553elx VS 503cxi/cw with Winder

[David Winter]

Would be interested in comments regarding advantages/disadvantages
of these different motorized cameras. Is one better than the other, or are there situations better suited for one over the other?

Decades ago, a 500elm with 70mm back was my mainstay. Now with 70mm film gone and different needs/interests, is either motorized system much needed?

 

[bensonga]

Would be interested in comments regarding advantages/disadvantages
of these different motorized cameras. Is one better than the other, or are there situations better suited for one over the other?

Decades ago, a 500elm with 70mm back was my mainstay. Now with 70mm film gone and different needs/interests, is either motorized system much needed?

Hi David. I have both a 553ELX and a 503/CW winder combination. The 553ELX was my first motorized 'Blad. I don't think a motorized system using a standard A12 back is needed for most purposes (certainly not for my uses), but very good condition 553ELX bodies are so inexpensive now, I couldn't resist giving it a try.

If I had to choose between these two, I'd go with a 503CW body (or the less expensive CXi) and the CW winder. In my experience, this combination makes the standard 'Blad body more comfortable to hand hold, at the cost of added weight. It only takes a few minutes to add or remove the CW winder, so if you wanted to pare the weight down to the minimum for travel, backpacking or whatever, you'd have that option with the 503/CW combo, which, of course, you couldn't do with the 553ELX.

Gary
Alaska

 

[JAT]

Hi David. I have both a 553ELX and a 503/CW winder combination. The 553ELX was my first motorized 'Blad. I don't think a motorized system using a standard A12 back is needed for most purposes (certainly not for my uses), but very good condition 553ELX bodies are so inexpensive now, I couldn't resist giving it a try.

If I had to choose between these two, I'd go with a 503CW body (or the less expensive CXi) and the CW winder. In my experience, this combination makes the standard 'Blad body more comfortable to hand hold, at the cost of added weight. It only takes a few minutes to add or remove the CW winder, so if you wanted to pare the weight down to the minimum for travel, backpacking or whatever, you'd have that option with the 503/CW combo, which, of course, you couldn't do with the 553ELX.

Gary
Alaska

If you decide to work with the CFV-backs, then the 503CW becomes a better option. Less problems to mount the battery.

 

[Arthurwg]

My understanding is that the Winder gizmo is very fragile and difficult to fix. Top repair guy in NYC told me this. I would have wanted a 553elx if I could get 220 in B&W.

 

[RICHARD HUGHES]

Would be interested in comments regarding advantages/disadvantages
of these different motorized cameras. Is one better than the other, or are there situations better suited for one over the other?

Decades ago, a 500elm with 70mm back was my mainstay. Now with 70mm film gone and different needs/interests, is either motorized system much needed?[/q
Ilford HP5+ 70mm film now available in both perforated and unperforated forms as part of the ILFORD 2013 ULF run. You must order before end of June. They are also selling 120 sized backing paper in 100 foot rolls. You can thus make your own 220 b/w films once more from the unperforated stock (remove about 4.5 mm from each side - trailer and leader paper from 120 backing paper roll). The perforated 70mm can be used in your Hasselblad 70 magazines (+ those from other manufacturers).
Best wishes.

 

[Arthurwg]

Good news that Ilford is making 70mm film and 120 backing paper. I really miss 220 B&W. Perhaps some enterprising specialist will start making 220 film available again.

 

[blowupster]

Well good new for 70mm I used years ago. I sold my 2 70mm backs for nothing on Ebay but got one more one years ago as I bought a kit to get an old lens. I did not sell the last 70mm back as the $ I got with other 70mm gave just enought covered the Ebay fee !

How much and where to buy this 70mm bulk ? BTW to process 70mm film is not simple if you do not have the special tools.

About the old discussion “winder or motorized”:
One years ago I should say the same as written. But other points to consider:
The prize of a motor for 503cw is about 10 time the prize of a 500 EL.
The 500 elx seems not funny with the CFV witch seems more adapted for 503CW but it’s not the case:
Once I discover that a photograph used the “L” bracket to cary the battery when he use the 500 CM with the cfv digital back. I was surprised so ask him why he did so. Then he explain me that when he use the body with film all the hand catch the body and when he use the body with the correct set up for the battery with the digital back, then he cann not carry the body correctly: not comfortable and less safe than with film.

I compared and yes the battery is clearly bad situated for big hand and the “L” bracket help to maintain safely the body with digital back.
Ok the 500ELX win.
Second, if you put the 500CM with the digital on a table the battery is on stress and later you will need to repair the electrical contact (not problem with the internal clock ?) that will cost more than a ….ELX
No problem with the ELX
If you have problem to focus you may need to set up the screen viewfinder level. With the ELX it’seasy, with the 503cw specials tools are needed (to set up at hasselbald’s is the cost of the ELX body and take long time).
The ELX motor goes faster than winder (faster than the digital back buffer too !)
EL line offer different entry for electrical release (ok the 503 with the winder too) and I use one with the CFV witch allow long exposure in B (set x sec. on the digital back) and I put a flash trigger (slave mode for the ELX) so I got a remote release wifi that works even with sun light .