My Photography System

This is a post I have intended to write for some time. I know some of you are curious as to what my photography “outfit” is like, and what my image process is like. So, here we go.

The camera I primarily use is a Hasselblad 205FCC. Hasselblad is a Swedish camera corporation, whose products are primarily handmade. My first camera was a Hasselblad, a 501c. The 205 differs from that 501 in two key ways - the shutter, and the internal meter. The shutter in my 205 is a focal plane shutter, and the shutter in the 501 was a leaf shutter. Like everything else, there are positives and negatives to these different types. As I said, the other key difference in the cameras is the light meter. The 501 had no meter, but the 205 had a highly precise spot meter. This is the biggest improvement for me - the ability to take photos relatively quickly with the internal meter - and the camera can be set to aperture priority as well - my preferred method of working. The downside to this is the rarity of cameras, lenses, and accessories compatible with the 200 series. I searched for a long time before finding a 205 in good condition at a reasonable price.

I also have three film backs for the 205. I have two E-24 and one E-12 back. The 24 backs use 220 film, producing 24 2.25 by 2.25 inch images on each roll. The 12 back produces the same image size, but uses 120 film, and makes 12 images per roll. I prefer 220 as I have to change the film less often - which is sometimes a difficult task, especially when you can’t sit down or have someone help you change the film! I shoot TriX 320 film for black and white, and I am still trying to decide on a color film. I have shot Kodak Portra 400 and Fujicolor 400 in the past - but I am experimenting with Fuji Provia and Velvia now.

As for lenses, I have two. The “normal” lens for the Hasselblad is the 80mm f 2.8 Carl Zeiss Planar. Let me tell you, these lenses are amazing - wonderful color, excellent resolving power, and limited distortion. I also have a 50mm f 2.8 Distagon. I love the 50, and the 80 too - but it is wonderful to have a great, fast wide angle lens. The only downside is the weight - the 50 probably weighs twice as much as the 80!

If I had an unlimited budget, what would I add? My first purchase would be a 903SWC - one of the great superwide cameras. I would also add the 110 f 2.0 Planar, and another 24 and 12 back.

As for digital, I have a Nikon D300 - and Jen primarily uses this. We have four lenses for the Nikon, but primarily use the 20, due to the smaller DX sensor size in the camera.

The film goes off to North Coast Photographic Services for processing and scanning. They do a great job, and are reasonably priced. The scanned images (or digital images from the D300) are imported into Apple Aperture, a photo editing and management program.

I hope that answers your questions, feel free to ask more in the comments!

- Jason Dean