Difference between revisions of "Hasselblad 500 C/M"

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m (A modular system camera)
(Work on the prose, here and there. I know little about Hasselblads and hope I haven't screwed anything up.)
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<div class="floatright">[http://www.flickr.com/photos/50678983@N00/271569050/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://static.flickr.com/99/271569050_aa9cb9ebf6.jpg]</div>
 
 
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== Origins and name ==
 
== Origins and name ==
The '''Hasselblad''' 500C was intoduced in 1957 by the [[Hasselblad]] Corporation in Sweden, after a series of trouble-stricken 1600 and 1000 focal plane shuttered models. The camera number indicates the top shutterspeed. With the V-series, as the series started with the 500C is known, Hasselblad opted for an in the lens Compur shutter (hence the C). This solved the problems it had experienced with the focal plane shutters and allowed x-sync at all speeds. At the same time, it also meant a reduction of the top shutter speed to 1/500s.
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The '''Hasselblad''' 500C was intoduced in 1957 by the [[Hasselblad]] Corporation in Sweden, after a series of trouble-prone 1600 and 1000 focal plane shuttered models. The camera number indicates the top shutter speed. With the V-series, as the series started with the 500C is known, Hasselblad opted for an in-lens Compur shutter (hence the C). This solved the problems it had experienced with the focal plane shutters and allowed x-sync at all speeds. It also meant a reduction of the top shutter speed to 1/500s.
  
The 500C was produced from 1957 to 1970, after which the camera and backs were updated (''Modified'') according to Hasselblad. The ''modified'' version version was called 500C/M. This newer version enabled the exchange of finder glasses. Also a new series of automatic backs was introduced (eg. the A-series magazines).
+
The 500C was produced from 1957 to 1970, after which the camera and backs were updated (''Modified'') according to Hasselblad. The ''modified'' version version was called 500C/M. This newer version enabled the exchange of finder screens. Also a new series of "automatic" backs was introduced, the A-series magazines.
  
Over the years, the Hasseblad cameras, like their 35mm counterpart, the [[ Leica ]] M-series, developed a reputation for their robustness, mechanical accuracy and spectrum of many available high-quality lenses, making it the camera of choice for generations of professional photographers. Without a doubt, Hasselblad purposely reinforced this reputation by brilliantly marketing their moon-camera.
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Like their 35mm counterpart the [[Leica]] M-series, the Hasselblad cameras developed a reputation over the years for robustness, mechanical accuracy and a wide range of high-quality lenses, making them the medium-format camera of choice for generations of professional photographers. Hasselblad reinforced this reputation by brilliantly marketing its moon-camera.
  
 
== A modular system camera ==
 
== A modular system camera ==
  
Following the design of the previous models, the Hasselblad Corporation designed the V-series to be completely modular: Not only the lenses are exchangeable, but also then winding crank, the viewfinder and the film magazines are exchangeable during normal operation of the camera. With the introduction of the 500C/M, also the focussing screens were user-exchangeable.
+
Following the design of the previous models, the Hasselblad Corporation designed the V-series to be completely modular: Not only the lenses but also the winding crank, viewfinder and film magazines are exchangeable during normal operation of the camera. With the introduction of the 500C/M, the focussing screens too were user-exchangeable.
  
Of note in the modular design is the detail the Hasselblad Corporation has put in preventing user-errors related to the film-back: Presence of the dark slide in the back prevents exposure and allows removal of the back, whereas the filmback is locked to the body when the dark slide is removed. Also, both on the back and the body, colored indicators indicate the state of the shutter (cocked vs. released) and exposure (exposed vs. unexposed) on body and film back.
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Hasselblad Corporation put great effort to anticipate user errors related to the film-back: presence of the dark slide in the back prevents the shutter from being fired and allows removal of the back, whereas the back is locked to the body when the dark slide is removed. Also, colored indicators on the back and the body show the state of the shutter (cocked vs. released) and exposure (exposed vs. unexposed). This effort is in strong contrast with well known quirks of the Hasselblad V-series: the ease with which the shutter and body state dissociate upon removal of the lens. This can result in either (i) a released shutter and a body already in a mirror-down position or (ii) a cocked shutter and the mirror up. In either situation, re-inserting the lens can easily lead to irreversible damage. Over the years this has led to the introduction of a great variety of tools from many vendors addressing these issues.
This level of detail is in strong contrast with the more well known quirks of the Hasselblad V-series: The relative ease with which the shutter and body state dissociate upon removal of the lense. This can result in either a released shutter and a body already in a mirror-down position or vice versa: A cocked shutter and the mirror up. In either situation, re-inserting the lense can easily lead to irreversible damage. Over the years this has led to the introduction of a great variety of tools from many vendors addressing these issues.
 
  
 
== Optics and shutter ==
 
== Optics and shutter ==
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== Magazines and film ==
 
== Magazines and film ==
  
<div class= "floatright">[http://www.flickr.com/photos/50678983@N00/273279541/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://static.flickr.com/86/273279541_ec2e9e382a_m.jpg]<br><small>'' a new A12 magazine and an old style 12 magazine <br> with a HOLE to check the frame number!''</small></div>
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<div class= "floatright">[http://www.flickr.com/photos/50678983@N00/273279541/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://static.flickr.com/86/273279541_ec2e9e382a_m.jpg]<br><small>''a new A12 magazine and an older 12-shot magazine <br> with a hole to check the frame number''</small></div>
  
Upon introduction in 1957, the Hasselblad came with a 12 shot magazine for 120 film. 16 shot magazines for 6&times;4.5 were available. When loading the film, the photographer had to find the first frame by winding until the number "1" was visible in through a tunnel exposing the film counter on the back of the film. Unlike many camera-manufacturers, Hasselblad deemed it unnessesary to obscure this with a ruby window.
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Upon introduction in 1957, the Hasselblad came with a 12-shot magazine for 120 film. A 16-shot magazine for 6&times;4.5 was also available. When loading the film, the photographer had to find the first frame by winding until the number "1" was visible through a hole on the back of the film. Unlike many manufacturers, Hasselblad deemed it unnecessary to obscure this with a ruby window.
  
