Hasselblad CFV II With the 500C/M Camera Review (XCD 80mm f/1.9 v Zeiss 80mm f/2.8)

[@carlosgastelum8251]

The 907x/cfv II comes with a mask for the 6x6 viewfinder (no need to tape it)

[@bortalakid176]

exactly. i think before making this video they need to do more research Lol it comes with that mask and hasslblad also produced a 45 split screen with 44x33 border too.

[@SamMcGhee]

An elevated picture taking experience. Rad seeing more people rocking this setup.

[@healer378]

It's magical. Since film was doen, My Hasselblad was parked in room and I was depressed now that I got CFV II, everything is exciting again.Thank you Hasselblad.

[@carlosgastelum8251]

You can compose with the CFV back if you put your 500cm in bulb and use the live view/ electronic shutter of the CFV If you want to take portrait format photos with any V camera then adding a prism finder and a grip does the trick.

[@Sondercreative]

Yes someone else mentioned the prime finder too. I agree that would fix the issue. Thank you so much for watching and for the suggestions. Much appreciated.

[@SinaFarhat]

Its nice to see that a 500c/m camera body owner can try a modern digital back! :)

[@mauriciohernandez5151]

Great video. I believe that the real comparison is between the Hasselblad V with a positive film, like Fuji Velvia, Provia, or the new Kodak Ektachrome with the digital back, to be able to appreciate the true rendering of the old lenses and to see how the more substance on these pictures compare with the transparent/weightless ones of the digital back. I think the new lenses are designed to match the characteristics of the sensor, so the appearance is not the same as the one of an old lens. Some years ago, I had the chance to use a previous CFV-39 on my 500C/M, I believe, and the colors were spot on with True Color of Phocus, the Hasselblad software, though. Focusing needs to be more precise with the digital back, but when in focus, the definition of the Zeiss 80/2.8 lens is marvelous. I think the focus of your model on the first picture is a little off so that the shoulder (and ear) are slightly out of focus; it's not the lens. You can see that this problem is not apparent in the next pictures that you show. But to me, the extreme concern of absolute sharpness is exaggerated and it is more a marketing strategy. First, sharpness is a relative concept. One picture that is blurry at 10 inches, is perfect when viewed at a longer distance. If you want more sharpness, use a bigger format. 4x5" is hard to match and 8x10" is untouchable now. The thing is, in order to match this quality, the industry spends billions of dollars (which the consumer must pay to enjoy it, already having it with the analog technology). And quality-wise and expression-wise, as you have already shown in a previous video, the appearance of analog pictures in bigger formats is in a league of its own. Remember that sharpness is a bourgeois concept, according to Henri Cartier Bresson. Nobody was/is asking why he is considered one of the best photographers if he got so many pictures "out of focus". Much more emphasis must be put on the composition, esthetics, concept, and content of the picture.

[@raycavicchiophotography4832]

I’m guessing Hasselblad didn’t send the viewfinder insert that that comes with the new camera that shows you the sensor crop when you are using an older film camera. Also it’s not a big deal to use it in portrait mode. Use the live view. The Focus peaking feature works perfectly with the older manual lenses.

[@Pembers357]

...and, of course, you can still use live view and the rear screen to check critical focus. And also worth mentioning you can shoot in either 44x33 landscape or 33x33 square crop mode.

[@westonharby165]

They make a focusing screen for the 500 series that has the sensor crop outlined

[@MichaelGAubrey]

The V system lens that would do best on this sensor would be the late entry DIstagon IF 40mm f/4 from the early 2000's.

[@shlawchablaas]

Thanks for an excellent review. I think this back is going to sell a lot of 500C/M's on eBay :) It makes a lot of sense for fine art photographers who are looking for the the film-era Zeiss look but with the upsides of modern sensor technology, as you say it's a shame it's not 645 though. It's a bargain considering the 10 year old digital backs still going for $3000+ used.

