503 CW vs 501 CM

[wayne1]

I have been using the X1D and X2D camera for a while. I have never shot film, but I have become obsessed with the idea of trying film with a V camera; hard to explain why, but I want the experience, particularly looking at the scene through the waist level optical view finder with the acute D screen. I have been reading what I can find about the cameras and it seems to me that the best choice would be either a 503 CW or 501 CM. Is the only difference in these cameras the "sliding mirror" in the 503 CW? I would appreciate any advice on the choice. I would use it for landscape photography. Any advice on an initial choice of lens would also be most welcome. Looks like the Zeiss 80 mm was the standard. I have seen reference to a Zeiss distagon 40mm FLE as an outstanding lens for the cameras.

Thanks!

Wayne

[Georg Kovalcik]

501cm and 503cw both have the gliding mirror system. The 503cw has additionally a sensor for TTL flash metering and the option to attach a winder. The winder is heavy and bulky (I have one and never use it), the TTL flash needs a rare dedicated Hasselblad flash or a long obsolete SCA adapter. I would simply choose the one with the better condition.

[wayne1]

Georg
Thank you! On ebay, there are bodies in "mint" condition for both the 503 cw and 501 cm, and the 501 cm appears to be a bit more expensive for some reason. Most are in Japan.  There are also "mint" condition systems available with the 80 mm Zeiss 2.8 A12  film back. Whether or not I get the body alone or the system depends on whether or not I want the standard 80 mm Zeiss or something more interesting. I am leaning toward buying a 501CM system with the 80 mm lens.

Wayne

[Georg Kovalcik]

"Most are in Japan" - well, if you are in the US, I don´t know the amount of customs and taxes you have to pay. I live in the EU and when importing from Japan it´s about 1/3 of the selling price and thus more expensive than buying in the EU in most cases. Another thing is, that I have the impression that what is called "mint" in Japan would be "B" at best here in Europe. So look very careful at photos provided.

Buying a complete package (camera body plus A12 magazine and 80 Planar) should get you a better deal than buying in parts. Just make absolutely sure that the acute matte type d screen is included. It´s not uncommon that sellers put in an old screen and sell the acute matte for an extra $ or € 400,-.

[Dicky]

Hi Wayne

Shooting film on the V system is great fun ...
Recommend putting the darkslide on a lanyard, that way its doesnt go missing and the A12 or Polaroid back isnt then stuck on the camera body!!
ACMS there is such a thing as a "D fetish" but thats all it is as any ACMS will do the job, just be aware the split-prism style of ACMS may begin to black-out with the the longer lenses and ext rings ie, on the CF120 Makro-Planar!!

Over the years its the 501c edition of the C80mm Planar that has proved to be my favourite razor-sharp lens on location, sometimes the CF150 Sonnar but mainly the 501c edition of the C80mm Planar.
The CF 40 FLE Distagon? Love it but only ever used it for Hotel Interiors and Corporate Campaigns, way back in the Bahrain days!

Both of our V system bodies (500 EL/M and the 501c) are "Right-Old-Slappas" due to their older style of mirror design and return, but I still love them both dearly!!
Love shooting Ilford XP2 Super C-41 process B+W on MF

Top tip is always look at the V system body to film-back mounting plate, especially around and just immediately above the lower mounting lugs to give you an idea of exactly "how used the body is".
Being able to get everything spot on in a single shot on film is groovy and always will be

Wish you lots of creative fun with film,
Best wishes 

[mikaelo67]

Here is a comparison between the Hasselblad 500 Classic to the 503CW. This makes it easier for you to see the differences between the models.

I have a bunch of bodies. The 501CM, 503CX, 503CW, 205FCC, Flexbody and a 903SWC . I mainly use the 503 and the 205. Nothing wrong at all on the 501CM. It has just become my backup body. They all work with Hbl's newer digital backs and they are all wonderful cameras.

Regarding the view screen. Hasselblad manufactured a "new" view screen for the digital backs that just drops into your camera. The new ones have split image and also markings for the digital sensor non square format. I bought a few of these and I like them a lot.

