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WAHOO 203FE back from overseas With CFV ability now

Hi out there in the HASSELBLAD community

Today I received my 203FE back from modification . It was not cheap . For Germany , it is 483 € and it took about 8 weeks to get the camera back .

A question to all of you out there having a modified 203FE .
The only difference I can see , is the indication on the left lower side of the camera , telling "Modified for dedicated HASSELBLAD digital backs" . Did you also receive a special screen for the camera , showing the marks for the cropped image . ? ?

First test shots show a slight difference for the ISO setting .
When I set the BACK for ISO 100 , I must set the camera for ISO 80 . And so on for higher ISO ratings .
I believe this can happen and is within tolerances of the meter in the camera .
What is your experience ?

After quite a lot of test shots , I believe the 203FE will be the camera I will use mostly with the CFV back . The camera+back turns out to be easier to use than any small consumer digi thing . The handling is just great .
Now finally I can also use my 5 FE lenses with the CFV . Its the FE2,8/50 , what a monster of glass , the FE2,8/80 and then finally the FE 2,0/110 , my good old F150 , which is for CLA at ZEISS and , with the crop factor of 1.5 my FE250 as a rather long TELE lens .
I see an exciting revival for my 200 serie gear coming up .
 
Jurgen, I DO have the "modified for digital" markings on my 203FE.

I did NOT get a new screen with the cropped area marked.

Did you?

Since a marked screen came with the back, I guess they think that is what you are suppose to use.

I use a mask from Phase One that drops under the focusing screen.
 
Jurgen:

When I set the BACK for ISO 100 , I must set the camera for ISO 80 . And so on for higher ISO ratings .>

It is my understanding that after the modification, ISO can only be set by the camera.

Although, I know you have a lot of equipment I just wonder how you have been able to leave your 110FE on the shelf for so long.
happy.gif


Regards:

Gilbert
 
Gilbert

I have a PDF about the modification of 200 SERIE cameras for CFV BACK , but I just don't know how to post it .
So I give you an excerpt .

# One consequence of the modification is that there is no data transfer of ISO setting from film magazine or digital back . This means that the ISO dial on E magazines (and the zone system dial in case of the older TCC magazines) will no longer function when connected to a modified camera body . However , ISO settings can easily be made on the camera body instead . #

# When using a CFV digital back , an ISO setting has to be made both on the body and on the back . #

So , what we have here is two independant devices , and the camera body's metering system works like a hand held lightmeter , but with the ability of the automatic function of course .

My FE2/100 was sitting on the shelf for a long time , because at the time I bought it (new) I started with LF and that was so new and fascinating , that my HASSELBLAD gear was almost out of job for quite some time .

Regards Jurgen
 
Marc

No , no "cropped marked" screen came with my modified 203FE .
I have two of these screens as I already mentioned earlier and that is of course very handy .
I will make the 203FE my "CFV BACK CAMERA" . The metering is very accurate .
 
# When using a CFV digital back , an ISO setting has to be made both on the body and on the back . #>

Jürgen: Thanks that answers the question. The CFV has to match the camera.

Sorry for the late response I've been on the rode for about a week!

Regards:

Gilbert
 
Wish me luck !!! An exotic 203FE wedding coming up! (no, I'm not marrying my cameras)

Tomorrow starting in at 7AM, I begin 2 days of shooting a Sikh and then a Hindu ceremony. All quite orthodox, many rituals and wonderful sights. Then a second day of shooting for the 1000 guest reception at the Ritz.

I will be doing as much of the 2 ceremonies as I can with two 203FEs ... one with the CFV mounted, and the other with E12 and E24 film backs. I purchased a Pro-pack of Portra 400 VC to really pop all the colors ... along with all the standard stuff including some Portra 800 and rolls of B&W.

I'll get back to all you folks with some results. Maybe a new thread since this one is way to long.

Jurgen, I ordered a second etched screen for the 203FE. Not inexpensive.
 
Hi Marc,

I hope you have fun!

> ... one with the CFV mounted, and the other with E12 and E24 film > backs.

Given your 203 was modified for the CFV (right?), you'd just as soon use a non-E back, right? If so, don't forget to set the film speed in the camera...but you're probably used to that already from the CFV.

Regards,

Austin
 
Thanks Austin. Man, this is what it's all about ... what this stuff was made for.

The modified 203FE will be used exclusively with the CFV. The second 203FE is dedicated to film using the e-backs No favorites, equal billing.

I got a beefy boy assistant to tote it all in a single roller bag ... and to keep an eagle eye on it while I'm shooting. I take a smaller shoulder bag with me and load a few lenses in it to roam around with. So I'm taking the 50/28FE, 110/2FE, 150/2.8FE and 250/4FE.

I'll have my Leica M8s there also.
 
