Hasselblad EL/M

[dave olson]

Just bought a Hasselblad EL/M in Mint condition, complete with the original box, strap, and shutter release cord. The nice thing is it has already been converted to a 9 V battery. The viewfinder, a waist-level viewfinder, has the original focusing screen. I'm going to shop around for a Acute Matte screen. Everything is straightforward in operation, like a 500 C/M. The only electronics is the film winder. I loaded a roll of film, Kentmere 120, which is the cheapest film I have. Checked to make sure all the switches were correct, and pressed the front shutter release button. I heard the film advance, the shutter cocked, and was pleased with my purchase. This is in addition to my already owned 503 CW. The weight of the unit itself, without lens or film magazine, is about the same as my 503CW. I attached my 80 f2.8 and then the film magazine. Now that is noticeable weight, but I plan on using it mounted on a tripod. No walking around.

 

[Dan Daniel]

Oleson Brightscreen is making a shim system for their screens to fit the Hasselblad. I don't know how their screens compare to the regular or Acute Matte Hassy screens, but the price is certainly less. Maybe someone else here can comment on how the Brightscreen and assorted Hassy screens compare.

 

[mshchem]

I have a lefthand grip for my motorized body, works great. Really need to mount this to a spacesuit and walk around

 

[AnselMortensen]

I have a lefthand grip for my motorized body, works great. Really need to mount this to a spacesuit and walk around

And eat some Space Food Sticks!
Washed down with Tang, naturally.

 

[mshchem]

And eat some Space Food Sticks!
Washed down with Tang, naturally.

Tang, ick!! I remember trying it out in the 60's, it was horrible. The fuel cells on Apollo created water by combining hydrogen and oxygen. Thus Tang was an attempt to make the water more yummy.

 

[Alexander6x6]

I have a lefthand grip for my motorized body, works great. Really need to mount this to a spacesuit and walk around

Don't forget the diaper! Your camera needs some modifications too:

Remaking the Apollo 11 Lunar Hasselblad — Space Camera Co.

Four years ago, I set what seemed like an impossible goal: to make a functional Apollo 11 camera by the 50th anniversary of the moon landing. It was a crazy idea, especially with how inexperienced I was with nearly every process that would be required to do so.

www.spacecamera.co

 

[Alexander6x6]

Just bought a Hasselblad EL/M in Mint condition, complete with the original box, strap, and shutter release cord. The nice thing is it has already been converted to a 9 V battery.

Is the 9V battery located inside or outside the body? My EL/M has a single battery adapter containing 12 button cells. It works perfectly.

The viewfinder, a waist-level viewfinder, has the original focusing screen. I'm going to shop around for a Acute Matte screen. Everything is straightforward in operation, like a 500 C/M. The only electronics is the film winder.

The film advance on my 553 ELX is much faster than on the 500 EL/M.

This is in addition to my already owned 503 CW. The weight of the unit itself, without lens or film magazine, is about the same as my 503CW.

The weight isn't important if you're using it on a tripod. The motorised Hasselblad is bulkier than the regular model. This makes it much heavier and more inconvenient to carry.

 

[John Wiegerink]

I like the left-hand grip for mine also, it makes ii easier to use and carry. The left-hand grip along with the HC-3 prism makes my 553ELX like a giant Point & Shoot, only a little bigger and a little heavier. For travel I haul my old 500C and SWC around but for things close to home it's one of the motorized Hasselblads. I have one EL, two ELM's and a 553ELX. Yes, four seems like overkill but I bought them when there was almost no demand for motorized Hasselblads. I paid well under $200.00 for three of them and a little more for the 553ELX. Pretty low prices for the name Hasselblad and I'm well pleased I stocked up when I did.

 

[Hassasin]

EL/M certainly does not weigh the same as 503CW, it's not even close (how about half the weight). That aside, motorised Hass is best handling Hass of all.

 

[mshchem]

I think we should lobby Spielberg and Nolan to push NASA to include 70mm Ektachrome in Blads with 60mm Biogons for the Artemis 4 thru 24 landings.

 

[mshchem]

Don't forget the diaper! Your camera needs some modifications too:

Remaking the Apollo 11 Lunar Hasselblad — Space Camera Co.

