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Which Hasselblad prism for a 500 CM?

f.hayek

New Member
Looking for the lightest finder best compatible with the acute matte D screen. Which of the many is best for the task?
 
Looking for the lightest finder best compatible with the acute matte D screen. Which of the many is best for the task?
There are 15 different finders available which can all be used with a HB 500CM . They are all out of production , therefore only available on the second hand market .
Do you have a HASSELBLAD COMPENDIUM from Richard Nordin ? All finders are described there . But unfortunately , there are no weights listed .
Try to get access to that compendium .
I feel unable to photograph all pages for you , but will try to help you further .
 
To narrow it down a bit:
  • would you prefer a 90 degree viewfinder or a 45 degree viewfinder
  • would you prefer a metered or unmetered viewfinder
  • have you set a budget
While I have no actual information on this, as I recall from handing a fair number of them I suspect the lightest will be the very oldest versions.
 
I didn't have a chance to edit my previous reply, but if you are in the market for a viewfinder you might like to visit this ladies review of several.
My Personal preference is the PM-5, although I have no idea whether it's the lightest.

I would suggest purchasing from someplace like Roberts where they have a liberal return policy. You may find that the extra weight on top causes the camera to turn sideways when carried around you neck. If you don't carry that way it might not matter, but they do have a distinct effect on the feel of the camera.

The one I linked to is the blue line version because that's the first one that came up. You don't need the blue line version for your camera.
 
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Here a quick shot of NC-2 finder and PM-5 .
The NC-2 is the smallest and probably also the lightest . I have it and love to work with it .
This finder is very hard to find in a good condition . In most cases the black paint has come off and that looks terrible , although the finder itself might be in a good condition .

NC-2.jpg
  • iPhone 13 Pro back triple camera 5.7mm f/1.5
  • 5.7 mm
  • ƒ/1.5
  • 1/50 sec
  • Pattern
  • ISO 160




PM-5.jpg
  • iPhone 13 Pro back triple camera 5.7mm f/1.5
  • 5.7 mm
  • ƒ/1.5
  • 1/50 sec
  • Pattern
  • ISO 160


I hope , this helps a bit .
 
Have indeed read her reviews. She also preferred the PM-5. What's a blue-line version?
Identifiable by two short parallel blue lines on the side and the metal mounting base cut out to clear the LED display in the 200 series cameras. The lady who wrote the article use a 203 so that's why she needed it. You can use a PM, which is visually identical and fits your camera and will likely be significantly less money.

Wander around eBay searching on Hasselblad PM, PM-1, and PM-5 and you'll get the ideal.
 
The Ukraine made KIEV prism is a good and very affordable alternative.
I have one, I bought used (in Finland...), and have it on my Flexbody on which it performs perfectly.
It's a meterless version, yet a bit heavy due to the large and massive prism and all metal construction, there are still parts (and service) to be found at araxfoto.com, where I bought new rubber eyecups...

PS: this is NOT a geopolitical statement...
 
I also have a KIEV prism finder . Looks almost exactly like the HB NC-2 . Slightly bigger . I got it from ebay in almost new condition for a rather low price .
Performs great .
 
It's all become academic as the price of these prisms has just gotten crazy. Can't seem to find any meterless ones for less that US $450 nowadays. Don't understand why they've risen so quickly.
 
It's all become academic as the price of these prisms has just gotten crazy. Can't seem to find any meterless ones for less that US $450 nowadays. Don't understand why they've risen so quickly.
I don't know what country you are in, but in the US I have found that these guys generally underrate the condition of their equipment.

eBay also seems to have a dozen or so well below $450. Several of the cheapest are junk, but it looks like there's something worthwhile in there.
 
The lowest cost and the lightest finder would be the waist level finder, of course that is not 45 degrees, as one must look straight down. I got used to this type of finder in my first camera, which was a Rolleiflex Twin Lens Reflex that had no other options.

I have a PM5 blue line, that is a great finder if one has perfect distance vision. I wear glasses for distance, so I found it difficult to focus without my glasses. When I put my glasses on, it was awkward to get the proper eye relief. So I don't use that finder.

The HC-4 prism finder is 90 degrees, but it has an adjustable diopter, which allows one to get proper focus without wearing glasses. This is the finder that was the most convenient, so I use it the most.

By the way, I have decent condition PM5 blue line and an HC-4 that are available for a reasonable price. Send a PM if interested.
 
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