To Marc A. Williams (Fotografz)

Good lens choices, I have the same (50/28FE, 110/2FE, 150/2.8FE and 250/4FE), but have not used the 110, or 250 as much as the 50. I would say that my 50 is used about 75% of the time, with the 150 about 15%, and 110 and 250 each about 5% of the time.

By the Way, recently (March 17) I have moved to the Seattle area.

Richard
 
Marc

It is very practical to have 2 etched screens .
As you say , it is not inexpensive . All parts from HASSELBLAD are expensive . I have ordered parts which belong to the SWC . The little black base plate and the shoe for the SWC finder plus 3 little screws . 117,00 € . Puuh . I will build a special viewer for my ARCA .
My APO-SIRONAR-DIGITAL 35mm got stuck with DHL , somewhere . I have bad experience with that . Simon knows very well .

I wish you big success for the wedding session and hopefully all your gear will work properly and not cause any trouble .

Regards Jürgen
 
Would it not have been just as good, and easy, to get an inexpensive (or rather less expensive) screen and apply the desired markings yourself?
 
I just checked B&H, and the CFV screen was less than a standard one by $15.

The etching is very precise and while there to define the area is not distracting. I'm not sure how you would duplicate it. I was using masks but they preclude using film backs interchangeably.
 
Juergen,

If you ever again consider spending that much money on things like a baseplate: I have some used ones that work fine for an attractive price :cool:

Wilko
 
Wilko

Thank you very much .That stupid order dates back to February and I now finally also got the part from ARCA . I have just finished the rework and can now also use the SWC viewer on my ARCA . This is only an interims solution .
The ROTASLIDE does adapt to my 6x9 but does not go together wih the 4,5/35 digital lens .
ARCA will supply a modification soon (so I was told) but there is no hurry as my lens shipment did also not arrive today . The shipment now is delayed already for a week . Nobody can tell me where it is stuck . Frustration seems to be my friend .
 
Marc,

Good screens can of course be found for much less than new price on eBay and in other places.
People have been making their own masks for as long as these puppies exist. In the newer Acute Matte screens it is easiest to score the frame lines with a sharp knife (obviously) in the plastic bottom part.
A very thinly scored line will do. Getting it acurate is not that difficult.

Maybe worth a try if you need another one.
wink.gif
 
> Jürgen, Are you using the Arca 6x9 Hasselblad plate to mount your SW C viewer? How well does the SWC screen work? Is it brighter than the Arca 6 x9 screen? I just ordered an adapter plate to mount my Silvestri stitching back to my Arca 4x5 camera. Typically, a sliding back adapter will cost abo ut 10mm in focus distance for wide angle lenses. I'm in the process of cutt ing a square hole in an Arca Swiss recessed 171mm board so I can mount a 6x 9 recessed board to it. This will recess the lens a total of 30mm, helping to counteract some of this distance. I'm also hoping to use my 35mm APO-Gra ndagon on this system.
 
Larry

I have 2 ARCA SWISS to HASSELBLAD adapter boards for the 6x9 camera . Based on the 110mm board . The one I got many years ago (for nothing) as a prototype and completed it myself .
The other one is from last year . They are a bit different , but perform precisely the same function .
The HASSELBLAD screen adapter SWC (41050) will not work properly . You obtain a distorted center and dark corners . So the focus screen adapter (41057) , the one also for FLEXBODY and ARCBODY , works fine .
I have the ARCA screen (6x9) but do not use it when using my CFV back. Also it has no split screen center .
The 10mm (some might take 8mm or even 12mm) , a sliding back will take away , are a problem when using the 35mm and 28mm digital lenses from SCHNEIDER or RODENSTOCK , because the rear lens barrel resides within the sliding back frame and therefore a slide operation might interfere with the lens and the sensor . This might be different with the different makes of sliding adapters , but in general , as you say , a sliding adapter will take away about 10mm (stability) , and therefore the lens must be positioned 10mm closer . (more recessed) . ARCA has recognized this problem and are working on a solution . I assume it will be a kind of forced "lift back" when sliding .
The 45mm APO GRANDAGON would work with no problem . Without sliding back , there are still 5mm between the rear barrel and the camera frame , so you can shift more than the sensor would allow . I cant talk for the 35mm APO-GRANDAGON but it should even be better , as the "Auflagemass" is 12mm less and the total length about 10mm less .
So there should not be any trouble at all .
For your 35mm APO-GRANDAGON you will need a recessed board of 15mm when using the 6x9 camera and 25mm when using the 4x5 back . Also , there is now a SW angle bellow , with just one fold , available . I have it and shifts are no problem any more .
The total length of the digital lenses is bigger and therefore won't fit with all view cameras and/or sliding adapters .

Good luck for your rework .

Regards Jürgen
 
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