INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Hasselblad 503CX, 503CXi and 500 Classic Manual Page 3 Introduction 4 Parts & Components 6 Basic Operation 6 Front Protective Cover 6 Rear Protective Cover 6 Attaching the Lens 6 Removing the Lens 8 Attaching the Magazine 8 Removing the Magazine 9 Indicators 10 Focusing Hood and Magnifier 10 Winding Crank.
Guarantee Provided that you bought your camera from an authorized Hasselblad outlet, it is covered by an international guarantee for one year. Further details can be found on page 34. Service and Maintenance Whilst Hasselblad equipment is extremely reliable and durable, cameras and lenses that are in constant intensive use in a professional environment should be maintained and serviced by an authorized Hasselblad service centre at regular intervals.
Introduction to the Hasselblad Camera System As a Hasselblad owner you have in your possession a camera of exceptional quality the product of an internationally renowned tradition of excellence in the world of photography. Victor Hasselblad, the father of the cameras which bear his name, was himself an accomplished photographer.
503CX och 500 Classic, Parts and Components 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Focusing hood Focusing screen 10. 503CX: Acute-Matte’ screen 500C/M: Ground-glass screen 500 Classic: Grid & microprism screen Screen retaining clip Flash function indicator** Focusing ring and scale Shutter speed and aperture interlock button Central lens index Depth-of-field scale 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20.
33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. Focusing hood magnifier Magazine slide Film holder key Film load indicator Film tab holder Magazine supports Tripod thread 1/4” 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. Quick coupling plate Dedicated flash connector** Connector cover** Lens drive shaft Depth-of-field preview knob Lens locating index Accessory rail 47. 48.
Basic Operation This section describes the steps you must take to make the camera ready to use. You will find comprehensive information on how to operate the camera in the following sections. With the camera, lens, and film magazine unwrapped but unassembled, ensure that the camera is cocked (i.e. the mechanism is fully wound). otherwise the circular front protective cover cannot be removed. The winding crank on the right hand side of the camera is locked if the mechanism is fully wound.
You will find that holding the camera in your left hand and the lens in your right hand, as shown in the illustration, is the easiest way of attaching the lens. When you have aligned the red index on the lens with the one on the camera as shown in the illustration, the lens will drop easily into the bayonet fitting. You can then rotate it clockwise until it stops with a faint click as the lens catch locks it in place.
Attaching the Magazine Ensure that the magazine slide is fully inserted, and that the indicators are white: lf the indicators are not white, then refer to the instruction on page 9. Rest the magazine on the camera’s lower support hooks and make sure that it is properly located on them . Carefully swing the magazine towards the camera body and check that the camera’s upper support hooks fit into the slots in the magazine .
Magazine and Camera Indicators The indicators on the right hand side of the camera and magazine show if the particular unit is ready to operate (white) or if it has been operated (red). The golden rule is, that when you attach a magazine to a camera, the indicator colours should match - white to white, or red to red. There are only two correct combinations. This is how you rematch the indicators. Red Magazine - White Camera Remove the magazine from the camera.
Opening the Focusing Hood Lift the lid firmly by the grip at the rear edge, and swing it up to the vertical position. The Built-in Magnifier The magnifier flips up into the viewing position when the oval button inside the lid is moved in the direction of the arrow. To fold the magnifier down simply press it back with a fingertip until it locks into the lid. The magnifier may be changed for a correction lens. See page 21.
Strap Lugs Strap Attachment Place the main body of the strap clip over one of the camera’s strap lugs. Press down on the tip of the clip and pull back so that the strap lug slips into the opening at the tip of the clip. Strap Removal Lift the clip locking plate and slide the clip forward. The clip will then slide off the strap lug.
Operating Details Exposure As a general rule for all shutter speed settings except B, you should keep the release button depressed until the lens shutter has opened and closed fully. This is especially important at shutter speeds from 1 s to 1 /15s. If you relax the pressure on the release button too soon, the auxiliary shutter will terminate the exposure prematurely (see page 14, ‘Warning Signal’).
