My New Camera & How it Will Make me Better

I have purchased a Hasselblad 501cm medium fortmat film camera to help improve my landscape photography. In this video I explain the reasons why I bought this camera and what it is that I enjoy when shooting film.
Bruce Percy: / bruce.percy
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𝐌𝐲 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐲 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤: thomasheaton.c...
𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐌𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞:
Landscape Photography Course: f4roadtrip.com/
Prints for Sale: geni.us/prints
My Instagram: / heatonthomas
My Website: www.thomasheat...
My E-Book: geni.us/onlocation
𝐆𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐕𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘴.
Fuji X-T3: geni.us/xt-3
X-T3 L Bracket: geni.us/fuji-l...
Some B-Roll Filmed on GoPro: geni.us/gopro-...
My Tripod Head: geni.us/acratech
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Micorphone: geni.us/vidmicro
𝗠𝘆 𝗙𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗞𝗶𝘁 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗴: bit.ly/tomsgear 𝗠𝘆 𝗙𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗞𝗶𝘁 L𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗴: bit.ly/tomsgear
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐕𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨
Glacial Nature 1 - Niklas Gustavsson
𝘼𝙡𝙡 𝘿𝙤𝙬𝙣𝙡𝙤𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙃𝙚𝙧𝙚: share.epidemics...
#LandscapePhotography #Film #Hasselblad

[@Paul_Burns]

Thomas, always remember that we join your videos because we ENJOY YOUR COMPANY. Many (most) of us don't aspire to be world class landscape photographers. We simply enjoy hanging with you, sharing your adventure, and getting a vicarious trip through you. Yes, maybe we learn a bit too! This channel is successful because of who you are and how you do what you do, and how you make us feel. It's not always about the pointily landscape or the perfect light. Just keep on being who you are. We are enjoying the journey!

[@JanStrojil]

Thank you for articulating so well how I also feel about this channel.

[@schuey323]

Paul Burns, you just made me emotional. Thank you for saying what my mind has been thinking but I couldn't find the words. Cheers!

[@jerryalt6486]

Well said Paul.

[@BjørjaBear]

Hear Hear! Well said!

[@markrichards1979]

I’m with Paul, just love this channel and thoroughly enjoy Tom’s passion, skills etc

[@NeathVideos]

Definitely should have been sponsored by “square space” 😀

[@mateusalves9436]

Every time someone mentions square space the only thing that comes to mind is George going SQUAAAAAAAARESPACE with countless heads.

[@dmitrybelyakov]

@@mateusalves9436 This is how it sounds in my head every time.

[@meme4one]

I was thinking exactly this!! Would have been perfect.

[@NeathVideos]

Mateus Alves can you link to the George video please.

[@chadbaber8342]

lol I was waiting for it, too!

[@markham56]

I used to shoot with a Hasselblad 501C years ago and grew nostalgic last year, so I bought another one just like you did. Well, after shooting two rolls through it, it sat off the shelf just like your 4X5 view camera. Sadly, I realized you can’t go home again! I hope your experience won’t ultimately mirror mine. I love your enthusiasm! Don’t lose it! All the best.

[@Noealz]

too many ppl dont understand that film is more than just the "film look" - it is really hard to explain and it is best understood by experiencing it firsthand. I think you did pretty good at putting it into words

[@scenespin]

Excellent choice with the 501! Ages ago I managed to buy one when I had first started getting into photography and it absolutely changed my life. Not just photography, but life in general. It's the patience and ethic of working with film on an incredible machine like the 501. Like others have said, you've an eloquent way of speaking about photography and your process. Surely this new kit will encourage a new golden era for your work. You've certainly made me claw back on my quest for an M10, and back to another 501.

[@xaviervillarreal5391]

Never say your project means nothing. Your project means something to you, and that's why I love your work.

[@joshuarhea1648]

Woohoo! That a boy Mr. Heaton. One of my favorite photographers shooting FILM 🎞!!!

[@waynemelnick9751]

"The sheer ease with which we can produce a superficial image often leads to creative disaster. We must remember that a photograph can hold just as much as we put into it, and no one has ever approached the full possibilities of the medium." - Ansel Adams Great video as usual. Thanks Thomas.

[@weschilton]

This is really cool, Tom. My dad was a landscape photographer who shot exclusively on medium format using Hassleblad 500Cm and 501CM cameras. They are works of art, built like tanks and will last you forever. Some of the best cameras and lenses ever made. Its so amazing seeing you shoot with them!

[@johnarnsdorf]

Couldn’t agree more. I love my Arca Swiss 4x5. Love the process because it forces you to slow down and be more critical; more deliberate with every decision. And nothing beats viewing that big, beautiful ground glass!