[@andrewchesterong6577]

i have worked with hasselblads since the 80's and i am used to its quirks, (pressing the shutter for a bit longer for low shutter speeds, always making sure the camera is fully wound before redoing the film back etc) manual focusing is not an issue if your camera has a bright ground glass , also using a built in magnifier helps with the focusing. the 4:3 aspect ratio is set on a horizontal format and this makes it clumsy to shoot vertical, the old 645 film back was in vertical format, the way around this is use an L Bracket with a grip also using the prism finder also helps. for lenses, hasselblad lenses are top notched, but with a smaller sensor, use a 50-60mm lens instead of the 80mm. the non CF lenses are not expensive

[@andyvan5692]

Also, Sonder, there is a difference, and why the new lens performs very much better, the Back has a database inside it, with every xcd lens listed, its CA, distortion, vignetting, etc. and this database performs corrections in- camera to the image, based on what lens was on the camera, same as the H6D does, THIS is why they cost so much, and why pro's use them, they are so clinically correct, as to be neer if not on perfection; which is what is needed for illustrations, advertisements, etc.

[@Sondercreative]

I mean the lenses on medium format are great but they’re not the best I’ve shot with. This is especially the case for the H6D. Many HC lenses are really poor by today’s quality when compared to full frame. XCD lenses are very good though and they stand out when compared against HC lenses and older Zeiss lenses. Also all cameras have databases for that information when shooting with modern and current native lenses.

[@davidweston9115]

you ought to mention that there are dozens of different types of accessory viewfinders for the camera to enable portrait shooting in 645 format or with that 44x33 format. They have several 90 degree viewfinders of different magnifications and some with meters and some without, and with different adjustable diopters.

[@andyvan5692]

Also, one point at 11:08, there can be a Good reason for the 6 x 4.5 cm size, if you add this to the FLEX-body or Arc-body, you have the cone you need for tilt/ shift movements, as the lens cone is larger than the sensor size, so the image can be moved around creatively!

[@akaneverest]

PM90 prism on 500-series body solves the issue with vertical shots. But it is heavy :)

[@nelsonclub7722]

All cool and blingo here!!!!

[@akaneverest]

​@@nelsonclub7722 There is no commitment to use of electronic shutter with v-series body (AFAIK). CFV backs always worked with lens or body shutter.

[@nelsonclub7722]

@@akaneverest Actually Alexander - you are right and I was wrong - I will delete my comment -as there is a mask - it was in the box - I didn't see it - Hass have now updated their info too as before it said no flash - what it meant was no flash with ES!!!!

[@eatdriveplay]

And difficult to hold, unless you also have the grip.

[@baxtermarrison5361]

You can set the back to work in live view if framing is an issue. Plus the fact that you can get a 645 mask or lined focus screen. Hasselblad had 645 backs for the system. For portrait orientation then use a prism finder. There are a number or metered and non-metered options. I am seriously considering getting the back for my V system cameras. My current medium format digital is not Hasselblad.

[@Sondercreative]

Unfortunately live view is only available if you shoot with the electronic shutter. It’s ok but I’d rather use a proper shutter.

[@PhotoJohn80]

Dude you totally can do portraits. Grab the prism finder. It will also flip the image properly. Also with a phase one they have a mask you can insert. I wouldn’t doubt they have a mask for this back as well. Glad you’re having fun with an awesome camera

[@Sondercreative]

Oh yea the prism finder, how on earth did I forget about that. Thank you so much for pointing that out. I should have stated more specifically about it with the waist level finder but yes you’re absolutely right. Thank you for that.

[@PhotoJohn80]

Sonder Creative a studio I freelance at uses nothing but 503s and phase ones. Lol they spoil me when I get to shoot with them:). I’m just glad you’re having fun with some awesome old gear. It’s great the hasselblad injected new life into their old gear. I also found out you can use that back on view systems too like the Cambo. Ohh the creativity juices just thinking about that. I just wish hasselblad and capture one could work out their differences so you can shoot tethered with capture one

[@Pembers357]

If it helps, I've designed and produced some landscape and square crop masks which sit on top of the focus screens of your 500 series camera. I've sold them to users in Europe, Asia and the US and received great feedback. These greatly help composition when using the CFV II 50C back. You can buy them here: @t

[@etienne8576]

There is a focusing screen with markings corresponding to the sensor size, Hasselblad reference H-3042264. As a matter of fact, this screen was provided with the CFV 50c (version 1). It is still available today, though.

[@Sondercreative]

That’s so useful, thank you so much for that. Having that available would have made things a bunch easier. I’ll see if I can get hold of one for next time.

