Practical differences between C and CF?

<p>Hi, I've been looking to buy a Hasselblad 500 C/M camera however I'm having trouble finding documentation on the differences between C and CF lenses apart from the fact that the C's are no longer supported by Hasselblad. So here's my question is there in terms of user experience any practical differences between C and CF lenses and if yes then what are they?</p>

<p>Thank you in advance</p>

You can still get C and CF lenses repaired it is simply that the older the lens the less chance there is of spare parts being

available.

Optically there is little difference between the C and CF lenses of similar age, however an old C lens is very different

optically to a late C lens, it is also true that early and late CF lens have differences in the optics, this is especially true with

the 50 and 40mm lenses.

The main differences are the body of the lens, CFs only have X sync and so self timer, the focus mounts can be lighter,

the link between iris and speed ring selector is normally off, the opposite to C lenses, stop down preview is easier to use.

They also an F setting on the speed selector to enable iris only operation for use with 2000 and 200 series cameras, later

CFE lenses also have iris data transfer for use with 200 and H series camera (yes CFE lens electrically connect to H

cameras).

There is more to tell but at this stage it would be useful to know which focal length you are considering.

<p>Sorry forgot to mention it I'm considering the 80mm Planar.</p>

Avoid the early lenses, serial numbers below 3######, they have 6 element designs. Late C lenses from around 1980

with T* coated optics offer great value for money. Early CF lens shutters are not as good as later ones, later CF lenses

have better flare prevention, late CFE and CFI lenses have excellent light action focus mounts.

Good luck.

<p>I doubt you'll notice <em>much</em> difference between the two versions optically, especially if you get the C lenses with the T* coating.</p>

<p>However, there is a big enough difference in ergonomics that I opted to go with all CF lenses--and in fact, traded in my 150 C T* as part exchange on a 150 CF, even though optically it was stellar. The C lenses have a focusing ring which consists of a narrow metal band which has fairly sharply pointed scalloping to grip on to. This is, to put it mildly, one of the most uncomfortable methods to manually focus I've ever encountered, particularly as the older Blad lenses can be a bit stiff to focus. I found that I couldn't really focus mine rapidly enough without using the bolt-on focusing handle, and that kept the lens from fitting comfortably into my bag and was really an irritating kludge, so far as I was concerned. (Many, however, probably find that, particularly when the camera is mounted on a tripod, this makes the focusing rapid and more positive--it's not nice, though, for hand-holding, and that's the way I prefer to shoot.) The CF lenses have at least reasonably wide rubber focusing rings that aren't so hard on your sensitive fingertips, especially in cold weather.</p>

<p>The CF lenses also avoid the EV interlock (making it optional instead of something you have to override) so you can easily set shutter speed and aperture independently, and the sync terminal locks the cable on more firmly than it is held on the C lenses (but not as securely as on the CFi lenses). And CF lenses are all Bay 60, so you can use a single set of filters (and can, with readily-available adapter, use the fairly common 62mm screw-in filters).</p>

<p>One thing to look for if you want to scoop up a bargain is some CF lenses--particularly the 150--have a plastic cosmetic trim ring between the focusing ring and the lens mount. It appears that this quite frequently develops cracks--which affect the functioning of the lens not at all and can easily be repaired, if not attractively, with a bit of epoxy glue. But the presence of one of these cracks--and I've seen them on a few specimens--generally knocks quite a bit off the price of the lens. That's why I didn't hesitate to trade in my 150 C on the CF version I have now--mine may look a bit scarred, but it takes sweet photos. And that little crack knocked about 20% off the regular price.</p>

<p>Filter size is a main difference. And also the fact that it's easier to set your preferred aperture and shutter speed on a CF lens than on a C lens.</p>

<p>The primary difference is that on the CF lenses, aperture and shutter speed can be independently set. On the C's, you must set them opposite each other so you have lots of "equivalent exposures". Also, the C's usually have a smaller BAY size and CF's have rubber focusing rings rather than the knurled ones. Not all C's are T* coated but all CF's are.</p>

<p>I traded my original C lenses for CF and CFI versions. The ergonomics is superior in CF and newer lenses. The focusing ring is wider and operates much more smoothly than the narrow, scalloped ring on C lenses. The PC connector is protected with better retention, but requires a beveled connector to avoid damaging the internal O-ring retainer. The shutter is greatly improved over the original Compur version, and has a more durable main spring.</p>

<p>Many of the C and CF lenses share the same optics, but some have significant improvements. The CF40 FLE and CF50 FLE lenses are smaller than the C versions, and have greatly improved optics. The CF50 non-FLE lens has the same optics as the C50. The CF180 was not available in a C version, and is a superbly sharp lens, one of Hasselblad's best.</p>

<p>We can't forget that CF lenses are generally newer than C lenses, and repair parts are generally available.</p>