another used hasselblad question.

[Quinten]

Although I plan to win the lottery later this year I am still going to buy used, just in case. I am fairly new to MF camera's. (I have little experience with a mamiya rb67 but that's all.) The hasselblad 500CM has been the dream for a while now but since it's a lot of money for a student I have some questions before I take the plunge.

-Are the 501CM or the 501C preferable, I read the differences aren't big but maybe I missed something?
-Are there points I have to pay special attention to when I am looking at a used model, I read the shutters are a weak point and some hasselblads start to leak light after a while but how can I check these things?
-How is the CB 2,8 80mm planar lens? (It's one wich is offered with teh camera very often.)
-Ohh and any other thing I should or might look at would be nice to know

Thanks for all advices/comments in advance.

cheers,
Quinten

 

[John Koehrer]

Quinten,
Basic dif between the C&CM is that the CM has user changable screens.
You can tell the year of manufacture using the code:vhpictures. Where v=1 h=2 etc. This gives you the last two digits of the year.

 

[harveyje]

I am no expert but I have not heard of any problems with shutters or with the 80mm lens. My lens is from an old 500C and is excellent as are the mechanics (I have the 501CXi). The shutter speeds appear to be correct as the exposures are right on. THe sharpness and contrast cannot be beat.

Two of my older backs, not A12's but just 12's, developed light leaks due to deterioration of the felt light traps. These were easily repaired by a nearby repair shop.

I love the camera and use it for both B&W and color. It is very solid, everything fits and functions well. They will have to pry it from my "cold, dead hands".

 

[BWGirl]

Quinten...I have a 500 c/m that I got last fall. It was my very first med. format camera and I am quite smitten with it. It is just wonderful ... but you have to realize that I'd never used one before the Hassy. Ah...but that is what love is all about, eh?!

 

[Quinten]

thanks for the advices! I can buy a nearly new 501CM body for 560$ I think I will do that, unless these things always need some courage, and buy the rest later.

cheers!

 

[Kevin Caulfield]

Make sure you check that the magazine and its insert have matching numbers (the last part of the number should match).

 

[brent8927]

Quinten,

Take a look at the 501C too. It's usually quite a bit cheaper and has everything that the 501CM has except the floating mirror (which gives you a full image on the viewfinder with lenses longer than 120mm, older models have some cut-off with those lenses, but note that's only in the viewing system, the film place isn't blocked).

Someone's advice on the C cameras not having user-changable screens isn't correct, the 501C has user changable screens. The "M" in CM just stands for "modified," or at least that's what I have been told. the 500C came out first, followed by the 500CM, 501C, and then 501CM.

My Hasselblad kit consists of my 501C, 80mm CF, and two film backs, and that's all I've ever needed (though not necessarily all I ever wanted!). I prefer the black trim that the 501C comes in (I believe it only comes in black trim) and I knew I would never need or want a long focal length lens (at least not for my Hassy) and the 501C came with an acute-matte screen, whereas older ones didn't, so those reasons, paired with being cheaper than the 501CM resulted in my purchase of the 501C. Also, this let me spend more money on the lens, which is the most important, and sadly, expensive, part of the Hasselblad system.

Brent

 

[Quinten]

Only the 50'0'c doesn't have changable screens. I will certainly keep the 50'1'c in mind in case this 501 c/m doesn't work out. And indeed above 120 mm wouldn't be the logic lens on a Hasselblad.

I am a bit puzzled about the numbers though, but once you feel you have to start checking numbers than it's probably no good at all. I will follow my heart on this one, that always results in the best pictures so probably in a good camera as well