[@etienne8576]

Sonder Creative You‘re welcome. I got mine from B&H (or Adorama, can‘t remember), their list price is $260 which is cheaper than many acute matte D screens on the used market! (even counting import duties to the EU)

[@raycavicchiophotography4832]

Hasselblad should have sent one in the box. I found mine tucked inside the manual

[@etienne8576]

Ray Cavicchio Photography Agree with you. I too got a cheapo cardboard mask in the manual, but they should have indeed supplied a real focusing screen. Well, this is how you bring the price from $20k of the version 1 to the $6k of the version 2 I guess...

[@derm8nix]

Hi thanks for that review. Yes, it's a great thing to use the old manual not-electric 500 Series with a modern digital back. I myself use the version I, the CFV-50c . There is no need to change to the CFV II as the sensor is the same and the software inside is useless for the manual cams. But nevertheless it's a wonderful chance to use both systems 500 and the new 907x - if you had a lottery win. The use of the 500 is not only downsizing the way of composition and taking pics but also a matter of slowing down. You give more attention to focus, to composition. When you use the focussing screen with the marks for the 44/33mm sensor you will have full control of the view and will never cut off somebodys feet :) But of corse the result is different to the view through the finder. You get used to it very quick. The lenses are still the best you can get - if they are in perfect condition. I own a 150mm Sonnar from the firt edition that is 53 years old. There is no difference to modern lenses unless the color. Using an PM(E)90 will give you full use in vertical matters and BTW a full exposure metering with spotmeter too. You can use live view by flapping up the mirror and open the curtains inside. The chance to use both digital and analogue backs is a great deal that make the use much wider and better. I am fully satiesfied with my CFV: It makes photography much more a creative process again and not just a shooting. But I am an amateur and do not have to fullfill any orders of customers. So this is my personal view. It's great - no doubt - that Hasselblad made this step and give back life to the famous V-Series. Thank you for the video and your attention - Maximilian. (www.flickr.com/photos/buma-hof/)

[@andyvan5692]

great video, one suggestion, add a frame reducing mask onto the viewfinder, ie make one that is INCLUDED with the digital back, so NO more ADD on costs to get the system running!! one further advantage is the LEAF shutter ( sync at ALL speeds ->1/500th sec.) and hasselblad should add a cold/hot shoe to the camera platform, even if it is an L bracket that interposes between the control grip and the camera. Also hasselblad (DJI) Please make the next one have the battery IN THE BODY, aka so we can use the 907 x with a FILM back eg the a 16 or a 24 backs like the H 1 and H 2 cameras, and have some controls like an on/off switch on the next control grip, again so we can use the camera off of the c f v II 50 C back. make a "killer" kit, esp. if the lens, control grip, viewfinder and c f v II 50 C were INCLUDED TOGETHER within say a pelican or metal case?, and a card as well :-))

[@LucioBusaPhotography]

Great review

[@ZHONGHONGZHU]

There’s a matched focus screen for the digital back from Hasselblad

[@albertobastia5924]

It would be interesting to test other lenses like the 50mm f4 cf fle or the 180mm f4 cf with that digital back

[@etienne8576]

alberto bastia They are fantastic, as are others C/CF/CFi (particularly the 60, 100 and 120mm.) My favorite is the 60 due to its smaller size.

[@andyvan5692]

by the way, Yes, you can focus with the CFV back!, you just take a shot with the 500 c/m in the Bulb mode, hold the shutter, etc. open with the T lever, and look at the screen, and focus through the lens; and just re-cock to shoot, as there is NO frame wasted by doing this, AKA due to the 'two button" approach to firing ie: back first, then a 'wait' for the lens to fire normally! ( just as if the digital back was on an LF camera, same way of firing).

[@Sondercreative]

Thank you so much for the info. I’ll give that a go is Hasselblad send me it again. Thank you.

[@pablovi77]

You need to use a Mamiya RZ67 waist level finder, that is the best finder you’ll use.

[@arricammarques1955]

Hasselblad 503CX +CFV II 50c & Carl Zeiss 50mm,80mm & 150mm. : )

[@jganun]

Ah, here's the part where the back goes on the older cameras; I just watched the previous day's video and wondered why you didn't show it.

[@Sondercreative]

I replied to your comment with the link, glad you found it. Thank you so much for watching :).

