The search for a tripod for my Hasselblad 500 C/M

logan2z · Dec 27, 2019

I've been surprised at how complicated it is to find a tripod/ball head setup. Way too many options! It was a lot simpler to research/buy my camera and lens

After a bunch of online research, I think i've finally decided to bite the bullet on an RRS setup. They're crazy expensive but it seems like it will probably be the last tripod I'll ever need to buy. Buy once, cry once, as the saying goes.

The one thing I've yet to figure out is a quick release solution for the camera and ball head. As I was doing some research, I came across the 'Hasselblad Tripod Quick Coupling H':

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/265096-REG/Hasselblad_3043326_Tripod_Quick_Coupling_H.html

Despite the description at BH, I've read that this doesn't work well for older 500 C/M cameras as the fit is too tight. This seems to be confirmed by some of the user reviews at BH. It seems like this adapter is required for older cameras:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/319931-REG/Hasselblad_45152_Tripod_Quick_Coupling_Plate.html

Has anyone used this combination as a quick release for their 500 C/M? I assume the 'H' plate will be permanently attached to the ball head and the 'S' adapter will be permanently attached to the bottom of the camera and the S plate can then be quickly/easily attached/removed from the H plate.

If I'm understanding how these work together, then it sounds like it'll work well as a quick release. Just wondering if there are better QR solutions for the Hasselblad/RRS combination that I might be overlooking.

spijker · Dec 27, 2019

Does the Hasselblad 500 cameras have anything specific wrt to mounting a tripod plate like holes for anti-rotation pins? If not, then why not get a universal Arca compatible plate. The Arca QR seem to be the most used system. With the square format of the Hasselblad you don't need to rotate the camera so the grip of the Arca plate on the camera isn't as critical. Is the RRS tripod/balhead that you bought Arca compatible?

Edit: there's even a specific plate for hasselblad

BrianShaw · Dec 27, 2019

This is what you might want to consider:

Pieter12 · Dec 27, 2019

I have had good experience with the Acratech basepale on my SWC. It fits the Hasselblad base so it won't twist and it is less expensive than RRS or other high-end plates. https://www.acratech.net/categories/quick-release-plates/hasselblad.html
Plus, they are in Southern CA and you can talk to them on the phone to make sure you have the right plate. Very helpful and accommodating--they modified their Leica M plate to fit my M5. The base is just different enough from the other Ms that the standard plate wouldn't fit.

Kodachromeguy · Dec 27, 2019

BrianShaw said:
This is what you might want to consider:

View attachment 236957

Brian is right. Buy one of these Hasselblad slide-in mounts/plates. Used ones on the big auction site are very reasonable, certainly much cheaper than the $150 + $79 from your links above. I am using one of these plates with a 501CM camera. It is solid and exhibits no play.

Sirius Glass · Dec 27, 2019

logan2z said:
I've been surprised at how complicated it is to find a tripod/ball head setup. Way too many options! It was a lot simpler to research/buy my camera and lens

After a bunch of online research, I think i've finally decided to bite the bullet on an RRS setup. They're crazy expensive but it seems like it will probably be the last tripod I'll ever need to buy. Buy once, cry once, as the saying goes.

The one thing I've yet to figure out is a quick release solution for the camera and ball head. As I was doing some research, I came across the 'Hasselblad Tripod Quick Coupling H':

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/265096-REG/Hasselblad_3043326_Tripod_Quick_Coupling_H.html

Despite the description at BH, I've read that this doesn't work well for older 500 C/M cameras as the fit is too tight. This seems to be confirmed by some of the user reviews at BH. It seems like this adapter is required for older cameras:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/319931-REG/Hasselblad_45152_Tripod_Quick_Coupling_Plate.html

Has anyone used this combination as a quick release for their 500 C/M? I assume the 'H' plate will be permanently attached to the ball head and the 'S' adapter will be permanently attached to the bottom of the camera and the S plate can then be quickly/easily attached/removed from the H plate.

If I'm understanding how these work together, then it sounds like it'll work well as a quick release. Just wondering if there are better QR solutions for the Hasselblad/RRS combination that I might be overlooking.

For all my cameras including the Hasselblad 503CX and 903 SWC, I use the second type adapter with the Induro carbon fiber tripod. It is as good as the Gitzos and Manfrottos but cost much less.

indurogear.com

itsdoable · Dec 27, 2019

I use the old fashion version shown above by Brian, attached directly to the ball head (I removed the original mount). But I also have the H version you linked above, which works with both the old foot and the H - dove tail mount - and I've had no issues with it - it has an adjustable clamp. The old one is more compact for my use.

