Getting your first Hasselblad Film Camera

HeeJW May 6, 2015

Shushhhh! This is not a debate of Digital vs Film, quibble over different formats, battle of medium format manufacturers, nor comparison of 35mm with 120mm, this is simply not the why of Fry.

This one's for the Hasselblad Film Camera.

Medium format produces an extremely gorgeous images by expanding the field of view couple up with creamy bokeh! But it is not for the faint hearted, it requires so much more patience, technique and acceptance on quirky imperfection of film photography. I certainly don't claim the depth knowledge of medium format but what follows is an assembling of practical know-how on my Hasselblad.

I used to own a Mamiya RB67 which i used very much during my solo travelling days, so take these personal view that i'm explicitly choosing Hasselblad over Mamiya. The latter is relatively affordable nowadays as it's actually much more bulkier in size and weight, also feel very much flimsy. I wanted something soulful and timeless, i ended up selling the Mamiya, waited and looked for almost a year to find the right Hasselblad. Expensive, yes and worth it! The brainchild of Victor Hasselblad- 500C, hand built this beauty in Sweden, embodies a modular system that allows accessories to be mixed and matched with ease in creating the perfect system for specific assignment.

FINDING THE RIGHT ONE

When i got mine, i was terrified. Everything about this camera was different and so bloody beautiful! I simply couldn't care less paying a little more premium for the nostalgic square box. Every moment it clicks, it grows on me like no other camera ever did. Light meter out, waist prism up, compose, dark slide out, focus and click- REPEAT.

Testing the Little Black Box- Hasselblad Body

It looks deceptively simple, a square cube connects a lens and a film back. Generally, you want to look at the 500-series (also known as V series). Later versions have TTL flash metering and electronic coupling, i simply love the exercise of fully mechanical. Mine is a matching serial 500C with certificate dated to 1969.

When testing the body, the winding action should have a springy resistance, and the shutter action should be crisp- the mirror should get out of the way fast and stay there; same for the secondary shutter curtain at the rear of the body. Note that the mirror doesn't come down until rewind. Check for mirror alignment by turning the lens to infinity, find a distant subject and check for in focus with the magnifier- matching the rangefinder in the little mid-circle. Needless to say, check for dent, and there should be no loose or rattling parts inside- it is absolutely solid.

The Lenses

The body almost always come with the standard Carl Zeiss 80mm f2.8 Planar, it coupled aperture and shutter speed rings. It's either a non-T* or the T* (with fancy coating), the latter is slightly more expensive, high contrast and relatively low flare. I couldn't care less.

Note that the tip of one of the shutter blades may appear bent, this is a design feature to prevent shutters collide and jam at high shutter speeds. The shutter action of a lens should also be snappy and crisp; the slower shutter speeds tend to be where there are problems, so do test it at 1 second speeds with a stopwatch to get an idea if they're in spec. A slight metallic noise when changing shutter speeds is absolutely normal, especially traversing large range of shutter speeds- this is due to the internal spring changing tension.

The Film Back behind the Little Black Box

A12 is the standard back, it gives 6x6 shots on 120 roll, it comes with a dark slide- a piece of metal that slide in between body and back, if you don't have this, you won't be able to detach the film back. It's also to prevent light leaks when interchanging backs. Some sellers will note "matching numbers" which indicate the roller mechanism insides' serial number matches the housing. It doesn't make any functional difference, but it does seems to affect the price a bit more. Look out for a thing called "Dark Slide Holder", it clips your dark slide at the back of the film back. Fugly but functionally useful, seriously useful. I lost my dark slide in Melbourne, it sunk into the white sands of St. Kilda- well, at least that's what i believe, pff!

If you have the almighty buck, there are also digital back available, both from Hasselblad (CFV series backs) and other manufacturers. BUT, none of them make a true 6x6 back, there's always a crop factor. The earlier batch of CFV and Phase backs did have square sensors but a 1.5x crop, like a FX lenses on DX body. While the newer backs like CFV-39 uses.......wait, does it matters? I'm skipping this.