Four years ago, I set what seemed like an impossible goal: to make a functional Apollo 11 camera by the 50th anniversary of the moon landing. It was a crazy idea, especially with how inexperienced I was with nearly every process that would be required to do so.

www.spacecamera.co

Very nice! Maybe we should see if the new Widelux group could take on making up 50 of these

 

[Pieter12]

You might just end up paying as much or more for the acute matte screen than your camera body.

 

[blee1996]

You might just end up paying as much or more for the acute matte screen than your camera body.

That is true. For the price of Acute Matte D alone, you can get a 553ELX with the screen.

 

[Alexander6x6]

That is true. For the price of Acute Matte D alone, you can get a 553ELX with the screen.

Sometimes one could be lucky enough to get a 553elx together with Acute Matte D Split Image for 400 Euro.

 

[Pieter12]

Sometimes one could be lucky enough to get a 553elx together with Acute Matte D Split Image for 400 Euro.

The 553 ELX came with the Acute Matte screen standard. So if it doesn't have one, someone has cannibalized it.

 

[John Wiegerink]

The 553 ELX came with the Acute Matte screen standard. So if it doesn't have one, someone has cannibalized it.

Sadly, that's what most sellers' do when they go to sell their Hasselblad cameras that come equipped with Acute Matte screens. In fact, that's the way mine came and the reason I got it for cheap. I'd like to have an Acute-Matte D screen but have never really had focus issues with any of my Hasselblad cameras, even my old 500C.

 

[Kodachromeguy]

So if it doesn't have one, someone has cannibalized it.

Vocabulary change:

So if it doesn't have one, some scum bag has cannibalized it to maximize his slimy profit rather than sell the package the right way.

 

[Alexander6x6]

Vocabulary change:

So if it doesn't have one, some scum bag has cannibalized it to maximize his slimy profit rather than sell the package the right way.

As a potential buyer and a newbie, would you be willing to pay $600 for an original 553ELX or would you rather pay half of that for a functional body with an old screen?

 

[Hassasin]

As a potential buyer and a newbie, would you be willing to pay $600 for an original 553ELX or would you rather pay half of that for a functional body with an old screen?

For $600 "new" 553ELX is an excellent deal, so long as that is with Acute Matte D screen (be sure it is, there are two small cut outs in the screen's frame on the D version.

553ELX is notably better than EL/M, not only because it is a lot younger. Without mentioning 555, next best one is 500ELX, which has same larger mirror as 553.

 

[Hassasin]

 

[Alexander6x6]

For $600 "new" 553ELX is an excellent deal, so long as that is with Acute Matte D screen (be sure it is, there are two small cut outs in the screen's frame on the D version.

I am talking about the Acute Matte without "D" and functional, not new.
Are you sure that an original 553elx was with the D version?

 

[Hassasin]

Hass's screens have had several names over time, differing in how they were made. That leads to some confusion and sellers sometimes misrepresent what they are selling (not saying intentionally, although that is clear in some instances). In the end some research on line will show you how each type looks like and good photos of screen are all that is needed to make own evaluation.

While some of benefits of Acute Matte and Acute Matte D get lost in the usage, some even complain about having more focusing issues with these brighter screens, it is true that Hasselblad in general is not the easiest focusing camera, for whatever reason. Split image / micro prism is a big help to ensure you have focus right. Having said that, older screens are notably darker, which in darker shooting location is indeed a bummer.

Just never assume a so-called "new" or "as new" body sells with original screen. Only visual confirmation can assure you of that.

 

[Hassasin]

I am talking about the Acute Matte without "D" and functional, not new.
Are you sure that an original 553elx was with the D version?

553 yes. Keep in mind Hasselblad bodies have the highest rate of screen flipping of all makes.

 

[Alexander6x6]

553 yes. Keep in mind Hasselblad bodies have the highest rate of screen flipping of all makes.

You are incorrect.
The "D" version of Acute Matte was introduced in 1996, followed by other variations in 1997. The 553ELX, on the other hand, was introduced in 1988.

 

[Hassasin]

Well, I may be wrong on D being originally supplied with 553ELX. I got it with D screen in new condition some 6+ years ago, boxed etc. so yes I assumed that.

I have both D and non-D, there is a difference. I can say that. Back to your $600 deal, screen aside, I misread your post. Not sure what "functional" means.

Motorised bodies were a staple of professional studios. Many got abused to no end. SO am not sure what that functional relates to.