What is this Hasselblad module on my 250mm Sonnar?

[Nelson Tan]

Hi guys,

I just purchased a Carl Zeiss 250mm Sonnar T* with a strange Hasselblad module mounted on it. It seems to be a light meter with motorized coupling to the aperture and shutter speed rings. I've never seen or heard of anything like this.

It doesn't seem to be working, even after I connected it to my 500EL. I'm thinking of disassembling it to remove it since it seems to be firmly fixed to the lens. Any clues will be helpful!

 

[santino]

freaky!!!
unfortunately no helpful input... 😀

 

[Pete B]

Looks like early autoexposure
Pete

 

[Roger Hicks]

http://www.hasselbladinfo.com/xf/index.php?threads/automatic-exposure-aperture.3755/

Cheers,

R.

 

[Nelson Tan]

Wonderful... thanks for the help Roger!

 

[mfogiel]

I am copying the Hasselblad Compendium:
"In 1974 Hasselblad introduced a very advanced system that provided automatic exposure control for four of its lenses. The units were permanently mounted to an 80,100,150 or 250mm lens using kits custom made for each length. Power for the unit was supplied from an EL or EL/M body or from a separate battery compartment for a 500C or C/M camera. One of the side effects of the modification of the lens is that the original serial number which is on the front part of the lens, is exchanged for a different piece for the kit. These pieces have special serial numbers for these auto aperture lenses. They have the serial numbers that begin with "B" e.g. for an 80mm B10250 and B10629, 250mm B 40062 and B 40100. "...
I suspect, that these lenses are quite rare, and if yours is in a good condition, it might fetch some serious money one day, much better than investing in T bills... Buy yourself another one, or better yet, get the 150 Sonnar and a 2x Mutar - a much more useful combination.

 

[Nokton48]

That is the autoexposure version of the 250mm Sonnar. It plugs directly into the motorized Hasselblad EL/M or a seperate Hasselblad power source. Very cool item.

 

[Nelson Tan]

Unfortunately, mine has a cracked housing and the module doesn't seem to be working even though I plugged it into my 500EL. The lens is pretty good condition though, so I might just keep it aside as you suggest because the viewfinder is abysmally dim with the f/5.6 on the 500EL screen!

I am copying the Hasselblad Compendium:
"In 1974 Hasselblad introduced a very advanced system that provided automatic exposure control for four of its lenses. The units were permanently mounted to an 80,100,150 or 250mm lens using kits custom made for each length. Power for the unit was supplied from an EL or EL/M body or from a separate battery compartment for a 500C or C/M camera. One of the side effects of the modification of the lens is that the original serial number which is on the front part of the lens, is exchanged for a different piece for the kit. These pieces have special serial numbers for these auto aperture lenses. They have the serial numbers that begin with "B" e.g. for an 80mm B10250 and B10629, 250mm B 40062 and B 40100. "...
I suspect, that these lenses are quite rare, and if yours is in a good condition, it might fetch some serious money one day, much better than investing in T bills... Buy yourself another one, or better yet, get the 150 Sonnar and a 2x Mutar - a much more useful combination.

 

[GarageBoy]

95% of them have a cracked housing
Did you plug it in and point it at various light sources? (and turn it on)
It's loud, but it works

 

[dbarnes]

Too cool!

Someone will want it intact.