One difference between the 501CM and 503CW  is that Hasselblad started using a new Palpas coating inside the body to reduce flares.
Another not very significant difference is that on SOME 503CW the ISO dial goes up to 3200. This is not the case on the 501CM and not on all 503CW. I don't know when the change happened on the 503CW.

If you would like the full tabulated history of Hasselblad camera models PDF. Just drop me a line with an email adress and I will send it to you.

But whatever you choose you will be happy.

Good luck

[mikaelo67]

One more thing. If you decide to buy a 503CW. Make sure you buy it without the winder attachment. Or at least that the regular winder knob is in the "package". New 503CW knobs are expensive and sometimes hard to get. And I can guarantee you dont want to use the automatic winder. As Georg said. I also have one. And I never use it.

Also added another comparison where I added the model Dicky had. And he's a master of what he does. If it's good enough for him. It's good enough for everyone.

[wayne1]

Gentlemen

Thank you all so much! This has been extremely helpful and I learned a lot: (1) be careful of the Japan source (grading, import duties), (2) the 80 mm lens is just fine,  (3) stay away from the winder, and (4) I am sure to greatly enjoy the experience with the V cameras! This is really a great forum.

Mikaelo67, I would love a pdf of the Hasselblad camera models, but I do not know how to send you a personal message.

Wayne

[mikaelo67]

I have sent you a message. Respond to that with your email and I will send you the info.

[JCM-Photos]

If you want also to use a CFVII 50c or 100cdigital back it's important having the 503CW +winder,  because with the digital back you have to rewind after each frame and what doesn't bother with film is for me disturbing in digital. (I use a 503CX also with the  CFVII 50c

[JCM-Photos]

The Planar CF 80 2.& is great, even  better the 110 3.5
I love my Sonnar CF 250 SA but camera shake is an issue
the Distagon CF 50 FLE is great too lighter and smaller than the 40

[mikaelo67]

I don't agree with this at all. You definitely don't need the winder if you are planning to use the CFVII 50c or any other digital back.

I have the winder and never ever use it. I use the digital back without a winder with a smile on my lips and it is part of the charm to manually wind between the photos.

There is of course no autofocus on V cameras, so speed is not a problem. Take your time to think between every picture and enjoy the moment. If you want speed, buy something else. But from your original post it sounds like you are after the analog sensation.

If you want also to use a CFVII 50c or 100cdigital back it's important having the 503CW +winder,  because with the digital back you have to rewind after each frame and what doesn't bother with film is for me disturbing in digital. (I use a 503CX also with the  CFVII 50c

[Georg Kovalcik]

The Planar CF 80 2.& is great, even  better the 110 3.5

Which is easy because a 110 3.5 does not exist.

[wayne1]

One reason (of several) for wanting a V camera and using film is to slow down and be more deliberate, so a winder would not serve this purpose.  Some time in the future I might want to get a digital back, maybe when Hasselblad announces the CFV100c! Still, I would want to use the waist level viewing screen for focusing. From a comment in this thread, Hasselblad makes a special screen for use with the digital back, so I guess that is possible. However, I looked at a few videos where the 503CW was mated to a CFV 50c, but the users seemed to rely on the digital back for focus. In fact there was a comment that focus with the waist level screen and the digital back were not in sync. I hope this is not a general problem. If not, is there any real advantage to using the digital back for focus? I would want to use a shutter in the lens for exposure rather than the electronic shutter.
Wayne

[mikaelo67]

You can choose. When I use my digital back, I most often rely on the waist level finder and just snap away. I don't have a problem with focus for not using that choice. At least not significant enough to care.

If there is a situation where focus is crucial (mostly wide open aperture, using a tripod) you can always use the digital back to double check focus with live view on your back.

I mostly take pictures of people and my go to lens is the CF80 or a CFE80. Depending on which body I use. The 110/2 is a great lens. But i find the 80mm to be very versatile. At least for my needs and liking.

But. I mostly use film, develop myself and scan the negatives with my 907x with the 120mm macro.