Originally posted by unixrevolution I've never held a Hassie, would you tell me what you think of the two systems as compared to one another? I have held an RB but RB's are different beasts entirely
I am a little miffed that 67s don't have interchangeable backs, but I would think that carrying a second body would work if you want to do one color one BW. Doing many many backs like you can with a Hassie isn't really replicable though (For instance, 3 black and white backs, 1 for contracted development, one for expanded development, and one for neutral, plus a color back).
I've used a variety of MF cameras and did consider a Hassie several years ago (when they were still avialable new), in the end I started with a Mamiya 645. Reasoning was that although a used Hassie outfit (body, back, lens & WLF) was affordable, additional lenses (and even backs to an extent at the time) were astonishingly expensive compared to all other options. I felt I'd be limited to just the 80mm lens but wanted a system camera. Also, I'd read a lot about jamming Hassie's if you operate them in the wrong sequence and didn't want the aggravation. Since then I've used a Bronica SQ-B (again 6x6 but this time with electronic shutters) and fewer mechanical interlocks.
I now have a P6x7MLU and a P67 body (so I can have mono/colour on the go and have a backup) with four lenses. The P67 lenses are more reliable than those with in-lens shutters (I've had to return a couple of Bronica SQ lenses due to inconsistent shutter speeds), much much cheaper than Zeiss, usually faster and cover a much greater lens range (although not suited to ambient flash photography unless you get the leaf shutter ones). I've only had two backs for each of my Mamiya & Bronica, anymore and the cost/weight/bulk adds up quite quickly. With only ten shots on a roll, you're never far from the end of it.
I don't know if the Hassie's have instant return mirrors or not, my Bronica doesn't, and it makes a surprising difference not being able to see through the finder afterwards.
John.