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Hassey 500c. New to me.

ECN

New Member
(I didn't know where to put this post so please move to correct destination mods. Thanks)


Good Afternoon Gents,

I just inherited a Hassey 500c from my late grandfather, and I currently am in amazement at this beautiful piece of art. I have no experience in photography but would love to get into it with this camera. I know, probably not a beginners camera, but thanks to the help of a co-worker (ex professional photographer) he has shown me basics on what I need to get me started. I have shot numerous rolls of B&W and a couple of color rolls already, but would like for them to turn out better. I am an art director in Kansas City, so I'm used to the digital revolution and then modifying in Photoshop. But it's almost too easy these days to just point and shoot. I want a challenge. If anyone has tips or hints to help me, I would greatly appreciate it. It's for pleasure only, and my grandmother is tickled pink that I am shooting the camera that has been sleeping for so many years. I have many lenses, filters, and other accessories that I have no clue how to use. Recently, my co-worker has shown me how to use the digital light reader, but I feel guilty asking him all the time how to use this and that. I appreciate any help and tidbits. I'll take a picture of my complete setup, so everyone can get an idea of what I'm dealing with here.

Thanks in advance....

Charlie
 
Hello Charlie,

Welcome to the forum that is exclusively about Hasselblad cameras.

Maybe start with the 80 mm lens and take it from there.
80 mm is in 6X6 what is a 50 mm lens in 35 mm photography.
For Hasselblad the 80 is the standard lens.

Avoid slow shutterspeeds when using the camera hand held i.e. 1/60 is the lower limit.
After a while you will develop a technique that allows slower speeds without too much risk of blur.

There are some good books about the Hasselblad system:
The hasselblad way by Freytag also available in English and of course the
books by Ernst Wildi.
Up till the 6th edition of Wildi books is very useful for film cameras.

If you do not have a camera manual you can download one at www.hasselblad.se
First register your camera. If it is an older model use the 501C to register.

Good luck!

Paul
 
Thanks Paul.

Got it registered. Ordered a copy of the book by Freytag too. I am just learning about shutter speeds and aperture. I only use 400 speed right now. My co-worker suggested that I start out on that. Currently, I am using the 80mm lens. It also came with a 50mm one as well. Both original lenses. Camera also came with a Minolta Auto Meter II, and a Vivitar flash model 283. Both booklets included too.

Also, 3 backs as well. Although, 2 of them never stop at 1 when winding up a fresh roll. I feel these are the original backs as the 3rd one has a small crank and does stop on one. Light appears to leak a little, but its not too drastic and it adds a nice effect.

I'll upload pictures tonight of the camera.

With time, I hope to get better. With luck, I hope to get good.

-C

I know you all know what model I'm talking about, but I took a quick shot of it at work.

DSC00100.jpg
 

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You will be surprised to find out how little Hasselblad cameras have changed in appearance.

If the lens was bought together with the camera body you have a 500 C camera in your hands from about 1966-1967.

On the left hand side you will find a little sign stating Hasselblad made in Sweden.
That is where it reads 500C or 500CM.

The two backs that do not stop at "1" are early model 12 or 24 backs.
Film loading is different.
You do not line up the arrows in the film with the marker if the insert.
Just fit the film to the insert put the insert in the film back.
Open the peephole in the back of the film back and slowly move the film by turning the knob on the RH side of the film back.
As soon as number 1 appears stop and close the cover of the peephole.
Turn the transport knob anti clockwise and the counter shows frame number 1.
Now the back is ready to go.

A light leak is nothing serious. The seals deteriorate with time as they have a foam part that does not last more than a couple of years.
Any camera repairman will be able to fit new seals at modest cost.

For more serious problems contact David Odess in Massachusets.
Check the lenses for shutter action.
Select 1 second, fire the camera while listening with your ear against the lens for the sound of the shutter in the lens.
This should be a smooth even whir.
Irregular or slow shutter action indicate the lens needs a service.

Hasselblad V series cameras are mechanical devices that like fresh lubricants every 3-5 years.

Enjoy the Freytag book it will answer most questions.
 
It is always a joy to see an image of these HASSELBLAD beauties .

I will present some new images soon .
I am impatiently waiting for a SWA and a 1000F . (Not 1000FK! ! ! :D)

Jurgen
 
Thanks for all the great info. I would have never guess that's what that peephole was for!

