Putting together a Hasselblad 500c/m setup

[crumpet8]

Hey,

So I'm trying to put together a 500cm with 80mm setup from various parts that I have, and am wondering which setup is best when comparing age, condition etc.

Interested to hear how you guys would choose...

Lens:

80mm C in excellent condition except for a small hair (i think) inbetween some of the glass elements OR

80mm C *T lens in good condition but with sticky aperture blades. Shutter times are good

Body:

All 500c/m in about the same condition. Newer bodies better than older bodies? Or should I go with an older body if I feel it's in better shape?


As always, thanks for the help!

 

[Alan9940]

Welcome to the world of the Hasselblad V system!

You certainly can't go wrong with a good 500C/M. I've had mine for about 25 years and it has always performed well. The newer bodies in the 5xx series will provide options like a larger mirror (I think they called it a "floating mirror") that helps with vignetting of the viewfinder when using longer lenses, add-on motorized winder capability, etc. If you think you'll need/want any of these options, then you'll have to research which body will fit your needs best.

Lenses? That's such a personal choice that it's hard to provide recommendations. The upside is that there aren't a whole lot to choose from; there was, at least, one zoom made (can't remember any of the details) but I'd personally avoid it...too heavy.

Good luck!

 

[canuhead]

I'd go with the T* and send it in for a cla that shld take care of the aperture issue.

 

[bdial]

I would say that condition trumps age for the body.
For the lens, if the prices are similar, get the T* and have it serviced.

 

[crumpet8]

Thanks everyone! I'll put the C on until the T is serviced then May be a while until I get it serviced though as prices in scandinavia are through the roof. Averaging about $350 for a service I believe.... What effect do the sticky aperture blades have? I'm so ignorant about the actual workings it's embarrasing. Do they go up and then stop down again when shutter is released or stay stopped down if I press the DOF preview?

 

[Sirius Glass]

The C lenses for the most part take B-50 filters so one set of filter will take care of your needs. Each lens should have a skylight or UV filter. T* lenses have multilayer coatings, non T* lens has at least a single coating.
The CF, CFi, and CFE lenses for the most part take B-60 filters so one set of filter will take care of your needs. Each lens should have a skylight or UV filter.
I prefer the CF lenses which will they cost more than the C lenses are more serviceable [no spring shortages] and more cost effect than the CFi and CFE lenses. CFi and CFE lenses have electrical contacts for digital backs. CFE have floating front elements for better close focusing. I have not needed the floating front elements.

 

[crumpet8]

Do you know if the iris goes up and then stops down again if I have it in DOF preview prior to pressing the shutter?

 

[Sirius Glass]

If you stop down to see the DOF, the iris will open back up unless you locked it in the stopped down position. Either way, after the lens is fired and recocked the iris should completely open up.

 

[crumpet8]

If you stop down to see the DOF, the iris will open back up unless you locked it in the stopped down position. Either way, after the lens is fired and recocked the iris should completely open up.

Yep that happens. What I'm wondering about is this mechanical swooshing noise when turning the shutter/aperture ring. Is that a normal sound on the T lenses? Or is it sticky blades? If it is sticky blades I was thinking that I could take the shot with DOF preview engaged so the blades are already in position. Assuming that they don't open back up before starting normal firing sequence...

 

[Sirius Glass]

I do not pay attention to the shutter sounds, but I like a good KA-Thunk.

 

[frank]

The swooshing noise I believe is made by the whirring of gears in the timing escapement as you change shutter speed settings.

 

[crumpet8]

The swooshing noise I believe is made by the whirring of gears in the timing escapement as you change shutter speed settings.

Yep, I just read that online. Is it a normal sound or a sign of wear and tear? My C lenses don't make this noise but the *T does...

 

[frank]

Several of my leaf shutter lenses make this noise, so I'm hoping it's the former. You're sending in this lens for a CLA eventually anyway for sticky blades, right?

 

[crumpet8]

Thanks Frank. Actually I thought that noise might have had something to do with the blades as my C lenses don't make that noise so I guess it's actually fine. Will kit it up with that lens!

Can anyone else confirm or clarify this noise when turning the aperture ring?

 

[frank]

Can you defeat the EV lock and determine whether the noise comes from the aperture ring or the shutter speed ring.

 

[crumpet8]

It only happens when turning the aperture ring (which is connected to the shutter when turning). The shutter speed rotates around without sound when I separate the two.

 

[John Koehrer]

The swooshing noise I believe is made by the whirring of gears in the timing escapement as you change shutter speed settings.

What he says, it's winding the slow speed escapement.

 

[crumpet8]

What he says, it's winding the slow speed escapement.

So normal and nothing to worry about then?

 

[Sirius Glass]

Sound like it.