Hasselblad vs Mamiya: A Portrait Review

Hasselblad vs Mamiya, an age old question that nobody asks. Functionally speaking, both cameras are very similar. Although one is 6 x 6 and the other 6 x7, there's many things that could please any portrait photographer. I have my preferences for each system, and some of them are very subjective + possibly unique to me.

My 2020 Photo/Video Kit:

#hasselblad #mamiya #mediumformat

Come say hello!

[ChaChaDiaries]

when i finally made the move to start shooting film i was gear crazy. i wouldn’t stop looking for cameras online and ended up from 1 camera which is my dads SLR from the 90s that i grew up with to adding 6 other cameras. couple of months ago i wanted to try on medium format but then realized, hold up, gotta slow down and enjoy/learn what i have first. i know Canon A1 is probably basic so some but i truly love it and would usually pull that from my shelf more than the others. so i guess it’s the A1 for me for now until when i think i’m ready to move on

[tor]

Love the Hasselblad, far more versatile camera. I prefer it without the heavy prism finder. Still in love with the Hasselblad shutter sound and nothing can touch the Hasselblad Zeiss lenses. Also the controls are simple with lots of hidden safety features.

The Mamiya is great too but only ever used it in the studio. The controls are all over the place. Way too heavy to take on walks. Fashion shoot next to the car, sure, but forget about hiking for hours with the RB or RZ67. The Mamiya 7ii though, that’s my fav Mamiya.

[Matt-nlgj]

this is one of my most favorite film photography videos ive seen recently regarding gear and i just want to say god job

[dena]

I have both too and love them both. Mamiya RZ is a great camera but a beast to hand hold for any length of time. The Hasselblad was a dream camera for me and so tiny next to RZ. I can’t believe they use the same film by looking at the size comparison. I love the vintage Zeiss lenses and the nostalgia. Got to say I’m keeping both. :)

[luissalazar]

I am so proud of you, glad to hear some young people like this camera’s, my perspective the Rz67 don’t crop the image and that’s a plus 6x9 that’s a real nice. Thanks for sharing!

[ReimannPembroke]

Both legendary cameras! It’s super cool that you have both! Idk if I’ll ever own either of these but I would love to get a chance to shoot with them!

[spyratekodaks]

I think that you should compare the RB with the hassy !! they're both mechanical !! for me in this comparison the hassy wins !!

[doctorstrobe]

If I'm correct the full mech mode is made for RB67 lenses because they have all settings on the lens.

[Flyingdorkanimation]

It's cool how you are forced to slow down when you shoot either of these two great cameras. Theres a checklist of things to do before you finally push the shutter. I have a Hassy and feel that most my shots on it are always pretty good because its such a process to just get one shot off.

[grainpudding]

I always wanted a Hasselblad, however the mamiya is also a very interesting choice.

I had a mamiya 645 but why I sold it back was because there were no repair services in my area.

What also convinced me is that Hasselblad keeps investing in the system, for example you can also use digital backs.

I think if you want a system that will last and survive longer the Hasselblad is the best choice.

[motya]

Thank you for the video. Helped a lot. Still debating though which one to buy 😊

[joymae]

Love the editing on this video nice work

[TheWutangclan]

As an RZ user, I have to give Willem a shoutout because he put me onto the Mamiya system because it's cheaper. Thought I was going to have to invest in a Hassie because it's the only medium format I could think of. Glad it wasn't the case and I'll be using it till the wheels fall off. The images it produces are unique and unlike anything I've seen.

[richardewlliams]

I have the 503cx Hasselblad and I have no vignetting because of larger mirror surface.

[CalumetVideo]

I have the RB67 Pro S and Hasselblad 500 C/M. I like both but do prefer the Mamiya RB67 especially in the studio. The RB67 rocks in the studio and I like doing macro stills with it. The RB67 is also a great landscape camera. I use the Hasselblad for some street and square format shots.

[obican]

Shutter lock is not there to prevent accidental exposures. In fact, it doesn't even prevent it!
It's there so you don't have to keep holding the shutter release for long exposures. You can engage it before pressing the shutter down and it'll stay down.

[BeePee]

Electronic failure on the RZ67 is a big issue for me. I only have all-mechanical cameras for that reason. Oh I forgot I do have the Mamiya 7 as my travel camera!

[petemc]

Some good points, But if you are comparing the two then knocking points off the RZ for being electronic it might have been fairer to be comparing the fully mechanical version, the RB67. As for the other Mamita 'whoops' factor of forgetting to compensate for light loss when using bellows extension during close up, the Hasselblad doesnt have that problem, for sure, as it can't focus close witiout extension tubes. Also one point worth emphasising is the shooting format - the Mamiya's 6x7 format versus the square.

[jaredhughes]

I’ve been going through the same thing. I have the 501CM and also the Mamiya RZ67 Pro. Multiple lenses for each and upgraded focusing screens.

I have decided that I’m going to sell my entire Hasselblad kit and keep the RZ67. Simply because of the following reasons:
1) Bellows focusing turns every RZ lens into a macro lens if wanted.

2) The viewfinder is HUGE and with the upgraded bright screen I had made for it, it’s a dream to compose and shoot with.

3) When it comes to scanning negatives, it’s insane the difference in better quality scans with the 6X7 negative vs the 6X6 I get with my 501CM. The image quality is significantly better.

4) I find the door of creativity opens much more with my Mamiya RZ67 than with my Hassy, simply because of the joy of use, ease of focus, clarity of the much larger focusing screen, and as mentioned the ability to close focus with every lens I own for it.

So…though I’ll miss the Hassy 501CM, I’ll shoot more and enjoy more the RZ67 Pro!

My 501CM along with chrome 80mm, a 50mm CF, and also a 120mm CF Makro, and a 150mm CF and extra focusing screens will all be on eBay as of tomorrow! Enjoyed the video.

[RickMentore]

How about image quality, which has the better or more likeable to you? There is some thing special about the images form the RZ67 that I find appealing. Very nicely presented!