Hasselblad left hand bracket for SWC/M

[blee1996]

The L-bracket was made by a seller on a Chinese second-hand trading platform. I noticed that many Hasselblad film camera users in China buy products from this seller. The price for this L-shaped bracket is approximately $61 USD.My English is not good, so all the responses are translated using ChatGPT.

Thanks for the information. It is a nice minimalist design with L-bracket to enable both common left-hand grips, and Arca Swiss compatible QR plate. I will see if I can DIY something myself.

 

[Pasto]

This does look very nice. However, from the pictures, it does not look like the darkslide can be fully removed from the SWC with the handle in place. Can you confirm?

 

[eli griggs]

Thanks. Yes, the Hasselblad snap lock grip is very expensive. The Stroboframes look like great options for mounting a flash. However, I'm looking for a left hand grip with cable release so that I can hold the flash in my right hand (wirelessly connected to SWC) while I hold the SWC viewfinder up to my eye. Some have reported using the SWC with a flash in place of the viewfinder. I don't like to use the camera without viewfinder, and I don't like the look of flash immediately above the lens. I may have to spend the money....

Just buy a pair of "pro" quality coil style sync cables, a flash cable hub allowing at least a three way sync, two strobes/flashes with a main, short cable, that does not foul the camera or kit when in use, or on the move, camera in hand, and always have an eye out for nesting books for the flashes, out of the image area, but providing enough of the correct coverage.

Lightweight stands with ball head type rotation of the flash direction also works.

Or, at last, too late for bed, borrow or sire two or three TALL teens to point those strobes wherever you want them to!

 

[Pasto]

Not sure I understand your suggestion, but too funny!

 

[Pasto]

I finally settled on a grip/flash bracket for the SWC that suits my needs. I thought I'd share so others may have a starting point if they encounter a similar issue. I decided to use the Hasselblad Flash Gun Bracket Left Grip 45020 for several reasons. 1) it's light and compact, 2) it has a flash cold shoe, 3) is has a cable release built-in, and 4) it's relatively inexpensive. The problems were that the camera attachment point is designed for the older style Hasselblad camera plate, and the positioning of the SWC on the plate (even if it did fit) would make it impossible to remove the dark slide. The solution was rather simple. I had a small aluminum adapter made that fit into the grip's existing mount and that could accommodate (on the top) the Hasselblad Tripod Quick Coupling (45129) Release Plate. This way the SWC could be mounted and unmounted rather easily. The body now sits further back to accommodated the dark slide and slightly closer to the left hand grip. This makes for a compact SWC and grip, that allows a flash to be easily mounted, or a remote trigger in my case. This is what is all looks like. The extra bit on the cold shoe is because the trigger does not fit the Hasselblad shoe. There is still plenty of room for the neck strap as well. I hope this is helpful to some...

 

[Trask]

I finally settled on a grip/flash bracket for the SWC that suits my needs. I thought I'd share so others may have a starting point if they encounter a similar issue. I decided to use the Hasselblad Flash Gun Bracket Left Grip 45020 for several reasons. 1) it's light and compact, 2) it has a flash cold shoe, 3) is has a cable release built-in, and 4) it's relatively inexpensive. The problems were that the camera attachment point is designed for the older style Hasselblad camera plate, and the positioning of the SWC on the plate (even if it did fit) would make it impossible to remove the dark slide. The solution was rather simple. I had a small aluminum adapter made that fit into the grip's existing mount and that could accommodate (on the top) the Hasselblad Tripod Quick Coupling (45129) Release Plate. This way the SWC could be mounted and unmounted rather easily. The body now sits further back to accommodated the dark slide and slightly closer to the left hand grip. This makes for a compact SWC and grip, that allows a flash to be easily mounted, or a remote trigger in my case. This is what is all looks like. The extra bit on the cold shoe is because the trigger does not fit the Hasselblad shoe. There is still plenty of room for the neck strap as well. I hope this is helpful to some...

I've quite enjoyed this thread because I too have tried to use my SWC with a hand grip, so your experience is edifying. One question regarding the mounting plate you had made: what is preventing the entire mass of the camera from "unscrewing" itself off the hold-down screw that comes up to the mounting plate from the grip handle? That was one problem I encountered -- that the shear bulk of the camera + lens could cause it to begin to loosen the friction-based connection between the grip and the body.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Well done with a clean & elegant design.

 

[Pasto]

Not sure that I can answer that question yet Trask. For now it feels very secure. Indeed, that grip is designed to hold a larger and heavier 500 series body with lens. I'll know for sure after walking around with it for a while.

Thanks Sirius Glass...

 

[eli griggs]

I've quite enjoyed this thread because I too have tried to use my SWC with a hand grip, so your experience is edifying. One question regarding the mounting plate you had made: what is preventing the entire mass of the camera from "unscrewing" itself off the hold-down screw that comes up to the mounting plate from the grip handle? That was one problem I encountered -- that the shear bulk of the camera + lens could cause it to begin to loosen the friction-based connection between the grip and the body.

