Hasselblad CFV 100C digital back

[Tim Dolan (Longwatcher)]

So I have 2 Hasselblad 500's with film backs, that I rarely use.

I have always wanted to get a digital back, but ones that had the same or more pixels than my Current Canon cameras were in the $12k to $15k range or even more.

Just found out about the Hasselblad CFV 100C back, in conjunction with the 907X "camera" (hard to call it a camera when it really is just a lens/back mount with a release button). More importantly I found out the CFV 50c or 100c will fit my 500's
The price while still high, is incredibly low for a 100MP Hasselblad back.

And I am having competing desires, because I really want to get a second Canon R5 or R5c so I can do stereography with my R5 set and retire (read as sell) my pair of T3i's I currently use for that type of photography.
But a Hasselblad back that fits my 500's has more than twice what my Canon's have, and thus I can use my current Hasselblad/Zeiss lenses I already have that have been collecting dust is very very tempting. Can only do one or the other at this time.

But mostly this post was to let folks know if they were not aware of that camera/back coming out in mid-March.

 

[Deleted member 55]

Do you realize that you can get a 4x5 to EOS ADAPTER?

 

[Jerome Marot]

The sensor is 4.5x6, so not the square ratio you are used to, but you probably know that.
If you just want to use your lens, there is an adapter for the H cameras and H3D or H4D cameras with a CCD back can be had for comparatively little money. They are less than 100 Mpixels, of course.

 

[Asher Kelman]

Tim and Jérôme,

An alternative route is to go Fuji GFX. Remember that Fuji MF lenses are impeccable!

I have the GFX 50s since it came out and the 100 S and am very satisfied. The format is 0.81 approx of 6x6 MF apparently.

Nicolas Claris uses that and the 100s II professionally in his work with major Chateaux and marketing of major multimillion dollar yachts and architecture often with 1-6 models in the images.

It’s not only AF but has up to 6 stops of image stabilization and takes Hasselblad lenses with an adapter!

Asher

 

[Jerome Marot]

An alternative route is to go Fuji GFX.

Indeed, but Tim wanted to use the old lenses in Hasselblad C mount.

Amusingly, because the "H" line of Hasselblad cameras was a common development between Hasselblad and Fuji, there is an adapter from Fuji for the H mount for the GFX cameras. Then there is an adapter from Hasselblad from the H mount to the C mount and, presumably, it would work on Fuji GFX cameras.

There are, of course, mechanical adapters between these mounts, but they do not keep all the functions that the adapters from the manufacturer keep.

 

[Asher Kelman]

Indeed, but Tim wanted to use the old lenses in Hasselblad C mount.

Amusingly, because the "H" line of Hasselblad cameras was a common development between Hasselblad and Fuji, there is an adapter from Fuji for the H mount for the GFX cameras. Then there is an adapter from Hasselblad from the H mount to the C mount and, presumably, it would work on Fuji GFX cameras.

There are, of course, mechanical adapters between these mounts, but they do not keep all the functions that the adapters from the manufacturer keep.

The main novel advantage of the GFX 100s and 100s II is that they have motion shake reduction of 6 stops in the body itself.

Thus H Hasselblad lenses will have image stabilization

….. and if one sets the aperture, the Fuji GFX body will adjust the aperture based on its metering on its focal plane!

The last years Fuji GFX 100s is just $3300 at Adorama and that’s an incredible value for money.

Likely as not, no camera is going to guarantee a better picture with your supply of Hasselblad H lenses, if you are lucky enough to also have them. At this level, it’s just the photographer’s skill.

Asher

 

[Asher Kelman]

But let me return to the world of the Hasselblad. If my father in law was still shooting daily in with his Hasselblad system,

…. (looking down at his waist level finder),

getting the Hasselblad CFV 50C or 100C back would be certain, as it just fits into that ecosystem and “way of life” miraculously.

