Why are Hassy ELMs cheaper tham CMs?

jerrybro · Jun 16, 2016

Is there a technical reason or is it just the current market?

frank · Jun 16, 2016

Not just current. The motorized cameras are heavier and bulkier. They were used heavily by commercial studios and school photographers of the day so people are worried that they may be buying a heavily worn out camera.

gone · Jun 16, 2016

Exactly. The motor drive is noisy too. If I were going to be doing set up shots, studio work, etc I would go for one in a heartbeat, as they are very attractively priced. Good idea to buy one from a camera store too, online or brick and mortar, to have some sort of warranty.

Slixtiesix · Jun 16, 2016

Weight and bulk definitely. Reliance on old rechargeable batteries adds to this. Later models use AA Batteries, which is more user-friendly. My advice would be the 553 ELX, especially the later models from the 2nd half of the 90s. Best Hasselblad for the money. As other said, cameras with professional background should be avoided.

frank · Jun 16, 2016

There is a nine volt square battery convertor I use (that safely adds a bit of zip to the 6 volt system.) A motorized Hasselblad on a tripod with a 150 lens is a portrait machine.

Kawaiithulhu · Jun 16, 2016

You also can't use the standard close-up bellows on them. Small point, I admit.

Theo Sulphate · Jun 16, 2016

If you're not a studio or on-location model photographer, a 500C/M will do everything a motorized Hasselblad will do.

That said, a few years ago I bought a nice 553ELX because it was inexpensive and I wanted to play with the shooting modes (my natural engineering curiosity). I didn't need to buy it, as I already had a 500C/M, 501C, and a SWC, but at the price it was like I was buying another lens and A12 back and getting the body for free.

jerrybro · Jun 16, 2016

I've got a 500cm with a few lenses and backs, seeing these ELMs around at such low prices had me thinking about a 2nd body.

Hatchetman · Jun 16, 2016

I always wanted one because I wanted to look like an astronaut.

jerrybro · Jun 16, 2016

Shades of Harry Nilsson

JW PHOTO · Jun 16, 2016

I agree with "most" of the above. One thing that I do like about the motorized 'blads are the fact that they are heavier. I find I have better results(more keepers) with my 553ELX than I do with my old, smaller, lighter 500C. I do shoot the ELX with a grip and a heavy HC3 prism so there's more weight yet. I have a nervous condition(tremors) so that weight helps counteract it. I also would go for the 553ELX over the EL or ELM. I have two ELM's also and one EL, both are fine cameras, but I lost an EL when I tried one of those 9V battery converters. I put the 9v battery in it, fired it one time and that was it. Complete lockup. Maybe it was due to lockup, but I'm now leery of the 9v battery option. The last ELM I bought was under $120.00 and that's hard to beat. In fact I couldn't beat it with a stick!

frank · Jun 16, 2016

The 9v battery convertor works for me.

JW PHOTO · Jun 16, 2016

frank said:
The 9v battery convertor works for me.

Yes, I know it works for a lot of folks, but mine didn't like it. I never had as much as a hiccup from that body before that so I guess you can understand why I'm a little gun shy.

Nokton48 · Jun 17, 2016

Kawaiithulhu said:
You also can't use the standard close-up bellows on them. Small point, I admit.

Actually, you can. You remove the mounting ring and rotate it 45 degrees. Then it works.
I also use the 9V converter. David Odess once told me "no problems with 9V's".

Nokton48 · Jun 17, 2016

jerrybro said:
I've got a 500cm with a few lenses and backs, seeing these ELMs around at such low prices had me thinking about a 2nd body.

Yep same here, I bought a couple of nice ones. Sold one but still have the other.

GarageBoy · Jun 20, 2016

Hatchetman said:
I always wanted one because I wanted to look like an astronaut.

That's a legitimate reason

I think because it's not as "sexy" as the 500C/500CM series - same reason people don't want the cheaper bodies from the 80s/90s/00s

Kawaiithulhu · Jun 20, 2016

GarageBoy said:
not as "sexy" as the 500C/500CM

This may be more right than not. I got a rock solid 503CX for well under the price of an equivalent CM variety.

Luis-F-S · Jun 20, 2016

jerrybro said:
Is there a technical reason or is it just the current market?

They're heavy, they break more often and the battery sucks. I bought one 30 years ago and couldn't wait to get rid of it. If you don't really need a bulky, motorized 6x6 camera, why buy one?

Slixtiesix · Jun 21, 2016

Luis-F-S said:
they break more often

Seriously? I always believed them to be very reliable. Which problems did you experience?

darkroommike · Jun 30, 2016

Models dig 'em (LOL-but seriously have heard of models complaining that the new d-word cameras aren't loud enough and that they used the motor noise to time their posing). I used to shoot gymnastics with a 500 EL, 70mm backs and a HC3-70 finder. That was trippy.

Luis-F-S · Jul 3, 2016

Slixtiesix said:
Seriously? I always believed them to be very reliable. Which problems did you experience?

Use one for a few years and then tell us what you think. Of all the Hasselblads I've kept, never saw the need to keep an ELM.

JW PHOTO · Jul 4, 2016

Luis-F-S said:
Use one for a few years and then tell us what you think. Of all the Hasselblads I've kept, never saw the need to keep an ELM.

One need for some of us is the need for a darn cheap backup body. Also, they are very handy for slower action shooting hand-held. I like mine(ELM and 553ELX) with grip and prism as it lets me shoot without having to take my eye from the prism or move off the subject. Could I live without a motorized Hasselblad? Sure, but the price was right and I found I like it. When I travel I want a little lighter and only bring my old 500C w/ waist level and SWC.

frank · Jul 4, 2016

Where the heck is Sirius glass?

Nokton48 · Jul 4, 2016

I have always liked my EL/M's. Used to have two of them. Still glad I have this one. Use the 9v adapter.

Luis-F-S · Jul 4, 2016

I made my living with Hasselblads for some 40 years, which is why I still have 8 of them! The only two I sold was an ancient 500C and the ELM. Only lens I sold was a 250 SA, only because in the 20 years I had it, I could not recall ever using it. Did sell my 50 & 150's and replaced them with the 60 & the 135 with the focusing ext tube. Much sharper lenses for my taste. My go to lens was always the 80, which is why I still have 8 of them.

Why are Hassy ELMs cheaper tham CMs?

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