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500c compatability issues

P

petebarker

New Member
Sorry if this has be previously posted but I've google'd it over and over and i can't seem to find an answer.

I have been looking at a 500c (serial number beginning with TC - that makes it from 65 right?) that has been advertised at a good price - however i would like to know if there are any compatibility issues between it and the rest of the 500 series cameras and accessory's.

For instance - someone said that you cant use the newer film backs on a Hassalblad prior the the 500c/m and that the same goes for the focusing screen where as other people have claimed that there is no problem with either of these so called issues.

Any help concerning these 'problems' or any other other issues i might run into would be really appreciated.

Cheers

Pete
 
Hi Pete,

The forum is here to help you no matter if these questions were asked before.

The strength of the V series lies in an unequalled amount of accessory's for it.
With a few exceptions, like the winder developed for the 503CXi and 503 CW,
almost all major parts are forwards and backwards compatible.

The first 500C was sold in 1957 while the 503CW as last developed body is still available.
All film backs from 1957 till now will fit your 500C.
The 500C also takes the CFV digital back that was designed for the V series!

You may wish to upgrade the focusing screen for a later one from the Acute Matte range.
These newer screens make focusing easier especially when light levels are low.
Fitting has to be done by a technician for two reasons:
The 500C does not have the later system that allows a user to change the screen.
The new screen needs to be adjusted after removal of the present screen.
Secondly the metal frame around the later screens needs to be removed as the screen is
held in position by a special frame that belongs to the 500C body.
It is not a big disadavantage unless you have a habit of changing screens regularly. In that case a 500CM body may be a better choice.
The 500 CM allows users to change the screen. No adjustment necessary.

If you have any other questions just shoot.

Paul
 
petebarker said:
Sorry if this has be previously posted but I've google'd it over and over and i can't seem to find an answer.

I have been looking at a 500c (serial number beginning with TC - that makes it from 65 right?) that has been advertised at a good price - however i would like to know if there are any compatibility issues between it and the rest of the 500 series cameras and accessory's.

Pete
Click to expand...

Hi Pete,

Not knowing what you call a good price or not, please note that you want to get this 500C to a repair technician for a clean/lube/adjustment. It depends a bit on how much hard work this camera had to perform, but in general Hasselblad's like a regular service. Not unlike cars.

In particular, a camera of this age will most likely will need new foam mounting pads behind its mirror. The foam degrades over time, and having it in good shape is essential to get the mirror at 45 degrees. Which, of course, in turn is essential to get the focusing right.

So what I want to say is this: do calculate a service into the purchase price.

As for compatibility: even a brand new US$20000 digital back will fit on your 1965 500C. Impressive compatibility if you ask me :)

Wilko
 
Not knowing what you call a good price or not, please note that you want to get this 500C to a repair technician for a clean/lube/adjustment. It depends a bit on how much hard work this camera had to perform, but in general Hasselblad's like a regular service. Not unlike cars.
Click to expand...
The seller has it listed at £105 + finder (but no lens or back) - I'm presuming its fairly scruffy but in working order as the shop that has it in is fairly reputable - but I'm going to talk to the guy tomorrow.

Thanks for the help/info.

Cheers
 
polypal said:
Hi Pete,

The forum is here to help you no matter if these questions were asked before.

The strength of the V series lies in an unequalled amount of accessory's for it.
With a few exceptions, like the winder developed for the 503CXi and 503 CW,
almost all major parts are forwards and backwards compatible.

The first 500C was sold in 1957 while the 503CW as last developed body is still available.
All film backs from 1957 till now will fit your 500C.
The 500C also takes the CFV digital back that was designed for the V series!

You may wish to upgrade the focusing screen for a later one from the Acute Matte range.
These newer screens make focusing easier especially when light levels are low.
Fitting has to be done by a technician for two reasons:
The 500C does not have the later system that allows a user to change the screen.
The new screen needs to be adjusted after removal of the present screen.
Secondly the metal frame around the later screens needs to be removed as the screen is
held in position by a special frame that belongs to the 500C body.
It is not a big disadavantage unless you have a habit of changing screens regularly. In that case a 500CM body may be a better choice.
The 500 CM allows users to change the screen. No adjustment necessary.

If you have any other questions just shoot.

Paul
Click to expand...

Cheers for the help.

Pete
 
The price is not bad but it may be advisable to look for a set and not just for a body.
Buying a set is often cheaper than buying all the parts separately.
Also the price difference between a 500C and the later 500CM is not all that big.
A 500 CM is a younger camera and has the advantage of easily changing the focusing screen.
 
petebarker said:
The seller has it listed at £105 + finder (but no lens or back) - I'm presuming its fairly scruffy but in working order as the shop that has it in is fairly reputable - but I'm going to talk to the guy tomorrow.

Thanks for the help/info.

Cheers
Click to expand...

You might want to look at the Hasselblad 500C, CM inventory at KEH. When I was "new" and looking for my first 500, I decided to be a "chicken" and paid a little more for a reliable dealer with a good return policy. It's also fun to look at a large inventory of all of the bits and pieces that can go into a "kit".

http://www.keh.com/onlinestore/home.aspx

Steve
 
Also, while you are looking for the "right" Hasselblad, you might want to buy a copy of the Hasselblad Manual by Ernst Wildi..fifth edition.. Highly recommended reading..especially for knowing how to avoid jamming the system, loading the film magazines and other "goodies". A fun book to read is the "Hasselblad System Compendium" by Richard Norton.

Steve
 
Importing a camera from KEH does not make a lot of sense even with a very weak US dollar.
There is quite a lot of used gear for sale in Europe.
That saves customs duty and expensive shipping.

KEH is a great site to see what is available for the 500 series.
 
polypal said:
Importing a camera from KEH does not make a lot of sense even with a very weak US dollar.
There is quite a lot of used gear for sale in Europe.
That saves customs duty and expensive shipping.

KEH is a great site to see what is available for the 500 series.
Click to expand...

I agree, I was suggesting more to use it as a Catalog.

Steve
 
Thanks again for all the replys.

I ordered the 500c and it arrived in the post today.

Just one more question - when i wind and the fire the camera the mirror stays up until the next time i wind the camera on - i presume this is normal but i would like reassurance of someone who knows more about it than me.

Cheers
 
petebarker said:
Thanks again for all the replys.

I ordered the 500c and it arrived in the post today.

Just one more question - when i wind and the fire the camera the mirror stays up until the next time i wind the camera on - i presume this is normal but i would like reassurance of someone who knows more about it than me.

Cheers
Click to expand...

Yes, that is normal.
 
One more thing.

When i finish a roll of film what do i do to get it to roll completely onto the other spool?

With the Mamiya C33 i use to use i just continued cranking the film advance lever and that was that.

I'm only asking because when i finished the first roll and presumed that the film would be neatly on the other spool it wasn't - it was close to the end of the roll but was still attached to the other spool as well.


Cheers.
 
After the 12th exposure you need to tranport the film till it is completely wound on the take up spool.
That is standard practise for any camera using roll film.

Depending on the model film back you either use the little crank at the RH side of the back or you turn the knob at the RH side of the earlier 12 film back.

To get acquainted with your camera you can download a users manual at: hasselblad.se.
Register as a user by taking the 501C camera model and fill in the body number of your camera.
There is no 500C mentioned there.

Maybe Hasselblad does not know these cameras are still being used by a lot of enthousiasts.
The 500C is a camera that changed photography and deserves to be recognised as a true classic.
 
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