The Viewfinder

Various viewfinders available for a Hasselblad, standard finder is a collapsible waist-level finder. It's a simple flip up hood that prevents stray light hitting the focusing screen and allows comfortable viewing looking down the camera. For a super accurate fine tuning focusing, especially shooting wide open- which i always do, a popup magnifier is built into the top of the hood, released by sliding the catch fully to the right. Note that the viewfinder is laterally reversed on the screen, you probably need some times to get use to it.

There's also eye-level prism finders, metered or unmetered. Enough said. I simply doesn't fancy modification on the nostalgic Hasselblad, i kept it simple.

Metering

Unless you have a metered prism finder, the cameras are fully manual and unmetered. It's either you train your eyeballs to the sensitivities of light, or simply- get a light meter. Mine, a pocket-sized Sekonic L-308S, cheap and functional.

Pricing

To give you an idea, a good condition of 500C/CM, waist level viewfinder, Carl Zeiss 80mm f2.8/T* and A12 back with dark slide should run around $835-950 USD. A little more than the price of a DSLR kit- it can probably outlast you, to your children or grandchildren.

There are many reasons why i love my Hasselblad 500C, the mechanical precision, the substantial quality where you only get from hand-built, love even more of the loud clatter shutter sound and the unmatched quality. Every time i pull a freshly developed roll from the tank, i am blown away by the images, every single time!!!

So when you're getting your first Hasselblad Film Camera, remember not to rush in.

Much been said, the awesomeness of film;
Having the privilege to slow down, appreciate details, nuances and subtleties of crafts.
#buyfilmnotmegapixels #filmisnotdead

JW.

Melbourne Road Trip

HeeJW October 26, 2014

The weather of the world- most countries have their seasons in a year, but Melbourne has four seasons in a day. It might sound exaggerated but it is almost as true, a day can start off cloudy or rainy, sun and blue sky come through if you'd wait awhile; the weather can alternate between sunshine and rain, an October "Springmer" they called. Melbourne vaunted the town with a series of unique alleys and arcades that filled with al fresco eateries, cafe, street art, galleries, hidden boutique and heaps of lovely green spaces.

The vibrant city makes an excellent base for exploring Victoria, such as, The Great Ocean Road, Yarra Valley wineries, Phillip Island, Mornington and Dandenong Ranges.

Average Cost
Accomodation
1. Hostel Dorm Room (Backpacker)- AUD28- AUD36
2. Hostel Private Room (Twin)- AUD78- AUD105
3. Three Stars Hotel (Queen)- AUD167- AUD189
*Personally recommend King Street Backpackers, Melbourne Connection Travellers Hostel and Melbourne YHA Central

Food
1. Fast Food (McD, KFC)- well under AUD10
2. Asian Food- AUD10 for a big portion fried rice
3. Noodles bar (Ramen)- AUD15- AUD18
4. Pizza and Pasta Parlors- AUD16- AUD22
*Thus, expect to pay AUD20 for most sit down restaurant

Transport
1. SkyBus from Airport- AUD15 for return, AUD18 for single
2. City Circle Tram- Free tourist tram operate around Melbourne CBD
3. Yarra tram- Extensive tram network get you around Melbourne- Need MyKi Card
4. Metro Trains- Operates in a metropolitan network- Need MyKi Card
5. V/Line- Passenger rail/ coaches run in regional Victoria- Need MyKi Card
6. Buses- Independent bus operators run Victorian metropolitan and regional- Need MyKi Card
7. Melbourne Bike Share- Daily subscription AUD2.80
*The City had done an extremely good job integrating public transport system around free tram, extensive tram, train, bus, and bicycle.
*Get yourself a Myki Visitor Value Pack for AUD14 (inclusive AUD8 of travel value)
- Myki is a card gives you access to trams, trains and buses (except SkyBus)
- Unlike most public transport system, Melbourne capped a maximum daily fare at AUD7.16 for ZONE 1, AUD4.96 for ZONE 2
- a 2 hours fare at AUD3.58 for ZONE 1 and AUD 2.48 for ZONE 2
- here's a ZONES reference

