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Buy a 503 CWD or wait

M

macmx

Member
Hi,

I'm getting rid of all my other photo gear and and am planning to move to Hasselblad. I want to buy a new camera and digital back. I was thinking of going for the 503 CWD. What are your thoughts on this. Especially, with the just posted thread about what's brewing in Hasselblad HQ's.

I don't know what to do. I want to make the move NOW, but I'm not sure whether I should wait or not? Like with computers, I guess you can always wait half a year more to get something new, but somtimes you just have to go for it.

My budget lies around the 503 CWD or simply the CW+back.

Let me know your thoughts. I am totally new to Hassie's and their tradition of introducing products etc. I just don't want to regret right away of it could have been avoided.

Any help will be much appreciated. Thanks.
 
There is something better coming and then something better after that. I think you answered your own question when you said your budget is around 503cw. With rebate, the digital 503cw is $10,995. The CFV back alone, is $8995. With only a quick look at used 503cw at KEH, I couldn't match that price with used, good quality gear. I think you will really like the digital 503cw.

Another factor in favor of getting the 503 is the availability of used lenses and other accessories at "reasonable" prices.

Steve
 
My budget lies around the 503 CWD or simply the CW+back>

Marcus:

I doubt that any new package will essentially offer a free lens. And, looking at the money you will save with the current package, you will be able to add a film back or two, and a prism finder, or other accessories.

Since there is a rebate you cannot suspect that there will be a newer back, but will it be in your price range, and then will the current offer still be available?

Remember no one can predict the future!

Good Luck:

Gilbert
 
Thanks guys.

That's what I was thinking as well.
I have no experience with Hasselblad, but can I count on that they will not completely abandon the V-series, meaning if I buy the CWD I will most likely be able to buy new lenses that are coming out as well as upgrading to a better digiback should that come in the future?

I think the CWD is great for the price and would be a good starting point for getting into these cameras.
 
That's what I was thinking as well.
I have no experience with Hasselblad, but can I count on that they will not completely abandon the V-series, meaning if I buy the CWD I will most likely be able to buy new lenses that are coming out as well as upgrading to a better digiback should that come in the future?

I think it is doubtful that "new" lenses are going to be introduced for the 500 series but there are plenty of "old lenses" available to make most people happy. If you have no experience with Hasselblad, you might want to look at the Hasselblad "stuff" available at KEH.com. (I have no connection with that business)
 
" ... but can I count on that they will not completely abandon the V-series,"

So, what if they do? They have to maintain service and parts on new cameras sold for many years. Used 500 series gear is all over the place and so are repair places.

" ...if I buy the CWD I will most likely be able to buy new lenses that are coming out?

Probably no new lenses unless Zeiss decides to make some. Can't imagine what they'd be anyway ... the V lens system is already extensive.

" ... as well as upgrading to a better digiback should that come in the future?"

Almost every major digital back maker offers their products for the 500 series cameras ... I'm sure that'll include future ones also.

Relax, get the camera and go make photos. It's an excellent machine, and any future one will be sure to cost more and provide incremental gains most people won't even notice.
 
Okay Marc, you totally have my convinced! Damn you. Who is to deny love, even if it doesn't fit your rationale? I am totally in love with this camera. It's everything I've ever been looking for. Despite its inability to function with Aperture (which I love).

I'm getting it. Done and done.
 
"Okay Marc, you totally have my convinced! Damn you. Who is to deny love, even if it doesn't fit your rationale? I am totally in love with this camera. It's everything I've ever been looking for. Despite its inability to function with Aperture (which I love).

I'm getting it. Done and done."

"Inability to function with Aperture??" The Hasselblad dig backs only work with Flexcolor. I use LR and CS3. Export DNG from Flexcolor; import into LR. I assume Aperture can import DNG or TIFF, if so, no problem.

Steve
 
Yes that's exactly what I'm planning on doing. Just a little more work, that's all. But it'll be totally fine.
 
Marcus Clausen (Macmx) wrote on August 21:

' 2007 - 1:15 pm,Bought and bought! Very excited.'
Click to expand...

Congratulations!!! Now that the hook has been set; now for more lenses, motor winder, prism finder..on and on and on. The best add on that I have gotten for my 5023cw is the PME45 metered prism. For me, a hobbyist with little talent, it eliminates a lot of screwing around and guessing. The meter works very well with the CFV back.

Steve
 
Marcus:

Good Move!

I'm going to be broke by the end of the week.>

Yes, but as a very dear WWII Marine friend of mine told me many years ago shortly before he died, when I mentioned to him about buying a Hasselblad system.

He replied, "Look at what you will have!"


Regards:

Gilbert
 
Marcus wrote:
Yes, I already started looking for lenses. I'm going to be broke by the end of the week.



Hahaha!
Welcome to the world of european medium format gear
It is almost perennial.


Eduardo
 
I am quite experienced within dslr's, but going to medium format is something else. I hope I will learn fast. Hopefully, the constant pick pocketing from myself WON'T be everlasting.

You should think I could get cheap equipment here in Denmark. But nooo.... I need to become friends with the guys down the street.
 
Gilbert,

Am glad you have this view and your friend spoke very truthfully.

In my life, though I am young, I have experienced little that has given me as much satisfaction as my discovery of photography. It is the best way of documenting, and subsequently remembering, your life and making those memories and moments available to future generations.
 
Marcus wrote:
Yes, I already started looking for lenses. I'm going to be broke by the end of the week.

Handling Hasselblads can be hazardous to your wallet.

Steve
 
As long as money comes in at least once a month, who cares about the end of the week?
wink.gif
 
First, congratulations Marcus! I look forward to hearing about your experiences once you receive your new camera and back. I would like to build on your original post if you don't mind...

I have been lurking here for awhile (have read alot of posts) and just registered so as to ask Marcus and others here for their thoughts...

I currently have a Nikon D200 and was watching the latest move of Nikon to determine my next move. Obviously was hoping for something that would move me a bit closer to medium format but realize that pixel count is not the only thing to consider and that as Nikon moves so to will the MF makers move as well. Main draw to MF is the increased detail that I have seen in a number of images both here and elsewhere...primary work is intimate landscapes and detail work.

All said, I am a bit hesitant in making a CWD move due to the slight difference between 10 mp and 16 mp (have not seen anything that shows the true difference...should this be a concern), the 22 mp of the Mamiya ZD (price point and pixel count) and the pending Hasselblad activity (potentially something new?) that Marc Williams mentions in another post.

So, thoughts...am I missing anything? Appreciate your thoughts/comments and what I have learned from you all to date.

Best regards -- Bishop
 
I currently own a Canon 1D Mk2 N with four L lenses - so on the high/expensive side of Canon. That means I'm doubling my megapixels when moving to Hasselblad.
When I get the mf camera, I will try and compare the two, and perhaps take similar images of the same object, to see the differences.
I will keep you posted on my first experiences with the Hasselblad.

Generally, I think you should be less concerned about the mp's, since what sets Hasselblad apart is so much more. I have a Leica D-lux 3, which is a 10mp camera, but it still doesn't come close to my Eos, which is 8.2, although it's still a really good compact cam.

As for the CWD, it is still a very attractive camera package at a "reasonable" price. If something new comes along, hey you've still got that wonderful camera you always wanted and it will still do all those things you bought it for, it just won't be the newest one out there.

Also, I concluded from the many replies in this forum, that anything better/newer than the CWD will probably cost a whole lot more. But this is just guesswork.
 
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