Hasselblad 501 C (not the 501 CM)

Dear Robert,

The difference between a 501C and the 501CM is that the CM has got the new Gliding Mirror System. This means no vignetting on the focussing screen with long lenses ( > 120mm ). And it has a better straylight reduction. Otherwise they are pretty much the same.

The focussing screen is as well with e 501C as the 501CM removeable., so this shoudn't be a problem.

I would advise you to look around for the 501CM at a special price. They are available at good prices nowdays ( sometimes with free A12 ). The price difference between the 501C and 501CM might not be a big as you think.

Best regards,

Gustave Moot

Robert,

As you may know, the "M" in Hasselblad type designations stands for "Modified". The 501 CM is indeed a modification (see Gustave Moot's explanation) of the 501 C.

The "M"odification you recall (fixed to interchangeable focussing screens) however is one that was much earlier. In 1970, it was what made a 500 C/M out of a 500 C.

I'm know about the Gliding mirror, but I'm not sure when the cut-off or vignetting starts. I have an even older 500c and see no cut-off on my 150 lens. So it must be on lensses longer then the 150, who knows when this will occur?

Br Bas

It happens a bit on the 180mm.

I believe the 501C does not have a removable advance crank. Not a big deal unless you plan to add a motor drive.

Thank you all very much for the answers to my questions. This my first time on this site, and you all have been most helpful.

Thanks again

Bob

The 501CM does not have a removable crank either, however both can be removed if you want to add an APCAM aftermarket motor drive to them, they will not take the hasselblad CW winder, the bodies with intended crank removal capability were the 503CXi and 503CW

nobody ever bemoans the loss of the indicator window on the bodies of the 501 series cameras (versus the 500 cameras). i think this is a real nuisance that often results in a wasted frame. how much money could blad have saved. ditto the loss of the removable crank. these get chewed up quickly and it is insance how complicated it is to replace one. again, how much could they have saved. the GMS is hardly compensation.

Roger,

I think the loss of the body-ready indicator window on bodies that do not have instant return mirrors and that do have lens shutters that need to be opened is not a great loss, if one at all.
Just have a peep in the viewfinder and you'll know what state the body is in.

Now talk about the Hasselblad focal plane shutter bodies, with their instant return mirrors and "always open" lenses... Then, i agree.

hasselblad cameras are often used in situations where backs and lenses are changed quickly (and frequently) under the worst kind of time pressure. that is often my personal situation. in these circumstances, having to pop open the waist level or put the camera to your eye to check shutter status is not practical. i end up just having to rememberto TRY and tension the shutter every time before mounting a back or a lens. this is a real nuisance. the windows were a part of the oriinal cameras for decades for a very good reason. there was never anything superfluous on a blad product. while we are on the subject, i also feel like the shutter lock was a stupid thing to delete. not only do i now sometimes pull cameras out of my bag that i think are tensioned only to discovere they have fired in the bag, but there are also times when i pre-release for noise purposes, and then want the intershutter to stay up (again for noise purposes) after the shut. this is now very difficult. i am really left with the impression, i must admit, that the 501cm is designed more for amateurs than pros. i much prefer my 500cm bodies.

Roger,

I don't use the indicator window on the 500 series bodies at all (the one on the EL models is no more but a fake anyway), while i do check the one on my 2000 series Hasselblad. So let's say we disagree.

But another matter: what shutter lock was there before and is gone now that could help prevent a camera "firing" while it is in the bag?
The only "shutter lock" of that nature there ever was on Hasselblad cameras was an inserted dark slide. That hasn't changed.

I can't agree with you're analysis that the ommission of the shutter lock indicates amateurish design. After all, all "professionals" will use a cable release in such situations. And "professionals" will pick one that is lockable. ;-)

i will often use a blad handheld during, say, a wedding ceremony, with a wideangle fitted. i like to prefire it, and then just release the shutter without the thunk of the intershutter. holding in the shutter release is my only choice unless i want to fit a cable release (very clumsy solution). and while we're on the subject of cable releases, i miss the self timer of the C lenses on the CF and later. in the old days, if i was using the camera for landscape or architectural work, i wouldn't have to fuss with a cable release. i could use the self timer in conjunction with the mirror lock up.

Roger,

I am also curious what shutter lock it was you would lose going from 500 to 501? (And for heavens sake learn to Capitalize your sentences man).

In order to come back to the original question, I would recommend the 501C, but the price should be right: less than 1000$. I don't care about the body-ready indicator as well as the shutter lock because I don't use them. But I like the bigger shutter release button on the more modern 500 series (501C included). If you don't care on the vignetting on the 501C, it's a perfect camera *without* winder and automatic flash.

I do like the gliding mirror very much, because vignetting starts already on the 3.5 Planar 100 (close focussing). Rob, what puzzles me is, if you have an Accute-Matte with split screen, you could go the roger michel route with an older 500CM and don't loose any important feature: But make shure that it comes with the newer waste level finder. That one with the changeable loupe.

If your screen is an older one, forget it: Accute-Mattes are a huge step in visibilty and you *don't* need a split screen any more. For me from 500C to the 503CW, only three development were absolutely necessary: Accute Mate, New Finder, Gliding mirror. For the future, I hope that roger finds his Shift button. Regards

i thought it was clear that i was referring to the intershutter. sorry for any confusion.