B/W film in summer for urban documentary project, and come kit critique please

[RezaLoghme]

Thank you, Daniela.

Right now, I am contemplating what gear to pack. 553ELX is given, for reasons already mentioned. The 60mm Distagon seems to be a very versatile lens, and because it is a CF, the handling is much nicer than my chrome C. And as I am going to crop the scan later anyway, I think I am not going to miss the 150mm Sonnar.

As the 553 is without any EM, I am thinking about buying one one of the TTArtisan ones in retro design that fit into a hot/cold shoe. Any thoughts? My Sekonics somehow dont love me back.

One more thing in preparation is now to systematically check the E12/A12 film backs for leaks or other misbehaviour. I have bought a Moleskine notebook to jot down the details of the test shootings.

 

[RezaLoghme]

:-(

The 553ELX is gone, whether temporarily or forever we will see. I left a bag somewhere, and when I returned, it was gone. Now I am chasing it.

That means that I will have to buy new body, poor me. I have shortlisted two 503s, which I find somewhat overpriced (as I dont need the WLF and the A-M screen), and a naked 500C/M which looks untouched. Alternatively, I could go down the Duracell rabbit role of buying another 553ELX, but mine might eventually return

So, let's celebrate the opportunity to make a trip to GASington Manor.

 

[chuckroast]

:-(

The 553ELX is gone, whether temporarily or forever we will see. I left a bag somewhere, and when I returned, it was gone. Now I am chasing it.

That means that I will have to buy new body, poor me. I have shortlisted two 503s, which I find somewhat overpriced (as I dont need the WLF and the A-M screen), and a naked 500C/M which looks untouched. Alternatively, I could go down the Duracell rabbit role of buying another 553ELX, but mine might eventually return

So, let's celebrate the opportunity to make a trip to GASington Manor.

Condolences. That sucks...

 

[RezaLoghme]

Thanks. I just did a longer search and was astonished by the Ebay asking prices...of cameras with the wrong WLF or screens, obvious patina and other question marks.

AND the asking prices for A12 magazines with China-made dark slide holders to make them look like the late versions....500 EUR and more.

 

[BrianShaw]

That’s a significant loss. Sorry to learn this sad news.

 

[MattKing]

Sorry that the camera has gone astray.
For me and some cameras, loss would mean nothing more than expense and frustration.
But for a few - and not necessarily the most expensive to replace ones - loss would really hurt.
My sense is that that is how you feel about your Hasselblads.

 

[RezaLoghme]

To all who sent condolence messages, flowers, chocolate money, and unwieldy interchangeable-lens TLRs as consolation, I have to inform you that the 553ELX body is back home. Someone found it where I left/lost it, stored it safely, and, after a few days off, returned it to me today.

It's a bittersweet moment, as I had already been searching for and nearly purchasing a pristine 500 C/M body. What now?

 

[BrianShaw]

Well that's truly a miracle! Don't you need another body as a backup?

 

[chuckroast]

To all who sent condolence messages, flowers, chocolate money, and unwieldy interchangeable-lens TLRs as consolation, I have to inform you that the 553ELX body is back home. Someone found it where I left/lost it, stored it safely, and, after a few days off, returned it to me today.

It's a bittersweet moment, as I had already been searching for and nearly purchasing a pristine 500 C/M body. What now?

What now? Really????? TAKE PICTURES

 

[RezaLoghme]

Nearly!!

 

[RezaLoghme]

Well that's truly a miracle! Don't you need another body as a backup?

Let me think about it.

update: 500 CM body BOUGHT

 

[RezaLoghme]

And arrived. A late model 500CM, with all its Mercedes 123 door thump robustness.

Life is worth living again.

 

[RezaLoghme]

I’m leaving tonight, but I’m still undecided on which camera(s) to bring. Should I take a digital Leica and a film Hasselblad? Or maybe just the smaller Leica, considering the summer heat? Perhaps I should bring only the Hasselblad for those high-stakes shots?

 

[BillBaileyImages]

I have the same dilemma. Rejoined the Hasselblad community recently after shooting Hasselblad for many years, but switched to Nikon (F5, D850, D800). For me, if I have the space, I will take both systems so anything that comes up will be an option for camera/lens choice. Otherwise, I would go with the Hasselblad 501CM, 120 Makro, and at least two magazines--and a solid tripod. The Gitzo Traveler with BH-55 head works well for walking around.

