Hasselblad 503CX or 503CW??

[TheToadMen]

I'm thinking of getting me a Hasselblad (sometimes), maybe even just to be able to say I used one (although I have a Bronica SQ-B and a Hassy SWC).

It seems the 503CX is cheaper than the 503CW. Is there a big difference between these to cameras? What model should I get from the 500 range?
I'm also thinking to use it with a 50 mm lens or so.

 

[cowanw]

Just the gliding mirror and winder. and newer of course. And comes in colours.
http://www.gilghitelman.com/501colors.html
The 503cx has a time exposure catch.

 

[Slixtiesix]

Do you need Flash TTL and the Winder option? If not, a 501cm would be a solution too. Gliding Mirror but not as expensive as the CW.

 

[TheToadMen]

Just the gliding mirror and winder. and newer of course. And comes in colours.
http://www.gilghitelman.com/501colors.html
The 503cx has a time exposure catch.

Thanks for the tip. I've send them an email to inquire.

Edit: just cot a reply "Sorry but those color cameras were sold."

 

[TheToadMen]

Do you need Flash TTL and the Winder option? If not, a 501cm would be a solution too. Gliding Mirror but not as expensive as the CW.

No need for winder or flash, so I'll check out prices for a 501cm also. I'll probably do mostly landscapes or street photography in B&W. Thanks.

 

[Dave Swinnard]

Based on my experience, if you're going to use anything longer than the 100mm the longer mirror of the bodies with the GMS would be useful.

I've got a 50 that I love but I also use a 120 and a 250 with enough frequency to wish I had one of the newer GMS bodies. I find the image cut-off at the top of the screen annoying with both these lenses. I can work around it relatively easily,with the 120 but the 250 is a real pain. (I'm always on a tripod photographing things that aren't going anywhere in a hurry so I can fiddle up and down, left and right to try and see what I'm not seeing...)

That said, I'm very happy with 500C/M.

 

[cowanw]

Thanks for the tip. I've send them an email to inquire.

Edit: just cot a reply "Sorry but those color cameras were sold."

Aw sorry, I really just sent that link for you to see the colours available other than black. I have a canary yellow 501; it's makes me feel better just to look at it.

 

[TheToadMen]

Aw sorry, I really just sent that link for you to see the colours available other than black. I have a canary yellow 501; it's makes me feel better just to look at it.

They look nice indeed. I'll see if one pops up here sometimes.

 

[Rolfe Tessem]

If you don't need the winder or TTL flash, then the 501CM is what you should be looking for. Cheaper than the 503CW, maybe a little more expensive than the 503CX, which I'm guessing was designed for wedding photographers using on-camera flash. Hard to say which market these were aimed at, but the 503CW was used by a lot of studio/fashion guys burning though lots of film with an assistant loading mags as fast as they could shoot them.

 

[takef586]

You should look for 501C/M or 503CW - they both have the longer mirror, CW can be used with the winder and flash synchro, if you need that.

 

[brbeck]

For me I wanted a newer camera. I found a good deal for the CW at Calumet so that's what I got. I really think regardless of what I purchased I would have been happy. I love my camera and since they basically all have the same feel and work the same you will be happy with whatever you get.

 

[jeff.blackwell]

You can contact cameraleathers.com and make any Hasselblad any color you like.

 

[TheToadMen]

You can contact cameraleathers.com and make any Hasselblad any color you like.

Thanks for the tip. I thought of that. (the correct site name is: http://www.cameraleather.com)
Another possibility is http://aki-asahi.com/store/index.php
So I don't need a cosmetically perfect camera, just a technically good one.

BTW: they don't have the yellow kit.

 

[k.hendrik]

So I don't need a cosmetically perfect camera, just a technically good one.

BTW: they don't have the yellow kit.

http://www.omnifoto.nl/index.php

They have a 'new' yellow 503 CW for sale.

Happy search

 

[TheToadMen]

http://www.omnifoto.nl/index.php
They have a 'new' yellow 503 CW for sale.
Happy search

I called them just now, but it isn't for sale
It's an eye catcher in their store ...

 

[TheToadMen]

Since I have many "normal" looking cameras and I don't really need a Hasselblad 500 series, I think I'll wait till a nice and affordable colored one comes by. And maybe sell some other cameras first (like Rollei SL66 or Pentax 67 set).

I haven't seen these in real live, but I think I like the yellow best. It stands out (don't know like what though), doesn't it?

Or maybe I just get me an old 500C with chrome lens made in 1967 or so (the year I was born) ...
With just one lens: a 50 or 60 mm lens I guess.

I like the chrome lenses better (just for the looks, silly me) than the modern black ones and I don't mind the "lesser" coating for I shoot mostly B&W.

There is one offered here in Europe (made in 1968) with 80 mm lens and one A12 back for Euro 800 ($ 1024) that looks nice. It comes with a Planar 80mm f2.8.


But it is a 4 hour drive just to go look at it. It's offered as fully functional and new light seals, but a CLA might be in order anyway due to its age.

Any reason (troubles) why I shouldn't get a 500 series body? It's just for occasional amateur photography (mostly landscape or street photography).

 

[frank]

I was going to suggest a 500cm. No need for the newest bells and whistles. (Gliding mirror and TTL flash)

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

I was going to suggest a 500cm. No need for the newest bells and whistles. (Gliding mirror and TTL flash)

100% agree with this. Even a well-cared for and recently serviced 500C would be fine.