One option you should look into as well, is replacing the foot on the Hasselblad body to accept the Arca Swiss dovetail mount (which is different from the Hasselblad H-dovetail). The main advantage here is you can use the same QR system on other cameras, as the Arca Swiss Dovetail has more options for other systems.
http://clearsightusa.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=52

jeffreyg · Dec 28, 2019

+ 1 on the one shown by Brian Shaw. I have one for each tripod and they have been in use forover twenty years without a failure. The Hasselblad model number is 45130 Tripod quick-coupling.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

http://www.sculptureandphotography.com/

logan2z · Dec 28, 2019

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions. I'll try and pick up one of the older style Hasselblad couplers and see how that goes.

BrianShaw · Dec 28, 2019

logan2z said:
Thanks to everyone for their suggestions. I'll try and pick up one of the older style Hasselblad couplers and see how that goes.

You’ll see two basic styles- long and short. Get the long one. Easier to mount and dismount. You won’t regret this choice. There’s a reason why Hasselblad made them for decades!

the newer snap-lok have an appeal, but the stupid expensive pricing is just asinine.

tezzasmall · Dec 28, 2019

Or buy a Manfrotto clone 'tripod quick release and plate' to go on the bottom of the camera.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/392217829509

I've had one for years and can't think of what I'd do without it now. The item maybe a copy, but they work fine and are much cheaper than a Manfrotto original.

Terry S

logan2z · Dec 28, 2019

Pieter12 said:
I have had good experience with the Acratech basepale on my SWC. It fits the Hasselblad base so it won't twist and it is less expensive than RRS or other high-end plates. https://www.acratech.net/categories/quick-release-plates/hasselblad.html
Plus, they are in Southern CA and you can talk to them on the phone to make sure you have the right plate. Very helpful and accommodating--they modified their Leica M plate to fit my M5. The base is just different enough from the other Ms that the standard plate wouldn't fit.

Is this the one you're using?

https://www.acratech.net/quick-release-camera-plates/hasselblad-1-4-20-plate-2144/

I wonder if the lip to prevent rotation will work with the 500C/M. Not much information on the Acratech site about compatibility.

Pieter12 · Dec 28, 2019

I am using has the larger 3/8" screw one. The same except for the screw size. The one I have is just listed for Hasselblad--I think it fits all 500C and CM, but you can drop them a line to verify.

logan2z · Dec 29, 2019

Well, I broke down and ordered a tripod/ball head/QR plate from B&H as a birthday gift to myself . I went with the RRS TFC-24L Series 2 Mk. II and a BH-40 ball head. I went back and forth on the BH-40 vs. BH-55 but I don't think I need the heft of the BH-55 and think that the BH-40 will better suit the size of the tripod. Hopefully that wasn't a mistake. I also went with the Acratech 2144 QR plate that the guys at B&H claimed will work properly with the BH-40 - I'm hoping they're right and that the Acratech plate fits the shoe on the bottom of my 500 C/M and prevents camera rotation. If not I'll return it and opt for a different solution.

B&H had free expedited shipping on this so I should be able to try it all out early next week.

guangong · Jan 1, 2020

I use the Hasselblad slide in quick release and a Linhof ball head for wide, normal and moderately long lenses for a rock steady support. For longer lenses such as my Olympic Sonnar 300mm I use something more substantial.

GLS · Jan 2, 2020

I use the Arca Swiss QR plate attached to the normal Hasselblad foot. This then attaches to an Arca Swiss Z1 ballhead on top of Gitzo GT3532LS legs.

msage · Jan 2, 2020

BrianShaw said:
This is what you might want to consider:

View attachment 236957

I used one of these for many years, I would recommend it!

Kodachromeguy · Jan 2, 2020

guangong said:
I use the Hasselblad slide in quick release and a Linhof ball head for wide, normal and moderately long lenses for a rock steady support. For longer lenses such as my Olympic Sonnar 300mm I use something more substantial.

Yes indeed. Here is an example of a Hasselblad on the slide-in quick release on a Linhof Profi III ball head. Quick, easy, stable.

logan2z · Jan 3, 2020

I received the tripod, ballhead and Acratech QR plate today and it all fits together beautifully. The Acratech plate fits the 'shoe' of the 500CM perfectly and prevents it from rotating. It also fits perfectly in the BH-40. Hoping to get out this weekend and put it to good use.

Thanks again to everyone for their help and suggestions.

The search for a tripod for my Hasselblad 500 C/M

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