Hasselblad 201f or 2000 fc/m

[Andrew Moxom]

Okay, as I rationalize my MF gear and thin the herd a bit ie... sell my Mamiya 6 and 3 lenses... My thoughts were to invest in another body as a back up for my workhorse hasselblad 500 c/m that knock on wood, has never let me down. That said, I am thinking that I would like to get either a 201F, or 2000 fc/m as both can be used with CF lenses and also have focal plane shutters built into the bodies. I know there were 'issues' with the early version of the 2000 as they had titanium shutters that were very delicate and many people damaged them. The work around was the 2000 fc/m which had a retracting shutter blind as soon as the back was removed, and negating the problems. I think the only difference between the 2000 fc/m is the 1/2000th shutter speed versus the 201f's 1/1000th. Not a great deal in the scheme of things. However. I am looking at having the lens on my super chintzy 'Great Wall' camera mounted by grimes into an adaptor that would allows it's use on a hasselblad body. Hence the need for a focal plane shutter. The reason for doing this is that I really like the lens signature of this very strange camera, but I know the body is not made to last. I have an older vintage great wall (DF-2) and know that at some point it WILL fail. The other option to with a focal plane shutter is that I can also mount smaller petzvals to the body as well.

So, what out of the 2000 fc/m or 201f would you choose? I am leaning towards the 201f as it's newer, but also still serviceable, and one stop shutter speed difference is not really a show stopper.. Not sure if there are still shutter parts for the 2000 fc/m??

Thanks

A.

 

[Q.G.]

I too would prefer the 201.

For the reasons you mentioned.
Plus its more durable cloth shutter, and TTL flash.

 

[Sputnik]

I started out with the 2000FC, found a 2000FC/M and traded those for a 2003FCW, which now have morphed to two 201F:s. Out of all these the 2003FCW and 201F:s are my favourites. Neither the 2000FC or FC/M failed me in any way, but I think the feeling of a more modern body just makes me a bit more comfortable. Also the 201:s that I own are chromed and all the others were black. The chrome is just more classy looking

But in the end, I guess it all comes down to finding a good body at the right price.

 

[aoresteen]

I have two 200FC/M bodies that I've used since 1989 or so. Never had a problem with them. There are no more shutter curtians for the 2000 series. There is a gentleman in the UK, a Dr. Emmett, who has developed a replacement shutter for the 2000 series.

If I wrere buying now I would get the 201.

http://www.oresteen.com/hasselbladfcameras.htm

 

[Struan Gray]

I have had a 2003FCW for a few years now and love it. I bought it well-used, but the camera body has never given me any problems, despite being schlepped about all over the Scottish highlands in a rucksack, and long daily cycle rides down farm tracks on my lunchtime photo expeditions.

I have had the stop-down mechanism in my 150 mm lens seize up on one hot day (34°C - hot for us). According to David Knapman, a well-known repair guru here in Sweden, the weakness of this part is a known but relatively rare problem on the F lenses: it's a simple enough fix if you have the spare parts. Otherwise the gear has functioned flawlessly.

If the price fits your budget I agree with the others that the 201 is probably a better long-term bet. That said, the 2000 series and the plain F lenses are a great deal, precisely because many avoid them.

 

[Q.G.]

If the price fits your budget I agree with the others that the 201 is probably a better long-term bet. That said, the 2000 series and the plain F lenses are a great deal, precisely because many avoid them.

Just so there's no misunderstanding: the 201 F has no metering electronics, so only needs "plain F" lenses too.

 

[Lee J]

So, what out of the 2000 fc/m or 201f would you choose? I am leaning towards the 201f as it's newer, but also still serviceable, and one stop shutter speed difference is not really a show stopper.. Not sure if there are still shutter parts for the 2000 fc/m??

Either, and there are still "parts" (see link below as to why i've quoted that). The 201f also has a 2 and 10 second timer built into the body and ttl flash options, so it's not just a difference in the top shutter speeds.

There's a flickr group with several threads, which may be of use: http://www.flickr.com/groups/hasselblad_focal_plane/

 

[Q.G.]

There are still parts, but no longer all parts, available to repair 2000 FC and FC/M cameras. Not since about the year 2000.
FCW cameras are slightly different, and were still fully repairable back then. Don't know how the parts situation for these FCW cameras is today though.