First time with a Hasselblad

During the last Shaping Light workshop, of which I will write something more in the coming days, I had the possibility to try a Hasselblad 500 c/m, a medium format film camera. It was the first time I had one medium format in my hands and I have to admit that I have been pretty clumsy in the beginning.


Loading the films have been a complex matter and taking the first frame took me at least three minutes, due to the fact that I forgot to remove the metal block between the camera and the back, where the film is loaded. I shot two rolls of 120, one colour and one black and white, both of them 400ISO, and to be the first time I had them I am very happy of the results.


To be completely honest I have to admit that I had loads of trouble focussing: in my opinion the screen of the camera, for how large it was, was not huge enough to give me the precision I would have expected. Truth must be told admitting that while expressing this feeling to the photographer who lent me the camera he simply told me: "why didn't you use the magnified viewfinder?". Yes, it turned out that it was as simple as pressing a small button to be able to see, and use, a better viewfinder in order to focus, while the normal one can be used to frame your subjects after the camera is pre focussed.


I had two general impression using the Hasselblad. The first one is that if you are in a controlled environment, where your subject are relatively still, giving you the proper time to focus, the medium format camera held at hip level gives a greater possibility to relate with your subjects. You are not covered behind a camera, you look at your subject with a direct eye contact, you can see things better. The relation I had with Jonathan, the model I used for these photos, had never been so intense as when I was shooting him with the medium format.


The second impression was that you really learn the meaning of Aperture. The first time I took the camera in my hands I set the values I would have needed for the shot: the ISO of the film was 400, therefore I needed 1/250 seconds (I did not need any continuous light in my frame) and f/11. After having set everything I turned to look inside the viewfinder I was hardly able to see the shape of my subjects: everything was dark. I was quite puzzled, then I tried to change the settings and, when I opened the aperture of the lens I started seeing more clearly my subject. I dropped to f/2.8 and they were perfectly visible: focussing was easier! I have no idea if this is what I was supposed to do, but I had no one to ask to and I simply tried.


In the end I developed the films and these are few of the results. I am not very happy of the photos taken with a white background, as they are a little underexposed, but using a Hasselblad have been great! By the way: all the photos in this post (apart from one that was badly scanned) are SOOC: Straight Out Of Camera!


  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622760471601 Flickr: dimitri magnani

    bellissimo set.
    mi piace l’uso della luce.

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622760471601 Flickr: dimitri magnani

    bellissimo set.
    mi piace l’uso della luce.

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622884882212 Flickr: Che-burashka

    you’ve done wonderful lighting job here,
    Carlo! good luck with it – it is surely great piece of equipment!

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622884882212 Flickr: Che-burashka

    you’ve done wonderful lighting job here,
    Carlo! good luck with it – it is surely great piece of equipment!

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622760609677 Flickr: • Anna Seif

    stunning work!

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622760609677 Flickr: • Anna Seif

    stunning work!

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622760654125 Flickr: juliusfrumble

    mortacci

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622760654125 Flickr: juliusfrumble

    mortacci

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622885110340 Flickr: j_frenzel

    Hi, I’m an admin for a group called The Inspiring Photograph, and we’d love to have this added to the group!

    Outstanding!

    –
    Seen on my Flickr home page. (?)

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622885110340 Flickr: j_frenzel

    Hi, I’m an admin for a group called The Inspiring Photograph, and we’d love to have this added to the group!

    Outstanding!

    –
    Seen on my Flickr home page. (?)

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622885190240 Flickr: an untrained eye

    Superb series.

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622885190240 Flickr: an untrained eye

    Superb series.

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622760846299 Flickr: j_frenzel

    Thanks for posting this to the group!
    Seen and admired in…..
    The Inspiring Photograph

    –
    Seen in the group"The Inspiring Photograph" (?)

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622760846299 Flickr: j_frenzel

    Thanks for posting this to the group!
    Seen and admired in…..
    The Inspiring Photograph

    –
    Seen in the group"The Inspiring Photograph" (?)

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622885206622 Flickr: crazycrazy

    Love the model’s attitude, the result in bw and with the negative space is fantastic Carlo. Hope all is well my friend!

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622885206622 Flickr: crazycrazy

    Love the model’s attitude, the result in bw and with the negative space is fantastic Carlo. Hope all is well my friend!

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622760939105 Flickr: entelepentele

    Hi, I’m an admin for a group called d a y_d r e a m e r s (admin invite only), and we’d love to have this added to the group!

    nice………….

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622760939105 Flickr: entelepentele

    Hi, I’m an admin for a group called d a y_d r e a m e r s (admin invite only), and we’d love to have this added to the group!

    nice………….

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622761074359 Flickr: An Vie

    Hi, I’m an admin for a group called The simpler . the better, and we’d love to have this added to the group!