It sounded confusing at first, it is actually pretty simple, for example:
"You wanted to travel from Melbourne CBD to St. Kilda, which both located at Zone 1, you plan to spend an evening at St. Kilda or Mornington Peninsula, and you manage to travel to and fro St. Kilda within 2 hours, it will cost you at AUD2.48 on the same day"

"If you plan for a whole day out, Morning- afternoon to the Zoo and Museum then evening to St, Kilda and a night at Footscray, which all located at Zone 1, it will cost/capped you AUD7.16 and nothing more. With that, you can travel to any places in Zone 1 for AUD7.16 on the same day"

Activities- Things to do
1. Road trip to The Great Ocean Road
2. Penguin Parade at Phillip Island
3. Wine Tasting at Yarra Valley
4. Enjoy the State Library of Victoria
5. Visit to St. Patrick Cathedral
6. Journey through a world of wildlife at Melbourne Zoo
7. Visit to ACMI/ Federation Square/Melbourne Information Centre/Yarra River
8. Sunset view from Eureka Skydeck 88
9. Watch a musical at Regent Theatre
10. Wandering around Melbourne CBD
11. Hitch a ride on Classic free City Circle Tram
12. Evening stroll at Brighton Beach
13. and yes, Picnic at Flagstaff Garden or Royal Botanic Gardens!!!

++Shot on Hasselblad 500c + Carl Zeiss Planar 80mm f2.8 & Nikon FA + Nikkor 20mm f2.8 ++

MELBOURNE CBD

Remember to grab yourself a visitor guide at the airport, extremely helpful stuff. Take a SkyBus from the airport which take your to Southern Cross Station in 20 minutes, do get a return ticket if you can, it stays valid for 3 months from the date of purchase and it's cheaper. Once you reach Southern Cross Station, you can easily navigate your way in Melbourne CBD with the map on visitor guide.

Melbourne is really something for everyone, no matter what's your budget or tastes are. The city is laid out on a grid line, easy to navigate, all you need is a city ambassador- the Map! It bends over backwards to impress tourists, the CBD offers so much to see, taste and listen. We checked in King Street Backpackers, then take our time exploring the city.

Tram it! Hop on route 35 City Circle Tram, it's free!

Great way to travel and mingle with locals and other visitors.

Explore CBD's narrow lane lined with intricate facades built in style

Federation Square, do visit the Visitor Information Centre here, they are extremely helpful, you might as well get yourself a MyKi card as well, the extension network to get around Melbourne- Zoo, St Kilda or Brighton Beach

THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD

We rest earlier for the night, out of the hostel the next morning, breakfast at Queen Victoria Market and head on to Franklin Street to fetch our rental car. Most of the reputable rental car service are located at Franklin Street, only a junction away from Queen Victoria Market (McDonald's side). I rented the car from Budget, it was cheaper that others at the time, I took a risk, turn out it wasn't as bad as most reviews claimed they are.

Got myself a local sim card with 1GB internet, Waze my way out. Here we go! to the Great Ocean Road! If you're driving from Melbourne, here's your route- Melbourne > Geelong > Lorne > Apollo Bay > Princetown > 12 Apostles Visitor Facility > Port Campbell. We pre-booked a room at Port Campbell, Portside Motel- very decent place.

Pit stop :) We actually took a inner route skip pass Geelong, right to Lorne

We parked our car at 12 apostles visitor facility, accessible to Gibson Steps and 12 Apostles viewing

The rugged splendor of 12 Apostles

Magnificent rock stacks rise up majestically from Southern Ocean of Victoria coastline

Sunset at 12 Apostles, the limestone cliff created by constant erosion of 10-20 millions years ago

From the strategically located Port Campbell, you'll be able to access to Gibson Steps, 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, London Bridge and Bay of Islands. We manage to visit 12 Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge on the first day, and London Bridge on the next day. We spent a night in a tranquil Port Campbell, had a decent Pizza and Pasta at Nico's, got to say, the Seafood pasta is really great! Expensive though, but worth it.