[@photo2000]

I was lucky enough to own a 501CM back in my college days. I unfortunately had to sell it to fund investment into the digital world. I don't regret selling it, as it was a means to an end. And shooting large volumes of images of film becomes very very expensive. However the 501CM will always have a special place in my heart. As will the extraordinary Carl Zeiss lenses that couple it. The resolving power of those lenes coupled with size of medium format film is extraordinary!! I printed an image shot on transparency film once to over a metre in size. Viewing the print even at 12 inches, detail was pin sharp. This camera is as pure as it comes to image capture. No autofocus, no light meter... Just glass and film. Always a thing of beauty.

[@LuisHernandez-rf6ru]

I think a Hasselblad V system is the dream for any photograph (or almost any). It was mine since I started photography in 2009, and a few months ago I made the "madness" to bid for one on eBay .... I won, and I won much more than a camera. You describe the situation very well: Digital ends up boring in some way sooner or later, or maybe not boring, but there are cameras that offer something different. Hassel is one of them. She will make you learn photography differently, think more, enjoy the moment ... Sometimes we live photography with digital cameras as life is in the 21st century, fast. When I use the Hassel, I allow myself the luxury of stopping down and enjoying the whole process ... and what the hell, the camera is also gorgeous. The only bad thing is that through the Hasselblad viewfinder, everything always looks beautiful. Enjoy the camera Tom.

[@FabrizioZago]

I own a 500 C/M, bought it several years ago when I was feeling a bit bored about digital, I needed "fresh air". It was totally worth it and I'm still using it, together with other film cameras with different charachertistics.

[@MichalOlender]

Isn't it amazing that you wanted to have a TV show but you got something even better, a KZbin channel. Total control of the content, interaction, a platform reaching people all over the world. Incredible, congrats Thomas!

[@aes53]

I’ve shot Hasselblad V for upward of 40 years. Most of my best images came from that camera. I just love them.

[@conniejaquith2009]

Thanks. I understand completely. I started with a Hasselblad 500C and still love it. I learned to "see" with it. It gave me such an appreciation for composition. I scanned all that work. Now, when I encounter a Hasselblad image in my library, it stuns me, grabs my attention - it is the square composition. I remember the care it took to compose, meter, then make decisions. It stays with you forever. I look forward to seeing how it affects your work. You are an artist. It will complement all your talent.

[@FakeNews_Ignored]

More experience gained, less willing to go out ... is so true.

[@chrispickett6069]

Dear Thomas, my fiancee Sarah and I have followed you on your journey for a couple of years now and apart from a couple of duff vids we have really enjoyed it, jeepers its like 'has Thomas put up a new one' - I am blessed to say that my fiancee and I met when I taught her about photography a couple of years back , so I am in good company har har. The fact that you have experienced the very same thing that I did with my digital imagery is very nice for me, because I thought I was going mad. I have all the digital toys and more, BUT there was something missing, so Sarah said use your Bronica - go shoot some film. Well that just went completely tit's up and now I have a clutch of Nikon 35mm classics, more lenses for the Bronny and a 5x4 plate camera. But here's the deal - none of it came together until I started to process my own stuff again, mixing soup and getting brilliant results just made it all come together. Enjoy the ride fella, I know I am going to like watching your journey too. Nice choice with the Blad, its great gear, you'll enjoy that, now just choose your sensor and your away ;) have a blast, we'll be watching matey

[@JamesBellLandscapePhotography]

Glad to see you’ve connected with your new camera and already seeing great results. The world is a more inspiring place through a waist level viewfinder.

[@bennovice3327]

"in the moment and in tune" something we all need to do more of more of the time.....thanks Thomas!

[@robertkeck178]

This is extraordinarily excellent! I have several medium format cameras. I can't wait to see what your talent can produce through your new piece of equipment. Go get 'em Thomas...

[@sergescardigno]

people are always like "gear doesn't matter gear doesn't matter", but I think what's important about that saying is that it's usually in the context of upgrades, not sidesteps into different tech. gear absolutely matters in that sense, and this was awesome to see a video talking about that side of it.

[@thehawknelsonfreak]

I loveeeee my hasselblad. Goes everywhere with me

[@skyreadersociety6183]

Thanks for pointing to Bruce Percy, have missed this great work until now.

[@speecher1959]

"A tiny project. It means nothing really." Thomas, there's a reason we keep coming back for more. Part of that is for the inspiration, part is for the education, and part is because we enjoy hanging out with you. :-) I got started on film before digital was a twinkle in an engineers eye, or wherever engineers twinkle. I am glad of that, as I think that it makes me work harder at shots since one could not immediately see the results. I wonder if it's because of that that even now, typically my favorite shot os a sequence is the first one.

[@roberttangen3508]

I still have a very old 1960's 500C Hasselblad. I great camera that I used for years. I needs some work but after watching this I may have to get it out again and have it repaired. It was a joy to use and made me stop and think about what I was doing and why.

