Bronica vs Mamiya vs Hasselblad, the age old question

[Joenail]

So I'm going to get a medium format SLR after using a Mamiya C33 & falling in love with the quality. Problem is, me being who I am, I can't decide on a camera. I like the 6x6 format so it's probably between a Bronica SQ-Ai & Hassy 500something. Since I have no access to these cameras before purchase I won't be able to try them out, so I've resorted to the internet.

I'd be using them for general street photography, most likely with a prism finder (not bothered about a metered one).



What one's going to kill my shoulder less by carrying it about all day?

Is Hasselblad just another 'you-pay-for-the-red-dot' camera, or are they actually worth the money?

What camera is easier/faster to operate? I like the idea of having the EV lock on the 'Blad lenses.

Is there another camera I should be considering?

My budget is pretty loose - anything up to £800, give or take a few quid depending.


Cheers,

-J

 

[fixedimage]

I've only used a Mamiya, a 645j which is pretty entry level but I found it pretty nice. The design of it meant that it didn't have interchangeable backs but that didn't bother me and the more modern ones do.

The only advice I'd give you is that I know several people who have fallen foul of the Bronny's trick of defaulting to 1/90th shutter speed when the battery goes flat and giving you no warning at all that it's doing so.

 

[flashp]

Pentax 67

 

[JSER]

I have always used and will continue to use my SQAi Bronny.

I have had the Pentax 645 and that was a superb camera but........

The 6x6 format allows so much more flexibility when it comes to cropping.

Bought my first Rolliecord Vb pre owned the same day I bought my WestonMASTER new.

I am digital, but am also still film, nothing compares to going out for the day with 10 rolls of 100asa 120 setting up the tripod and taking a landscape............... in between a coffee, a sandwich and a lay back in the sun.

NO Hassels are not ott these days, when new perhaps, but at todays pre owned prices, the 500Cm is very nice, I wish I still had mine, a looked after one is a superb camera, basic and a true Hassleblad.

 

[ah5168]

I guess you are not proposing to use these commercially, therefore optical quality may be less important, making the 300 or 400% price premium of a Zeiss Hasselblad lens over a similar bronica lens a potential waste of money.

Hasselblad’s tend to be all mechanical which makes them more service dependent than a Bronica SQ which has an electronically timed shutter.

I went through the same process and brought a mint Bronica SQB, 3 lenses and 2 backs for less than a Hasselblad 500 body.

 

[Laudrup]

Is Hasselblad just another 'you-pay-for-the-red-dot' camera, or are they actually worth the money?

Like most things in life you get what you pay for. Look out for EdBray in the classified section he is selling a lot of Hasselblad equipment, it might be worth posting in the film section too.