Want to Buy WTB: hasselblad 500

Trader history for ColdEye (5)

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ColdEye

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Jun 14, 2011
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1,476
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San Diego, C
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my only hasselblad body will be off to a CLA, so I need one i can use for an upcoming trip. Would like it to be the C/M but will consider the C too. Must be in working condition, cosmetics not an issue. Also looking for an WLF as all I have is the prism. Got film backs? Looking for a couple too.
 

sissysphoto

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Jun 6, 2018
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Location
charlotte nc
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You are the person whose questions I was answering last night. I just happened to see this post too. I'm not shadowing you intentionally. Please let me fill you in on the hard facts about used Hasselblads. When you buy one without knowing it's history, it should be shipped directly to a service person, truth be known. Even if it works well, there is a very high likelihood that the focus will be off to an unacceptable degree. And with a C, you have 2 places where a problem may lie. Somebody may have tinkered with the screen alignment for one thing. On a CM/ELM this is less likely. But even with the screen being ok, there are 3 little foam pads between the backside of the mirror and it's metal backing plate that are almost certainly deteriorated this goes for all c and El series. BTW, please specify to your repairer that you want these pads replaced on the one you just sent out. When these foam pads are deteriorated, focus accuracy is compromised to a serious degree. I remember working on one that was so bad, it was no better than a box camera in focus quality. If you want to find the best thing for your money without necessarily having to service it right away find a 553 ELX in good shape. GL.
 
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ColdEye

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Joined
Jun 14, 2011
Messages
1,476
Location
San Diego, C
Format
Multi Format
Interesting, I did not even think about those hasselblads with the built in winder. I'm going to ad those to my search.
 

sissysphoto

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Jun 6, 2018
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Location
charlotte nc
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There is a disadvantage to the electric models, which is weight and loss of compactness. But this disadvantage can also be viewed as advantage. Remember, Hasselblads have no vibration dampening of any kind. At slow speeds, hand held, not using mirror lockup, there's a lot of vibration going on there. If you study these as I have, you will learn about the weakness of Hasselblads. But with the electric models, you have all that beef to help dampen all that. I have a lot of admiration for the Hasselblads, but I've owned them and worked on them. And eventually got rid of them. If I were to ever get another one it would be a cheapo 553 elx needing work. I think it's their best electric. And has enough beef not to shake in my hands when it goes off.
 
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