Why No Longer Hassie Zoom?

[David Schneider]

I'm sure there are technical and economic reasons, but why isn't there a longer zoom for the H system?

I'm a studio photographer so a zoom about 75-150 or 80-170 or 90-200 would be wonderful.

 

[Analog6]

I had wondered this too, I'd love a long HC zoom lens

 

[Sharokin]

The added cost of a forklift with the lens would slow down sales.

 

[David Schneider]

The two zooms for Mamiya are lighter in weight than my Canon 70-200 so adding the weight of shutter, larger elements, housing, etc. I just don't believe it's a weight issue. And since a zoom like that is more likely to be used in a studio on a camera stand than on-location, weight is not that much of an issue.

 

[Analog6]

The 50~110 weighs 1.6 kgs and it hasn't stopped it being my carry around (lug around) lens for the H2 for landscape work. I even shoot surfing with it on a monopod. So weight wouldn't worry me.

 

[Graham Mitchell]

I'm curious why a studio photographer wouldn't just use primes lenses. I also doubt a second zoom would have such an overlap with the 50-110, so the 75-150 doesn't seem likely to me. And a much longer zoom such as a 120-240 is probably not going to be economically viable given cost of R&D and production versus potential sales.

 

[David Schneider]

I'm curious why a studio photographer wouldn't just use primes lenses.

Graham,

I have a 35, 100, 150, 210 so I have primes. All great. To answer your questions, on days when I have five sessions back to back with high school "seniors" (those graduating) the more different sets I can do with them, the greater is my sales potential. My studio is geared for speed so there are a number of backgrounds up around the studio, plus changing to new backgrounds is pretty fast. Additionally, I'll go outside the studio on my grounds for a few minutes of outdoor sets even if it's a 30 minute or 60 minute session. Not having to change lenses would be a help in saving time.

 

[Stan Lawrence]

My h4d 40 arrives tomorrow, with the 35-90.....David, which model are you using? Do you have preference for a studio prime? One last question, which cards are you using? Thanks