[@rjphotos]

I had an RZ67 and 4x5. In the end I went the other way and stuck with the 4x5 and let the RZ go. RZ67 delivered superb images, but I just gravitated to 4x5 every time I wanted to shoot film. Lovely images from the hassy 👍

[@tallaganda83]

I had an RZ but it just was gathering dust once I got a fuji. I love the results, and it’s much nicer to use but I guess the weight and size got in the way. I ended up selling it recently and got a Z7 good decision it’s a great little camera, the kit lens is awesome too. In saying this I still love film and may get a 4x5 some day so I can experiment with movements.

[@hmudesign]

I think Paul Burns, said it all about how we feel about the channel. Regarding the film stuff. I personally started out with film and shot for many years, and I was so incredibly excited about moving away from the film process as soon as I could, in the late 90’s. Film was was expensive, it was time consuming and I even took a quality hit, just to go digital the first chance I got, and the “fast” workflow. It just suited and still suits my way better. I still have all my old film cameras, but I guess I haven’t come a full circle yet to even consider using them again. I did go through a phase of restricting myself with the digital camera, its a wonderful exercise to do, if you have the discipline to do so. I’m happy you are happy with the film camera, and that excitement is contagious, no pun intended. Keep up the good work and stay safe. Greetings from an Icelander living in Singapore!

[@davids2720]

Aaaahhh nostalgia....! I love the Hasselblad 500 series. I spent the first 16 years of my career using a 500cm. The one thing I try to impress on those who started in the digital era is that in the old days, every shot you took had a cost attached to it, so every shot had to count. With just 12 shots on a roll, you worked every composition thoroughly until you were confident you were going to get something useable and the thrill and anticipation of seeing the negs for the first time never waned. In these days of digital instant gratification, it can lead to a degree of sloppiness (not that I don't appreciate my digital DSLRs). Enjoy your new camera Thomas, I look forward to seeing more videos featuring it.

[@quercus21]

I’ve gone almost exclusively back to film. Started 3 years ago. What you said is bang on! People ask me why shoot film when there is digital but it really is a rewarding process. Looking forward to seeing some content with the ‘Hassy’ Thomas!

[@robertblesse5108]

Gotta love those medium fortmat film cameras, Tom.

[@MrPhotog4u]

This brings back memories of hand holding a Mamiya RB67 with a metered view finder on top with a side mounted pistol grip photographing high school sports teams and individual portraits. My right arm bicep was always larger than my left. Happy that todays equipment is lighter for us old school guys... Great to see the Hassy back in action, thanks for sharing.

[@94nagendra]

Stopped the video on my phone at 1min! Watching it on a uhd TV! That's the way to watch Heathons videos!

[@ThomasHeatonPhoto]

Man, I should have filmed in 4k.

[@josebainakielorriagaarriet2066]

In film what matters is enjoying the road ,no matters the destination .I am with you

[@jeff8289]

I love my Hasselblad. There is something so reassuring about the "Hasselblad Thunk". Good for you. The Hasselblad allows me to distill a scene down to it's essence.

[@micartagenaco]

When is England gonna give all that land back it stole from the Catholic Church? Just a thought looking at all the beautiful landscape photos.

[@amerphoto1]

Thomas, your video brings back many good memories when I used medium format Mamiya RB67 and the Mamiya 645. You had to slow down your photography, choose the right film for the job, meter the scene and make sure everything was right before you pressed the shutter...because you did not get a second chance that digital gives you today. You would be so relieved when you got your negatives back, that you had done a good job. Thank you for sharing this new camera of yours!

[@vdiitd]

3:21, I was so sure that you were going to segue into Square Space sponsorship ad there 😂😂

[@chris_eschner]

I adore your minimal shot. And I agree, the one with the lighthouse in the background and the stones leading towards it is simply stunning!

[@matlockcopy]

Film is good, I've gone back to it in pusuit of a documentary Fellowship and using a Mamiya 645pro (cant afford a Hasselblad) and large format and loving it.

[@ianbarnes1406]

Used to love my Mamiya 645 pro!!!

[@mohammedhammad6897]

Hello Thomas, I am following your videos for few years so far and I enjoy very much how you photograph and how you talk about photography. I almost never comment on videos or media content, but this time I found myself motivated to join in. Film photography did change my life and expanded my perspective on the art field. I was not familiar of loading a 35mm film before, but down the years I started to make photo exhibitions and give some workshops on film photography. I totally agree on the relation that builds up with the camera and oneself, the waiting factor of the films to be processed, and the surprise elements when checking the photos. I discovered medium format as well and it was wonders. I found that the slow process of film photography starting from choosing which film to use, composing the shot, the moment of taking that shot which imprints itself in the mind first and then seeing the result photograph on a screen or on a print, relates to us as human beings. Thank you so much for your continuous creative content and for all the efforts behind. Looking forward to see more of your film photography work. All the best. Hammad Photography.