Anyhow, I have another question. Since I am brand-new to this game...what exactly would be the right time to use the 50mm lens? What does this lens do? I haven't taken the original one off (see pic) since I've owned it, but what a change in something.
 
here is a scan of my first shot ever with the blad.

bw.jpg

the marks on the picture are from the scanner.
 

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I am impatiently waiting for a SWA and a 1000F . (Not 1000FK! ! ! :D)

Jurgen

I am not sure the conversion from 1000FK to 1000F has been carried out if at all possible.
You will just have to wait and see!

Die erste 1000F(K).JPG

Rare 1956 1000F kamera converted to K mount.
You will come to like this camera Jürgen.
Think of all the great Arsat lenses that are now ready to go!


IMG_1558-2.jpg

A 1982 black 500CM with C series lens.

Not all that different from Charlies camera.
 

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Change is coming!

Wilko,

I am still in favor of chrome plated camera finish. No doubt about it.
After selling your excellent black 500 CM to a young lady I thought it was a good idea to show my black 500 CM with T* lens and later A12 film back.

It is a nice contrast with Jürgens 1000F(K) camera and shows how little the basic design has changed in all those years.
Charlies 500C is somewhere half way and has a strong resemblance to the 1000F camera.

Paul
 
Wide angle beauty

Charlie that is a beautiful 50 mm lens and a rare one too.
Your lens has the later T* coating. That is quite rare for a lens from the first series with silver finish.
T* coating is found on almost all later C series lenses with black finish like the one on my black camera.
No definite production numbers are available but less than 1000 of these silver 50 mm lenses with T* were made by Carl Zeiss in Germany.

Your 80 mm Planar lens has the early coating.
This 50 mm lens has multi coating that is less prone to flare and gives improved colours as well.

The 50 mm is a wide angle lens comparable to what a 35 mm lens is in 35 mm photography.
Wide angle means more of the scene gets in the frame and perspective is changed as well.
For many Hasselblad users the 50 mm is their most used lens.
Fit the lens to the body and look what a wider angle means for the image.

Just use the lens and see what it does for images.
I think you will like the results.

Paul
 
Paul,

I cannot express my gratitude for your help. I appreciate it very much. That 50mm lens is in pristine condition. Not a flaw anywhere, even on the outside. I am having problems trying to get it to mount on the camera itself. It just doesnt seem to 'connect.' I know it fits, its been on there before. I've read that there is a 'dial' or something I need to turn in case this happens. I found a site that shows many examples of this lens, and I now love what it is capable of doing. I also just found another lens, and will have to photograph it since I have no idea what it is. On the outside it just says, Komura Lens for Hasselblad 6x6. My grandpa has a note stuck to it that says, 'increase exposre 2 stops.'

Everywhere I turn, a new lens appears! I like where this is going.

Thanks again,

Charlie.

*oh, and i apologize about the pic of the lens. mine does NOT have the *T sign. i just found it online and thought they were all the same. regardless, this is my lens, without the *T. dang, i thought i had something special!
 
"I am having problems trying to get it to mount on the camera itself. It just doesnt seem to 'connect.'"
************
The lens may not be "cocked. Does the slot on the screw at the back of the lens line up with the red dot? Also order a copy of "The Hasselblad Manual" by E Wildi..4th or 5th edition..used on Amazon.

Steve
 
just found this.

71153524QGLYoWlZhasselblad_50_4_c_t.jpg


have no clue how to use.

Beautiful lens! Try it! I bet you a dime that you will love it! I took my most cherished pictures with a C 4/50 lens (a black one, a T* coated one like yours). Just check if it's shutter is tensioned and stick it on your camera. It is all downhill from there.

Wilko
 
Both the lens and the body need to be in cocked mode before a lens can be fitted to the camera.

The shaft in the body and the slot from the lens need to align otherwise the driving mechanism does not connect.

A lens can only be removed from a camera that is cocked otherwise the slot doe not allow removal of the drive shaft of the body.
Under normal conditions this is never a problem.
Problems arise when the body without a lens is released resulting in a drive shaft that does not align.
The same goes for the lens. The shutter can be tripped by touching the pin inside the brass ring.
That changes the slots position making engaging with the shaft in the camera impossible.

It seems complicated but it is quite simple.
Do not release a body or a lens that is not attached and no harm will be done.
 
It seems complicated but it is quite simple.
Do not release a body or a lens that is not attached and no harm will be done.

And the golden rule is: this whole lens changing process should go smoothly, just a simple 'click' when the camera mount locks the lens in place.

If it does not work smoothly: stop, inspect & think. Do not force.

Should go without saying but..

Wilko
 
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