Help choosing a Hasselblad.

BrianShaw · Jul 1, 2019

503 offers more functionality than the 501: TTL flash metering with the Hasselblad flash. If that’s important to you than it’s worth the money. If a reliable mechanical-only V-series is what you want, then all you need is a 500 or 501.

John Galt · Jul 1, 2019

P1505 said:
I’ve asked them if a deal can be done with an A12 back and a lens.

The 503x can be found everywhere though if that’s any good? I’m so new to this format it confuses me For a while I though you had to roll the film AND the shutter on after each shot.

Have a deposit on the new digital back they just announced. So need something ready for that Although the idea of shooting film again does excite me. 12 shots per day, not per second.

I would stick with the 500 C/M . . . and if you have TWO A12 backs you can get all the way up to a smoking 24 shots in one day!!! Woo Hoo! LOL!

BTW, how much is the digital back going for???

P1505 · Jul 1, 2019

No idea what the cost will be. I’m guessing about £5k.

So less than a new Leica.

But when I buy it my M9 will die, sods law, meaning I then need an M10.

mshchem · Jul 1, 2019

P1505 said:
No idea what the cost will be. I’m guessing about £5k.

So less than a new Leica.

But when I buy it my M9 will die, sods law, meaning I then need an M10.

The TTL FLASH ONLY WORKS WITH FILM . YOU NEED A DEDICATED METZ OR SUNPAK FLASH WITH THE APPROPRIATE MODULE.
Unless you want to use fill flash for outdoor portraits WITH FILM there's no need to buy the more expensive 503 series.

If you buy a well maintained camera 500 CM will do fine remember that some of these cameras are 50 years old
If you get a 500 CM, 501 C, 501 CM these cameras will be serviceable for decades to come if maintained. Everything is mechanical, shutter, camera, backs. Usual CLA and TLC it will last forever.
Hasselblad date code VHPICTURES.

Make sure you get the Acute-Matte screen. My 501 CM and 503 CW both came with a version of the Acute-Matte screen from factory. I would go to a well known dealer of used cameras and make sure you get treated right. With the later bodies it's common for seller to change out screens, backs etc. So make sure you know what you are buying.
I bought an outfit from MAP Camera located in Japan as was very pleased.

mshchem · Jul 1, 2019

The Camera Museum in London has a clean 500 CM date code 1981, with a A24 220 back 80 mm lens for under 900 pounds. The back is worth less than the dark slide so you would need a A12 back. Or if you are going to shoot a rectangular digital back find a deal on a A16 cheap. No fancy Acute-Matte screen, but it's got new seals and a 6 month warranty.

Nokton48 · Jul 1, 2019

Sirius Glass said:
So do I. I bought a C 500mm lens from KEH. It jammed the first time I fired the shutter. Mike at Samys on Fairfax unjammed the lens, and I sent it back to KEH. KEH did a full CLA which included bench tuning the optics because all the optics needed to be removed to do the CLA. Thus the optics were realigned and calibrated as part of the CLA. There was not charge for the shipping back and forth, and no charge for the CLA.

Interesting. I bought two from KEH (neither worked) and at the time, the KEH repair guy said he couldn't work on it.

David Odess told me he did not have the special Hasselblad jigs and tools to work on it.

mpirie · Jul 2, 2019

Have you checked out Ffordes.com near Inverness?

I bought both my 500cm and 503cx from them with too many lenses/accessories to remember.......great deals and top people to deal with.

Mike

GLS · Jul 2, 2019

I second the recommendation for a 501CM. I paid about £2k for a 501CM with 80mm CFE lens, A12N back (the newest type with the integrated dark slide holder), WLF and Acute Matte D screen (the one with the scored gridlines and central split rangefinder patch), all in extremely good condition.

As I always say, the Acute Matte D screen is a must have. If you have to buy one after market for a 500CM or other older body, then factor in another £200-400 depending on condition.

mshchem · Jul 2, 2019

GLS said:
I second the recommendation for a 501CM. I paid about £2k for a 501CM with 80mm CFE lens, A12N back (the newest type with the integrated dark slide holder), WLF and Acute Matte D screen (the one with the scored gridlines and central split rangefinder patch), all in extremely good condition.

As I always say, the Acute Matte D screen is a must have. If you have to buy one after market for a 500CM or other older body, then factor in another £200-400 depending on condition.

+1

mshchem · Jul 2, 2019

mpirie said:
Have you checked out Ffordes.com near Inverness?

I bought both my 500cm and 503cx from them with too many lenses/accessories to remember.......great deals and top people to deal with.

Mike

+1 go to a local dealer .

Help choosing a Hasselblad.

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