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622761073667 Flickr: An Vie

    Hi, I’m an admin for a group called my very personal bw, and we’d love to have this added to the group!

    love the whole series

    Seen and admired in
    The Inspiring Photograph

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622761073667 Flickr: An Vie

    Hi, I’m an admin for a group called my very personal bw, and we’d love to have this added to the group!

    love the whole series

    Seen and admired in
    The Inspiring Photograph

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622761074359 Flickr: An Vie

    Hi, I’m an admin for a group called The simpler . the better, and we’d love to have this added to the group!

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622885489420 Flickr: Roberto Urso

    non mi convince tanto il rumore aggiunto, per il resto bellissimi scatti come sempre..

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622885489420 Flickr: Roberto Urso

    non mi convince tanto il rumore aggiunto, per il resto bellissimi scatti come sempre..

  • http://www.ubervu.com/conversations/www.theroundpeg.com/blog/2009/11/first-time-with-a-hasselblad/ uberVU – social comments

    Social comments and analytics for this post…

    This post was mentioned on Twitter by theroundpeg: “First time with a Hasselblad” http://bit.ly/5zTLkV #blog #photography #hasselblad #mediumformat…

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622885599224 Flickr: dirac3000

    la luce mi piace molto e il formato non è male.

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622885599224 Flickr: dirac3000

    la luce mi piace molto e il formato non è male.

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622885950562 Flickr: from a 2 b

    Great series.. amazing use of light!! fantastic! :-) )

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622885950562 Flickr: from a 2 b

    Great series.. amazing use of light!! fantastic! :-) )

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622761766383 Flickr: LaPetra

    bellissimi questi scatti!

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622761766383 Flickr: LaPetra

    bellissimi questi scatti!

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomashahusseau/ thomas

    Hi,

    It’s not too bad for a first time. I own a Kiev 88 modified by Arax wich is an soviet copy of the Hasselblad 501. On my body the diaphragm stays wide open while I’m focusing then get closed to the specified aperture when i press the shutter. I don’t know very much Haselblad bodies ( too expensive for me) but maybe you should check that everything works well, because focusing at f2,8 then closing the diaphragm to the right aperture will be a pain :(

    What kind of lens you used on it ? wich film ? Do you scanned the negative of these are prints scans ? according to me your pictures/scans lacks of contrast, everything is grey, nothing is pure black neither pure white …

    Good luck medium format is a great world, when you try a 6×6 camera you quickly want bigger : 6×7, 6×9, 4×5 …..

    Bye
    Thomas

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomashahusseau/ thomas

    Hi,

    It’s not too bad for a first time. I own a Kiev 88 modified by Arax wich is an soviet copy of the Hasselblad 501. On my body the diaphragm stays wide open while I’m focusing then get closed to the specified aperture when i press the shutter. I don’t know very much Haselblad bodies ( too expensive for me) but maybe you should check that everything works well, because focusing at f2,8 then closing the diaphragm to the right aperture will be a pain :(

    What kind of lens you used on it ? wich film ? Do you scanned the negative of these are prints scans ? according to me your pictures/scans lacks of contrast, everything is grey, nothing is pure black neither pure white …

    Good luck medium format is a great world, when you try a 6×6 camera you quickly want bigger : 6×7, 6×9, 4×5 …..

    Bye
    Thomas

  • Carlo

    Hi Thomas,
    I have to admit that possibly I did not know enough about the camera and that there might have been a better way of focusing at f/11. I will probably discover it next time I will have the possibility to use another Hasselblad (if ever).
    The lenses was an 80mm on a 400ISO B/W film. The scans come from the negative, but has been done by the development lab, not something I particularly like as I too think that they are not well done.

    Will try other medium format in the future to compare the result with these… but it was the first attempt, so I can say I am quite happy! :)

    Cheerio

    Carlo

  • Carlo and Fabiana Nicora

    Hi Thomas,
    I have to admit that possibly I did not know enough about the camera and that there might have been a better way of focusing at f/11. I will probably discover it next time I will have the possibility to use another Hasselblad (if ever).
    The lenses was an 80mm on a 400ISO B/W film. The scans come from the negative, but has been done by the development lab, not something I particularly like as I too think that they are not well done.

    Will try other medium format in the future to compare the result with these… but it was the first attempt, so I can say I am quite happy! :)

    Cheerio

    Carlo

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomashahusseau/ thomas

    Hi,

    Yeah usually scans for developement lab aren’t very nice. Maybe you should check for a negative scan, the Epson v500 is a pretty nice one and not very expensive ( about 200 €). I also recmand you to develop your B/W films yourself, it’s pretty easy inexpensive and you’ll obtain far better result as they use same “soup” for dozen and dozen of films :( . According to your Twitter you looks to be a really busy man but if you have 1 hours to spend try to processe yourself, result will be great.

