Hasselblad 553 elx

TooManyShots · Oct 22, 2015

I am about to buy it at a very good price. There is some slight corrosion in the battery compartment but the seller assures me that he would clean it up and to ensure everything works. My question is that what other known issues the 553 elx has?

Thanks.

frank · Oct 22, 2015

Motorized hasselblads were the tool of choice for high volume photographic tasks such as school photography. A camera used this way may be quite worn out.

film_man · Oct 22, 2015

If it works it works, if the price is really good then maybe send it for a service in 6 months or a year for added peace of mind as it may have been heavily used in a studio (ie comsetically very good but had thousands of rolls through it...). I really like the EL cameras, much better handling than the plain V ones.

Theo Sulphate · Oct 22, 2015

When I bought mine, I took the magazine off and looked through the back as I released the shutter in all its modes. I had a misconception that in the SR mode and AS modes the mirror would be kept up, but no: the mirror comes down between shots and the rear baffles open and close as well. I made sure that I could always see the closed down aperture through the rear of the camera for each exposure - that is, the mirror and baffles were being timed correctly so as to not occlude the shot.

Additionally, at slow shutter speeds in these auto modes, you need to keep your finger on the release long enough so that you don't prematurely start the motorized film advance cycle. The manual mentions that.

I found a long internet discussion about this some time ago and saved the text, but not the link.

Slixtiesix · Oct 24, 2015

Be careful, what you described may indicate that the foam that isolates the metal strips in the battery cover is deteriorated and lead to a short circuit, which caused the batteries to leak. Apart from that, the 553ELX is a very fine camera. There were two slightly different versions. The later version (built from ca. 1996 on, but I´m not exactly sure) has rubber feet and an acute matte D screen.

TooManyShots · Oct 27, 2015

Thanks...so far, everything is working since the seller tested it and cleaned up the battery comparment. Is a good deal. The seller is selling the kit less than the cost of the lens, which is a 80mm C T. Is the chrome model but it is in black with T coating. Just finalizing the payment right now.....

JW PHOTO · Oct 27, 2015

I have one 500C, two 500ELM's and a 553ELX and the 553ELX is my favorite of all. A great camera for a modest price. I seem to do better with a little extra weight. I think you'll be very happy with your purchase if it is working properly, but remember this Hassy stuff can be addictive. John W

TooManyShots · Oct 27, 2015

JW PHOTO said:
I have one 500C, two 500ELM's and a 553ELX and the 553ELX is my favorite of all. A great camera for a modest price. I seem to do better with a little extra weight. I think you'll be very happy with your purchase if it is working properly, but remember this Hassy stuff can be addictive. John W

Do you know if this 80mm is single coated or multi coated? Is the Chrome version but is in black. It has no "C" designation. It has the "T" on the name plate and the serial number begins with nr7XXXXXX.

Theo Sulphate · Oct 27, 2015

The T* lenses are multicoated.

It's a C lens unless it says CF. On C lenses, the shutter and aperture rings are interlocked by default (you have to pull back the tab to move them independently). On CF lenses, they are independent by default (you have to hold the button to move them together at the same EV - this is more convenient). CF lenses have an F setting for use with the 200-series focal plane shutter bodies.

TooManyShots · Oct 27, 2015

Theo Sulphate said:
The T* lenses are multicoated.

It's a C lens unless it says CF.

Thanks....

TooManyShots · Nov 5, 2015

Finally arrived today. The focusing ring is a bit stiff but I added some light oil through the slot opening by the focusing ring. It helps a bit. Otherwise, it is in mint condition. Shutter speed seems to be accurate. Not a fan of coupling the shutter speed and the aperture ring though. It comes with a A16 back, unfortunately. The seller would see if he has a spare A12 back. Not bad for $220 shipped.... Is heavy but small enough to be not an issue. The mirror flap is more nosy than the motor drive..hahahaha. Is only slightly louder than the N90s shutter sound though.

hasselblad553elx-_7 by vracing, on Flickr

Theo Sulphate · Nov 5, 2015

Amazing bargain at $220.

TooManyShots · Nov 5, 2015

He is helping his friend to sell his Hasselblad and Leica collections.

Some of the Hasselblads he is selling...

Hasselblad SWC/M with 38mm Biogon lens 1000$
Hasselblad 2000 fcw with 3 lenses. 80mm, 50mm 250mm 4000$
Hasselblad 203fe with 80mm, 150mm and 110mm lenses, filmbacks, and proshades 3000$
Hasselblad 503cw with 80mm lens and proshade attachmen 1500$

You can PM me if you are interested in them. I can give you the link to his thread. He is trying to sell the collections in a computer hardware geek oriented forum. I just don't see he would have much lucks with it.

Slixtiesix · Nov 6, 2015

Wow, looks like a tremendous shape! Even the black barrel of the lens seems immaculate, you do not see this very often...

TooManyShots · Nov 6, 2015

Hehehehe....the only issue was that there are some corrosion in the battery compartment. Very minor and it was cleaned up somewhat. And the dark slide seal needed to be replaced and I just replaced it last night. I haven't film tested it yet but I don't see any issues with it so far.

Hasselblad 553 elx

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