Hassie 80mm C lens

Terence · Aug 13, 2008

Okay. I picked up a 1995-made 501c kit (in orig box) with the 80mm lens, A12 back and WLF.

The lens serial # matches the box serial #. The lens and the box both list it as a "C" lens with T*, but it looks just like my 80mm CF lens, and takes a B60 filter. What is it?

Everything I find seems to say the "C" lens took a B50 filter and would have a timer on it. And it appears they stopped making them in 1982.

I don't think it's a CB as they appear to have started in 1997.

My CF is labeled CF. I would assume a CFE or CFI would also be labeled as such, right?

André E.C. · Aug 13, 2008

It is indeed a CF without the cross-coupling button and the F setting, they are cosmetically modified CF's produced between 94 and 97 for the 501C and earlier 501CM packages.
In 1997, the CB initials were introduced.

Cheers

André

karl · Aug 13, 2008

There was a run of CF lenses without the F function that Hasselblad sold with 501C kits. I think that's what you have. A picture would help.

John R. · Aug 13, 2008

The C lenses do have Bay 50 filter mounts and a Bay 60 would mean the CF series. Some of the late C's were issued as chrome T* models. I have one. A CB lens should be labeled as "CB". I believe Karl is correct regarding a few CF's being labeled differently for certain marketing packages.

Q.G. · Aug 13, 2008

John R. said:
I believe Karl is correct regarding a few CF's being labeled differently for certain marketing packages.

Karl and André were both correct: it's not a relabeled "CF" lens. It is a "CF" lens stripped of the "F" function, making it a "C" lens again.

Terence · Aug 13, 2008

karl said:
There was a run of CF lenses without the F function that Hasselblad sold with 501C kits. I think that's what you have. A picture would help.

That would be it. Thanks. Never knew such a beast existed.

As for the photos, I'm still one of the younger prima donnas that doesn't have a digi or a scanner.

John R. · Aug 13, 2008

"NEW" C

Q.G. said:
Karl and André were both correct: it's not a relabeled "CF" lens. It is a "CF" lens stripped of the "F" function, making it a "C" lens again.

The actual labeling of the lens is "C" but is called the "new" C Planar. It was introduced in 1994.

André E.C. · Aug 13, 2008

John R. said:
The actual labeling of the lens is "C" but is called the "new" C Planar. It was introduced in 1994.

I think Hasselblad was misunderstood on the issue, the C designation was in matters of similar behaviour of this optic and the old C's in focal plane bodies, that's all.
The optical design is the same, the prontor shutter also the same as a regular CF, why then name it "new C" if it was in reality a CF without those two functions named above?

It was mainly a marketing/market manouver by Hasselblad to bring in new costumers with lower purchasing power, unable to enter the system via CF route, the logical result of such move, was the 97 introduced budget CB series.

André

Terence · Aug 13, 2008

Given the meticulous nature of their cameras, you'd think their nomenclature would be a little more regimented . . .

André E.C. · Aug 13, 2008

I think this series of optics was mainly a kit lenses for early 501 C and CM bodies, and never sold as a buy it alone optic, i'm not sure on this, maybe Q.G can throw some light on the issue.

André

Q.G. · Aug 13, 2008

André E.C. said:
I think this series of optics was mainly a kit lenses for early 501 C and CM bodies, and never sold as a buy it alone optic

That's exactly so.
Though the later 501 CMs were sold with a CB lens.

Terence,

Bear in mind that what are now commonly known as "C" lenses were not called that until the "F" lenses appeared.
And then not on the lens itself, not officially, but in price lists and catalogues. First to distinguish them from the then new "F" lenses. Later because we al started doing so (and then in all kinds of literature, including user manuals and such).
Zeiss never used the "C" designation for these lenses at all.

So this "C" lens is really the first (and last) lens 'officially' designated a "C" lens.
I cannot remember (but that may well be just a matter of memory failing me) hearing or reading either Zeiss or Hasselblad calling it a "new C" lens.

This CF-stripped-of-F-functionality lens was meant - like the 501 C - as a cheaper entry level thingy.
That role was assumed by the CB line very soon after.

Terence · Aug 14, 2008

Thank you all very much. Not being an F user, it shouldn't have any effect on me. Good to know.

This camera is by far the nicest condition Hasselblad I have. Not sure I even want to use it much as I already have two "beaters", and I'm not always kind to my equipment.

Hassie 80mm C lens

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