What is the difference between a Hasselblad PME-51 and a PME-3?

[Henry Alive]

I have the opportunity to buy a PME-3 Hasselblad Meter Prism for a good price, but I am not sure if this is the best choice. I would appreciate your opinion about this two Meter Prism and also your recommendation.
Thanks,
Henry.

 

[Olof B]

Both the PME 3 and PME 51 are for use with Acute-Matte screens.
But the PME 51 are newer, first available in 1994 to 2000. PME 3 from 1987 to 1991. (you've got a PME 5 in between).

Usually I would suspect newer is better, but I have a PME 3 from 1988 which is doing really nice.

If you have the possibility to look at and through them both before purchase, go for the one that looks best. If the price is about the same.

I like my prism but its adds some weight and bulk to the camera. But it adds a corrected sidewise view and a meeter.

 

[wbulte]

Both the PME 3 and PME 51 are for use with Acute-Matte screens.

Make that: their meters are calibrated for AM screens. I owned an older VFC6 prism which my service technician recalibrated for an AM screen. Hasselblad even had standard "Calibrated for <part#>" stickers that they stuck onder the eyepiece (my PME3 has one too).

 

[Fliger747]

Nice enough prism, but make sure you get a battery for it, PX28....

T

 

[wbulte]

Nice enough prism, but make sure you get a battery for it, PX28....

T

Yep. No problem, readily available on camera fairs around here, as well as online. Note that both silveroxide as well as alkaline versions of the PX28 exist. Both work (in my experience) but I think the silveroxide last longer.

 

[blowupster]

Sorry for my contribution but the big difference between PME and PME 51 is the fact that the "51" is usable with "20x" bodies too. It has the the 2 blue lines that mean "202, 203 205" compatible !
I modified my early PM to use it on my FA 202 years ago.
The misunderstand is the fact that "E" means electric for lenses, body and …early viewfinder. But first "PM-E" viewfinders are not compatibles with newer elctric body !

 

[Fliger747]

Thanks for the further clarification on the labyrinthian Hasselblad nomenclature. The two prisms I have are the PME90 and PME5. Both have the front cutout in the base frame to allow one to see the meter functions of the 200 series cameras.

I really like the PME90 but sadly it does not fit with the CFV. For this reason it would be nice to have the PME45, but it's not currently a thousand dollars better than the PME5.... Etc.

Cheers. T

 

[blowupster]

The PM90 is a bad choise for CFV for 2 reasons:
1- It does not fit (!)
2- The magnification is not enought. Not pratical for "digital focussing".

Now I use the standard viewfinder, the 4x4 and a old 90° viewfinder for A-70 back. Some time the "new" PME45 that allow to change dioptry (I need different the morning / late in the evening). The next goal is to change the eye lens of my early PM 45 for a "telescope" that allow a 6x magnifcation.

 

[Fliger747]

The PME 90 has a flat field and bright optics as well as good metering. For much of the aerial work I used the camera for, it was a good accessory. The PME5 has a bit of curvature of field and doesn't work as well with progressive lenses as I might like. I still have and use the stovepipe which is lightweight and has the adjustable eyepiece that some of the other prisms should have.

Cheers. T

 

[wbulte]

Sorry for my contribution but the big difference between PME and PME 51 is the fact that the "51" is usable with "20x" bodies too. It has the the 2 blue lines that mean "202, 203 205" compatible !
I modified my early PM to use it on my FA 202 years ago.
The misunderstand is the fact that "E" means electric for lenses, body and …early viewfinder. But first "PM-E" viewfinders are not compatibles with newer elctric body !

So you cut a bit off the stainless stell rim of the PME? That is what I would have done if I had had a 200-series body.

 

[Fliger747]

The PME5 which I bought from KEH came with the front cutout. Be nice to have a 200 series camera, but it may be a blessing with the CVF50 to be using the tried and true 500 CM that I have had since new low many years past.

Cheers. T

 

[blowupster]

So you cut a bit off the stainless stell rim of the PME? That is what I would have done if I had had a 200-series body.

I did it long years ago.
I got the 202FA without viewfinder on Ebay and I had the old PM…and pictures to do.
I had to cut, but not only the rim. It was a nightmare to read 100% of the electronic sceen of the 202 FA with the PM. I took more time than expected. Not easy to cut iron for optical instrument when you have not the good tool in your kitchen.

 

[polarcircle]

Do your modification allow you to see the numbers -was it just a cut off of the front of the steel rim?

Sorry for my contribution but the big difference between PME and PME 51 is the fact that the "51" is usable with "20x" bodies too. It has the the 2 blue lines that mean "202, 203 205" compatible !
I modified my early PM to use it on my FA 202 years ago.
The misunderstand is the fact that "E" means electric for lenses, body and …early viewfinder. But first "PM-E" viewfinders are not compatibles with newer elctric body !

 

[Fliger747]

Good tip for someone who might have the same issue. I think the modified prisms are more available now at a reasonable cost (for Hasselblad...).

KEH had a better selection of prisms than what was available at a popular Internet auction site, at least when I bought.

Cheers. T

 

[blowupster]

Do your modification allow you to see the numbers -was it just a cut off of the front of the steel rim?

When I just cut, I was not able to read the numbers.
I had to work more to get the numbers.

With a 202FA you need to read numbers to know the used speed. With the FE203 in M no.

 

[polarcircle]

How did you fix this mod so that the nymber could be seen? Curious

When I just cut, I was not able to read the numbers.
I had to work more to get the numbers.

With a 202FA you need to read numbers to know the used speed. With the FE203 in M no.

 

[blowupster]

How did you fix this mod so that the nymber could be seen? Curious

Nowaday, it's not worth the effort as you may find hudge of PM51 or new PM45. I will try to remember what I had to do lot of years ago: The viewfinder has to move more in front to read numbers, So I removed 2mm of metal in the front of the viwfinder, then inside of the viewfinder, I had to remove 1or 2mm of metal that hide numbers too and then I had to push the prisme inside the viefinder too. I spent a lot of time as I had to remove all optical stuff to work and after finishing and assemble all optical (4 times) I noticed that it was not enought.

 

[polarcircle]

Of course with todays second hand prices no need to these mods. However, Its always intersting to hear how mods were being done and why. Thanks for the interesting description.

Nowaday, it's not worth the effort as you may find hudge of PM51 or new PM45. I will try to remember what I had to do lot of years ago: The viewfinder has to move more in front to read numbers, So I removed 2mm of metal in the front of the viwfinder, then inside of the viewfinder, I had to remove 1or 2mm of metal that hide numbers too and then I had to push the prisme inside the viefinder too. I spent a lot of time as I had to remove all optical stuff to work and after finishing and assemble all optical (4 times) I noticed that it was not enought.

 

[Fliger747]

Looking closely at the PME5 not only is there a cutout in the metal base rim, there is also a rebate at the base of the prism glass. Mine does have the two small blue stripes. The prisms are variously available at Evil Bay and KEH often has a very good selection at a reasonable price.

I have a PME90 which is a beautiful piece of equipment, but does not fit with the CFV backs. The PME45 is also a great prism, but curently about 5 times the price of the PME series and twice the PME90 (average used prices). I would have gone with the PME45, but the price is currently a bit out of line for whatever advantage it might have.

Cheers: Tom