Help! What did I do to my "new" 503cxi?

copake_ham · Oct 4, 2006

So I just got my "new via eBay" Hassey 503cxi - my first foray into MF.

So with absolute ignorance and stupidity, I wound the crank on the side figuring to just dry shoot the camera and hear a nice click.

Well in wound real nice - but I cannot trigger the shutter!

I am guessing it needs a battery? I also have no idea where it would go (this eBay special did not include a manual). I removed the lens and see a small silver button/knob but it doesn't seem to turn.

I'm going over to Craig's Camera Manual website now to get a manual - meanwhile, any suggestion on what to do to either get a battery in this (and what kind) and/or get the shutter to fire?

Dave Wooten · Oct 4, 2006

pull the dark slide

copake_ham · Oct 4, 2006

Dave Wooten said:
pull the dark slide

Dave,

Thanks, it worked. But something seems weird here. I tried doing that earlier and it didn't fire. Now I read your post and it does.

Do you have special "powers"?

Stephanie Brim · Oct 4, 2006

Perhaps he has great camera-fu?

copake_ham · Oct 4, 2006

Stephanie Brim said:
Perhaps he has great camera-fu?

As Bugs Bunny would say" "Hmmm, it's a possibility..."

Meanwhile, I did order a manual (acutally both a user and repair) so I can actually figure out this beauty.

Oh, gosh, why did I do this to myself? Now I'm getting GAS pangs - additional lenses, backs, VF's - OMG!

Stephanie Brim · Oct 4, 2006

I'm thinking of taking the Pentax 67 route, myself. Seems like a bulky old thing, but from what I've seen it takes good photos.

Dave Parker · Oct 4, 2006

Stephanie Brim said:
I'm thinking of taking the Pentax 67 route, myself. Seems like a bulky old thing, but from what I've seen it takes good photos.

Cameras don't take pictures, people do, the camera is just a light tight box that allows the film to be maintained in a light tight storage area until such time as a person decides it is time to push the shutter button and allow a specific amount of light in to make the exposure.

Dave

Dan Fromm · Oct 4, 2006

Dave, if I didn't know you better I'd think you were trying to discourage the young lady from acting on her impulses.

Cheers,

Dan

Dave Parker · Oct 4, 2006

Dan,

I would never do anything like that, but to understand that the camera don't take the picture, the person does, is basic photography 101, I learned that in my first class many moons ago, as far as the pentax 67, it is probably one of the best MF cameras ever made, I have owned many of them over the years.

Dave

Rolleijoe · Oct 4, 2006

Dave Parker said:
Dan,

I would never do anything like that, but to understand that the camera don't take the picture, the person does, is basic photography 101, I learned that in my first class many moons ago, as far as the pentax 67, it is probably one of the best MF cameras ever made, I have owned many of them over the years.

Dave

Very interesting Dave, but I do take exception with your quote of "concentrate on the photo not the glass".

If it's not Zeiss (for all formats) or Leica (35mm specific), then it's just not worth it. Personally, I refuse to shoot with any other glass. And you can't tell me there's no difference.

Dave Parker · Oct 4, 2006

Well if you knew who I was, you would understand my signature, and after being a pro for over 25 years now, I bet there may be a few areas I can show you some differences..

So we will leave it at that, as I know based on your unsolicited answer to me, about something we are not even talking about, that makes you uninformed in my opinion. As far as your snobbish answer, what ever floats your boat, I know a good many great photographers, that don't shoot Zeiss or Lieca and have made a DAMN good living, as for me, I have ordered two Zeiss lenses for my Minolta AF system in the last month and looking forward to see how they pan out. One thing good that Sony did after taking over the Minolta digital line, was they are working with Zeiss on lenses that are backwards compatible with my Minoltal film cameras, now I will get an opportunity to see if that are that good.

By the way it is "Focus on the picture, Not on the Glass!" not concentrate, and it is not a quote, it is my trademarked slogan..

Dave Parker
Satin Snow Ground Glass

PS, just in case you didn't figure it out, my signature has nothing to do with lenses..!

Dave Wooten · Oct 4, 2006

copake_ham said:
Dave,

Thanks, it worked. But something seems weird here. I tried doing that earlier and it didn't fire. Now I read your post and it does.

Do you have special "powers"?

Yes, I just don t know what they are...thanks so much

copake_ham · Oct 4, 2006

Rolleijoe said:
Very interesting Dave, but I do take exception with your quote of "concentrate on the photo not the glass".

If it's not Zeiss (for all formats) or Leica (35mm specific), then it's just not worth it. Personally, I refuse to shoot with any other glass. And you can't tell me there's no difference.

Oh, oh...I didn't mean to start one of these "gear head" things.

Jeez, and I shoot Nikon in 35mm - not I'm really conflicted.

Hey, this isn't going to turn into one of those threads like thay have on RFF where people start dragging out all kinds of lens comparisons?

Oh, no!

Dave Parker · Oct 4, 2006

Hey George,

Not from me, it is quite obiviously this guy didn't know what he was talking about..

Look forward to seeing some shots from your new baby..

Of course I did forget to mention, I am making a who bunch of little tiny screens for a leiceflex right now, so maybe my glass does stand up to the big boys!

