Hasselblad 500mm f/8 Tele-tessar + 500c/m vignetting problems

alex gard

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I bought the 500mm f/8 Tele-tessar lens from a reputable seller.
The lens is in great nick.
I plugged it into my 500c/m, mounted the tripod to the lens barrel and through the viewfinder there is a black 'vignetting' which is slightly curved at the top of the frame.

It's like the viewfinder is seeing the top of the lens.

I asked the h-blad facebook group and they said it is a common issue with this lens.

Is there a way to fix/get around this issue?

It is quite annoying and has put me off playing with the lens too seriously because it messes with my compositional chi.

The vignetting is quite thick, occupying perhaps the top 1/5 of the frame.
 

Paul Goutiere

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Some newer models of the Hasselblad, like my 501CM have what is called the "gliding mirror system"which will over come this problem with longer lenses.
I'm not sure which other models have this.
 

M Stat

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Vignetting becomes a problem in the 500Cs and CMs starting with the 250mm lens. Only the viewfinder is affected, and there will be no vignetting in the actual photograph. That having been said, it is useless to try to compose under such conditions. What I initially did was to use a 645 back, but eventually I just bought the 501CM body to eliminate this annoyance. It is too bad that Hasselblad didn't correct this problem long ago.
 

Sirius Glass

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The vignetting is normal and only appears on the viewfinder, there is no problem on the film. I have it with my 503 CX. Newer models have the "gliding mirror system" which overs come this problem.

If it really bothers you, you can send the lens to me and I will give it a good home.
 
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OP

alex gard

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Sirius Glass said:
Ignoring the vignetting works well for me.
Click to expand...

So am I not seeing the bottom part of the frame, or do I just pretend the vignetting isn't there?
Do I have to take into consideration there is a part of the frame that isn't in the viewfinder, or is the vignetting blocking the top part of the frame (does that make sense?)
 

MattKing

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As I understand it:

The bottom part of the frame is accurately showing what the film will see.

The top part of the frame is obscured in the viewing system, but the film isn't blocked.

The longer lens requires a bigger mirror. Only the later models have enough room for that bigger mirror (due to a change in how the mirror is moved).
 
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alex gard

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Ok excellent so i just pretend like the vignetting isnt there? Thats a load off my mind. Was thinking i had to compose as if the camera wasnt seeing some of the final shot


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Tom1956

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alex gard said:
Ok excellent so i just pretend like the vignetting isnt there? Thats a load off my mind. Was thinking i had to compose as if the camera wasnt seeing some of the final shot


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

yes, just act like the vignetting isn't there, and fill it in with your mind's eye. The actual pic will be fine.
 
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