Trading my SL66 for a 503cw?

Slixtiesix · May 26, 2009

Hi everyone! Recently I spent some serious thoughts on selling my Rolleiflex SL66 and buying a Hasselblad 503cw instead. Reasons are the following:
1. Hasselblad offers more and newer lenses which I´d like to have, eg. the
Sonnar 180/4, Distagon 3,5/60 ...
2. There is plenty of Hasselblad gear on the used marked. If I want a new
lens or magazine for the Rollei I have to wait a millenium until it occures
on Ebay.
3. I have the feeling that the prices of the Rollei accessories are only
mirroring the demand of collectors and are sometimes overpriced.
4. Hasselblad is smaller and lighter.
5. My system does only include one SL66, two lenses, two mags and one
prism, so a switch would not be too difficult.

On the other hand the 503cw lacks the Scheimpflug (which I seldom use) so this would be no big disadvantage. I have one question regarding the shutter of the 503cw. I know that with older Hasselblads it was the case that you had to press the release button until the exposure had ended, is it still this way? I don´t want an older Hassy, because I find an instant-return-mirror and the gliding mirror system so comfortable and the TTL Flash might be useful for me one day, though I do not use flash by now.
What are your thoughts and recommendations?

Greetings, Benjamin

archphoto · May 26, 2009

I have the SL66 with grip and prism and I love it !

Before I bought the SL I had a Hasselblad and the SL66 in my house for a couple of day's.
The SL is a pure mechanical camera, so no TTL.
On the other hand it has a bellows for close-ups without the need of extension tubes.
It's sync speed is 1/30 due to the focal plane shutter.

You are right with your idea that the SL66 has become a collectors item a bit.
Not too many were made, so prices are up a bit, but still you can find it on ebay, it will take you a bit longer than with a Hasselblad to get everything together for a reasonable price.
Some time ago I got myself a couple of extension rings for the price I wanted to pay, so I can mount a 200mm Imagon to it in July when I am back in Holland.

Peter

milosz · May 26, 2009

Benjamin, the instant return mirror is to be found only in focal plane shutter Hasselblad cameras (2000/200) and all the 500/503 (so called V series nowadays) need to be cocked, after the exposure, to get the mirror back down. All 500/501/503 have the auxiliary shutter. So yes, one needs to keep the shutter release depressed until after the leaf shutter closes- the old way. Never found it to be a problem- it can only mess things up for shutter speeds longer than 1/8s when camera is usually on a tripod with a cable release...
The only advantage of 503cw over the "older 500" would be the gliding mirror system (GMS), TTL flash and provision for winder if one needs it. its "brother" 501cm is identical apart from having no TTL and no winder coupling. 503cx(i), that proceeded 503cw, have TTL and winder coupling but no GMS...

pgomena · May 26, 2009

At one time the SL66 was my dream camera. I opted for Hasselblad for the same reasons your are considering doing so.

I haven't looked back.

Peter Gomena

Q.G. · May 26, 2009

Judging by your 'mug-shot' and alias, you will be sorry should you indeed sell your sixtysix.

Will take longer, but why not another kit alongside your 66?

Slixtiesix · May 26, 2009

Okay Q.G. you´re right. My heard won´t overcome selling it, but Hasselblad still fascinates me. But do they really have no instant return mirror? I cannot imagine using a camera handhold without that. The 200series have too much electronics for my taste. Hmm....

bdial · May 26, 2009

Really, there's no instant return mirror. Once you get used to it, it's not a big deal.
If you are interesting in a Hasseblad for the fascination factor why not buy a second-hand 500 C/M or some such? The investment would be minimal compared with a 503 and you could keep your Rollei possibly.

Slixtiesix · May 26, 2009

Well, now I got it! As the leaf shutter stays closed after the shot an instant return mirror would make no sense in the V-bodies, right?

noumin · May 26, 2009

Regarding question 1 : You're so right, just that 4.0/180 ... sigh! But there
deffinetly was a Distagon 3,5/60 for the SL66 (finding one however might be ... not easy)

Regarding question 4 : Keep in mind that the lenses for the SL 66 are lighter
(no focussing helicoid, no shutter) in the end the difference of weight must be minute, nothing to bother about really.