[@RichardLaurence]

Film fans should check Nick Carver’s KZbin channel

[@maxjohnson5629]

Nick Carver is a great film shooter! Also check out Grainydays, Ben Horne, aows (he shoots a Bronica SQ-Ai, which Thomas alluded to at the end of this video), Madison B, Negative Feedback, Corey Wolfenbarger, Joe Greer, and Willem Verbeek. Analog Insights is also a really good channel that focuses on film gear.

[@joshuafagans7534]

Photography fans should check our Nick Carver but yes, especially film fans.

[@weschilton]

Ive been subscribed for a long time... I live 2 hours from Nick!

[@indianwinter]

Nick is awesome

[@i3aluchi]

@@maxjohnson5629 And let's not forget Matt Day. He's one of the reasons I'm back into film photography again.

[@TractionEra]

Love seeing more people shoot film, and it's great seeing you excited about your photography! Its funny I actually found myself doing the exact opposite. I got a Kiev 88 (Hasselblad clone) and found it didnt really do anything for me and is gathering dust on a shelf. I picked up an Intrepid 4x5 at the beginning of this year and it really got me excited to get out and take photos and learn more about photography. I've reached for it more than any other camera this year and I've got an upcoming project on 4x5.

[@YoYoYo]

This channel got a lot more interesting for me. More!

[@YoYoYo]

And scan them with a professional scanner. Noritsu or Frontier sp-3000. It's worth it. You can get 16 bit TIFF from the Noritsu - It's like RAW. Hope we see more film work from you. Cheers!

[@martinjn2920]

Okay, its almost two years since this video came out and for reasons unknown to me I didn't see it at the time, so it is somewhat coincidental that this video pops up as recommended by YT when I have just bought a Bronica SQAi to help me get back to my roots, learn to slow down and take time to consider my photography, oh and shoot more film a format I thought was dead and buried only to find that it is a itch that I have just got to scratch. Don't get me wrong I love my digital cameras and I am getting lovely images from them but nothing beats that moment when you lift those negatives and/or slides up to the light for the first time and see those images that you have created, images that you have sort of dismissed from your memory as you moved on to whatever your next project was. Great video and a wonderful insight into the Heaton mindset for getting his Hassleblad, thanks Thomas.

[@NWP4440]

Can you please do a video on how you scan your images? Loved the video! As one who has been doing photography since the late 80’s, there are times I miss the process as well. Can’t wait for more adventures of yours with the Hassy.

[@Concernedviewer01]

Great video. One of my first jobs was in a camera store, then moved into the photo lab, I learned sooo much. I photographed everything & learned so much about film types ( as you mentioned), darkroom techniques, processing, light colour temp, consumer film vs pro film, I even branched into u/w photography, I eventually got a blad 501CM also. I had a standard A12 back & later got a A16 super slide back, I only had the standard 80mm/planor T* lens, I really loved that weighty beast, you understand the nuances of every aspect of image making. Good on you for using this classic camera. Enjoy.

[@MattFreestonePictures]

Great video, Thomas. Reminds me of my A-level photography days with Ilford monochrome film, fixer, developer and enlargers in the darkroom. Happy days! Interested in how you're scanning your negatives and transparencies? I used to love Fuji Velvia, not just because of the colours for landscape photography, but specifically because it was a challenge to expose correctly as it had such a narrow exposure latitude. Thanks again.

[@aolou3]

As someone new to photography it was refreshing to hear you say you're uncomfortable filming in front of other people, I often feel like this even just taking photos in busy places, and while I've gotten used to it to a certain extent I'm still not as comfortable as I'd like, but it's nice to know that even the best out there feel like this at times

[@Photillustrator]

Just bought my Hasselblad 503cx and am now on roll 20 of various different types of film. Having shot film back in the 90s, I'm so excited to be back. Great video and love seeing other photographers shooting film.

[@phillipcedoz5527]

It’s hip to be square! Next video we’ll see you building a darkroom. #oneofus

[@silber_grau]

Such a beautiful video. I love the voice over part, I love that analog photography, I love the inspiration I got, seeing this video. Your channel is my favourite reason to visit KZbin. Thank you!

[@jonglass]

How do you scan these 6x6 images? I’d be curious of a video devoted to that.

[@LewisWells-1]

Deffo!! End to end process of an image being captured and then printed would be excellent!

[@peterdadson7713]

Jon Glass Nick Carver has some excellent videos on scanning.

[@CarolyneMacMillan]

I was just thinking the same thing and then it occurred to me that he's having them developed somewhere else and maybe they're doing a digital scan as a part of the deal?

[@rtudor]

Sean Tucker has a video on that, he recently made a 3 episodes series about shooting film from A to Z ;)

[@LewisWells-1]

@@rtudor thanks for the heads up! I'll check it out!

