Hasselblad vs. Bronica

gloobag

So, I've been offered a pretty good price on a near mint Hasselblad 553ELX. I've seen the camera in person, and if I didn't know any better I'd say it was never used at all. I've been thinking about getting a 6x6 camera for a while. And now this opportunity has come along at exactly the same time that I have some spare cash

But, I know some folks on here rave about the Bronicas and I know if I shopped around I could probably get an SQ-ai for a little cheaper than what I'm being offered. So, my question for anyone in the know, is there much of a difference between the two in terms of actual image quality and usability?

The Hasselblad comes with a Zeiss lens and some super bright focusing screen thingy that's supposed to make focusing much easier. Then again, this particular camera I'm being offered doesn't actually come with a 6x6 back, just a 6x4.5. So I'd have to get a hold of one of those myself. It also has a built in auto winder, so is a little bit heavier and bulkier than a stock Bronica SQ camera.

I've had two 645 cameras already, and never really took to them. A Mamiya, which I initially liked but eventually grew to hate. And a Pentax 645, which is actually a great camera, but it's a little too modern if that makes any sense? It feels too much like I'm shooting with my DSLRs when I use it and I want a different, more basic experience that will force me to slow down and think a bit more about what I'm doing.

So, any advice from the experts?

gloobag

Never mind. The Hassie seller got a bit nervous that I was having some reservations and dropped his price again. Couldn't resist at that point

magicbastarder

nice one!
i have a 500cm, love it.

gloobag

Thanks! I'm a little disappointed that won't get to wind the film on manually with this camera (for some reason I just love doing that), but the price on this was just too good to say no to.

Can't wait to get it in my hands now that I know it's mine.

pete4130

The Bronicas electronics can get dodgy. The are great. I love mine. It's a poor mans HB. Thats what I like about it. Image quality is fantastic!

the_monkey

I was checking prices ... looks like a good piece of kit

WheresMyCamera?

gloobag wrote: »

I've had two 645 cameras already, and never really took to them. A Mamiya, which I initially liked but eventually grew to hate. And a Pentax 645, which is actually a great camera, but it's a little too modern if that makes any sense? It feels too much like I'm shooting with my DSLRs when I use it and I want a different, more basic experience that will force me to slow down ........

I'm in a very similar place at the moment myself. I'm really loving the idea of going back to film. Truth be told it's really a first visit to film since I've become really involved in photography. Was looking at the Hasselblad 500CM initially but since then I've my heart set on a Mamiya RZ67 proII. All with the aim of slowing down and really enjoying my personal photography and actually totally separating it from how I shoot professionally at the same time.

gloobag

WheresMyCamera? wrote: »

I'm in a very similar place at the moment myself. I'm really loving the idea of going back to film. Truth be told it's really a first visit to film since I've become really involved in photography. Was looking at the Hasselblad 500CM initially but since then I've my heart set on a Mamiya RZ67 proII. All with the aim of slowing down and really enjoying my personal photography and actually totally separating it from how I shoot professionally at the same time.

The RZ is fantastic by all accounts. I looked into it myself but I really wanted a 6x6 to be honest. I've been looking at Bronicas for a while, but then the Hasselblad offered itself up to me

If you're on the fence about picking it up, a simple search of 'RZ67' on 500px will convince you and probably send you straight to 'the bay' to make a purchase

thefizz

The RZ will deffinately slow you down:)
A beast of a camera. I have one and will never sell it.

WheresMyCamera? wrote: »

I'm in a very similar place at the moment myself. I'm really loving the idea of going back to film. Truth be told it's really a first visit to film since I've become really involved in photography. Was looking at the Hasselblad 500CM initially but since then I've my heart set on a Mamiya RZ67 proII. All with the aim of slowing down and really enjoying my personal photography and actually totally separating it from how I shoot professionally at the same time.

aidanic

Not wishing to open a can 'o worms, but, this thread had me thinking about a SLR body that takes 120 film.

I have a random collection of 120 equipment, a Kodak Brownie, an Agfa "Box", and some random name Chinese TLR. None of them jump out at me when I'm thinking of shooting film, and I end up with 35mm.

I'm thinking of "an eBay special", and a budget of up to €200, which must have at least one lens - somewhere between 35mm and 90mm.

There's some Kiev equipment for random prices, and the Pentax 645 seems to command a premium. Hasselblad is out of my price range.

Before you ask, I'm shooting a random collection of family, landscape, and travel. B&W C41 and E6 stock. All developed at home. Scanning is another problem for another day (I'm looking for a V500).

Would really like to have an internal light meter/exposure indicator.

Thanks...

DaireQuinlan

aidanic wrote: »

Before you ask, I'm shooting a random collection of family, landscape, and travel. B&W C41 and E6 stock. All developed at home. Scanning is another problem for another day (I'm looking for a V500).

Would really like to have an internal light meter/exposure indicator.

Thanks...

What do you want ? 6x4.5 ? 6x6 ? 6x7 ? 6x9 ? Whatever you want will dictate what you want to look for. Do you want an SLR ? A folder ? A rangefinder ? The one requirement I'd drop is the internal light meter. They're few and far between and will limit your choices quite a lot and/or make the system heavy and unwieldy. My Bronica SQAi for example has a metered prism. I rarely use it though, it makes the entire thing about twice the size and weight, particularly as I have to use the hand grip with it.

aidanic

DQ: Hey Aidan, catch this can o'worms I've opened for you...

Aidan: Great!

DQ: Hold it, there's a few more here that you need to think about...

Let me go do some more Googling and come back with some better questions.

(yes, 6x6)

Thanks...

Effects

I bought a Bronica Etrsi a few years back. While I loved the camera I just found it to be too big and cumbersome to get enough use. I ended up selling it and I bought Fuji GA645 and I love it. It's basically a medium format point and shoot. It wouldn't be to everyone's tastes but worth thinking about. It's a step towards a Mamiya 7 for me.