We head out the next morning, exploring Port Campbell surrounding and London Bridge.

Port Campbell

Scenic drive of The Great Ocean Road

The Great Ocean Road

London Bridge

Loch Ard Gorge

Cruising from Apollo Bay to Lorne

We head back to Melbourne from Port Campbell, checked in at Melbourne Central YHA, it's more expensive compare to King Street Backpackers with the same twin room but YHA is rather decent with a fresh refurbished rooms.

PHILLIP ISLAND

We went to the same Budget rental car, this time for 3 days, you can also get a day trip to Phillip Island via public transport. 90 minutes drive from Melbourne into the spectacular coastal scenery and an abundance Australia wildlife. We pre-purchased a 3 parks pass (Penguin Parade, Koala Conservation Centre and Churchill Island Heritage Farm), if you have extra budget, get the Ultimate Adventure Tour. Here's a recommended itinerary for around Phillip Island, we got our place at Cowes, Amaroo Caravan Park. Once you've cross over the bridge from mainland to Phillip Island, you'll reach Churchill Island Heritage Farm first, so that's can be your first stop or last stop before leaving Phillip Island, then the Koala Conservation Centre and evening at Penguin Parade.

At the Churchill Island

YARRA VALLEY- HEALESVILLE

2 hours drive from Phillip Island to Yarra Valley, an enviable reputation as one of the great wine region. Wineries with stunning mountain views and pristine environment. We picked Domaine Chandon as our wineries visit, and lunch. Heavenly seating with a truly beautiful piece of vineyard, languish awhile with a glass of pinot noir and a platter of cheese.

Wine tasting session of Domaine Chandon

Heavenly view with flavorsome food

Oak wine barrel Fermentation

Storm brewing above the vineyard, Methode traditionanelle wines made exclusively from chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier grape varieties, each imparting classic varietal flavors and finesse

Entrance into Domaine Chandon

Old homestead, renovated now an admin building for Domaine Chandon

Regal, towering oak tree

Iceland Poppies (Papaver nudicaule), also called "Champagne Bubbles" are planted every year in front of homestead, within the front yard star shaped flower bed mirrors the logo of Domaine Chandon

After the winery visit we checked in Sanctuary House Resort Resort Motel, Healesville, only 10 minutes drive away from Domaine Chandon. Healesville located in the famous Yarra Valley grape growing region, surrounded by mountains, forests and rolling hills dotted with wineries, fruits and berry farms.

There are several things you can do at Healesville beside visiting wineries, it offers beautiful gardens, commercial centre along the tree-lined boulevard, Healesville Sanctuary specialize in native Australian animals and Yarra Valley railway.

Breakfast at Mocha and Lime, Healesville

Quaint little shop with just the right atmosphere

Mocha and Lime

Healesville railway line, century old steam train bring you through beautiful winery, river and through tunnel

We decided to have a little romance of picking berries, half an hour drive from Healesville to Silvan, Blue Hills Berries and Cherries, there are numerous berry farms in the region, this happen to be one with a beautiful tree-lined.

Blue Hills

Chemical free berry farm

Lovely tree-line at the farm

BACK TO MELBOURNE- EUREKA!

Another one hour drive from Silvan back to Melbourne, we are off the rental car, checked in Melbourne Central YHA for the rest of our 3 more nights in Melbourne. The free City Circle Tram strategically located right outside Melbourne Central YHA, brilliantly convenient.

Wandering, enjoying the vibes of Melbourne.

Melbourne Central Shopping Centre

City from above Eureka Skydeck 88

City night line

MELBOURNE ZOO- BRIGHTON BATHING BOXES

The visitor pack for MyKi card pre-loaded with AUD8 for tram system, I mentioned earlier on how the system works, as long as you're travelling within Zone 1, the charges will kept at a maximum AUD7.16 for a day, nothing more, regardless how many times you hop on and off on Yarra Tram, Zone 1 well covered the extension of Melbourne, Zoo, St Kilda and Brighton Beach.

When you decided to travel on tram, make sure you put into good use.

