I’m a massive gearhead… there’s no denying that. And I get especially creative whenever I get the chance to play with a new bit of kit. It’s a sort of tingling sensation. It make me want to get out and shoot even more.
A few weeks ago I spent a few days in Cologne doing demo’s for Mamiya Leaf. I was shooting there and talking about my work with their new Credo 50. One evening I noticed an old Hasselblad 503 CW with a leaf back on display. The old Hassy 503 is one of my favorite camera’s of all time. But I never got one because I don’t spend a lot of time shooting film but with a 60-megapixel back strapped to it, I got that tingling sensation again…
After the show we were all meeting up at one of the many Brauhauses in Cologne for a big dinnerparty (every photokina night ends with a brauhaus and lots of Kölsch) but before that I went out and spend a few hours shooting this amazing camera.
The camera is a classics. But it’s not as easy to focus as you might think. But once you get the hang of it, it’s good fun. But the sensation is al about the shutter-release and winding process. That alone made me smile every time. And people look at you interested or even in awe of the camera.
The Leaf 60 Credo V-back is a special edition of the Credo 60 made to fit these old camera’s and for me that made the combination even more amazing. I could get the sensation of shooting a vintage legendary camera with the instant gratification and feedback you get from shooting digital.
On the Hasselblad was a Zeiss 80mm 2.8 planar lens attached. It was tricky to get in focus wide open. But when I did the result was staggering. And if you’re in to “Bokeh” You’ll love this.
After I got back to the hotel I tried to get a mirror selfie in the elevator. I must’ve gone up and down four or five times before I got it in focus (might’ve been the Kölsch) but it was worth it.
I also made a for iPhone snaps just to show you what it looked like from my end.
[Tech] Hasselblad 503 CW with a Zeiss Planar *T 80mm 2.8, Leaf Credo 60 Digital Back
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