[@lanciaratzinger]

I totally agree! Lately I started using film cameras too (even though my digitals remain the first choices for trips and other kinds of scenario) and can confirm that shooting film is something totally different! Call it a philosophy, call it how you want, but having such limitations as the impossibility to see your photo immediately, pushes you to think and rethink about what you're doing.

[@3ArtDigital]

Now, build a dark room, and teach us how to use it.

[@CJR91]

There load of actual Film Photography KZbinrs for that!

[@teddy33131]

you should check out "shoot film like a boss" really nice guy passionate about film

[@Jack-rz3ef]

Ah, the smell of chemical photography. I haven't developed film in decades but I remember my other half at the time saying "phew, it's that horrible smell again" Happy days.

[@kurtpleavin]

Darkroom printing is super easy and cheap to get into. Instead of exposing film to light, your're simply exposing paper instead.

[@dungareesareforfools]

@@kurtpleavin Yes, and burning / dodging I always found a lot easier and more natural than the equivalents in software.

[@andysuzierawlins5462]

P. S, I like your channel because of your honesty about all things, whether it's going well for you or not, you're so honest and open about everything, I keep coming back

[@jgreenler]

"A camera that exclusively shoots square; a camera designed to shoot square; a camera that does not crop when you shoot square; is such an advantage to photographers who love square." Sponsored by Squarespace. :)

[@faraz2498]

Absolutely spot on with the separation between capture and realisation, it really opens up creativity. Even more so when you then take that into the darkroom

[@clivemossmoon3611]

"I'd just as soon play tennis without a net than write in free verse." --Robert Frost

[@AndyConlin]

I'm glad to have found your channel, Thomas. I've been finding myself pleasantly surprised by the amount of thoughtful, grounded youtube channels that I've come across lately. Thank you for being a part of that and sharing your experiences and helping to inspire this in others.

[@kevins8575]

Interesting, but I'm not going back to film. I see all film cameras (even my Leica M3) like you see your intrepid.

[@AlanKlughammer]

It seems many (most?) current film photographers started with digital. Those of us who started before digital had to learn the discipline of shooting film. Speaking for myself, I can use the best disciplines of film shooting (analyzing the scene, scrutinize the viewfinder, etc), but still shoot digital. I get the best of both worlds...

[@DigitalImageStudio]

@@AlanKlughammer Yup, I had 25 years of no choice but film, photography was expensive then particularly if you used good film and pro labs shooting MF. I've had film loaded in three cameras for over three years, sad to say, I keep threatening to get them out to shoot but the surety of the output of my digital cameras always makes me hesitate.

[@oliverstuart]

I spent a few years at art college pre digital, and pre photoshop, with Hasselblads and dark rooms.... and I now make a living as a photographer. I really did enjoy the analogue process... but for me, digital has obviously changed everything, and 99% for the better... but all power to you for trying it out.

[@djsuth7727]

"It enhances your lust ..." Wait ? What ? What channel am I watching ? :D

[@flyinggeometry]

Congrats and Totally agree. One of best episode; “ you seen differently when you limited yourself”

[@OnPatrolPhotography]

“any possible excuse not to go out and shoot”. Yep, completely understand, but I have a habit of taking it too far... after 6 years of highs and lows of landscape photography, many awarded images and many many KZbin vlogs (this Thomas Heaton bloke inspire me lol) I decided to take a career change to become a primary school teacher. I admit this is the first of your vlogs I’ve watched in well over a year and so glad you’re still shooting them. Your images have always been so natural and inspirational, and I find by watching a vlog I’m at least a little inspired to head back out and get behind the camera, something I haven’t felt in a long time. So for that Thomas, thank you. Keep up your amazing work ☺️

[@walterlodzinski6847]

So glad I bought a 501cm like 3 months ago because prices are about to go up 😂🤙🏻. This video was a joy bro glad to see you getting back to the basics and seeing things differently again. You’re going to become obsessed!

[@carlgoetzinger6876]

Being a beginner photographer who still has very much to learn I never felt a strong urge to shoot film just for the same simple fact that you made of instant gratification. Digital allows me to have a better understanding of my settings and their effect all in real time allowing me the ability to learn and experiment. Especially mirrorless, obviously bringing size, ability and price into the equation. But the way you’ve described the added entire experience of shooting film, more so than other people I’ve heard talking about film, has given me that inspiration to later in life explore that a little bit and see the difference and how much film can teach me over digital. Great video Thomas, I wish you well with the new camera!

[@bharadwajkamesh8939]

Thomas Heaton photographing a building.. I've seen it all. Love the direction you're exploring with your channel. I've been watching your content for a long time now, and you continue to inspire me everyday.

[@BriteFrog]

My return to film ( I shoot both digital and analog) has DEFINITELY made me slow down and analyze my shots better. Purchasing my Mamiya RB67 was a tremendous boost. Great shots Thomas!

