Hasselblad 500ELX paired with what flash?

Micronorton · Sep 28, 2014

I just purchased a 500ELX and am now looking into getting a flash for it. It seems it has a sca 300 connector (unsure about if it is a connector) and have been googling only to find $700-1,000 flashes. I would love to use this in the studio with studio lightning or on location with hand held flash. Is there any recommendations or clarification you can provide to enlighten me on how to use a flash with this blad?

Best Regards,

Chase

film_man · Sep 28, 2014

Do you need TTL? Because if you don't you can plug any flash/studio lights using the PC sync socket on the lens.

bdial · Sep 28, 2014

Metz makes flashes that can link to the SCA 300 metering, the 45CL and some of it's variants are available used for 1-200 USD
From the manual (at www.hasselbladhistorical.eu), it looks like you need two connections to the flash, one for the SCA 300 metering and another to the PC socket on the lens for sync. Metz also made the Hasselblad flash, which not accidentally looks quite a lot like a Metz 45 CL

As Film_man said, if you don't need TTL, just keep it simple and you can plug any flash into the PC socket on the lens.

The Metz 45 is a bracket mount "potato masher" style flash.

If you want a shoe mount flash, there are a few options, one is the adaptor that fits onto the accessory rail on the left side of the camera. Or, some of the prisms have a flash shoe on top, and finally, there was a flash shoe that clipped onto the metal lens hoods. I'm not sure of its compatibility with the more recent plastic hoods. There is also a handle/bracket that screws to the tripod socket and provides a flash shoe.

Len Robertson · Sep 28, 2014

If you want TTL flash, the Sunpack 555 with Interface Module HA-2D For Hasselblad is probably the least expensive way to go. I haven't looked at them on eBay for awhile, but suspect they still show up there now and then. This post has lots of information on the 555: http://photo.net/medium-format-photography-forum/00cKeo?start=0

Len

frank · Sep 28, 2014

As film_man suggested, just go manual. Buy a flash meter like the sekonic 308, and a mono bloc flash unit like Hensel (http://www.ephotozine.com/article/hensel-expert-pro-500-plus-studio-lighting-and-flash-review-7790)

Unless you need walk-around portability.

wiltw · Sep 28, 2014

The Metz SCA300 compatible potato masher TTL flashes (45CL3, 45CL4, 60CL4) all require a SCA TTL adapter which (if memory is correct) required a Hasselblad brand adapter. (My Bronica ETRSi needed a Bronica brand SCA TTL adapter, Metz did not sell one themselves)

MattKing · Sep 28, 2014

I find it fascinating how the electronic flash market has evolved.

TTl flash is usually bundled with a bunch of connectivity features. The TTl part has some advantages, particularly where you are doing close focus work, but in most cases it is the connectivity features (automatic aperture matching, synch speed control, focus linking and multi flash coordination) that sell the flashes.

The auto-exposure function built into most modern flashes does a really good job adjusting the light output of the flash. And learning how to use it properly is pretty simple.

In a studio setting, most of the connectivity functions aren't that important. And in the case of a Hasselblad 500ELX aren't even available.

I use a Metz 60CT2 which operates in TTl mode with some of my cameras. It is a great (and large!) flash, and I am sure the 60CT4 is too. But I don't always use my 60CT2 in TTl mode with those cameras, because it works well in auto and manual mode too.

Micronorton · Sep 28, 2014

and here I go over complicating things due to lack of knowledge with the film world. I would rather go manual and if all it takes is pc cable to use my already owned flashes, then that is the road I will take. Thank you for clearing up my confusion and saving me a lot.

ChristopherCoy · Sep 29, 2014

How can you use TTL flash on a non-TTL camera. Isn't the 500ELX a fully manual camera?

cowanw · Sep 29, 2014

Hasselblad calls it OTF, off the film. Flash function does not influence camera functions and the flash readout is not associated with a non flash metering function (as there is none). You do have to set ASA rating, aperture and shutter speed separately.

John Koehrer · Sep 29, 2014

^^^^^IE: The flash won't work in a Ttl mode but will work in manual or Auto.^^^^^^^^

cowanw · Sep 29, 2014

If you read the manual it specifically works in TTL.

film_man · Sep 30, 2014

ChristopherCoy said:
How can you use TTL flash on a non-TTL camera. Isn't the 500ELX a fully manual camera?

I believe the mechanics behind is that you set the ISO on the body (there is a rotary switch on the body) and then the OFT sensor will measure the light hitting the film. Once you get the right light level hitting the film the sensor switches off the flash. Flash power is controlled by the duration the bulb stays on, not the actual bulb power level, the bulb has one "power" setting.

Don't quote me on the above though

Hasselblad 500ELX paired with what flash?

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