Journey through the world of wilderness, Melbourne Zoo has some of the most exquisite range of exhibition. I've been to Singapore Zoo, Beijing Zoo, and this is something special, it's large with great range of animals you don't see in other zoo.

Banded Rock Rattlesnake

Beautiful garden setting of Melbourne Zoo

We took another train route from Melbourne Zoo to Brighton Beach- for the colorful bathing boxes, originally used as ladies' changing sheds in the 1800s. The vibrant boxes remain a pricey mystery to many, some ranged at AUD260,000 for an essential shed without electricity and water. Beautiful to look at, precious to hold.

Striking colors of bathing boxes

Iconic Brighton Bathing Boxes

Sunset at Brighton Beach

QUEEN VICTORIA MARKET

We took the City Circle Tram outside YHA, drop off around Queen Street, brief stroll to Queen Victoria Market. A place more than just a city fresh food shopping mecca- it's a historical landmark of Melbourne. Spread over several city blocks, with 600 retailers, a true reflection of a metropolitan make up. Here, you can find everything from fruits to fashion.

Burgundy and gold City Circle Tram offer free travel to city sights

A mock up nutcracker figure at QVM retailer

Queen Victoria Market

A must try! Get yourself a tray of Coffin Bay Oyster!

Seafood and Oyster spot at QVM

Fruit and vegetables supply at QVM

This deserve a special mention, some of the best coffee in Melbourne, Market Lane Coffee. A hidden gem of coffee place, I was draw in by the beautiful aroma of coffee, worth savoring!

CHURCHES- CHINATOWN

The reminder of Melbourne's rich history in numerous historical buildings and monuments around the city. Home to a number of outstanding and architecturally significant churches, among the best lavish Renaissance colonial churches.

St. Patrick's Cathedral

Impressive stonework of decorated Gothic church

Absorb the tranquil sounds of water and spiritual quotes, seeking sanctuary beneath spires.

Step through the grand red gates of Melbourne's Chinatown and enter a whole new world of Asian Cuisine and hip fashion boutique. Explore the strip of 19th century buildings between Swanston and Spring street on Little Bourke Street.

Australia's oldest Chinatown

PICNIC AT FLAGSTAFF GARDENS

Small but nice, there are several lovely green spaces in Melbourne, but this is my favorite, you get to see sunset from the park! A hanging garden in the city, a picturesque place that reminds you of beauty and opulence, lush green grass perfect for picnic.

The oldest park in Melbourne, dated back to 1840s.

Sunset skyline from Flagstaff Gardens

An evening walkies with dogs :)

Towards the light, sunlight creeps through the buildings, lead to a wonderfully dramatic long shadow

YOU MAY NEVER WANT TO LEAVE!

This is a city that gets under your skin, it has its way of weaving scent to your heartstrings and never let go.

JW.

Hasselblad 500C

HeeJW January 4, 2013

You don't see when you use film, you feel. The beauty of its depth, contrast, color rendition and the factor of unpredictability. I'm now back to the darkroom junkie, soak, bath, fix, wash and the digital scanning; love then hate!

Like many objects of passionate devotion, the Hasselblad is both physical ornament and mythical marking. Once the technical gear of sterling quality and a facilitator of ritual engagement to the world. My inauguration of Hasselblad 500C came in mid 2012, I'd finally save enough. Months of near constant loitering through the capitals of Southeast Asia, had their mark onto the finer grain structure of Kodak Portra, it was pure joy. This is the second time, i'm putting a halt onto Digital Photography, only this time, i didn't ditch my Digital gears.

I just wanted to slow down and think, the merciless simplicity of Hasselblad answered that call.

++

A Hasselblad of Love.

Regards,

Green Walk towards the Gloomy Merdeka Square

HeeJW November 29, 2012

Conflict doesn't lead to stability of a country but the cooperation? is a struggle!