[@inter-linked]

Use the sliding button when mounting the back…slamming it without using the button will damage the back and the body.

[@Leffe49]

You can buy the right Focusing screen for it. (It followed with the version 1(CFV-50c), which I have) That Acute Matte screen have # 3042264. Any one can buy it from the right HBL dealer. With the new CFVII-50c there also follow a Masking board with the Camera, to use until it get worn out) Also:......Oh man! It´s not only to turn it on and shoot? You have to choose the right ISO on the back to what you get with your Light meter. Also you can use the Live View if you set the lens on Bulb to Compose.

[@bublt4me]

Can you flip the CFV II to portrait orientation on the CM?

[@RichardSwift]

Fantastic review, thanks!

[@TypewriterChicago]

If you want to shoot portrait, get the 90 degree prism finder.

[@jamesbrickert1301]

With my Wife finally approving my purchase of a CFV II 50C Digital Back, I have been searching the various photo/camera web sites without any luck. Can you suggest anyone? Thanks for the cool video.

[@85chuckanut]

And now they come out with this after I sold my 503CW system.

[@ivok1430]

i would be more than happy if would be possible to buy only CFV II back, no need 907xc body at all!

[@Sondercreative]

I'm sure you can.

[@ivok1430]

@@Sondercreative unfortunately hasselblad sells it only as a combo and they are not even considering to sell it separetely

[@laurencegoldman4639]

Can you buy the CFV-II separately w/o the 907X? Is the CFV-I -50C a price saving?

[@robertogarganta]

You can’t live view (see the image in the digital screen) if you use the 500cm with digital back?

[@Sondercreative]

I hope I’m wrong about it but I couldn’t get it to work no matter what I tried.

[@bthemedia]

Sonder Creative try Mirror Lock Up in the 500CM? You showed the shutter button on the LCD screen before.

[@raycavicchiophotography4832]

Sonder Creative use the electronic shutter option for live view on the film camera.

[@MrEszet]

You certainly can with mirror lock-up + lens in F or B exposure.

[@davidcr487]

It works fine for me. Any mode is fine (500 mode works). Just wind the camera, set the T setting on the shutter, click the [LV] box button on the screen of the cfv, and then push the shutter. The annoying thing is that you have to tap the screen so that the screen doesn't go to sleep. If it goes to sleep you have to start at the beginning and do it all over again.

[@EwaldDieser]

How amazing would it be if the sensor was 6x6cm.

[@seskaicio]

Will wait for it. Hasselblad is all about the square

[@bthemedia]

4:18 what does it “look like” to shoot 500 series camera with CFV50? Did not show us that 😕 5:05 What does the LCD screen show? Can CFV back screen be used in “live view” and “focus confirmation/zoom” with the Mirror Locked Up?

[@andythephotog]

You can use it with live view, yes. It also allows focus peaking too. The screen shows your chosen W/B, ISO, selected camera type (500 series for example), card slots 1 & 2 (both SD) and remaining shots. To use the live view option: set the lens to B, start live view, fire the shutter and keep it open ( I use a locking cable release) and the image appears on the screen. You can ‘zoom in’ to check focus is correct, release the locked cable release, crank the ‘winder’ to reset the shutter and the mirror, set your exposure, and shoot 👍🏻🙂

[@kfotoprm]

At 5.05, you say that you can not use the "Screen" to compose, when used with the 500 cm, why not?... Surely, you just lock the "Lens Shutter", and "Body Mirror", open, and use "Live View". Or am I missing something. Just about to buy the Fuji GFX 50r/50s (Following your review of it) but, I may very well, get this, instead. Yes, it's double the price, but I really like it! I would mount it on my Sinar P2, along with my Rodenstock HR lenses, to give me a great system, which, not too long ago, would be well out of my budget. (Phase one, and the like) Thanks, for another great review! I always watch you.

[@Sondercreative]

You can if you’re shooting with the electronic shutter which is something we didn’t test and to be completely honest, we avoided it. However, if you wish to use the mechanic shutter which is a requirement in some scenarios, then you can’t reasonably compose with the screen. There’s to much back and forth which is fine for still life, but not if you’re shooting a model or working handheld.

