it down a click or two when really close and the background still melts away. The 110/2 focuses really close for a non-macro lens.

 

[CarstenW]

Not at great length yet ... I'm still exploring the camera. But I did post a thread on Get DPI titled "Acid Test" where I took only the A900s to shoot a wedding and left the Nikons at home.

The Zeiss 110/2 used wide open and up close is always a challenge on most any camera. But I equipped my 203FE with a diagonal split microprism focusing screen which did wonders. The Sony A900 was actually easier than I expected. But the DOF is pretty thin so you cannot sway ... good technique is a must even more with lenses like this. I found that you can stop it down a click or two when really close and the background still melts away. The 110/2 focuses really close for a non-macro lens.

Thanks Marc, good food for thought.

 

[uaiomex]

This is my version of a poorman's digital Hasselblad

Scott Lance is doing amazing work using a Zork PSA. I love too my Hasselblad CF lenses and since I can't afford (yet) a dback for my 500CM, I decided I will buy the PSA to use with my digital EOS.
Have someone used a Zork here? I'd love to hear more opinions.
Eduardo

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/756585