Using my old Hasselblad in the age of digital without a digital back!
May 1, 2024 17:59:18 #
I want to use my old 500 CM. The best photos I have taken were with this camera. I just inherited a Bronica GS1 with a 6 x 7 back, so I have two medium format film cameras.
1. What would you do?
2. Should I have the film professionally developed and scanned, if so, auto-versus- custom scans?
3. Should I have the film developed only and photograph it on my copy stand with a macro-lens on a high MP 35mm camera?
4. Should I develop film myself (only black and white)-I still have a darkroom?
5. Is it better to photograph film on a copy stand with a 35mm or use a flat bed scanner? if so which scanner?
6. Should I spend a fortune and buy a digital back (my wife doesn't read UH)?
In a quandary and need some help
Thank you,
Bob
1. What would you do?
2. Should I have the film professionally developed and scanned, if so, auto-versus- custom scans?
3. Should I have the film developed only and photograph it on my copy stand with a macro-lens on a high MP 35mm camera?
4. Should I develop film myself (only black and white)-I still have a darkroom?
5. Is it better to photograph film on a copy stand with a 35mm or use a flat bed scanner? if so which scanner?
6. Should I spend a fortune and buy a digital back (my wife doesn't read UH)?
In a quandary and need some help
Thank you,
Bob
May 1, 2024 18:08:07 #
If you decided only to shoot B&W I would say develop the film yourself as B&W chemicals are not expensive and can be kept longer compared to color chemicals. Either do a copy or scan. Scanning is easier but slower but then since I don't think you will shoot a lot of film so the speed doesn't matter. I guess you don't have a scanner so you would have to buy a scanner. Something like the Epson V600? I haven't used a flatbed for film scanning but dedicated film scanner for medium format would be quite expensive. I would recommend against having the lab do the scan.
May 1, 2024 18:53:11 #
Hi, I have an Epson V550 scanner, I don't know the quality, but with a large negative, it should be fine.
Thanks for the advise,
Bob
Thanks for the advise,
Bob
May 1, 2024 19:38:25 #
I have a Hasselblad 501CM and still shoot film (both color and B&W) in it and then scan the negatives on an Epson V850. The Hassy still takes incredible photos. That said, I just purchased a digital back for it, and . . . well, the images are phenomenal. It’s a different style of photography, to be sure, but the results are their own reward.
May 1, 2024 20:08:58 #
tcthome
Loc: NJ
jwreed50 wrote:
I have a Hasselblad 501CM and still shoot film (both color and B&W) in it and then scan the negatives on an Epson V850. The Hassy still takes incredible photos. That said, I just purchased a digital back for it, and . . . well, the images are phenomenal. It’s a different style of photography, to be sure, but the results are their own reward.
May 1, 2024 20:49:36 #
May 2, 2024 08:47:45 #
photon-collector
Loc: Tampa Bay Area, Florida
robertneger wrote:
I want to use my old 500 CM. The best photos I hav... (show quote)
If you have a darkroom, I recommend that you develop the B&W negatives. I agree that an Epson Scanner does a good job for such a a small investment. I have either "The Darkroom", or "Indie Film Lab" do my processing and scanning. Both do a nice job...although I think that "Indie" has a higher resolution scan. Both labs will return your processed negatives and digital images.
Last comment. Don't sell that Bronica GS-1 short. It is a fine camera, will take phenomenal images, and IMO with the speed grip, is a lot easier to handle than the Hassy. When Bronicas were produced, they were called the "Japanese Hasselblad." The 6x7 image is more to my liking.
May 2, 2024 09:46:34 #
I have a Mamiya, a Pentax, and now a Hasse. I have to admit that the Hasse is the easiest to use. About the rest of the OP questions, I don't do my own developing anymore. I have an Epson 850 scanner, and I get horrid scans. I've about decided that for any images that I actually intend to market (enlarge or post for sale), I'll get large scans made. I don't know how much they cost yet. I do know, it's cheaper to get scans made at time of developing, but I might not want ALL of them done. I've never been successful at using a camera to do copy work.
May 2, 2024 09:47:58 #
dbrugger25
Loc: Raleigh, NC
robertneger wrote:
I want to use my old 500 CM. The best photos I hav... (show quote)
I would process the film myself and buy a high res scanner like the Epson V850. I know they are expensive but they are capable of scanning any size film and ship with a large selection of film holders.
May 2, 2024 09:58:20 #
The cost is keeping me from shooting film in my hasselblads. But I do have an adapter that lets me attach the lenses to my dslr.
May 2, 2024 12:39:34 #
Thank you very much for your comments- very helpful. I will save the Bronica- I have used it yet.
Bob
Bob
May 2, 2024 12:41:53 #
May 2, 2024 12:47:50 #
May 2, 2024 16:24:17 #
If I were to shoot with a film camera again I would want to process the film myself and print chemically. I would want the whole experience of seeing a print appear in a darkroom tray and manipulating the image with different papers, development times etc. Scanning negatives just doesn't render the same look and feel that a Hasselblad is capable of IMHO.
May 2, 2024 22:01:00 #
robertneger wrote:
I want to use my old 500 CM. The best photos I hav... (show quote)
*YES* to 3, 4, and 5 ... by experience.
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