It’s a versatile proven high quality unit which morphs according to the job, but allows muscle memory to be an advantage for any day’s goals.

For $5000-$7000 used, the Hasselblad familiarity, lightness, reliability and professional recognition makes it a “winner”, especially if you love Hasselblad natural color.

As an experienced MF photographer, camera-shake is never an issue as one has had many years of training and discipline to avoid that in any situation.

Otherwise, for someone who’s technic depends on the advanced electronic features, shape and handling of Canon or Nikon 35mm functions, the Fuji GFX, any model, simply has no Hasselblad competitor!

Asher

 

[Erie Patsellis]

As a datapoint, for my use, with the cost of 120 film reaching ridiculous levels, justifying a Phase One P30 back for $1500 made sense. I enjoy the ergonomics, familiarity after 30 years of using a Hassy off and on, and at nearly $20 a roll, plus processing, a year or so worth of film and processing costs and I have a reasonable solution that allows me to still use my V mount bodies and lenses, accessories, etc.

erie

 

[Asher Kelman]

The familiarity with your Hasselblad system is of course the most important factor.

This camera is now an extension of your brain as much as you hands are!

At $1500 the Phase One P30 is essentially “free”, and these are very good pixels that will not break down when you process files aggressively. 31 MP CCD is perfectly adequate for portraits. One might gain some extra ideas for this system from other adopters of the back, here!

In particular having a Hasselblad lever to focus a heavy telephoto lens will be a great help!

Asher

 

[Erie Patsellis]

Sid's blog post pretty much made my mind up for me, though I struggle with focus for the exact same reason he does, eyes just aren't getting any younger. I have a few focus levers, they just never really jived with me, I generally shoot on a tripod and subjects aren't moving, so I have time and have gotten used to the heavy focusing of the C lenses.

 

[Asher Kelman]

Sid's blog post pretty much made my mind up for me, though I struggle with focus for the exact same reason he does, eyes just aren't getting any younger. I have a few focus levers, they just never really jived with me, I generally shoot on a tripod and subjects aren't moving, so I have time and have gotten used to the heavy focusing of the C lenses.

Would love to see you share some of your images from over the years.

This is why the Lord or the Aliens saved you for this time, 😂

Asher

 

[Erie Patsellis]

Here is a quick one that I have on my phone, what amazes me is this is straight conversion to jpg with no editing, the colors from the Phase One back are incredible.

 

[Asher Kelman]

So lovely!

Amazing colors. What a great camera back you have!


…. and grandkids, perhaps?


Asher

 

[Erie Patsellis]

daughter and grandkids, yes.

here's another from a recent work trip to Hong Kong, pretty heavy crop from the P30, still holds up well...

 

[Asher Kelman]

At first I thought you had Bill Clinton on the right, 😂

Yes, it’s a fun scene of human behavior! Make bench to a table and crouch to use it for a meeting!

Asher

 

[Tim Dolan (Longwatcher)]

In the end, the desire to do stereo with a pair of Canon R5c's won out over the extra quality of the Hasselblad (at this time).
I was figuring I would still get the Hassy as soon as I saved up enough, but then took a huge hit in my secondary income this summer. Just now starting to recover from that, not there yet though.

Meanwhile,
Found an offer on an open box R5C, so at that point it made my decision easier, only needed to purchase two EF lens to RF adapter for my EF 24mm's for stereo and my other EF lenses and then 2x RF 50/1.8. Even though I have EF 50/1.8, I could use with adapters, they were low cost enough. And then I got an RF 85/1.8, even though I have an EF 85/1.2, because I read that if doing video or max frame rate it can damage the older EF lenses. The RF 85/1.8 is still not quite as good as my old EF 85/1.2, but it is pretty good.

In any case, still want the 907X with the 100 CFV, but will have to wait a bit.

 

[Asher Kelman]

It reminds me of the verse in the song, “Of you can’t be with the one you love: love the one you’re with!”

Asher