The indroduction of the automatic magazines (1970) meant the end of all this: when film is loaded, winding the camera will transport automatically to frame 1. Hence the name Automatic: A12. Other available magazines include a [[Polaroid]] back, a magazine for 220 film and one for 70mm bulk film.
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The indroduction of "automatic" magazines (1970) meant the end of all this: when film is loaded, winding the camera will transport automatically to frame&nbsp;1. Hence the name Automatic: A12. Other available magazines include a [[Polaroid]] back, a magazine for 220 and another for 70mm bulk film.
  
 
<div class="floatleft">[http://www.flickr.com/photos/50678983@N00/273286926/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://static.flickr.com/89/273286926_56cd516643_s.jpg][http://www.flickr.com/photos/50678983@N00/273279531/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://static.flickr.com/111/273279531_37509ef352_s.jpg][http://www.flickr.com/photos/50678983@N00/273279535/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://static.flickr.com/95/273279535_d4e934e05f_s.jpg]</div>
 
<div class="floatleft">[http://www.flickr.com/photos/50678983@N00/273286926/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://static.flickr.com/89/273286926_56cd516643_s.jpg][http://www.flickr.com/photos/50678983@N00/273279531/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://static.flickr.com/111/273279531_37509ef352_s.jpg][http://www.flickr.com/photos/50678983@N00/273279535/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://static.flickr.com/95/273279535_d4e934e05f_s.jpg]</div>
  
A 12 magazine with dark slide (1) and the back of the 500C/M showing secondary shutter and mounting for film back(2). The magazine's inner life(3).
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A 12-shot magazine with dark slide (1) and the back of the 500C/M showing secondary shutter and mounting for film back&nbsp;(2). The magazine's inner life&nbsp;(3).
 
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Revision as of 00:24, 9 December 2006


271569050_aa9cb9ebf6.jpg

Origins and name

The Hasselblad 500C was intoduced in 1957 by the Hasselblad Corporation in Sweden, after a series of trouble-prone 1600 and 1000 focal plane shuttered models. The camera number indicates the top shutter speed. With the V-series, as the series started with the 500C is known, Hasselblad opted for an in-lens Compur shutter (hence the C). This solved the problems it had experienced with the focal plane shutters and allowed x-sync at all speeds. It also meant a reduction of the top shutter speed to 1/500s.

The 500C was produced from 1957 to 1970, after which the camera and backs were updated (Modified) according to Hasselblad. The modified version version was called 500C/M. This newer version enabled the exchange of finder screens. Also a new series of "automatic" backs was introduced, the A-series magazines.

Like their 35mm counterpart the Leica M-series, the Hasselblad cameras developed a reputation over the years for robustness, mechanical accuracy and a wide range of high-quality lenses, making them the medium-format camera of choice for generations of professional photographers. Hasselblad reinforced this reputation by brilliantly marketing its moon-camera.

A modular system camera

Following the design of the previous models, the Hasselblad Corporation designed the V-series to be completely modular: Not only the lenses but also the winding crank, viewfinder and film magazines are exchangeable during normal operation of the camera. With the introduction of the 500C/M, the focussing screens too were user-exchangeable.

Hasselblad Corporation put great effort to anticipate user errors related to the film-back: presence of the dark slide in the back prevents the shutter from being fired and allows removal of the back, whereas the back is locked to the body when the dark slide is removed. Also, colored indicators on the back and the body show the state of the shutter (cocked vs. released) and exposure (exposed vs. unexposed). This effort is in strong contrast with well known quirks of the Hasselblad V-series: the ease with which the shutter and body state dissociate upon removal of the lens. This can result in either (i) a released shutter and a body already in a mirror-down position or (ii) a cocked shutter and the mirror up. In either situation, re-inserting the lens can easily lead to irreversible damage. Over the years this has led to the introduction of a great variety of tools from many vendors addressing these issues.

Optics and shutter

--> Zeiss, speeds, e-number

Magazines and film

273279541_ec2e9e382a_m.jpg
a new A12 magazine and an older 12-shot magazine
with a hole to check the frame number

Upon introduction in 1957, the Hasselblad came with a 12-shot magazine for 120 film. A 16-shot magazine for 6×4.5 was also available. When loading the film, the photographer had to find the first frame by winding until the number "1" was visible through a hole on the back of the film. Unlike many manufacturers, Hasselblad deemed it unnecessary to obscure this with a ruby window.

The indroduction of "automatic" magazines (1970) meant the end of all this: when film is loaded, winding the camera will transport automatically to frame 1. Hence the name Automatic: A12. Other available magazines include a Polaroid back, a magazine for 220 and another for 70mm bulk film.

273286926_56cd516643_s.jpg273279531_37509ef352_s.jpg273279535_d4e934e05f_s.jpg

A 12-shot magazine with dark slide (1) and the back of the 500C/M showing secondary shutter and mounting for film back (2). The magazine's inner life (3).

Finders

--> wlf, prism, metered prism


Links


Images

271569042_fa8b9d5435_m.jpg 271569044_b690aff96f_m.jpg


271569052_7e996d11d7_m.jpg 271569051_2c8383d957_m.jpg