Pre-release and Cable Release Considerable efforts have been made to reduce camera vibrations caused by moving parts in the exposure sequence. However, if you wish to avoid these vibrations completely, you can pre-release the mechanism by pushing the pre-release button upwards. This causes the following sequence: the mirror folds up, the shutter closes and remains closed, and the auxiliary shutter opens. When you subsequently press the release button, only the shutter then operates at the preset speed.
Lens and Shutter Functions Shutter Speeds The shutter speed selector ring is the ring located closest to the front of the lens. The desired shutter speed is set against the central lens index. The white scale shows the shutter speeds, and the orange scale the exposure values (EV). The green F setting is used only when the lens is attached to a Hasselblad camera in the 2000 series with a focal plane shutter. The operation of the diaphragm is not affected.
Exposure Values The aperture and shutter speed combination set opposite the central lens index determines the exposure. Every combination of shutter speed/ aperture has an equivalent exposure value (EV) which you can read and set against the red EV index on the side of the lens.
Focusing and Depth of Field On the focusing ring are the distance scales and a knurled rubber grip which is closest to the camera body. You focus the lens by rotating the focusing ring until you obtain a sharp image of the subject in the viewfinder. The distance between the subject and the film plane is read off the focusing ring’s distance scale opposite the central lens index. The distance in meters is shown in white numerals, and the distance in feet is in orange numerals.
Checking Depth of Field To allow you to check the depth of field in the image on the focusing screen, the diaphragm can be stopped down to the preset aperture simply by sliding the manual preview button downwards until it locks into the preview position. To release the button, and reopen the diaphragm, press in the lower section of the button. Flash Synchronization The Hasselblad 503cx and 500C/M use lenses from the Hasselblad CF series.
Magazine Operation Loading the Magazine The magazine may be loaded on, or off the camera. If it is to be loaded off the camera then the magazine slide must be inserted, its flat side towards the rear. This facilitates removal of the film holder for loading. Follow the procedure below. 1. Fold out the film holder key. 2. Turn the key counter-clockwise and withdraw the film holder. 3. An empty take-up spool should be placed under the splined knob of the spool clamp bar.
Number 1 will now be displayed in the frame counter window and the magazine is loaded - ready for use. The magazine’s film winder crank is only blocked at frame 1 . A partially exposed film may be wound off at any frame thereafter. The frame counter is automatically reset when the film holder is withdrawn from the magazine.
Magazine Load Status In the center of the film holder key there is a crescent-shaped indicator window that shows white when the magazine is freshly loaded. It gradually changes to red as the film is wound through. An all red indicator shows that the film is used up or that the magazine is empty. Removing Film from the Magazine When the last frame has been exposed and wound on, the magazine is blocking the camera for further release.
Viewfinder System Changing the Viewfinder The film magazine or rear cover must be detached before the focusing hood or other viewfinder can be removed. The focusing hood should be folded down before being removed, to prevent it from being damaged. Remove the hood by sliding it to the rear in its guide slots. Slide the replacement finder into the slots and push it forward . Attach a magazine or rear cover to the camera.
Changing the Focusing Screen The screen is easily interchanged without the requirement of special tools. Detach the magazine and viewfinder. Slide the screen latches to the side. Cup your hand over the screen, and invert the camera. The screen will now drop into your hand. Insert the replacement screen , ensuring that the smooth flat side of the frame is uppermost, and that all four corners are seated on the support pins. It is not necessary to return the screen latches.
PME and PME3 / PMES Meter Prism Viewfinder Adjustments Since the Hasselblad Meter Prism Viewfinders measure the light level on the focusing screen they have been calibrated at the factory to give an accurate reading with one particular type of screen. If that focusing screen is replaced with another type which gives a different light level under the same ambient conditions, the meter has to be adjusted to compensate for the difference.
A. Acute-Matte1 focusing screen, combined with: Viewfinder model PME3/PME5 PME Action required to obtain a correct EV value No action required. Reduce the ASA/ISO setting to half the film speed value as indicated on the film package or Increase the MAX lens aperture setting one full step or Reduce the EV reading one full step when setting it on the lens EV scale. B.
