Helped needed in Hasselblad models

bohemia · 31st January 2004

Hi,

I'm new around here and hope it won't be much of a trouble to ask afew questions on Hasselblad models.

I've chanced upon a friend who's interested in selling his entry level 2000FC which is already obsolete as I've failed to find relevant information of it on the Hassel homepage. Can anyone here let me in on the info of this model and if its accessories are still available in the market such as the winder and the prism.

Another question I would like to ask is regarding the model 503CXI. Same questions as above as in its equipment and availability. I do know that this is model for professionals and amatuers. Other than that, what are the features of this camera that seperates from the 2000FC?

Hope this isn't too much to ask.

Have a nice day and thanks for reading.

e905591s · 31st January 2004

Hi Bohemia,

You may want to check out http://medfmt.8k.com/mf/ghassy.html

The website has description of most old and current Hasselblad 6x6 camera system. The biggest different between the 2000FC and the 503CXI I can think of, from the point of view of a non hasselblad user, is that the former uses focal plane shutter and the later one uses leaf shutter in each lens.

e905591s

y0gi0h · 3rd February 2004

Originally Posted by bohemia

Hi,

I'm new around here and hope it won't be much of a trouble to ask afew questions on Hasselblad models.

I've chanced upon a friend who's interested in selling his entry level 2000FC which is already obsolete as I've failed to find relevant information of it on the Hassel homepage. Can anyone here let me in on the info of this model and if its accessories are still available in the market such as the winder and the prism.

Another question I would like to ask is regarding the model 503CXI. Same questions as above as in its equipment and availability. I do know that this is model for professionals and amatuers. Other than that, what are the features of this camera that seperates from the 2000FC?

Short answers:
1. 2000FC - obsolete system. known to have problems with the FP shutter. Should just avoid.

2. 503CXi - relatively recently model (which the current 503CW replaces). A fully mechanical cam with metering for TTL flash. It takes the 1fps winder. should still be quite reliable for use. fully compatible with the CF, CFi lenses. Surely considered a great pro camera in its days.

Neo · 3rd February 2004

Hi YogiOh,

Basically, the Hasselblad 6x6 system can be divided into two groups:

Electronic focal-plane shutter series: 200/2000-series
Mechanical lens-shutter series: 500-series

The 2000-series was the earliest electronic focal plane cameras from Hasselblad, and it was long discontinued. It was followed by the 200-series which was packed with electronics, but very expensive. The chief advantage of the 200-series was the ability to use the carl Zeiss F lenses that have big-aperture such as f2 or f2.8.

The 500 series is the cornerstone of the Hasselblad legend. Totally mechanical and hand-assembled, it is the Leica of medium format. Everything is mechanical, so forget about stuff like aperture priority. You have to pay a premium just to purchase a metering prism, which says volumes about the technological advancement of the 500-series. But that said, if you are not in a hurry to take a picture, I find the 500-series a joy to use. You're always in total control of the photo-taking process, because you have to make every single process. The chief advantage of the 500-series is the CF-lens which uses leaf-shutter rather than focal plane shutter, which allows you to sync with your flash at up to 1/500th sec. However, the leaf-shutter also limited the lens designer in the maxmium aperture, so most lenses for the 500-series are typically f/4 or f/5.6.

Personally, I would advice against buying the 2000FC, for the reasons stated by the other posters. I've rarely chanced upon any lenses or accessories for the camera, and I'm not that confident of the reliability of it too. The 500-series is another matter althogether. The 503CXi is only one generation behind the latest 503CW, and it features most of the technology (whatever little of it) found in the 503CW. In addition, if you shop around wisely (and patiently), you will find great buys for lenses and accessories for the 500-series. The black CT lenses (marked with T* at the front of the lens) is a good way to start your Hasselblad system. Start with a 503CXi and a 80mm f/2.8 planar and a A12 magazine (takes 12 images per 120mm film), and slowly acquire other lenses when you see a good buy. You'd need to buy a hand-held lightmeter (like a Sekonic L-305) to meter the light. It is NOWHERE as convenient as a modern 35mm camera, but it is a spiritual trip. Especially if you are shooting slide film, you will go ga-ga once you receive your film back from your lab and look at those gorgeous slides that absolutely dwarf your 35mm film. If you are buying second-hand, you can always sell your basic set of Hasselblad without losing too much money.

bohemia · 11th February 2004

So I guess by getting the 503cxi, I can still take advantage of the gadgets and accessories that's available in the market now. Well, I think I'll have to do some negotiations first before embarking into it. Have been seeing things in square now, so I'm kind of upgrading from the 35mm format if I'm getting it.

