Hasselblad 501cm self timer?

Venchka · Sep 10, 2009

I dug my self timer out last night. Originally purchased by my father in Japan in 1950. It was made by Walz. One of the earliest Japanese accesory companies. The self timer screws right into the hole in the 501CM shutter release. The self timer fires the Hasselblad as it should. The unit is chrome and the side opposite the winder arm is red and the name Walz is chrome. A very nice package.

This one is newer and more colorful, but very similar to mine. Mine has the red & chrome side.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-15-second-camera-self-timer-by-Walz-Japan-Nice_W0QQitemZ350250048674QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20090908?IMSfp=TL090908194002r35794

Venchka · Sep 10, 2009

Oh Dear!

Q.G. said:
Prereleasing will not help. As soon as the plunger retracts again, the rear shutter will slam shut, even if the shutter in the lens has not finished doing what it is supposed to do.
So the thing needs to work long enough, or else you can only use if for speeds of about 1/15 - 1/30 and shorter.

I didn't check for slow shutter speeds. Sorry. I tested my 501CM at 1/125.

Rinthe · Sep 10, 2009

Venchka said:
I dug my self timer out last night. Originally purchased by my father in Japan in 1950. It was made by Walz. One of the earliest Japanese accesory companies. The self timer screws right into the hole in the 501CM shutter release. The self timer fires the Hasselblad as it should. The unit is chrome and the side opposite the winder arm is red and the name Walz is chrome. A very nice package.

This one is newer and more colorful, but very similar to mine. Mine has the red & chrome side.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-15-second-camera-self-timer-by-Walz-Japan-Nice_W0QQitemZ350250048674QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20090908?IMSfp=TL090908194002r35794

thanks! so did you need a l connector or cable release? or did that thing fit on there with the lens there? can you test it at slower speeds?

Venchka · Sep 10, 2009

The self timer goes right in the hole it was designed for. Nothing else required. I'll try to get a slower speed tested tonight.

Just buy a self timer if you need one.

jeffreyg · Sep 10, 2009

I just got a chance to check mine but it has no brand or other wording on the unit and it has worked as we have described. I'm sure it should work at any shutter speed because it trips the shutter. It needs no special connector and should be compatible with any camera shutter release that it will fit. If you are using a focusing handle on the lens it might get in the way. once the handle clears that area it can be attached. I suspect that mine is 30-35 years old but works fine.

Rinthe · Sep 10, 2009

i asked that because these timers look pretty big, and i thought that the lens might get in the way of it and i won't be able to connect. thanks for all the info!!

Venchka · Sep 11, 2009

Sorry. No. The lens isn't a problem. Interesting construction. The part that screws into the shutter release is free to turn. I held the body of the timer still and turned the extension part to engage the threads. Alternative: Remove the lens. Attach timer. Attach lens. Piece of cake.

Rinthe · Sep 13, 2009

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120467020297&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

will this work??

Venchka · Sep 14, 2009

I suppose. They all seem to be similar. I can only vouch for the Walz that I personally tried on the 501.

Rinthe · Sep 14, 2009

just curious, does the 501cm and 500cm have the same shutter button?

Q.G. · Sep 15, 2009

No.

The 501 CM has the "fat" one as in the picture you posted.
The button on the 500 C/M is thinner, and has a locking lever in its (chromed) surround.

But the inside screw thread used to attach cable releases is the same.

Rinthe · Sep 15, 2009

ahh, thanks!

Hasselblad 501cm self timer?

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