The Hasselblad is arriving tomorrow...

[Вormental_old]

My 503cx, purchased from KEH, is arriving tomorrow. I've pulled a few rolls of Portra out of the freezer, vacuum-cleaned the house, learned a few sentences in Swedish and cleanly shaved. Anything else I should do before it shows up?

 

[Sirius Glass]

Download the camera and lens instructions from https://www.butkus.org/chinon/hasselblad.htm and donate $3 per useful download and then read the instructions before touching the camera.

 

[Вormental_old]

Yep! That's been done BEFORE I made the purchase.

 

[mshchem]

Make sure when you load the back that you get the paper under the little clamp. And thank God, you live in a country where you can buy a beautiful camera with Zeiss optics at a reasonable price. And learn some Swedish swear words for when your camera needs to be cleaned and lubed, and, some words of prayer that the darn thing can be fixed.!

 

[RalphLambrecht]

My 503cx, purchased from KEH, is arriving tomorrow. I've pulled a few rolls of Portra out of the freezer, vacuum-cleaned the house, learned a few sentences in Swedish and cleanly shaved. Anything else I should do before it shows up?

get some champagne for the celebrations;good luck and have lots of fun with a truly special camera!

 

[flavio81]

Download the camera and lens instructions from https://www.butkus.org/chinon/hasselblad.htm and donate $3 per useful download and then read the instructions before touching the camera.

Butkus is A SAINT!

 

[mshchem]

Butkus is A SAINT!

Absolutely, we all need to send a little now and then to pay for the continued costs.

 

[PFGS]

How did you find one at KEH? Seems like their stock of all things medium format has been gutted for months.

 

[Kodachromeguy]

Great choice, congratulations! What lens (lenses) did you order?

A hint: always keep the camera wound. Then you will be safe to take off the lens. But just in case, one of the little lens-cocking tools is a wise purchase.

 

[BrianShaw]

Buy a fedora.

 

[Вormental_old]

How did you find one at KEH? Seems like their stock of all things medium format has been gutted for months.

I looked at KEH and saw nothing, then reached out to Sirius Glass via a PM asking for advice, he asked "have you looked at KEH?" I looked again and bam! The "Ex" rated 503cx body... I think this happened during a single day.

Great choice, congratulations! What lens (lenses) did you order?

A hint: always keep the camera wound. Then you will be safe to take off the lens. But just in case, one of the little lens-cocking tools is a wise purchase.

Thanks! I bought a 60mm CF f/3.5 as my first lens. For some reason, I prefer my MF lenses to be slightly wider than normal. My most used lenses for both Mamiyas are 55mm.

 

[NB23]

The mistress always ends up being a Rolleiflex.

My 503cx, purchased from KEH, is arriving tomorrow. I've pulled a few rolls of Portra out of the freezer, vacuum-cleaned the house, learned a few sentences in Swedish and cleanly shaved. Anything else I should do before it shows up?

 

[Oldwino]

The mistress always ends up being a Rolleiflex.

The Rolleiflex came first for me, but yes.

 

[Horatio]

Make sure when you load the back that you get the paper under the little clamp. And thank God, you live in a country where you can buy a beautiful camera with Zeiss optics at a reasonable price. And learn some Swedish swear words for when your camera needs to be cleaned and lubed, and, some words of prayer that the darn thing can be fixed.!

Wait a minute... Hasselblads need repair? :O

Just kidding. Enjoy! It pays to check KEH several times per day when you’re looking for something specific. That’s how I snagged my M3.

 

[cjbecker]

Keep your finger away from the shutter button when changing lenses. If ya happen to swipe it at the right time, it locks up the camera with the lens half off. Learned from experience.

 

[guangong]

Wise lens choice! When my 1000F finally died in early 80s, replaced with 2000FCM. Considering original cost and taking inflation into account, Hassy lenses are now a bargain. However, owning this camera will cut into your wine, women and song budget.
Enjoy!

 

[Вormental_old]

@guangong haha, well said.

 

[BradS]

Would it be too early to start diverting a small percentage of your take home pay to a special savings account so that you can afford to keep the thing serviced?

 

[Вormental_old]

Actually, I am a bit puzzled by this. Why would maintenance of a fully mechanical body like 503cx be any different from C-series Mamiyas or a Leica? The body itself is just a black box with "auxiliary shutter". I do not see myself using the back (I will only have one) so the seals/latches shouldn't be under any stress. Doesn't KEH claim to CLA equipment before they sell it? I honestly expect 5+ years of worry-free / maintenance-free service and will be disappointed if it plays out differently.

P.S. The package status is "out for delivery". The model (cat) is groomed and ready. I'm sitting on my front porch flexing the delivery signature arm.

 

[Huss]

Anything else I should do before it shows up?

Go to Ikea and enjoy a lunch of their meatballs.

 

[BradS]

Actually, I am a bit puzzled by this. Why would maintenance of a fully mechanical body like 503cx be any different from C-series Mamiyas or a Leica? The body itself is just a black box with "auxiliary shutter". I do not see myself using the back (I will only have one) so the seals/latches shouldn't be under any stress. Doesn't KEH claim to CLA equipment before they sell it? I honestly expect 5+ years of worry-free / maintenance-free service and will be disappointed if it plays out differently.

P.S. The package status is "out for delivery". The model (cat) is groomed and ready. I'm sitting on my front porch flexing the delivery signature arm.

I was trying to make a joke.
I'll let others more knowlegeable about the care and feeding of Hasselblads elaborate on the costs...but,I suspect the reality is closer to Leica than it is to Mamiya TLR.

No KEH definitely does not CLA items before they sell them.

 

[Grim Tuesday]

Thanks! I bought a 60mm CF f/3.5 as my first lens. For some reason, I prefer my MF lenses to be slightly wider than normal. My most used lenses for both Mamiyas are 55mm.

The 60mm lens is an impeccable choice. I have personally tried almost every Hasselblad lens shorter than 350mm (only missing the 180mm) and the 60 is really magical. It is my favorite lens. Enjoy your new camera!

 

[Sirius Glass]

Buy a fedora.

No that is for large format.

 

[Sirius Glass]

The Rolleiflex came first for me, but yes.

I inherited the Mamiya C330 with the 65mm, 80mm, 250mm lenses and every accessory in the known world and I turned all of that into a Hasselblad.

 

[NB23]

Dude, let’s not be gullible. A “CLA” basically means “Clean with a cloth, Lubricate by telepathy, Adjust so it fits comfortably inside the shipping box”.

Tadadaaa!

Actually, I am a bit puzzled by this. Why would maintenance of a fully mechanical body like 503cx be any different from C-series Mamiyas or a Leica? The body itself is just a black box with "auxiliary shutter". I do not see myself using the back (I will only have one) so the seals/latches shouldn't be under any stress. Doesn't KEH claim to CLA equipment before they sell it? I honestly expect 5+ years of worry-free / maintenance-free service and will be disappointed if it plays out differently.

P.S. The package status is "out for delivery". The model (cat) is groomed and ready. I'm sitting on my front porch flexing the delivery signature arm.