Pentax 67 sharper than Hasselblad?

[jordanstarr]

....or at least on par?

Just a recent experience I've had:
I finished up an 8 month documentary project. I shot 70% of my work in 120 with a Pentax 67 and Hasselblad 500cm. I have a full arsenal of lenses for both and used Tri-x and Plus-x almost exclusively. I'm now scanning everything with my new Nikon 8000 scanner (about 300 frames). And I know the hype -Hasselblad rules, the rest drool. But I'm scanning my Pentax 6x7 negs against my Hasselblad 6x6 negs and I'm starting to seriously question the quality of Hasselblad when compared to Pentax.

I haven't done a "shot by shot" in scientifically sound and controlled comparisons, but I did set up the same shot on the same tripod with the two systems and consistently, the Pentax seems to beat the Hassy, not with this shot, but with about 70% of the negatives I've scanned in terms of sharpness (please note this word).

I know photography is subjective and sharpness is an experience that will depend on the mood and purpose of the photograph, so it's not a debate of being "better", but for some reason I can't help but be disappointed on a system I paid double for producing these results.

Don't get me wrong, the Hasselblad system I got is amazing -straight up. I'm just really impressed with my Pentax 67. Is it possible that it could be a sharper system? I'm actually considering shooting with just this system and selling my Hasselblad.

[tiberiustibz]

It's not the cameras you're comparing, it's lenses. Results will vary by lens and aperture.

[Tom Nutter]

I doubt it is sharper, by it may be easier to focus accurately, therefore making it effectively sharper.

[keithwms]

I am not sure (with no examples to look at) but the issue you see may be more to do with contrast. Bear in mind that if you don't require creamy bokeh, then there are indeed contrastier lenses than can be found in the Hasselblad and Mamiya families.

My own assessment (which I am well aware can never be complete!) is that the Hassie and [non-RF] Mamiya families very nicely balance contrast with pleasing out-of-focus (OOF) rendering. If/when I am willing to give up the pleasant/portraity OOF rendering, then the Fuji EBC glass and the Mamiya RF glass definitely deliver better contrast. Perhaps that is the case in your comparison too. I am not familiar with the p67 glass, but this may well be the case.

Cases for which the contrastier lenses excel: landscapes and documentary style work, and obviously anything requiring more DOF. But beware what can happen in portraiture and isolated-focus compositions.

The bottom line, as usual, is to use whatever makes you feel more confident and productive.

And... you are just about to ignite a major flame war that will ultimately result in someone demanding MTF charts Do consider how best to spend your time when these discussions turn to brand warfare.

[fschifano]

Let's face the facts. Hasselblad uses some of the finest glass made by Zeiss. Pentax has long been known for making very fine, and affordable, lenses. In practice the glass you can get for either system is better than good, and the differences, while sometimes noticeable, really are quite subtle.

All this banter about whose lenses are "better" in cases like this is, I think, really about bluster. Either system can make absolutely stunning images in the right hands.

[leicam5]

I do not want the ‘sharpest’ lens, why would I? A lens is more than sharpness alone.
I just want a good lens that’s making nice pictures with all the recitation (is this good English for présence?) I want to put in the image, it’s something about the soul…
If you really want a razor harp lens, then take an industrial process lens!
And Frank is right.

Philippe

P.S. Yes, Pentax has good glass and Zeiss, Leitz, Shneider, Nikon, Canon, Rodenstock, Pentacon, Jupiter, Olympus, Doctor (Dresden), Kodak Ektar, and all the others too...

[raizans]

that's one of the things about getting hands on experience with "the best". sometimes they don't live up to the hype. no wonder all these people are getting defensive. i doubt many people even have half as much experience comparing the two systems as you do, jordan.

[scinysnaps]

http://www.hevanet.com/cperez//test/fourcameras.html

[Steve Smith]

Is it possible that the focusing screen is more accurately placed in the Pentax than it is in the Hasselblad?


Steve.

[verney]

Is it possible that the focusing screen is more accurately placed in the Pentax than it is in the Hasselblad?.

That's what I was thinking. I don't see tester mentioning that focusing accuracy has been tested with any of the cameras.

Focusing screen in Hasselblad is easily changed by user. I have heard about stories that user has installed it upside down and wondered why his pictures are soft :-)