[@JAStechnicalmedia]

Thanks for the trip down memory lane. Haven't shot on film in... well it's been a long time. One theme here that resonated with me that I think has good life even w digital cameras is that the equipment we shoot with can affect how we see the world around us and drive our creative processes in specific directions. Consciously limiting our kit can be a useful exercise to break out of habits, good & bad, or shake us out of the abject laziness into which we all fall from time to time. So occasionally I take what I call a One Day: One camera body, one lens (usually a prime but sometimes an ultra-wide zoom), one battery, one v small memory card that's otherwise useless, & perhaps one filter and head to a location to learn something new about creating with that fixed kit. The goal isn't necessarily to come back with portfolio pieces, although I have a number that were shot on One Days, but to let the kit kick my seeing and thinking into another gear. As a last note, the Provia 100 was one of my favorite films in my pre-digital days. Another was Velvia (ISO 50 & 100). Perhaps their characteristics are cliche in the modern day but I still love their looks, especially the rich saturation one can get with Velvia. Thanks for sharing your experiences with us. Cheers.

[@sunroameroverland]

You have just described how i have felt about photography since digital came out.. used to shoot a kowa 66. hasselblad 500c and a Mamiya RZ67. Love the square..

[@motretjalanan]

Through this video, you've taught me how to appreciate nature,by taking pictures, and encourage me to improve more. Love it.

[@rjmusic84]

I really appreciate this video. I have been thinking about starting to shoot film again for about two weeks and now I am for sure going to do it. Thank you for the inspiration.

[@RobertNuttmann]

I have been saying for years that I should give up film and just shoot digital. Never happens. I love film, the resulting images, the process, the old simple cameras. I am very happy that you have been bitten by the film bug and look forward to the videos.

[@scriptosaurusrex]

Shooting film is only like shooting jpeg if you send away for processing. If you process yourself, and print too, you have a lot of control. Many digital editing techniques are still named after their darkroom grandparents. E6 and c41 are hard to process by hand, but black and white is fairly straightforward. I suppose the only real difference is you can't undo a push/pull on a roll. Glad you are enjoying it!

[@timfloydphoto]

Great video, Thomas. Your excitement is readily apparent.

[@paulmoss4199]

I always think that there is something very special about film, holding that negative in your hand, it is unique and is a true witness to a point in time. It was actually there, on that date, at that time when the shot was taken. Light from the subject bounced off its surface.

[@johnmahaffy]

Nice mixture of youthful enthusiasm, gleaned from you, with a healthy splash of nostalgia; I'm probably useless the rest of the evening. Fifty or sixty years ago, I went from an Olympus PenF (called ostentatiously a "single frame reflex 35") to full-frame 35, to 6X6 (a Kowa Six), to a 4X5 I built from a kit. I've punched my share of soup. Thanks for a nice evening.

[@millerviz]

Developing your own film is fast and cheap and very satisfying. No need to wait weeks to see your work. I can shoot in the morning, develop in the afternoon and scan and edit in the evening with ease.

[@Bryan_Stock]

Being a hand tool woodworker as my other hobby, love that analogy! Thanks for all your great tips.

[@mhc2b]

Congratulations on the purchase of the 501CM. I have been a Hasselblad shooter for almost 50 years, buying my first Hasselblad (500CM) in Feb, 1972. I also bought a 501CM when they were first introduced in the mid 1990's. The basic simplistic quality built into a Hasselblad film camera never goes out of style. I also currently use the Sekonic L-758DR hand meter, which I believe I saw you using in spot meter mode in your video. Great choice there also. In 2007, I converted my 501CM to "digital" by purchasing a Hasselblad digital back for it. It was simply a measure of removing the film back, and popping on the digital back! I still shoot a Hasselblad today, using their latest digital camera, the mirrorless X1D-50c. Sadly (IMO), Hasselblad has abandoned the square format, and now all their digital cameras are rectangle (albeit a 4:3 aspect ratio). I believe one of the main issues was due to the expense of producing square sensors. But with a larger 50 mpix sensor in the X1D, cropping it to square is not a big deal! Please allow me to make one crucial recommendation for you - Since you no longer have EXIF data available, start making notes of each shot you take - exposure data, lens used, location, and any other pertinent info you want to retain about the shot. Buy yourself an inexpensive pocket digital recorder. When you get home, transfer the data to a Word or Excel file. Or simply write down the data in a notebook. This way, you will never forget information you might want to keep tabs on. It takes a bit of time, but it's really not an issue, compared to the value of this data which you would otherwise forget!

[@VISHUDDHATMA]

This is valuable advice. I wonder about the new digital back just available. Do you have any remarks for this? Thanks.