[@kfotoprm]

@@Sondercreative OK, and thanks for this. One thing though, are you saying that this "Back" has an "Electronic" Shutter? If this is so, great, then, I can use my Canon Lenses, mounted on it. PS: can't seem to ascertain this though.

[@Sondercreative]

@@kfotoprm yes, similar to the X1D cameras, the CFV back has an electronic shutter option. EF lenses can be adapted due to that :).

[@davidcr487]

Composition fix: If you want the best 500-series interaction with the digital back then get this: www.adorama.com/hsfscfv50c.html 500 portrait fix: just use a grip like you mentioned work with the 907x My gripe: you mentioned that you want a larger sensor. I actually want a lens condenser. I think the sensor is great. I just want brighter effective lenses and sharper images. Hopefully modern optics would allow for a sharp and faithful reduction in the image size down to the crop sensor size. Doing this would be equivalent in image bokeh etc to a larger sensor. (Because the front lens element is constant in both scenarios.) Love the videos!

[@jamesgu1316]

Why not lens directly connect to trigger....

[@jean-claudemuller3199]

JAMES GU yes that works on a 500 CM connecting directly the trigger on the lens, because camera and back are mechanically synchronized like an old film back. The double wiring flash in and out has to be used when the back is mounted on a technical camera like Alpa .... that has no sync between camera and digital back.

[@gregsoddworld]

Dude, you just attached the back without sliding the button. Easy does it!

[@Sondercreative]

I watched Hasselblad reps attach it in the same way. I thought that was the correct way?

[@henrahmagix]

Is it possible (tho unrecommended!) to put the 907X front on the film back, and take a photo??

[@Sondercreative]

If someone made a custom system then theres a possibility to do that. Is it the case that you want to use modern lenses on film? You may however need to crop a lot of the film thought because the film is alot larger than what modern XCD lenses can manage.

[@MrEszet]

Not possible. The 907X is keyed and a traditional film back will not properly attach to the body.

[@AdrianWilsonBridders1234]

You should have used a 90 degree prism, then it wouldn’t have been so awkward to shoot in portrait.

[@alfathsayyidina]

Hasselblad should make a accessories for that viewfinder, to match the actual size of the sensor itself...

[@raycavicchiophotography4832]

They do I think they forgot to send it. It’s a piece of plastic with a rectangular opening that matches the sensor size. Fits into the film camera view finder

[@sabari6189]

2:12 cauz it's a hasselblad

[@Sondercreative]

Haha, I thought that while editing lol.

[@sabari6189]

@@Sondercreative 😆

[@andyvan5692]

NO, you can't shoot like that, need to sync the leaf shutter by the PC cable to the c f v II 50 C, and ( based on other systems like this-aka mamiya leaf backs) adjust the "latency" of the shutter in the back, ie set it so that when you hit a button, the back "WAITS" for a Leaf shutter to fire ( 20-30 seconds is standard), instead of turning the sensor on straight away, as if the camera worked as a curtain style shutter, like most mirror-less cameras do, this WILL produce an image, with the 500 c/m camera; otherwise the back thinks it is connected with the 907 x and the X C D lenses. ( this is for speeds the leaf shutter can cope with, otherwise the workaround is to set the lens to B, or the F setting on newer CF lenses, and use the "shutter" in the back, giving the same CZ quality the Hasselblad lenses are known for, but at 1/2000th of a second shutter speed!!).

[@rmrfboy]

anybody knows what's the equivalent of the 80mm 2.8 to this sensor?

[@Sondercreative]

An 80mm f2.8 Lens on a CFV sized sensors is similar to a 63mm f2.2 on full frame. The website I recommend to check focal Len’s on different sensor sizes is mmcalc.com

[@rmrfboy]

@@Sondercreative tnx for the info mate! really appreciate it

[@jontiffinphoto]

Imagine if a little research was conducted before just blindly making a review of a legendary camera system?…

[@Sondercreative]

What specifically are you upset about?

[@jontiffinphoto]

@@Sondercreative , you’re assuming I’m upset, I’m not.

[@Sondercreative]

​@@jontiffinphoto Ok well, I ask this in the politest way possible, what is your problem? Specifically with the review I mean, not you individually.

