Finding a TTL flash for Hasselblad 503cx / 503cw

[Steven Lee]

Recently I found myself enjoying flash photography. I have a Hasselblad Proflash, which is a rebranded Metz Mecablitz 45 CL-4 with a built-in Hasselblad TTL module. But the flash does not have a TTL cord, so I only can shoot it in auto-mode. Basically my flash is a thyristor flash, with its typical limitations.

I am trying to leverage the TTL mode of my Blads and I'm having difficulties.

1. Finding the native TTL cord is impossible, marked with H in the attached PNG. My understanding is that these cords have all rotten by now. Paramaunt used to make them, but not anymore.
2. The next route is buying the SCA390 module, but those things themselves require an adapter for the Proflash, called SCA 300A. The resulting contraption of cables is not appealing.
3. Finding another flash that natively plugs into a 503cx or 503cw. D-Flash is the only one I found but I wonder about its ergonomics.
4. Finding another adapter solution that converts Hasselblad TTL protocol to something more modern?

I have spent some time researching options 1 (unavailable) and 2 (expensive contraption of cables). And before I jump into 3 and 4, I figured I'd ask here.
Basically, is 500-series Hasselblad TTL even feasible in 2023?

Looking at the differences in pricing between 503cw and 501cm, I am assuming that plenty of people pay extra to get that TTL capability, but I wonder HOW they actually use it.

 

[Hassasin]

Well, my Flash is a working unit, so I have no such issues. I would not be so suer TTL cord is not available, just keep checking on auction site. Search with different phrases, try to be creative, including Haselblad Lot, Metz Lot and similar, proper name of cable of course too. It is surprising what can be found with unorthodox search phrases though.

 

[Steven Lee]

@Hassasin If it was possible to find one, I would have owned it already. Internet is my bitch and creativity is my middle name. The question is about options #3 and #4, I am only referencing disappeared Y-cords for reference.

 

[Hassasin]

I was only saying/implying patience sometimes wins. I know we don't always have time to wait for a miracle. But if I were desperate and needed it to work and all I had was to go with "unsightly" conception, I would do it.

 

[Arthurwg]

Have you ever used the Hasselblad D-Flash 40? Just curious.

 

[Hassasin]

@Steven Lee Sent you PM

 

[Steven Lee]

Have you ever used the Hasselblad D-Flash 40? Just curious.

Nope, I am looking at them right now and curious how people feel about them? The construction is very different vs what I'm used to: the protruding lamp + deflector.

 

[JerseyDoug]

Looking at the differences in pricing between 503cw and 501cm, I am assuming that plenty of people pay extra to get that TTL capability, but I wonder HOW they actually use it.

I suspect that many (perhaps most) buyers of the 503CW are more interested in the Gliding Mirror System than in the TTL capability.

 

[Chan Tran]

I don't think it's possible to make the TTL flash for the 503 or 501 because they don't have light sensor inside the mirror box to measure flash light off the film plane.

 

[Hassasin]

Nope, I am looking at them right now and curious how people feel about them? The construction is very different vs what I'm used to: the protruding lamp + deflector.

It is actually Sunpak 120J, I did try back in the day, and while I liked the lighting result, for some reason it was an odd device to look at, see it in a mirror, just odd. Now I think it might be love at second sight, but I don't do enough flash to think of one.

 

[Hassasin]

I don't think it's possible to make the TTL flash for the 503 or 501 because they don't have light sensor inside the mirror box to measure flash light off the film plane.

503CW, TTL was one of features, so was 503CXi

 

[Steven Lee]

I suspect that many (perhaps most) buyers of the 503CW are more interested in the Gliding Mirror System than in the TTL capability.

501CM has the same GLS as 503CW. Their only difference is TTL and the abilitiy to attach the auto-winder.

 

[madNbad]

The last medium format camera I owned was a Hasselblad 503CW. It was equipped with a PME45 finder and used a couple of different Metz flashes with it, including one with the TTL module. It worked well and if I was a wedding photographer in the film era, it would have been the go to. Sold everything around 2005, bought a Leica M6 TTL.
Here's a really old thread with some pertinent information:
https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/flash-for-hasselblad-503cw.10998/

 

[madNbad]

Let me help by moving this thread.

 

[Richard Man]

I would LOVE to have a signal diagram of the TTL connector on my 203FE, which I presume might be the same for the 503CW. Asumming no funky thing going on with voltage, and signal timing weirdness, one ought to be able to use another TTL flash with these cameras

 

[bdial]

As you note, it’s a bit of awkward set-up, no matter what, because you need a two-ended cable to connect to the body, and the lens, plus the SCA module, no to mention a flash shoe somewhere to mount the module. But once it’s all hooked up, you just use it, managing the cabling isn’t all that bad.
My rig is a 553 ELX with a Metz 45 and an SCA module, but I do don’t use it with that flash all that often.