Articles

In Hasselblad and Carl Zeiss's own words the Planar 100mm lens for the Hasselblad 6x6 V series cameras is certainly an optical masterpiece that has reached legendary status.
I quote: "The Planar® T* 3,5/100 CFi lens is a very special lens. It is not just a standard Planar lens with 25% more focal length. It is optimized to deliver virtually zero distortion and at the same time extremely well defined image details – sharpness – over the entire frame, and all this even at full aperture. A lens with this quality could only be developed with Carl Zeiss' extensive experience in microdocumentation and aerial mapping and surveying. So the Planar T* 3,5/100 CFi lens is the first choice in optics for all photographers who combine a Hasselblad camera and a recent high resolution film for demanding aerial photography with its fast shutter speeds and hence wide open apertures. The Planar T* 3,5/100 CFi lens is also an indispensible tool for all applications which require an exact reproduction of the geometry of the subject."
Here I discuss and show examples of my own experience with what I have discovered to be a joy to use and a masterpiece of optical design. ...more

While many keen photographers enter their images in club and other competitions is typically to exercise their competitive spirit. In the hope of achieving significant recognition through success in competitions, they risk missing the most important benefits of judges' review - learning! ...more

About 100 years ago Victor Hasselblad was born to his Swedish parents. Little did they know that just a few decades later this child would initiate the beginnings of one of the most significant photographic tools in the history of the industry - that the word Hasselblad would become synonymous with the best quality possible in professional quality.

Victor Hasselblad would go on to develop the first totally modular SLR medium format camera - the 1600F. And from that beginning the company that bears his name would go on to be one of the most recognisable brands in the world.

Like all things Hasselblad 6x6, the 1600F MF SLR camera’s legacy is both a statement about the best possible quality imaging of its day due both to its superlative Carl Zeiss optics and the enduring industrial design and mechanical engineering of the Swedish camera.

This article looks at the 1600F as a valuable photographic tool today, despite its age of 56 years! ...more

Clearly Steinway & Sons reputation is that of the maker of the world's finest pianos just as Leica's reputation is that of the finest manufacturer of 35mm rangefinder cameras and lenses. But superlative quality of fine instruments is not all that these wonderful companies have in common! ...more

Kodak recently published a survey taken among about 3000 professional photographers, which shows strong support for film media. ...more

There is an old saying that the one thing a photographer fails to have with him will be the most urgently needed item when out on a "shoot". But, while we can't take all our lenses and camera accessories on a shoot, we can ensure we have all the backup items that might be needed.

So, in line with good Feng Shui, I keep in mind how the number 8 is said to represent good "fook", or "luck" to many Chinese - here are the 8 items that permanently live in my kit for when I go off to do some serious photography. ...more

While the photographic world has recently become consumed by a veracious thirst the the "latest and greatest" we see once new and useful products thrown aside on the presumption that the newer will make us better photographers.

But while digi-cams come and go, the greatest waste has been in how wonderful film cameras and lenses have hit the trash bin. The digi "revolution" offers us all some wonderful bargains and even surprises. ...more

Why would anyone in his right mind use multiple cameras by different manufacturers as well as the numerous incompatible lenses that go with them? A Canon 35mm SLR, a Leica 35mm rangefinder, Hasselblad 6x6 bodies, Hasselblad XPan and even a Linhof view camera?

Here I outline the camera systems I use; how and why I use them and why I prefer to use them (own or borrow) in the formats I like to make images.

No one camera, format or system will do all things optimally - there are different horses for different courses!

But, I am also mindful that cameras never make a good photographer, they simply enable an objective to be achieved - like all tools they are only a means to an end. However, again like all tools, there are good ones and not so good ones; there are better ones, but never perfect cameras! ...more

So often the simplest discussion about photography issues declines into a "digital V film" debate. Often digital devotees decry anything to do with film as old hat and seem to say that unless you are a convert you cannot be a capable photographer. Then again, many film devotees become defensive and resort to slagging of at the apparent (even if now well addressed) weaknesses in digital imaging. The answer is simply that each has its benefits and accordingly each media has its weaknesses. So, why am I yet to buy a digital camera of any sort? ...more

Despite ridiculous lows in alarmist behaviour, not all people with a camera in a public place are terrorists or paedophiles. Community leaders need to ensure that over-reactive behaviour does not kill a valuable record of social history. ...more

120 roll film has been around a very very long time and despite huge developments in digital technology, it's likely to remain around for many decades to come.... at least. If it’s going to happen at all, full-frame MF digital sensors have not yet appeared on the market.In any case the relative cost of digital MF seem likely to be prohibitively expensive for amateur photographers for many years yet. Testament to 120 roll film’s longevity, there are the many outstanding old 120 roll film cameras such as the "folder" cameras from the 1930s to the 1960s - still in regular use today by enthusiasts. These wonderful cameras only lost popularity and died off as 135 format and more sophisticated SLR 120 film cameras took hold.

But, by most measures today there are many old 120 roll film folder cameras capable of giving any photographer a great deal of pleasure - simple to use, very convenient to carry and capable of very high quality images. ...more

So often I am asked questions like: "should I buy a Hasselblad, Mamiya XYZ or a Rollei ABC?" The answer depends.... depends upon so many variables. Therefore, taking a structured and logical approach to selection by elimination is the most effective guide to making a good long term decision. And very importantly, anyone who tells you straight out to "get a XYZ camera with..." probably owns one and is looking for you to justify his or her decision! The choice can ONLY be made by you and ONLY after a careful selection process based on the factors that are important to YOU. Other users can only confirm the system's reliability etc..

Importantly, keep in mind that there is no BEST system, just one that is BETTER for you. So, here is my suggested process that should help ensure you have no regrets or wasted money. ...more

About one year ago the great German camera company Leica announced its development and planned release of a premium quality digital rangefinder camera - a digital M7? Maybe. Whatever Leica calls its most significant new product in many decades, will not just be an opportunity to make its business profitable; it will also be the company's greatest risk. But, that risk is not as obvious as one may think. ...more