Hasselblad 503cxi

[dave lackey]

Dave,
Further to the previous post, I've done what I should have for you in the first place and had a quick look at one of my lenses (a C T* 150mm f/4 Sonnar incidentally). The aforementioned pin. Rather than depressing it towards the front of the lens, the shutter should release if the pin is pushed slightly sideways towards the guard. Ideally you should be able to wind the shaft clockwise until it aligns with the red dot, at which point the shaft should remain in that cocked position. It should then fire off at whatever speed the shutter ring is set to when the release pin is moved sideways. If it fails to do so the only easy fix I can suggest is to ensure that the pin itself is not stuck because of a bit of grit or foreign matter. If it's apparently free to move (and it will only move maybe 0.5 to 1mm) then, the shutter may have an internal problem related to the cocking ring and its latch up.

Cheers
Brett

Thanks, Brett, The pin moves sideways to the guard easily. The aperture is wide open but the leaf shutter in the lens is completely closed. I have been trying to move the pin a bit and hold it while turning with a coin. Nothing so far.

 

[dave lackey]

Thanks everyone.... Brett, the suggestion to turn it another half turn seemed to do the trick. The video I watched said nothing more than turning it to align with the dot...but it took the full 340 degrees. Works fine now!:angel:

I gotta say I learned a lot about the Hassy today. The first roll was such a delight to shoot! I will be up before sunrise tomorrow for another roll so I can get the Ektar 100 developed by Monday.

So far, the Hassy surpasses everything I had imagined about it. In reality, it is so much more! Now to find a bag and pick up some more film as I head out to shoot tomorrow!

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

Thanks everyone.... Brett, the suggestion to turn it another half turn seemed to do the trick. The video I watched said nothing more than turning it to align with the dot...but it took the full 340 degrees. Works fine now!:angel:

I gotta say I learned a lot about the Hassy today. The first roll was such a delight to shoot! I will be up before sunrise tomorrow for another roll so I can get the Ektar 100 developed by Monday.

So far, the Hassy surpasses everything I had imagined about it. In reality, it is so much more! Now to find a bag and pick up some more film as I head out to shoot tomorrow!

Ahh, good news! I should have mentioned at the outset, that the shutter driveshaft needs nearly a full turn. Something you take for granted with practice but of course, not so obvious the first time. Sorry. But great it's OK. You'll enjoy the experience of imaging with it I am sure. 🙂
Cheers
Brett

 

[GarageBoy]

Don't let it get out of sync when mounting the lens, or you'll discover the Hasselblad jam

 

[dave lackey]

Don't let it get out of sync when mounting the lens, or you'll discover the Hasselblad jam

No problem with a body jam... yet... but I will eventually bake every possible mistake.😛

So far the loan had been very good and highly educational. I may go ahead and trade for this kit, it had a year warranty after the CLA. Outside of dumbass-user problems, I am aware of only one thing so far that needs to be addressed.

It has a horrible focus screen, just a plain screen and it is "coarse". I need a new acute matte badly. I will have my negs back tomorrow afternoon and then I will know how badly I missed focus on two rolls. Exposure should not be a problem but that screen has got to go.
😀
Any recommendations on a good deal for a screen are coveted!

 

[Godfrey]

The OEM Hasselblad Acute Matte screen is superb and hard to better. I have the one with rectilinear grid and no focus aids, love it.

A Maxwell screen might be on par, or slightly better, if you can get one ... Although I warn you that Bill Maxwell 'has the gift of gab' when you get him on the phone. 🙂

G

 

[sepiareverb]

... Although I warn you that Bill Maxwell 'has the gift of gab' when you get him on the phone. 🙂

G

Indeed he does. And he will almost talk you out of shooting a hasselblad.

 

[dave lackey]

Indeed he does. And he will almost talk you out of shooting a hasselblad.

Yikes!

I traded test messages with Bill Maxwell yesterday but we have both been busy... Hope to hear from him this week.

In the meantime, I took the loaner 503cxi back to the camera shop and they found me a decent user Acute-Matte D. Wow, what a difference. So, I am back to test shooting today. The focus seems to be spot on but it will be a few days before I get the Portra 400 developed. If all checks out, back to Tri-X!😀

I am loving the workflow and the handling of the Blad. Now to get intimate with the square format...🙂

 

[madNbad]

If you're interested KEH has a PME-45 metered finder designed to work with that screen.

