Hasselblad . Leaf shutter versus focal plane shutter, your choices

[RezaLoghme]

When choosing your Hasselblad, why did you go for leaf vs focal shutter? Simplicity (leaf), intriguing complexity (late-model focal plane shutter) or what else?

I had not really dug deep into the focal plane shutter range and went for the low hanging fruits. I also wanted a motorized one, and they were only available as leaf shutters. But the focal plane shutters intrigue me, and especially the ones with the blue go-faster stripes.

 

[Kodachromeguy]

In the USA market, the leaf shutter models (500, 501, 503, etc.) were more common than the focal plane models. So, there was more selection, and prices for working units was lower. Finally, the big issue: repairs of the focal plane bodies. As of early 2024, I do not know who repairs the 2000 or 200 series of bodies. It is sad that these beautiful instruments are orphaned.

 

[mshchem]

No reason for a focal plane shutter. If you want Ap priority auto buy a Bronica SQAi, ttl flash and auto up to 1/500th second

 

[Eff64]

No reason for a focal plane shutter. If you want Ap priority auto buy a Bronica SQAi, ttl flash and auto up to 1/500th second

Putting aside for a moment the difficulty with finding repairs if needed on a focal plane Hasselblad, I could not disagree more.

Unless you are doing all of your photography indoors, 1/500 is not fast enough unless you want to shoot everything at f/16.

That 2 stops you pick up on a 1/2000 focal plane body allow you to get down to f/8. ND filters are really not a great substitute either because you have to keep putting them on and off the lens or it will be too hard to focus.

I have 500 series and 2000. Much prefer the focal plane, and since I am mostly using CF lenses, I can decide at each exposure which shutter I want to use. If it is overcast and I don’t need anything faster than 1/500, I usually switch to the shutter in the lens. The leaf is a little less vibration, although I work on a tripod so much it is a minimal difference.

Each person has their own perspective on this, but Hasselblad would never have invested all of the money and development time into a FP system if there was “No reason for a focal plane shutter”.

 

[Richard Man]

I'm one of the few that says go for the 200 series. Wilco Jensen still repairs them, as does the Hasselblad person in Thailand (the one that makes one of the Instax backs)

Someone on this forum also mentioned that this place repaired his:
Southern Photo Technical Service (305)653-7355 Toll Free: (866)787-4349 37 NE 167th Street, North Miami Beach, Florida 33162

Yes, it's more risky, but IMHO, the tradeoff is worth it. If the electronics dies on your 203FE and you can't get it repaired, sell all the F/FE only lens, and buy C lens and they will work fine with the now 501CMish 203FE

 

[Steven Lee]

I would LOVE-LOVE-LOVE me some focal plane Hasselblad. That 1/2000s shutter speed would be sweet to get the best of Zeiss lenses hand-held. But I couldn't ever find anyone who's willing to work on them. So I continue to dream about the 203fe.

 

[4season]

In the 1990s, the 2000-series was my favorite! I loved the flexibility to choose between leaf- or focal plane shutter, and though I never got one, I had intended to eventually add the 110/2 lens to my arsenal. But for the rather staggering price, I'd have been very keen to check out the tech-heavy 205TCC.

But in 2024, I feel that the very same "tech" which made the newer cameras so appealing, has since become a liability too. Were to acquire a 205TCC outfit today, the price would need to factor in the risk I'm assuming, for a camera which almost certainly has greater internal complexity than a 500c, requiring a broader range of tools and techniques to properly maintain.

 

[mshchem]

This is kind of a moot point this day in age

 

[mshchem]

What is a moot point?

There's not anyone that services these. There's probably 500 (or more) V series manual and motorized cameras for every one focal plane shutter camera.
If you have a FP shutter camera and no shutter lenses... enjoy yourself. Otherwise, it's moot.

Peace

 

[Sirius Glass]

When I bought my Hasselblad in 2007, I had wanted one of the Rollei SLRs, but the sales people at Samy's Camera recommended Hasselblad over Rollei and I went to talk with Samy's Hasselblad repairman. He advised that is stay away from the 200 series and 2000 series because of problems with the focal plane back and getting them serviced. Hence all my Hasselblad experience is with the V Series leaf shutters. I have never regretted following Samy's advice.