    Thomas

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomashahusseau/ thomas

    Hi,

    Yeah usually scans for developement lab aren’t very nice. Maybe you should check for a negative scan, the Epson v500 is a pretty nice one and not very expensive ( about 200 €). I also recmand you to develop your B/W films yourself, it’s pretty easy inexpensive and you’ll obtain far better result as they use same “soup” for dozen and dozen of films :( . According to your Twitter you looks to be a really busy man but if you have 1 hours to spend try to processe yourself, result will be great.

    Thomas

  • Carlo

    I do not use a lot of film, I am more a digital photographer and I am not sure where I will move. For now the film I use is about fun and personal learning, so I do not want to start developing things on my own. I know it would be better, but there are things that have the priority for now…
    …maybe when few things will settle down a little I will be able to find the calm (it is not the time that scares me) to plan and execute a film from development to scan.

    Thanks for the tips however, they are always welcomed!

    Carlo

  • Carlo and Fabiana Nicora

    I do not use a lot of film, I am more a digital photographer and I am not sure where I will move. For now the film I use is about fun and personal learning, so I do not want to start developing things on my own. I know it would be better, but there are things that have the priority for now…
    …maybe when few things will settle down a little I will be able to find the calm (it is not the time that scares me) to plan and execute a film from development to scan.

    Thanks for the tips however, they are always welcomed!

    Carlo

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomashahusseau/ thomas

    No problem, just keep showing us your great photos digital or film ones. I wish you good luck in your freelance activity.

    Thomas

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomashahusseau/ thomas

    No problem, just keep showing us your great photos digital or film ones. I wish you good luck in your freelance activity.

    Thomas

  • Carlo

    Thanks Thomas, all the best to you as well!

  • Carlo and Fabiana Nicora

    Thanks Thomas, all the best to you as well!

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622762638235 Flickr: Minkel

    Magnificent shots !!!

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622762638235 Flickr: Minkel

    Magnificent shots !!!

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622780404553 Flickr: billy gomez

    yes, great series… one more testament to the magic that is film.

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622780404553 Flickr: billy gomez

    yes, great series… one more testament to the magic that is film.

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622911443760 Flickr: Frédéric Frognier

    Great shots

    We’d love to see your image in
    Old School Digital

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622911443760 Flickr: Frédéric Frognier

    Great shots

    We’d love to see your image in
    Old School Digital

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622915395032 Flickr: door101

    first and last.. really good light there

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622915395032 Flickr: door101

    first and last.. really good light there

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622794208959 Flickr: blue_in_green18

    nice serie, my preferred shots are #1 and ,#2

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622794208959 Flickr: blue_in_green18

    nice serie, my preferred shots are #1 and ,#2

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622921039530 Flickr: Ioanna* :-)

    Great collection! Congrats on Explore!

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622921039530 Flickr: Ioanna* :-)

    Great collection! Congrats on Explore!

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622921142900 Flickr: k2ski

    great shots, but i am not a fan of the gray. why not go with black and/or run some levels on it?

    [seen in explore]

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622921142900 Flickr: k2ski

    great shots, but i am not a fan of the gray. why not go with black and/or run some levels on it?

    [seen in explore]

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622800654205 Flickr: ELENA – Eileen Photogr

    Bello bello …tutto il set, anche se per me la prima è fenomenale ^^

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622800654205 Flickr: ELENA – Eileen Photographer

    Bello bello …tutto il set, anche se per me la prima è fenomenale ^^

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622938417542 Flickr: Atomic Citrocity

    sweet lighting

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622938417542 Flickr: Atomic Citrocity

    sweet lighting

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622942608470 Flickr: edopix

    Very nice set Carlo.

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622942608470 Flickr: edopix

    Very nice set Carlo.

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622875562377 Flickr: james booth

    love thisx

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157622875562377 Flickr: james booth

    love thisx

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157623387454685 Flickr: adrienne nakissa.dylan

    i adore this!

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157623387454685 Flickr: adrienne nakissa.dylan page

    i adore this!

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157623387458857 Flickr: adrienne nakissa.dylan

    Hi, I’m an admin for a group called my generation, and we’d love to have this added to the group!

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157623512009250 Flickr: adrienne nakissa.dylan

    Hi, I’m an admin for a group called S.H.O.T, and we’d love to have this added to the group!

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157623512009250 Flickr: adrienne nakissa.dylan page

    Hi, I’m an admin for a group called S.H.O.T, and we’d love to have this added to the group!

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fchouse/4138146268/comment72157623387458857 Flickr: adrienne nakissa.dylan page

    Hi, I’m an admin for a group called my generation, and we’d love to have this added to the group!

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