Hasselblad 200 series for USA user. Good idea? Really dumb idea?

Kodachromeguy · Nov 3, 2016

Hi Folks, what is the current (late-2016) recommendation about buying a used 200 series Hasselblad? I am in USA. If there is a problem, can they be reasonably repaired? Are there any major failure points that are appearing (i.e., failures that would be essentially terminal)? If yes, I will consider a 503 or equivalent, but I like the focal plane shutter and lenses without a built-in shutter. Thanks for advice or comments.

etn · Nov 4, 2016

Hello,
I might be wrong, but my understanding is that spare parts are getting scarce, if at all available,
and that many repairmen will not touch a 200-series.
Why don't you call a Hasselblad repair guy such as David Odess and ask his opinion?

The main advantages of 200-series over 500-series are faster shutter speeds, the availability
of faster lenses (in particular the praised 110 f/2), in-camera metering on most models,
but you need a battery at all times and the price of the camera is higher. (You surely know this already)

Kevin Caulfield · Nov 4, 2016

That's pretty much correct. Repairpersons generally won't touch them. You would be buying a liability.

ruilourosa · Nov 4, 2016

any hasselblad will hardly be a liability...

if you have the money to buy a perfect state hasselblad focal plane shutter and a few lenses you also have money to send the camera to the best repairer around the world...

buy the 500 and a 60mm that should be enough!

Theo Sulphate · Nov 4, 2016

Avoid the 202FA - it uses only the focal plane shutter on the body - so, for example, if you mount a CF or CFE lens, you cannot use the shutter in that lens - you have to set the lens to F and use the 202FA's shutter. You cannot use a C lens at all with that body.

Other 200-series bodies let you select whether you want to use the focal plane shutter or the lens shutter. Sometimes you do want to use lens shutter, such as for flash sync at all speeds. Sometimes you want to use the focal plane shutter, such as with the faster F lenses.

With the 500-series you are restricted to lenses with built in shutters (C, CF, etc. - basically non-F lenses). Hardly an impediment, as those are what built Hasselblad's reputation.

Richard Man · Nov 4, 2016

200 series can only be repaired by Hasselblad. No one else will touch them.

OTOH, I have a 203FE and love it. I even had the shutter replaced when I did a dumb

guangong · Nov 4, 2016

Because of an eye condition at the time a medium format camera made life easier and I bought a 2000fcm when it was introduced. Never had a problem and battery seems to last forever. The big advantage back then was the ability to machine a Hassy lens mounting block to accept my Leica lenses. I finally bought a cm when bodies became affordable due to digital onslaught. I would go with camera that gives both options if only because of the wider choice of lenses although either of your potential choices would be an excellent choice. The difficulty is that both cameras are excellent...feel lucky to have such a difficult decision.

ruilourosa · Nov 4, 2016

Leica on hasselblad?

itsdoable · Nov 4, 2016

There are limited parts available for repairs, recently I asked the NJ service center if they could repair a faulty lens bus contact on a 203fe, and they said they could not as the parts were not available.

I think it is unreasonable to buy an electronic camera that has been out of production for 12 years and expect to be able to get it repaired. The price reflects the fact that it is out of production, cannot be repaired, and the desire of people to still shoot with it. The fact that the 500 series can still be repaired (because so many were made and so many parts till exist...) is a big bonus.

All that said, I have owned 500c, 500c/m, and currently shoot with 503cx, 2000fc/m 2000fc/w 203fe, and the one I use the most by far (as still do) is the 203fe (even with the non-functioning lens bus). It does everything - C, CF, CB, F, FE lenses, as well as adapted lenses (ie: Imagon), leaf or focal plan shutter, meters (still), has a bright screen, and is the really nice camera to use. The 2000fc/m is close behind (missing the meter, noisy shutter, but batteries last for ever).

I've kept the 503cx as a mechanical backup, but I've really never needed it. I just can't let it go - the 500's have such a nice sound and feel when you release them...

Other things to consider:
- The 2000 series cost more to repair than replace (used). Hence no one repairs them.
- The 200 series can be repaired (limited) but the cost approaches a replacement - it has to be sent to Sweden. Is repairability really a good criteria?
- There were 2 critical weak points in the 200 series that resulted in display model - the shutter release magnets when they failed were not replaceable (parts ran out years ago). I can't remember the other - but these were the early and most common issues with the camera, and they did not happen very often.

jimjoon · Nov 4, 2016

My experience with the 203 and Hasselblad NJ was generally good. CLA on the body was reasonable. I also had a lens issue and the cost was extremely high, I passed on it. I believe they have one person left who works on the bodies and one who works on the lenses. The 203 is the better camera, but the 500 series maybe more practical down the road from a reparability stand point.