503CX and CXi only Automatic Flash Control The camera’s built-in flash sensor and electronics meter the light reflected from the central portion of the film surface, a circle with a diameter of 40 mm. The metering system is connected to a selector for setting film speed.
503CX and CXi only Attaching the Hasselblad Flash Adapters SCA 390 and SCA 590 For hand-held flash units, either adapter is attached as shown in the illustration above: • the 6-pole contact from the spiral cord is connected to the camera’s side socket • the sync cord is connected from the adapter to the PC flash terminal of the lens • the connecting cord is attached to the handheld unit. Setting the Film Speed The film speed is set via the ISO selector.
503CX and CXi only Viewfinder Signal This indicator located under the left edge of the focusing screen displays two different signals, both shown in a red glowing light. The indicator is only in operation when the camera is used with flash adapters SCA 390 or 590 and a flash unit that conforms to the corresponding System SCA 300 or 500. Ready Signal A steady red light indicates that the flash unit is charged and ready to be fired.
Accessories If you own tripods and other accessories with 3/8 in screws we recommend you to purchase the Tripod Quick-coupling which has both 1/4 and 3/8 in sockets and provides an easily operated, fast and reliable tripod connection. Should you prefer not to obtain a Quick-coupling, your Hasselblad distributor can, upon request provide a replacement 3/8 in socket together with installation instructions.
Technical Specifications and Equipment 503CX Camera type: Single lens reflex camera with 6x 6 cm (2 1/4 x 2 1/4 in) max. film size. Interchangeable lenses, film magazines, viewfinders, and focusing screens. Design: Mechanical, with an aluminum alloy camera body shell cast in one piece. Viewfinders: Folding focusing hood interchangeable with reflex viewfinder, prism viewfinders with or without built-in light meter, or magnifying hood. Film advance: Manual advance with simultaneous shutter cocking.
Technical Specifications and Equipment 503 Classic Camera type: Single lens reflex camera with 6x 6 cm (2 1/4 x 2 1/4 in) max. film size. Interchangeable lenses, film magazines, viewfinders, and focusing screens. Design: Mechanical, with an aluminum alloy camera body shell cast in one piece. Viewfinders: Folding focusing hood interchangeable with reflex viewfinder, prism viewfinders with or without built-in light meter, or magnifying hood.
Camera Body Dimensions 32
503CXi New Features The following describes the new features of the 503 CXi camera. Exposure Button The new Exposure Button is enlarged and has a rounded front for convenient operation. The Time Catch of the previous 503 CX camera has been removed.
Winding Crank The 503CXi is equipped with an upgraded winding crank to enable the use of the Winder CW. The winding crank of 503CX and earlier cameras is attached and removed as described on page 10. Removing the Winding Crank Push the catch lever downwards while rotating the crank counter-clockwise. Then pull the crank straight out from the shaft. Attaching the Winding Crank Attach the crank to the shaft, aligning the smaller triangular index mark against the red dot just above the mount.
Tripod Mount The new Tripod Mount Plate features both 1/4 in and 3/8 in threads as well as two rotational locking holes. It is compatible with the Tripod Quick Coupling 45130. Rubber Feet The 503CXi is equipped with rubber feet to prevent the camera from slipping and damaging delicate surfaces.
Format Masks The body’s rear plate has an accurately machined mount that accepts the 6 x 4,5 and 6 x 3 panoramic format masks. To install a mask, push it in place in the mount. The masks can be used horizontally or vertically. Each format mask has a corresponding viewfinder mask which is placed over the focusing screen. NOTE: Do not forget to install the corresponding viewfinder mask and align according to mask orientation.
Troubleshooting Your camera is built to give long and trouble-free service. If however you encounter any operating difficulties because you are not familiar with the Hasselblad camera system, the following table may help to resolve them.
Camera Care, Service and Guarantee Camera Care Your Hasselblad camera is designed to withstand the rigors of professional use in most environments. In order to avoid the possibility of damage however, the camera should be protected from the following. Extremes of temperature. High temperatures can have an adverse effect on both the film and the camera. For this reason you should not keep your camera in places where it will get hot, such as in direct sunlight or on a shelf above a radiator.
Notes
