Proper film back for Hasselblad 501C

nsurit · Feb 6, 2017

Can someone share with me the model number of the A - 12 film back that would have come with the 501 c camera when new? Thanks in advance, Bill Barber

darkroommike · Feb 6, 2017

Well ALL the A12's will fit but if you were looking for one of the same age, just check the dates on the body and the back. http://hasselbladhistorical.eu/HT/HTDating.aspx e.b. I have a back with RS as the two initials which means it was made in (19)80. My body is UT which means it was made in (19)76. Four years, close enough for me.b The other thing folks obsess about is black mags with black bodies and vice versa but a lot of pors used to B&W in black mags and color slides ('chrome) in chrome backs.

Theo Sulphate · Feb 6, 2017

In 1994 I bought my 501C new as a kit with 80/2.8 lens and A12 back. The back is all black - no chrome. I will dig through my pile of original manuals tonight and may have an answer regarding the model number of that A12 by tomorrow morning.

Perhaps someone will answer sooner.

nsurit · Feb 6, 2017

Thank you. I have a couple of 500CMs and am just trying to get the 501C close to how it was originally. BB

chriscrawfordphoto · Feb 6, 2017

The 501c would have come with the latest version of the A12, the one with the built-in darkslide holder on the back.

Theo Sulphate · Feb 7, 2017

chriscrawfordphoto said:
The 501c would have come with the latest version of the A12, the one with the built-in darkslide holder on the back.

Perhaps later, but in 1994 they did not. This is evident by the illustrations throughout the owner's manual. According to The Hasselblad Compendium by Rick Nordin, page 166, the slide holder was added to the A12 in 1997.

What I show here is my owner's manual from 1994. You can see in the text of the fourth photo that the catalog number for the black A12 back used with the 501C is 30147.

Chris Livsey · Feb 9, 2017

Hasselblad Film Magazines
12 (M-12) Manual back with peephole
A-12 (I) First A-series back with hinged film tab holder and film ASA/DIN dial.
A-12 (II) Modified A-series with fixed film tab holder and no ASA reminder.
A-12 (III) aka A-12N 1997 A-series back with built-in darkslide holder. Fixed film tab holder, no ASA reminder.
ECC-12 1991 Electronic databus back with film speed and zone system control
E-12 1994 Simplified databus back with just film speed control

Dear Bill,
1994 would be an A12 II which would have a date code matching your body, although sets from new sometimes had date codes that were different.
The model code in black trim (chrome was not supplied with the body) was 30147, in the 1997 catalogue when the the A12N back was introduced and the 501C was still available, it is clearly stated the 501C is supplied with the back that does not have the magazine holder although that was now avaialble.

nsurit · Feb 9, 2017

Thanks to all. The body has arrived and now the quest for the proper film back and waist level finder begins. The body was made in 1996. If anyone has a extra nice one of either that needs a new home, please feel free to PM me. If this suggestions violates any rules . . . never mind. I will also post a WTB add in the classifieds. Bill Barber

Theo Sulphate · Feb 9, 2017

Also realize that the lens sold with the 501C is "C" lens with CF ergonomics.

Original C lenses had the aperture and shutter speeds interlocked by default (to maintain an EV setting) and you had to pull a tab to adjust only one without the other. Somewhat annoying. The C lenses also had self-timers.

The CF lenses had smoother rings to grip and shutter speed and aperture were by default disengaged. However, you could press a button and temporarily move them together to maintain the same EV. Also, there was a green F setting so that you could use the lens on focal-plane (200-series) bodies. There was no self-timer.

The "C" lens for the 501C is neither of those. It has the ergonomics of the CF but no button for an EV interlock and no F setting.

Although I've made nice photos with my 501C system, I was never happy with it (though I still have it) because I felt it wasn't a bona fide Hasselblad: odd lens and no body-cocked indicator. That caused me to get a 500C/M and more.

Chris Livsey · Feb 10, 2017

Theo Sulphate said:
Also realize that the lens sold with the 501C is "C" lens with CF ergonomics.

The other difference is the 501C lens markings are all in white, no colours.
Optically identical to the CF of the time not the later CB which is optically different.
It should have an Acute-Matte screen 42204 (plain with reference cross) as supplied from the kit and the black hood 42323

Proper film back for Hasselblad 501C

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