Have you ever used a Hasselblad ? I think you're taking a bit of a risk. What
when you sell the SL66, buy the Hassle only to find out that it's not quite what you imagined ? So, I'm with Q.G. here, if your funds allow, have both systems for some time and then keep the one you like better and sell the other.

And you can always try this :
Stand in front of the mirror and ask yourself : Do I want the Hassle because I'm bored with the SL66? Try to be honest.

Slixtiesix · May 26, 2009

Sure I would not sell the Rollei as long as the Hassel hasn´t convinced me ;-) I think I have to sleep some nights about that issue. But AAAArrrh, the 180!!!!
Greetz, Benjamin

Ian David · May 26, 2009

milosz said:
The only advantage of 503cw over the "older 500" would be the gliding mirror system (GMS), TTL flash and provision for winder if one needs it. its "brother" 501cm is identical apart from having no TTL and no winder coupling. 503cx(i), that proceeded 503cw, have TTL and winder coupling but no GMS...

I suppose another potential advantage of the 503cw is that it is the one V camera that Hasselblad still sells and supports, so all parts etc should be readily available for quite some time (although I imagine most of the parts for the older models are the same as the parts for the 503 anyway...)

I agree that it would be good to keep up both systems for a while, and see what you like best. That being said, I find the Hasselblad 503 to be a joy. It is relatively small and light for MF and very easy to use handheld.

Ian

Sirius Glass · May 26, 2009

Slixtiesix said:
Hi everyone! Recently I spent some serious thoughts on selling my Rolleiflex SL66 and buying a Hasselblad 503cw instead. Reasons are the following:
1. Hasselblad offers more and newer lenses which I´d like to have, eg. the
Sonnar 180/4, Distagon 3,5/60 ...
2. There is plenty of Hasselblad gear on the used marked. If I want a new
lens or magazine for the Rollei I have to wait a millenium until it occures
on Ebay.
3. I have the feeling that the prices of the Rollei accessories are only
mirroring the demand of collectors and are sometimes overpriced.
4. Hasselblad is smaller and lighter.
5. My system does only include one SL66, two lenses, two mags and one
prism, so a switch would not be too difficult.

On the other hand the 503cw lacks the Scheimpflug (which I seldom use) so this would be no big disadvantage. I have one question regarding the shutter of the 503cw. I know that with older Hasselblads it was the case that you had to press the release button until the exposure had ended, is it still this way? I don´t want an older Hassy, because I find an instant-return-mirror and the gliding mirror system so comfortable and the TTL Flash might be useful for me one day, though I do not use flash by now.
What are your thoughts and recommendations?

Greetings, Benjamin

Finally! What took you so long?

Steve

gandolfi · May 26, 2009

I have both, and there is no question in my mind: Rollei rules!

For me it is much easier to work with - much much quicker, and the bellows gives me a freedom I can't have on hasselblad.

On the other hand I have an identical twin (NOT kidding). He's a Hasselblad guy all together... go figure.

fschifano · May 26, 2009

Slixtiesix said:
Well, now I got it! As the leaf shutter stays closed after the shot an instant return mirror would make no sense in the V-bodies, right?

Yep, that's about it. And it's really no problem for handheld use once you get used to it. Doesn't take long.

Alan Macoustra · May 30, 2009

I used a Hasselblad for years when shooting weddings. Never had a problem with the secondary shutter or non returning mirror, and as any wedding photographer will tell you,the more reliable your gear, the less you have to worry about, the better. I have handled a couple of Rollei 66, but never used one,having too buy a set of leaf shutter lenses, to gain acceptable flash synch. put me off. Having said that, they are a beautiful piece of German engineering, & I would love to own one, in fact the local Pro-Photographer has a SL66 + 4 lenses for sale, but @ $4000au, sorry just can`t afford it. If you do decide to buy a `blad,get as late a one as you can, like anything mechanical, they need regular servicing to give their best, a lot of pros skipped or skimped on servicing their gear, so good luck and don`t forget to share & enjoy.

Trading my SL66 for a 503cw?

noumin

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