300km Green Walk from Kuantan to Parliament started off with 70 ascetics on the first day (13.11.2012), accumulated to at least 15,000 supporters on last day (25.11.2012). Green Walk participants marched to demand projects review on Lynas Advanced Material Plant (Rare Earth Processing Plant), Raub Australian Gold Mining Sdn Bhd (Cyanide on Gold Mining), RAPID project (Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development), and Baram Hydro-electric Dam Project (Hydro-electric Dam) fighting for the rights to live in hazardous-free environment.

Check post on Green Walk journey.

Approaching the gloomy barricaded Merdeka Square, leader of the Green Walk Movement, Wong Tack and the rest of the 15,000 participants were denied entry into the Merdeka Square (Dataran Merdeka). DBKL officials present that the Merdeka Square was under renovation and no activities will be allowed there, an iconic square where he wishes to have dialogue with the Members of Parliament. He was then sit outside the barricaded square with 80 (or more!) other supporters from evening until the next morning.

The asceticism had inspired at least 15,000 participants but the petition to review hazardous projects had turned down from the governing bodies, deemed as conflict, as chaos in the country by main stream media. Cooperation is a struggle! To a culture that makes no stranger to democracy countries, the peaceful meaning of assembly, protest, rally. To a culture of press freedom, human rights, the concept of respect for people. So, how can we do this? Why can't a declared democratic country cooperate with us, integrate with us, balance with us?

(Malaysia democracy ranking slipped to 82 and press freedom slipped to 104, all out of 150 countries.)

The root of belief, freedom for everyone, freedom of expressing opinions, equality, human rights, with responsibility; law and constitution? That often found contradict each other?

images shot entirely on film with Nikon FE @50mm f1.2 Fujifilm Superia ISO200 Exp2014 CanoScan

the Green Ranger!

Chanting at Titiwangsa Station, while waiting for the green walk participants

Men, Women, Children marched on despite the weather.

Green Walk asceticism manged to inspire crowds from a wide cross-section of Malaysia society.

a melting pot, the current Governing Bodies failed to achieve over the past 55 years.

Our land is being occupied and the government is colluding with the corporations.

There is no guarantee for the health of our future generations

"Stop Lynas! or die trying!"

My arthritis hurt badly in the morning, i'd been longing for today for 2 weeks,

i begged my husband, son, grandson, i must cheer for them.

Marching towards the Merdeka Square, an iconic place dubbed as a symbol of independence.

妙赞法师也来为苦行者祈福

妙赞法师

ays for ascetics

not only a melting pot but a sizzling cauldron!

Some of what Main Stream Media, reported "2,000 participants".

Wen Tan, who has been an excellent PR for the Green Walk, she takes good pictures,

presented them with beautiful digital artist's work, keep the information flows to the public.

YB Lim Kit Siang, a prominent leader of the Democratic Action Party.

(Jimmy Carter) We have become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different belief, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams. One mission- Stop Hazardous Industries.

"It gives me the shivers talking about Rare Earth Plant."

"After 13 days of walking, we're finally here!" announced Wong Tack.

the barricaded Merdeka Square. Defying the symbol of independence.

Green Walk participants held their head in disbelief, after denied entry to the iconic square.

We neither walk behind nor in front, we walk side by side, be comrades. We didn't do it for the individual glory, we do it because we loved our home, bestow to liberals' applause. We owed Green Walk participants the peace of mind, we owed them not just thanks and best wishes, but action! We need to take action and every single voice of you makes a difference!

Green Walk might have ended, but the war just begun. Don’t let other people decide your fate; the choice is in your hand. Brace yourself for a greater blockade! Stop Lynas! Or die trying.

Regards,

JW.

Light upon the Rangefinder!!!

HeeJW December 19, 2010

Yashica Electro 35 GSN was produced during 1973-1977, with a built-in lens 45mm f1.7!!! Yashica Electro GSN was a revolutionary for its time, being the first camera with fully electronic automatic exposure! Despite, rangefinder market was well shaken up by Voigtlander, Leica and Contax, Yashica wasn't any far behind for sharpness and bokehness!

Rangefinder way of seeing and experiencing picture taking is substantially different from SLR. You might or might not like it, and i LOVE it!

Check out the god-like f1.7 COLOR Yashinon lens!!! it's a wonder.