[@mhc2b]

@@VISHUDDHATMA I currently own the Hasselblad X1D camera, which shares the same sensor as the new CFV-II 50c digital back, assuming that's the back you are referring to. No complaints about the sensor at all. You will not be disappointed in its quality. However, attached to a 500 series body does present some issues you need to be aware of before you take the leap. First, the back produces a horizontal rectangular image rather than square. It is also smaller than the 6x6 film image that the Zeiss lenses were designed for. Meaning that you will have up to a 1.5 crop factor with your Zeiss lenses. This is great if you shoot a lot of telephoto images, portraits, etc., but NOT GOOD for wide angle. With a 1.5 lens factor involved, you pretty much lose most wide angle capabilities. So, for typical landscapes, you will not have decent wide angle capabilities (unless you are comfortable and knowledgeable with stitching). Secondly, since the 500 series bodies are designed to shoot square film images, they were NEVER meant to be turned sideways to shoot vertically with the CFV back attached. You will find it Extremely Awkward at best to shoot in a vertical mode. You will be pretty much resigned to shoot horizontally all the time, and just crop for vertical shots. But know that even with extreme cropping, this 50 mpix back will still produce the finest image quality you can imagine today.

[@VISHUDDHATMA]

@@mhc2b I find this details from you, very valuable. I was rather disappointed at their recent webinar when they introduced the new 907SX with the back. I have waited for a year, and I think I will wait more, until many of the experts like you, come with more info. Also they are not selling the back alone so far. I have four CF lenses, and I am not a professional. i do not expect HB to produce and post images with the new back and these excellent Zeiss T* lenses. Thank you Michael.

[@mhc2b]

@@VISHUDDHATMA Let me add one more thing - I shot with a 500 series body and Zeiss lenses for over 40 years. IMO, the Zeiss lenses were "king of the hill." Even with today's modern optics, they still hold their own. However, the new XCD lenses used with the X1D & 907 bodies have far surpassed the excellence of the older Zeiss lenses. They are not cheap, but I don't believe you'll find another lens that can match their image quality. Their only downside, IMO, is that their auto focusing is rather slow compared to other modern lenses. But since you're used to manual focus with the Zeiss lenses, the XCD should be just fine in either MF or AF mode. Allow me to recommend this to you - Instead of concentrating on the new 907, look at the possibility of purchasing a used X1D body instead. It, IMO, is much more practical to everyday shooting than the 907 design. Remember, it shares the same 50 mpix sensor as the 907/CFV-II 50c. Hasselblad, as well as Kipon, Fotodiox, and others make a lens adapter which will enable you to mount your Zeiss lenses to the X1D body. Not as convenient as the proprietary XCD lenses, but they work. This will allow you to utilize your Zeiss lenses for the time being, while considering the XCD lenses when money is available. I bought one of the first X1D's in 2016, and utilized my Zeiss lenses with a Kipon adapter for over a year. As funds became available, I eventually replaced all my Zeiss glass with XCD lenses. I've been a happy camper.

[@williamkung9863]

Shooting film brings you something different, like a journey, it somehow triggers your creativity, your artistic soul that has been lost.

[@Pembers357]

I like this video. Really helpful and inspiring. I bought a Hasselblad 501C recently and started shooting film again. I’m enjoying manual metering and taking my time. I love the haptics of this camera (sometimes more than the end results themselves). I also bought Hasselblad’s CFV 50C digital back to use on it too, which I shoot in square format, for those times when I really can’t wait for the results. Best of both worlds, really.

[@FlasherMaC2345]

I have to agree with your points on shooting film. Recently I was reminded that pre-digital a good image was a well exposed and in focus image but now with digital the expectation is so different. With film, I like the smell of the older cameras, film, and chemicals for developing. The sound the paper makes when unwrapping the roll, the tactile feel of loading it, the focusing, and my Bronica SQ-a like the Hasselblad has a great mirror slap. For those that can adapt to a hybrid shooting workflow, there is a lot to be happy about.

[@davidkwok4496]

I agree with all your assessments on square format. I learned photography on a Rolleiflex and purchased my first Hasselblad in early 1970. I have five of the most common lenses. I used it primarily for prints, mostly black and white and some color. I still use it even though I have moved over to digital after decades of struggle. Your example shots are exactly what I would expect from this camera. There is something about the Zeiss prime lenses that give you image quality that is second to none. Join the club and enjoy.

[@ericdowd5762]

Been shooting since the 90’s... film to digital and recently back to film. Reintroduced myself with the Mamiya RB67 for the all the reasons you described. Another challenge I brought myself towards was a simple home darkroom. Love the B&W and the control you get with developing film, push/pull, development times and stand developments, and all the contrast controls when enlarging, physically dodging and burning. And then toning your print. It really does make EVERY SINGLE shot important - and all that more rewarding when you see it come to life on Ilford Fiber!!

