Hasselblad prism viewfinder - what have I got?

[ChrisN]

Just bought this on ebay - described as PM45 but I suspect its not. What is it?

The base frame doesn't have the cutout - it's solid all the way around.

Looks ok, so not setting out to argue with the seller, just interested to know what it really is. 🙂

 

[maddoc]

That's the first model PME finder. The following model, PME-3 has "PME-3" written above the eye-piece (and was calibrated for the then new accu-matte bright screens). After that the PME-51 came out with cut-out.

 

[Dfin]

Chris, just had a look in my Hasselblad compendium, it looks very much like Prism finder PM(42307), the one without the meter. Hope this is of help. Alan.

 

[ferider]

Used to have one of those, Chris. As Gabor said, it's the early PME finder, made in 83 or so. Have a look at:

http://www.photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/index-frameset.html?HasselbladFinders.html~mainFrame

Best,

Roland.

 

[Olsen]

This is indeed a PM45. If this is what you bought, then this is what you have got. I have one myself. The PM45 is the one without a exposure meter.

PME45 is the one with a built in exposure meter.

 

[maddoc]

This is indeed a PM45. If this is what you bought, then this is what you have got. I have one myself. The PM45 is the one without a exposure meter.

PME45 is the one with a built in exposure meter.

If this would be a PM45 (or PME45) it would have the cut-out to use it also with the 200 series Hasselblads. The Hasselblad prism finders for 200 series cameras (PM-5, PME-51, PME-45) can easily be identified by the small blue striped sticker on the left side of the finder (the opposite site of the site shown in Chris's photo).

 

[CK Dexter Haven]

Am i crazy?

http://www.keh.com/OnLineStore/Prod...ID=43&BC=HH&BCC=5&CC=13&CCC=27&BCL=&GBC=&GCC=

The PM45, i thought, was the NEW style, current prism. It's what i have now. Curvy, bulky-looking. Yours looks like a PM or PM 5, if there's no metering.

If the listing said PM45, you should raise the issue with the seller. There's a HUGE difference in value between the current PM45 and the older PM/PM5.

 

[Al Kaplan]

When I was using the Hasselblad system I was looking around for a reasonably priced meterless prism finder. I ended up getting an elderly meter prism for next to nothing because the meter was broken. The prism and eyepiece optics were in great shape and I had no plans to use the meter anyway.

 

[Olsen]

If this would be a PM45 (or PME45) it would have the cut-out to use it also with the 200 series Hasselblads. The Hasselblad prism finders for 200 series cameras (PM-5, PME-51, PME-45) can easily be identified by the small blue striped sticker on the left side of the finder (the opposite site of the site shown in Chris's photo).

Mine has this double blue line - but only on the other side of the prismfinder. It would not be visible from this side shown above. It also have this 'cut-out' to accommodate the meter screen on the 203FE. And it is labelled 'PM' above the ocular.

I also have this old prismfinder with a meter. A meter which demands these old mercury batteries. I find both of them all too heavy and use both my Hasselblad cameras without, though: a 500CM and a 203FE.

 

[ChrisN]

Boy - lots of opinions on this! Thanks all!

No blue lines on this one, unfortunately. I'm thinking probably a PM or PM5. Not PME (the "E" stands for "E"xposure metering). No metering in this one.

It looks just like the PM-5 at the bottom of this page (http://www.photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/index-frameset.html?HasselbladFinders.html~mainFrame) excepting it doesn't have the blue lines or the cutout.

If I'd paid a PM45 price (as indicated by KEH prices, mys usual reference) I'd certainly be going back to the seller, but for AUD$110 (currently about US$71) I think I still got a reasonable deal. It seems to work fine. It's a little lighter than I expected too (although certainly heavier than the folding waist-level finder).

I like the WLF except in bright light outdoors, when it is difficult to see - I do like composing on the (mini) ground glass! A chimney finder is better outdoors, except when I'm trying to point the camera downwards. The 45 degree finder will work better in that situation.

 

[ChrisN]

When I was using the Hasselblad system I was looking around for a reasonably priced meterless prism finder. I ended up getting an elderly meter prism for next to nothing because the meter was broken. The prism and eyepiece optics were in great shape and I had no plans to use the meter anyway.

Good plan!

One thing this has highlighted for me is a lack of good Hasselblad resources on the 'net. I've learned a lot about Leica, Canon, Pentax and Olympus OM cameras from great reference websites put together by users and enthusiasts (and even Canon - their virtual Camera Museum). But the Hasselblad fans and users must all be too busy making photos! 😀

 

[Olsen]

Chris,

I have been part of a Hasselblad discussion group for a few years now. The activity is falling in pace with the growth of digital photography. - For us amateurs, at least. Look up these two sites:

http://www.hasselbladhistorical.eu/Index/HSIndex.aspx

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/hasselblad/cameras/hasselmodels/hasslemodel.htm

I have been using Hasselblads for more than 30 years. How can I help you?

 

[ChrisN]

Hi Olsen

Thanks for the links - I've added them to my bookmarks. When I started looking for Hasselblad information on the 'net I was hoping to find something like the excellent Pentax-M site created by Bojidar Dimitrov (http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/), which has a very complete set of pics and data about just about all the cameras, lenses and accessories. There doesn't seem to be anything as comprehensive for Hasselblad.

At this stage I don't have any further particular questions, but I will remember your offer - thanks!