Thanks for the help, people.

31st January 2004	#1
bohemia New Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 6	Helped needed in Hasselblad models Hi, I'm new around here and hope it won't be much of a trouble to ask afew questions on Hasselblad models. I've chanced upon a friend who's interested in selling his entry level 2000FC which is already obsolete as I've failed to find relevant information of it on the Hassel homepage. Can anyone here let me in on the info of this model and if its accessories are still available in the market such as the winder and the prism. Another question I would like to ask is regarding the model 503CXI. Same questions as above as in its equipment and availability. I do know that this is model for professionals and amatuers. Other than that, what are the features of this camera that seperates from the 2000FC? Hope this isn't too much to ask. Have a nice day and thanks for reading.

31st January 2004	#2
e905591s Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 52	Hi Bohemia, You may want to check out http://medfmt.8k.com/mf/ghassy.html The website has description of most old and current Hasselblad 6x6 camera system. The biggest different between the 2000FC and the 503CXI I can think of, from the point of view of a non hasselblad user, is that the former uses focal plane shutter and the later one uses leaf shutter in each lens. e905591s

3rd February 2004	#4
Neo Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 947	Hi YogiOh, Basically, the Hasselblad 6x6 system can be divided into two groups: Electronic focal-plane shutter series: 200/2000-series Mechanical lens-shutter series: 500-series The 2000-series was the earliest electronic focal plane cameras from Hasselblad, and it was long discontinued. It was followed by the 200-series which was packed with electronics, but very expensive. The chief advantage of the 200-series was the ability to use the carl Zeiss F lenses that have big-aperture such as f2 or f2.8. The 500 series is the cornerstone of the Hasselblad legend. Totally mechanical and hand-assembled, it is the Leica of medium format. Everything is mechanical, so forget about stuff like aperture priority. You have to pay a premium just to purchase a metering prism, which says volumes about the technological advancement of the 500-series. But that said, if you are not in a hurry to take a picture, I find the 500-series a joy to use. You're always in total control of the photo-taking process, because you have to make every single process. The chief advantage of the 500-series is the CF-lens which uses leaf-shutter rather than focal plane shutter, which allows you to sync with your flash at up to 1/500th sec. However, the leaf-shutter also limited the lens designer in the maxmium aperture, so most lenses for the 500-series are typically f/4 or f/5.6. Personally, I would advice against buying the 2000FC, for the reasons stated by the other posters. I've rarely chanced upon any lenses or accessories for the camera, and I'm not that confident of the reliability of it too. The 500-series is another matter althogether. The 503CXi is only one generation behind the latest 503CW, and it features most of the technology (whatever little of it) found in the 503CW. In addition, if you shop around wisely (and patiently), you will find great buys for lenses and accessories for the 500-series. The black CT lenses (marked with T* at the front of the lens) is a good way to start your Hasselblad system. Start with a 503CXi and a 80mm f/2.8 planar and a A12 magazine (takes 12 images per 120mm film), and slowly acquire other lenses when you see a good buy. You'd need to buy a hand-held lightmeter (like a Sekonic L-305) to meter the light. It is NOWHERE as convenient as a modern 35mm camera, but it is a spiritual trip. Especially if you are shooting slide film, you will go ga-ga once you receive your film back from your lab and look at those gorgeous slides that absolutely dwarf your 35mm film. If you are buying second-hand, you can always sell your basic set of Hasselblad without losing too much money.

11th February 2004	#5
bohemia New Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 6	So I guess by getting the 503cxi, I can still take advantage of the gadgets and accessories that's available in the market now. Well, I think I'll have to do some negotiations first before embarking into it. Have been seeing things in square now, so I'm kind of upgrading from the 35mm format if I'm getting it. Thanks for the help, people.