Using a CF adaptor: Does shutter & aperture still had ego be manually set?

[Deano]

Im thinking about getting a H2 but have held back as I have a 503CW with three lenses. I was informed that using a CF adaptor would enable me to use these lenses on the H2.

What I was wondering is will I still have to manually set the shutter speed and aperture on the lens?

Sorry if this sounds like a stupid question..

 

[Ed Bray]

I have a H1D and bought a CF adapter to enable me to use my V series lenses (40mm, 50mm, 80mm, 150mm, 180mm and 250mm) as I doubted I would be able to afford to purchase other lenses than the 80mm I got with the camera.

It works well and is a beautiful piece of clever engineering, but in answer to your question, Yes, you do need to set the aperture and shutter speed on the lens just as you would have had to on your 503CW. When you trip the shutter button on the H body, it closes the aperture and fires the shutter in the lens. In order to take another image you need to cock the lens with the lever on the adapter.

Since then and due to a bit of luck I have managed to purchase both 35mm and 150mm HC lenses so no longer need the adapter as I no longer need to use the V system lenses and to this end I have put the V system lenses up for sale and the CF adapter will be following them very soon.

 

[fotografz]

Im thinking about getting a H2 but have held back as I have a 503CW with three lenses. I was informed that using a CF adaptor would enable me to use these lenses on the H2.

What I was wondering is will I still have to manually set the shutter speed and aperture on the lens?

Sorry if this sounds like a stupid question..

The CF and CFi V lenses are mechanical and the H camera is electronic. There is no interface, so yes, you have to manually set the lens aperture and leaf shutter speed. However, the lens remains auto stop down and shooting just like it was mounted on a 500 series camera.

The CF adapter has a PC cord that must be plugged into the PC port of the lens to signal the camera to fire.

When you mount the lens on the H camera you must input the lens being used on the H camera's grip menu so it can index the meter. The exceptions to this are the CFE lenses with electronic contacts, which automatically index. CFE lenses are highly desirable for this reason.

-Marc

 

[Ed Bray]

The CF and CFi V lenses are mechanical and the H camera is electronic. There is no interface, so yes, you have to manually set the lens aperture and leaf shutter speed. However, the lens remains auto stop down and shooting just like it was mounted on a 500 series camera.

The CF adapter has a PC cord that must be plugged into the PC port of the lens to signal the camera to fire.

When you mount the lens on the H camera you must input the lens being used on the H camera's grip menu so it can index the meter. The exceptions to this are the CFE lenses with electronic contacts, which automatically index. CFE lenses are highly desirable for this reason.

-Marc

Actually I have found that the PC cord is not needed on my H1 when using the CF adapter.

I accidently fired the shutter once without having attached the PC cord to the lens after having changed lenses, to my surprise the image was captured. I then tried all my lenses without the PC cord and they all worked fine too.

 

[fotografz]

Actually I have found that the PC cord is not needed on my H1 when using the CF adapter.

I accidently fired the shutter once without having attached the PC cord to the lens after having changed lenses, to my surprise the image was captured. I then tried all my lenses without the PC cord and they all worked fine too.

Really?

I wonder how the H camera knows the shutter fired on the lens?

I also wonder why the Hasselblad engineers even put the PC cord on the CV adapter if none is needed?

Interesting.

-Marc

 

[Ed Bray]

Really?

I wonder how the H camera knows the shutter fired on the lens?

I also wonder why the Hasselblad engineers even put the PC cord on the CV adapter if none is needed?

Interesting.

-Marc

Yes, Really!

Excerpt from Hasselblad Manual for the CF adapter (I've just found this manual).

The connecting cable should be attached whether you intend to use flash or not as it not only conveys information about flash synchronisation but completion of the shutter action as well. The adapter/lens combination will work correctly (except for the lack of flash synchronisation) if the cable is not connected but film advance is consequently delayed by 1.5 seconds. Please note that with some older lens types there may be a delay anyway, even if the cable is correctly attached.

 

[fotografz]

Cool!

That sync cord is a PITA, and being able to shoot without it (if you have the time), would be very nice.

-Marc