hasselblad 500el question

[emraphoto]

hi there,

was wondering if anyone knows how long the 500 el will hold a charge for?

came across a great deal and was considering for documentary work. big caveat is that the 500 el will only function if it has a charge? correct me if i am wrong.

so i guess the questions are 1/ how long to charge and 2/ how long does it hold the charge (factor outside of the studio).

many thanx!
john

 

[Nokton48]

14 hours to a full charge, assuming you have a decent battery. They slowly die of old age, and have much less capacity. A fresh battery will hold it's power for a good long time without an issue.

I am getting ready to order two fresh batteries from Hasselblad USA, for my two ELMs. They stock them.

 

[emraphoto]

thanx my friend!
can i bother you with another question...

does the winder add a lot of volume/noise to the camera? i need it to be fairly discreet. i know it's not the quietest camera on the block.

 

[spyder2000]

There is nothing quiet about the ELM. The mirror makes enough noise; add to that the motor and you'll see why a blimp is necessary to muffle it.

 

[emraphoto]

righto... thanx!
the quest for a blad goes on!

 

[ferider]

I'm using standard 9v batteries with adapters that I got from ebay. Hold forever and you can take as many spares as your need. Or buy rechargable batteries that fit.

Not quiet, true. But easy to hand-hold down to 1/30 at least, with an 80mm lens.

Best,

Roland.

 

[ferider]

Additional note: I bought my 9v adapter a few years back. It looks different than what you currently can get on ebay. Stronger and easier to use. Like this:

http://www.mediajoy.com/en/camerashopper/O_products/battery/hassel_con/index.html

The camera will also work with one battery only.

Also, microtools seems to have Hasselblad replacement/re-chargeable batteries:

http://www.micro-tools.de/mm5/e_batteries.htm

Best,

Roland.

 

[Nokton48]

Update:
After pricing Metal Hydride replacement cells for my two ELM's, and doing a bit of Internet checking around, I think I'm done with rechargables. Years ago (when shooting weddings with ELMs) I bought a 9V converter from www.nine-volt.com, to use in the event of an emergency. Tonight I dug it out, and tried it with both my ELMs, and now, I'm ready to order another, and sell my chargers, and excess batteries. David Odess (who is my Hasselblad repair guy, of considerable repute) says that he thinks these 9V converters will do no harm to an ELM, so that's good enough for me. ELM motors are able to safely handle up to 12V, typical Hasselblad overkill design. It certainly runs at optimum speed per my tests, with reasonably fresh Alkaline 9V's. BTW a new 9V should give you about 450 shots, before it starts slowing down the the ELM, and should be chucked.

-Dan, I have always enjoyed using these cameras, but rechargable batteries are a PITA. BTW you can buy the www.nine-volt.com converter for $29, if you bid on one of his many Ebay auctions. That is what I am doing right now.

 

[emraphoto]

wow, thanx for the info my friend. i'll do some poking about..

 

[FrankS]

Jon, what are you thinking more specifically when you say documentary work?