 

[dave lackey]

If you're interested KEH has a PME-45 metered finder designed to work with that screen.

Hmm.... I tried that prism on another body last month. Nice!!!
More food for thought, thanks!🙂

 

[dave lackey]

What is the old line about the beginning of a new relationship?:angel:

From Casablanca: "I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship." Yes, this camera just feels right, like an old pair of jeans.

There is just something about the V system cameras that make it all worthwhile.

 

[GarageBoy]

The original non accu matte screen may be dark, but some feel it's easier to get precise focus on

 

[Nokton48]

I used Accute Matte screens, but I switched back to standard screens. There is something to that

 

[newsgrunt]

the acute mattes are brighter but the screen is much finer. analagous to screens in modern dslrs. very bright but lacking the coarseness for fine manual focus. would love an Acute Matte screen that worked identical to my Nikon B and K screens

 

[oltimer]

Hmm.... I tried that prism on another body last month. Nice!!!
More food for thought, thanks!🙂

Hi Dave
I use the 42170 Hasselblad Screen in my 500CM. If you decide on the PME-45 Metered Finder, this is the screen that will meter properly. A lot of screens are advertised as Accute Matt, but are "not one". If you have a black cross in the center screen, it is not Accute Mat. If it has a 45 degree split image in the center, it is not a Accute Mate. Rectilinear as Godfrey states is. By the way, a mint 42170 screen is expensive, but very much worth the coin.

 

[dave lackey]

Hi Dave
I use the 42170 Hasselblad Screen in my 500CM. If you decide on the PME-45 Metered Finder, this is the screen that will meter properly. A lot of screens are advertised as Accute Matt, but are "not one". If you have a black cross in the center screen, it is not Accute Mat. If it has a 45 degree split image in the center, it is not a Accute Mate. Rectilinear as Godfrey states is. By the way, a mint 42170 screen is expensive, but very much worth the coin.

That is good to know... Thanks! 🙂 I tried the PME 45 finder and really liked it with the Winder grip. I would like to get both! And of course the 42170! Looking for my first couple of paid jobs with the 503.

I am working on a completely new portfolio so it may be awile.

Edit: I pulled the paperwork on the screen I was given... It must be an old original screen because there are seven diagrams showing Acute Matte D screens. Mine appears to be the 42204. Not really bright but works ok. The 42170 is not even shown...

 

[oltimer]

The 42170 is the Hasselblad proper #, and has a finer mat; plus fine grid squares on it. As far as "D" goes; it should have 2 notches on the bottom left hand corner to tell you as being the newer screen.

 

[dave lackey]

The 42170 is the Hasselblad proper #, and has a finer mat; plus fine grid squares on it. As far as "D" goes; it should have 2 notches on the bottom left hand corner to tell you as being the newer screen.

Thanks again, that confirms I have an older screen. I hope to come across the 42170 at a reasonable price because my eyes are not getting any younger!

 

[oltimer]

Thanks again, that confirms I have an older screen. I hope to come across the 42170 at a reasonable price because my eyes are not getting any younger!

Dave
Just trying to help you out, as I have probably owned the Hassey longer than the salesman selling you one. I used mine to photograph hunting and fishing resorts, so we had the transparencies for making our color separations and plates for our Heidelburg Offset printing presses. Again, I do use the PME-51 metered head which requires the "lighter and finer mat" for the meter to be accurate. If you take a moment to download the manual for this metering head, you will see what I am talking about in using the quality screen?

 

[dave lackey]

Dave
Just trying to help you out, as I have probably owned the Hassey longer than the salesman selling you one. I used mine to photograph hunting and fishing resorts, so we had the transparencies for making our color separations and plates for our Heidelburg Offset printing presses. Again, I do use the PME-51 metered head which requires the "lighter and finer mat" for the meter to be accurate. If you take a moment to download the manual for this metering head, you will see what I am talking about in using the quality screen?

Absolutely! I will do that shortly.

Would you mind if I send you a PM? I would love to talk with you in way more detail as I have finally become excited about my work again. I would love to learn more from you.🙂