LOL

Dave

copake_ham · Oct 4, 2006

Dave Parker said:
Hey George,

Not from me, it is quite obiviously this guy didn't know what he was talking about..

Look forward to seeing some shots from your new baby..

Dave

Hi Dave,

Yeh, I don't know where Rolleijoe was coming from - I don't think he as a clue as to what you mean by "glass".

Yo, joe, Dave is talking "ground glass" - he makes it!

Dave,

Give me a few weeks on the pics - but I am really looking forward to this - some 25 years ago when I first got a 35mm I started wanting to try MF - but only now am I getting there.

Whoopee!

BrianShaw · Oct 4, 2006

Dave Parker said:
By the way it is "Focus on the picture, Not on the Glass!" not concentrate, and it is not a quote, it is my trademarked slogan..

Dave Parker
Satin Snow Ground Glass

PS, just in case you didn't figure it out, my signature has nothing to do with lenses..!

Thank goodness you clarified this... I thought you may have gone into the picture framing business.

c6h6o3 · Oct 4, 2006

Rolleijoe said:
If it's not Zeiss (for all formats) or Leica (35mm specific), then it's just not worth it. Personally, I refuse to shoot with any other glass. And you can't tell me there's no difference.

Well, Rollei certainly seems to agree with you that there's a difference. Guess that's why they switched to Schneider, eh?

Stephanie Brim · Oct 4, 2006

Dave Parker said:
Cameras don't take pictures, people do, the camera is just a light tight box that allows the film to be maintained in a light tight storage area until such time as a person decides it is time to push the shutter button and allow a specific amount of light in to make the exposure.

Dave

I'm one of the people participating in Toy Camera Day and I also consider some of my best shots to come from the crappiest camera I own. I know that people make photos. I just prefer having light tight boxes that I like to use.

To clarify, I meant that the lenses are supposedly very good and the body is built like a tank. I don't expect the thing to take pictures by itself...but I do think it will perform well enough to allow me to take the photos I want to take.

Claire Senft · Oct 4, 2006

Half baked and the oven has gone out. The oven light is not working but the soup is said to be superior to all others. Now if I can just find mt botique ladle.

Dave Parker · Oct 4, 2006

Stephanie Brim said:
I'm one of the people participating in Toy Camera Day and I also consider some of my best shots to come from the crappiest camera I own. I know that people make photos. I just prefer having light tight boxes that I like to use.

To clarify, I meant that the lenses are supposedly very good and the body is built like a tank. I don't expect the thing to take pictures by itself...but I do think it will perform well enough to allow me to take the photos I want to take.

Stephanie,

The pentax is a very good system, I have owned several of them over the years...I just couldn't resist, you opened yourself up for that one..

No hard feelings intended, hopfully no hard feeling taken!

Dave

BrianShaw · Oct 4, 2006

Well said, Claire... I think.

Mark Feldstein · Oct 4, 2006

At the risk of being redundant, first, if you haven't done so, remove the magazine. To do that, you have to have the darkslide inserted or it won't release from the camera body.

Next, if you have a lens on the camera, make sure the shutter is cocked. Remove the lens cap if any, gently push open the rear shutter curtains and look to see daylight coming through the lens. If not, it ain't cocked. It has to be for the camera to fire. Soooooooo, first, while gently holding the shutter open, take a long, thin screwdriver and CAREFULLY insert it in the lens cocking screw at the base of the lens, turn it (no pressure) don't let the screwdriver slip and scratch that 80mm lens. <G> Continue to turn it clockwise until you see the lens shutter blades open and lock in the open position. Your camera should now be cocked and the shutter should release by pushing the release.

Also, remember that although the camera will fire without a film mag in place, when you DO put a mag on it, it won't fire unless you pull the dark slide. Yep, when you get the manual, read it. Also, a copy of Ernst Wildi's book "The Hasselblad Manual" will likely be helpful to you both in terms of inspiration and technical stuff. Okie dokie?
Take it light.
Mark

Mark Feldstein · Oct 4, 2006

BTW, one other thing I forgot. The mirror pre-release is a flat button located directly under the film advance lever. Never EVER try to put a cocked lens on a body that isn't cocked (mirror down and shutter advanced). That's about a $200 repair if it gets forced. So, if you need to lock-up the mirror before you shoot, just push that button up and you'll feel the satisfying kathunk of the mirror going up but BUT you won't be releasing the shutter yet. When you're ready to do that, like by cable release, just push the shutter release and you'll hear the lens shutter open and close. Don't forget to advance the film which will recock the lens and reposition the mirror.
Hope this helps.
M.

rgacpa · Oct 4, 2006

For Hasselblad lens unjamming info, go here:

Dead Link Removed

That's a great camera you've got there; get a manual and enjoy the fun of knowing that every screwed up photo is totally your fault and not the equipment's!
Bob

André E.C. · Oct 5, 2006

Rolleijoe said:
If it's not Zeiss (for all formats) or Leica (35mm specific), then it's just not worth it. Personally, I refuse to shoot with any other glass. And you can't tell me there's no difference.

What? Nikon, Canon, Minolta, Fuji, etc glass, isn`t good enough?

Ridiculous statement!

Cheers

André

Help! What did I do to my "new" 503cxi?

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