[@JimmyCheng]

brilliant review，keep it up！

[@julioestebanperezescudero6246]

The 80 mm f2.8 Car Zeiss is not very sharp when compared to other Zeiss lenses. A much better lens should be the 100 mm f3.5, this one copares very well with modern designs.

[@sabari6189]

500 or 503 😜

[@HansJrgenFurfjord]

Spend a little bit more and you get the Fujifilm GFX100 with over 100 megapixels. 50 or 100 megapixels is not a matter of discussion.

[@Sondercreative]

There’s no doubt the GFX 100 is a great camera but they sit in different categories. One is a modular camera and the other is a full unit.

[@gui4j]

Not a 500cm , not a hasselblad ..

[@Pembers357]

Great review - the one we have all been waiting for, so thank you! If it helps, I've designed and produced some landscape and square crop masks which sit on top of the focus screens of your 500 series camera. I've sold them to users in Europe, Asia and the US and received great feedback. These greatly help composition when using the CFV II 50C back. You can buy them here: gumroad.com/l/diFni

[@drparham]

U lost me at the price and cropped sensor

[@bimmerfan2126]

portrait: get a prism viewfinder

[@julioestebanperezescudero6246]

WHY DON'T YOU PUT A PRISM FINDER TO MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER?

[@Sondercreative]

Why don't you try typing without using caps for every letter?

[@bortalakid176]

despite of 907x giving the mask for 44*33 viewing on the focus screen, this camera could shoot portrait still the waist Level that's why it's 6x6.. for eye Level focusing there exist pme45 90 viewfinders.... man do some research before posting review

[@Sondercreative]

It's not 6x6 though is it...

[@jeffreyallen3461]

The image is flop'd (left/right) and not flip'd (up/down)

[@Sondercreative]

Ah, thank you for the correction, appreciate it.

[@bthemedia]

Really? Flop is a word, but does not mean “up/down” officially that I can find. www.google.com/search?q=define+flop

[@jeffreyallen3461]

@@bthemedia You didn't look hard enough. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flopped_image

[@bthemedia]

Jeffrey Allen ok, so “flopped image” is a technical term but not used in common parlance nor does the word “flop” have any definitive meaning related to turning - only closest relation is to “flap”. Could just as easily mean a “failed” image. www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flop 3 : to change or turn suddenly 5 : to fail completely 5 (noun): DUNG // cow flop also : a piece of dung www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flip 2a : to cause to turn and especially to turn over

[@jeffreyallen3461]

@@bthemedia - I'm sorry but I don't have time to deal with your trolling anymore. Have a great day.

[@kevinbrown5093]

Ugh.... dude give up portrait mode....

[@Sondercreative]

Neverrrr :)

[@Crispy_Bee]

Come on, get real. The beautiful "viewfinder" is useless because only a very very small portion of it is actually covered by the sensor... Yes, the 500 series is a great system for analog shooting but the back is garbage and the sensor is the same as in many other systems that are smaller, more lightweight, have better lenses and offer an all in all better experience. Also: yes you can shooting vertically with the 500 series cameras using the numerous available prisms. There were 645 film backs available so yes, they had to shoot vertically as well. If you want to compose using the 645back or a digital back with a smaller sensor you need to use a frame guide. And only then you'll notice how much real estate is lost and how useless is has become. Don't jump on the hype-train because it's a Hasselblad.

[@Sondercreative]

You make some good points. I will say that I can assure you I don’t jump the hype train. I’ve had a long enough relationship with Hasselblad and I have given them bad reviews in the past for far more expensive camera systems. I try and remain as objective as possible but this is my favourite camera system.

[@guillermoperezsantos]

Why use a looser to show such an expensive camera... black tape!!!! OMG

[@Sondercreative]

Lol are you calling me a loser? Haha.

[@fullredplatinum]

For f sake. Unless you're dealing with moving subjects AutoFocus is a non-issue! You're not going to take medium format for wild-life photography or sports, are you now?! Also, photographers have created masterpieces without AutoFocus, auto White balance, or image stabilization. As hard as it might seem to imagine but photography as all about skill, knowledge and how you use that to be a master of light and composition.

[@Sondercreative]

OK calm down, autofocus is an important feature but I didn't complain about in this one I pointed it out. Also your points about masterpieces without it are quite narrow. Either way don't get so worked up about things. Just think about how you're reacting here about a trivial point I made.