[@stevedianebanks6588]

Great vid Thomas. Clearly remember the Hasselblad was THE pro camera, especially for high end fashion & portrait photographers. Like most back in the day I just used to drool over the images but the price tag was so high it wasn’t for the likes of us pro-sumer photographers. I used to use an Olympus OM1 and do my own B&W developing & printing. Just so satisfying to be able to dodge & burn to create an image I was happy with. Most of all I had a very high failure rate initially because of the whole ‘take a picture then wait for the prints to come back’ thing, mainly colour. BUT, I totally agree that it was a great discipline to slow me down and really make me think about every aspect of the shot. 👍👏

[@sidvicious3129]

It is good to go out and use film because it makes you think. I have a Nikon f4 and love using it from time to time.

[@PhotoTrekr]

Enjoy your new camera. I had a Hasselblad many years ago when I shot medium format film and certainly enjoyed mine.

[@leoalejandrolive6020]

One of the photographers on you tube finally shoots film and such a beautiful camera .. now I'm looking forward for your darkroom setup and how you print them .. amazing..

[@catmonkey6826]

YES TOM!!! I couldn't afford much, picked up a Nettar Ikon, 6x6. Very cheap. But, all the things you talk about echoed my experience. And the images are some of my favourite to date. It really is a different experience and creative process and with benefits. I still use my DSLR but when I want a challenging project... Looking forward to hearing more about your scanning and processing info, that is a whole other art. Thank you for this, big love

[@migalito1955]

Your lead in is spot on in that digital photography has made getting a good image too easy. I am glad to see you are giving film and the need to be the artist yourself, rather than the software allows you to look like an artist, re-inspire your interest in capturing an image. Imagine a software program was marketed that on command would write a novel. I am sure it would sell well and plenty of purchasers would see themselves as great novelists by having mastered tweaking the program but are they? I would not think so. So the argument on paper for using film is similar to the argument for using paper and pencil when crafting the novel where that is making the photographer or novelist the artist instead of having the software's capability delude one into thinking they are....

[@malenky4057]

These are probably some of my favourite photographs of yours. I feel that they mean something to you, like they're taken by someone who knows the area intimately, rather than a tourist in the area.

[@barrettwbenton]

Speaking as someone who never stopped using film (but added digital to the mix when it felt appropriate), I very much grok where you're coming from here, and it's not a film-good/digital-bad thing (nor the reverse), but an acknowledgement that each medium is unique. It was, in fact, my decades of experience with film that informed my approach to digital cameras. And, although my "home" format is 35mm, with rare forays into larger formats, it was the gift of a Hassy 500cm system (from a studio that was getting rid of their film gear ASAP), my visual point of reference has been expanded more-or-less as yours has, and for the most part it's been a blast. Hope the remains an inspiration for some time to come.

[@graemebrowning-martin7458]

Very timely. I have just bought a 500c/m off my best friend. Its a beautiful thing to use and I have found sometimes just looking at compositions through that amazing viewfinder is enough. They would be shots I would have taken with a dslr half heatedly then not processed. Using this system slows everything down and (for me) has moved the emphasis of the composition from being movement across a frame to depth within it. Thanks for another fab video.

[@richardvalenti8025]

I still have my Hasselblad 500cm that I purchased new in 1978! It was and still is the Rolls Royce of medium format film cameras. The Carl Zeiss lens are the real star to this system.

[@VISHUDDHATMA]

Watching the total composition of everything here, what becomes most interesting is you Thomas. I share with you the beauty of the discovery of the square format, even for amateurs. In the eighties I used to do what you are describing, but by far my most satisfying moments were when i picked up the enlargements of the 8 by 8 portraits of friends, through the 501 CM and the 150 CF lens. I used natural light only. The inner eye, beyond the camera can begin to see much more and that is what you are sharing with the world. I would be most interested in artist like you and others using their old Hasselblad lenses with the new 50C digital back.

[@dennisvanleent1]

I've been shooting analog for a few years next to digital. It has impacted the way I look to photography too. It thought me that making a picture is not about which camera or process you use, it's about how you approach your subject. Analog photography defenetly got me back in the world instead of being "inside" the viewfinder all the time, and slowed me down. Being more "in there" is really what it is about for me. This is one of the main reasons I still pick up my old cameras once in a while. But to be honest, I think the occasion dictates the choice for the appropriate camera (at least in my case). It's all about being practical in the end. Thanks very much for sharing and inspiring! My tip; Try to shoot some fuji 400h. I think it looks great overexposed (2 stops), it might just fit in to you minimalistic approach/desire.

[@TheLiamGordon]

I’m excited to see some videos with your new camera. I’ve always enjoyed film. Been trying to find the motivation to use it again recently.

[@LukeVesty]

Absolutely love the shot of the empty football ground. Super!

[@jeremyhendersonphotography]

Aaaand - we're back to normal - great video, inspiring as usual. Thanks Tom!