Theo Sulphate · Nov 4, 2016

itsdoable said:
...
I think it is unreasonable to buy an electronic camera that has been out of production for 12 years and expect to be able to get it repaired.
...

One might even say that from the mid-1990's onwards, most cameras are a basket of disposables.

Sirius Glass · Nov 4, 2016

I choose to skip all the Hasselblad 200 series. I own a Hasselblad 503 CX and a Hasselblad 903 both of which I would not sell nor trade for anything.

Theo Sulphate · Nov 4, 2016

I've lusted after the 205FCC because of its mode settings (especially the Z [Zone System] mode) and communication with the film backs.

I don't have confidence that Hasselblad will continue to offer repair service to the 200-series for the long term, so I reluctantly abandon my quest.

Chan Tran · Nov 4, 2016

Me too I like the 200 series much better than the 500 series. I actually like the fact that they are electronic. But like Theo, I worry about reparing them.

Slixtiesix · Nov 4, 2016

I cannot share the usual dislike for the 202FA. If one only wants to shoot the F-lenses (which is the chief reason for buying into the 200-series anyway), can confine oneself to aperture priority and 1/1000 sec minimum shutter speed, this is a nice and comparably cheap alternative to the 203FE or 205FCC.

etn · Nov 5, 2016

Sirius Glass said:
I choose to skip all the Hasselblad 200 series. I own a Hasselblad 503 CX and a Hasselblad 903 both of which I would not sell nor trade for anything.

Same here. The 500-series fulfil all my needs, a 200 would be icing on the cake but I, too, decided the price vs risk was not worth it. I probably overestimate the risk of failure, though. Maybe focal plane Hassys are built like tanks and hardly ever fail? I don't know.

Kodachromeguy · Jun 11, 2017

Update: I selected a 501CM. Hi everyone, thanks for advice and comments. I wanted one of the 200 series, but the ones I saw for sale were more than I wanted to spend, the 50mm was really pricey, and the fact that repairs would be difficult or impossible steered me to one of the tried and true 500 series. I bought a 1999-vintage 501CM, back, and 80mm CB lens. It has the acute-matte screen. All is well and I have been using it quite a bit. I even got a really clean 50mm CF lens for only $410, which is amazing for precision glass and metal manufacturing. Here are two examples from Delta and Tallulah, in northeast Louisiana, taken on the older Tri-X professional 320 film.

Richard Man · Jun 11, 2017

FWIW, actually, the 50/2.8 is a "bargain" now, around $550-$700 and it makes stellar images.

Sirius Glass · Jun 11, 2017

All the Hasselblad Ziess lenses lenses are stunning, even the Hasselblad lenses made by Rodenstock are stunning. It is what you compose and expose that counts. It sets the playing field so that if a mistake is made it is made by the user not the equipment. Now you have to accept blame for any photographic mistakes you make. Too late, you bought into Hasselblad, now you have to answer for your errors. Enjoy.

Kodachromeguy · Jun 11, 2017

Sirius Glass said:
.... Now you have to accept blame for any photographic mistakes you make. Too late, you bought into Hasselblad, now you have to answer for your errors. Enjoy.

Oh, oh, now I am in trouble. You mean I can't blame the lack of pixels, auto focus speed, lens stability mechanism, lack of "full-frame," wifi connectivity, or ISO only being a measly 12,500 like the "photographers" (I am trying to be nice) who go on and on about such drivel on Dpreview? Rats.

Sirius Glass · Jun 11, 2017

What is those pixels of which you speak? Is it a new film or lens?

nathantw · Jun 11, 2017

Kodachromeguy said:
Oh, oh, now I am in trouble. You mean I can't blame the lack of pixels, auto focus speed, lens stability mechanism, lack of "full-frame," or ISO only being a measly 12,500 like the "photographers" who go on and on about such drivel on Dpreview? Rats.

Don't forget that you also can't blame the lack of 20 fps motor cause that's the only way you know how to capture "the moment."

Alan Gales · Jun 12, 2017

Sirius Glass said:
What is those pixels of which you speak? Is it a new film or lens?

Pixels are independent specks of Pixie dust left by Tinkerbell.

mshchem · Jun 12, 2017

Sirius Glass said:
What is those pixels of which you speak? Is it a new film or lens?

My wife brought home a camera the other day. I swear there's a little TV on the back. I tried for an hour trying to figure out how to open the back to load a roll of Tri-X, never did figure it out.
I think she got took.
Mike

Alan Gales · Jun 12, 2017

mshchem said:
My wife brought home a camera the other day. I swear there's a little TV on the back. I tried for an hour trying to figure out how to open the back to load a roll of Tri-X, never did figure it out.
I think she got took.
Mike

I bet she couldn't watch Game of Thrones on the little tv either!

Hasselblad 200 series for USA user. Good idea? Really dumb idea?

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