 

[BrianShaw]

I’m leaving tonight, but I’m still undecided on which camera(s) to bring. Should I take a digital Leica and a film Hasselblad? Or maybe just the smaller Leica, considering the summer heat? Perhaps I should bring only the Hasselblad for those high-stakes shots?

You’ll probably get good images with whatever you take and use. I don’t have a Leica digital but if I did, I’d take that. Good luck and happy travels!

 

[BillBaileyImages]

Thank you!

1. Why the yellow filter? I have the old, C Distagon with all its complicated drop-in filter conundrum.
2. isn't b/w a bit unsuitable for photographs taken in summer?

 

[BillBaileyImages]

The yellow filter usage was noted in another reply, but you're, "isn't b/w a bit unsuitable for photographs taken in summer?" question really begs a "no."
I believe--my opinion only, but it's taken 79 years to clarify it--that the image you are about to capture has literally millions of approaches with all the many interacting variables considered.
Years ago, I was photographing Half Dome from an adjoining location. With my Hasselblad on a tripod, it looked like I might have an idea of what I was doing.
A fellow photographer came over and asked me what f/ stop I was using. When I told him, he immediately went to his camera and changed the aperture to the same setting I was using.
Then he returned and asked what shutter speed I was using. He changed his camera immediately.
Then I asked him what film he was using. He said "Kodachrome." A great film indeed, but I was shooting Panatomic X at ASA 25 (box speed was 32, but I metered for detail in Zone III and processed it in HC-110 at 1:30 dilution).
Too much detail? I simply told him that I was shooting in black and white. Since he was shooting Kodachrome 25, there was no absolute need to correct him with a distribution about cool-to-me esoterica.
My point?
He made the assumption that I was shooting color, but I had made the decision to shoot Pan-X for a variety of reasons. Long story just a bit longer: your artistic vision must coalesce all the pertinent variables into one "nailed it!" image.

 

[warden]

I’m leaving tonight, but I’m still undecided on which camera(s) to bring. Should I take a digital Leica and a film Hasselblad? Or maybe just the smaller Leica, considering the summer heat? Perhaps I should bring only the Hasselblad for those high-stakes shots?

Did you ever come back? How did it go?

 

[Don_ih]

Did you ever come back?

He's "Restricted Access" - which is probably normally enough to make people stop frequenting the site (I'm an exception).

 

[warden]

He's "Restricted Access" - which is probably normally enough to make people stop frequenting the site (I'm an exception).

View attachment 381165

Just wanting to make sure Reza isn’t in summer urban documentary protest prison and needs us to help make bail.

 

[pentaxuser]

Like warden I was wonderíng the same about his coming back with tales of his adventures but now I learn he is restricted access and I wonder why this is but no doubt I will never learn why. I can't recall anything he díd on Photrio to make him "restricted access"Maybe something came to light that I or we are unaware of

pentaxuser

 

[MattKing]

He's "Restricted Access" - which is probably normally enough to make people stop frequenting the site (I'm an exception).

View attachment 381165

Many people - including RezaLoghme - have participated here extensively while on "Restricted Access" (aka post pre-approval required) status.
We are quite diligent about reviewing such posts promptly.
For a significant percentage, the need for "Restricted Access" is quite temporary. And we are keen to help people understand how to get back to normal status, because that way they are able to contribute more - and probably enjoy it more too.
There are lots of reasons why people don't visit Photrio or post for a while. And a two month gap isn't a particularly long one, especially when a lot of the activity before then apparently related to an important trip.
I for one hope we hear from RezaLoghme about how his trip went.

 

[Don_ih]

I for one hope we hear from RezaLoghme about how his trip went.

I'm sure he's fine.

 

[Don_ih]

have participated here extensively while on "Restricted Access" (aka post pre-approval required) status.

Truthfully, I almost ditched the site after being on "Restricted Access" - I only stayed because of the Postcard and Print exchanges. It was too irritating trying to enter a conversation (in a thread, not a message) while needing every post approved.

If he left because of it, I wouldn't be surprised.

 

[MattKing]

We are very glad Don that you persevered.
And I can assure that RezaLoghme posted many, many times after his status was changed!