Topic: Suggestions...?

[vicky slater]

I'm really struggling with the focussing on the hassy at the moment, I always have but it feels worse at the moment, probably alot to do with the light being so awful but for whatever reasons i'm missing it wayyyy too much and I don't feel confident with it.
(I have tried split screens, prisms and the magnifyer)
So I'm hesitantly and reluctantly half thinking that maybe I should look to using something else...still mf, maybe with af or just a much brighter viewfinder....
I handhold, do mostly portraits, and generally use it on a wide aperture.

Do you have any suggestions of something that would suit?
I imagine I'll struggle on but I'd like to hear any thoughts...
Thanks.

And Happy New Year :)

[gothamtomato]

Do you have an Accumat focusing screen? If not, you should get one. It is much brighter and easier to focus.

Beyond that, try one of the prism finders. THey make focusing a lot easier as well.

[Harvey]

Vicky,

If you fancy a go with something else you're welcome to use my RB or TLR. Not saying it's the answer but it may mean you fall back in love with your Hassy again!

Happy new year to you.

Shaun

[vicky slater]

Deborah, yes, a friend gave me one a few years ago, I'll dig it out and try it again.
and i'm using a prism at the moment, not that it's helping :)

shaun, thanks for the offer!
i miss my mat.
not tried an rb before but i've only heard good things (except for the weight).

i don't know maybe it needs a check over, or maybe i do.

[Francois]

I know this is going to sound dumb and rude, do you wear glasses?
There might lie the answer... then again, maybe not... 

[Late Developer]

Hi Vicky.

I'll add to Francois' question by saying I wear specs with a high "+" prescription. The Acute Matte screen is plenty bright enough for me but I really struggle with the pop up focusing device on the viewfinder when I have my specs on. I do, however, have contact lenses and when I wear these, the problem goes away.

If you don't wear specs then I'm at a loss as to what to suggest other than (sorry for being blunt but I'm not trying to be cruel) an eye test.

Regards, Paul.

[Andrea.]

I have a Hassie. It isn't mine but someone leant it to me. It has the 50mm lens and looks lovely, feels lovely but I can't focus it either - unless I hyperfocus it. So I use the KOWA6 mostly for MF. Much better.

[Phil Bebbington]

I feel your pain, Vicky. I struggle a little, but, as long as I focus with my glasses on it's not to bad. I'd have your  eyes tested you may find that you just need a little magnification and you will be fine. There is no way I can focus without me specs!

[vicky slater]

Well, you're all right, I definitely do need to get my eyes checked again!
(i have tried with my reading glasses but it's worse)


Anyway I took a roll today and used the prism, then the wlf with magnifyer, and then the acute mat split screen thingy and it was SO much brighter...it needs cleaning up and I definitely need to practice with it but at least I can tell if I'm focussed, at least I hope so, I'll find out tuesday. It does distract from the overall scene but it's probably something I can adjust to and really I only need to use it in low light.

Thanks for the suggestions, I wouldn't have tried it again without your recommendations.
I'll let you know how it goes :)

[Info Red]

Have you considered a Mamiya 6 or 7?  Terrific lenses, bright focussing patch, great for hand-held work, light enough to carry all day, and the negatives are gorgeous!  Or, how 'bout a TLR of some type?  Perhaps a Yashica Mat or a Rolleiflex?  I never quite got accustomed to my Hassy either, but am more than pleased with my 7II; it's become my favorite camera this year.

IR

[Heather]

Maybe you need to make a sort of modified darkcloth? Just make a little elasticated skirt of dark material (or I guess even a cut off sleeve from a dark jumper or shirt) and put it over the viewfinder so it blocks out more light around it.
I made a ridiculous darkcloth for my 4x5 that was like that and it does help. I'm sure you could make a smaller one to work with a hassy but if you make one that continues over your head, you'll feel a bit silly Also it messes up your hair! It's hard being a girly photographer with hair prone to static 

I thought my eyes were going for months and they were - now I have a new pair of glasses, I shall probably get back to focusing more confidently. 

[vicky slater]

IR, a mamiya has been on my wishlist for a few years, sadly i think it'll be staying there for a few more :)
And I stupidly sold my mat a couple of years ago because I wasn't using it.
So although I'd like to try other cameras really I just need to make the best of what I have for now.

Anyway, I'll put the film in tomorrow and see if the results were any better with the slit screen. fingers crossed.

Heather, the darkcloth's not a bad idea but like you SUPER STATIC hair and very red face :)

[gothamtomato]

Hi,

I just looked at a couple of the pictures on your Flickr stream and am wondering, have you had your camera checked lately? I'm thinking it might be a good idea to take your camera and lens into a Hasslblad service center to be checked over.

[vicky slater]

Debs, that'll be the next thing after the eye test on wednesday.
i have tried doing both manual and af on the digital and i miss it on manual so i'm pretty sure it's my eyes though obviously i'd rather it was the camera.
as long as i get it sorted it'll be fine...fingers crossed :)

[CarlRadford]

Get someone else to put a roll through the camera - that will help tell you where the issues lies!