Always Something New To Learn

One of the things I love about photography is that there is always something new to learn.

I’ve been spending more time getting to know my Hasselblad 500cm with its exceptional Carl Zeiss 80mm f/2.8 Planar lens. This lens is an outstanding performer, however its close focus distance is just a bit over 8 feet, which limits how much close up backyard garden photography you can do with it.

Some “shelter in place” shots I just got back from Boutique Film Lab on Kodak Ektar 100 have encouraged me to try and do some macro photography with the Hasselblad, so I started researching my options.

Hasselblad 500cm, 80mm f/2.8 Zeiss Planar, Kodak Ektar 100 film

One option would be for me to buy a set of Hasselblad extension tubes that fit between the camera body and the lens. These would allow me to get closer to my roses and other subjects. The tubes are plastic and don’t weigh all that much, but do add extra bulk to the set up. My goal is to try and keep my Hassey as small and light as possible.

There is also a bellows attachment that accomplishes much the same thing, but again adds weight and bulk.

As I was pondering my options, I came across a post in the Hasselblad 500 Facebook group I belong to about some Zeiss close up filters for Hasselblad called Proxar. These close up filters bayonet onto the front of the lens and, depending on the diopter value you choose, allow you to get closer to your subject. Until that moment, I did not realize there were close up filters for the Hasselblad lenses.

As is the case with most social media, member comments were all over the board on how these things perform, but my close up filters for the Pentax 35mm cameras I own work just fine. And in the world of Hasselblad stuff, these filters are pretty cheap, so I pulled the trigger on one.

I am thinking of setting up a sweep table in my little home office/studio and trying some still life close ups of various subjects on black and white film. I have a pro-pack of Kodak Tmax 400. I think that will do nicely. eBay says my Proxar will arrive June 1st. Hasselblad macro adventures await!