Perhaps some Loctite Red 271 or high temperature 272?.

I'll also mention, for the benefit of non gun owners, that the pistol grip of the Hasselblad flash, and shutter release is very, very like many Match pistol grips, including Olympic and large, International Competitions.

It would not be much beyond the carving skills of a good gunsmith of custom pistol grips, to make beautiful 'Hasselblad' pistol grips in Left or Right hand versions, with you of your camera service attaching a hot shoe, mounting stage and shutter release, perhaps out of beautiful burl or splatted Maple, Mahogany, Ebony, Teak or White Oak.

If you want a similar set-up as the OP has created with his grip, but in wood take a little DuckDuckGo search for images of pistol grips.

Cheers

 

[Pasto]

 

[DKimg]

I'm looking to get a minimalistic L-Bracket for the SWCM and these photos looks very interesting and perfect for the travel scenarios, but it's really advertising for 903/905 series. I wonder if it would be okay for the SWCM?

It's expensive from the one source I've seen it online...

 

[Pasto]

Hi DKing, I would like to try that set up as well but I can't find where to purchase it. Any ideas? Also, I asked the original poster of that grip/handle if the darkslide could be removed with the grip in place but never received a reply....

 

[Sirius Glass]

I'm looking to get a minimalistic L-Bracket for the SWCM and these photos looks very interesting and perfect for the travel scenarios, but it's really advertising for 903/905 series. I wonder if it would be okay for the SWCM?

It's expensive from the one source I've seen it online...

I never had a problem with Hasselblad or non Hasselblad left hand brackets on muy Hasselblad 903 SWC. I would still want to try on any candidate before buying though.

 

[DKimg]

Soo... I decided to go ahead and purchase the L-Bracket from AliExpress, spending a whooping $170 for a bracket. After some pressure on the seller for deliver updates and tracking (typically you get notified from the seller within 24-48hrs of purchase), it arrived in less than two weeks. I’ve taken a few initial photos to share.

First impressions: It’s solidly built and aligns perfectly with the SWCM. The left-side socket for the lanyard is very snug, making it a bit frustrating to adjust from its natural position to an upward one—likely due to the plate’s thickness at the bottom. May need to replace the bottom base plate or come up with something more creative. I’ll share better images later, but for what it’s worth, its low profile and convenience are just what I was looking for. It allows me to add a small flash and potentially a 3D-printed attachment for a digital measuring meter.

 

[Pasto]

Thanks for this. It certainly fits very close to the body. Wondering if the left side neck-strap could be fixed to the l-plate directly. It also looks like the dark slide is free, but with the possible interference of the neck-strap.

 

[DKimg]

Thanks for this. It certainly fits very close to the body. Wondering if the left side neck-strap could be fixed to the l-plate directly. It also looks like the dark slide is free, but with the possible interference of the neck-strap.

Exactly! That's the dilemma for now but again this was 5 minutes slapping it together. But had the exact same thoughts

 

[tommurphy]

I finally settled on a grip/flash bracket for the SWC that suits my needs. I thought I'd share so others may have a starting point if they encounter a similar issue. I decided to use the Hasselblad Flash Gun Bracket Left Grip 45020 for several reasons. 1) it's light and compact, 2) it has a flash cold shoe, 3) is has a cable release built-in, and 4) it's relatively inexpensive. The problems were that the camera attachment point is designed for the older style Hasselblad camera plate, and the positioning of the SWC on the plate (even if it did fit) would make it impossible to remove the dark slide. The solution was rather simple. I had a small aluminum adapter made that fit into the grip's existing mount and that could accommodate (on the top) the Hasselblad Tripod Quick Coupling (45129) Release Plate. This way the SWC could be mounted and unmounted rather easily. The body now sits further back to accommodated the dark slide and slightly closer to the left hand grip. This makes for a compact SWC and grip, that allows a flash to be easily mounted, or a remote trigger in my case. This is what is all looks like. The extra bit on the cold shoe is because the trigger does not fit the Hasselblad shoe. There is still plenty of room for the neck strap as well. I hope this is helpful to some...

Are drawings or dimensions of the aluminum adapter available? I'd like to make a copy of it for my setup.

 

[Pieter12]

There are many L-brackets that would fit, as well as grips that attach to them. Your two challenges are finding a bracket that will allow the dark slide to be accessed and some way of attaching a cable release to the grip.

 

[Pieter12]

An example. It wouldn't be too difficult to attach a cable release if your really want to.

 

[blee1996]

Yes, there are lots of good video grips to choose from. Many of them are standard-based and well made. Due to popularity of video gear nowadays and the volume of business, they are widely available and reasonably priced too.

 

[JRSCollection]

I’ve used Hasselblad systems before (501 and now X2D II), but I haven’t had experience with this bracket. Interesting to read about it though.