501CM vs 503CX vs 503CW

<p>Am considering jumping in and buying some used stuff. Any of the three bodies seem OK to me (501CM, 503CX, 503CW). Would anyone recommend one over the other?<br>

My use will probably be outdoor, no wedding photography, and likely paired with the 50mm (or 60mm?) or 80mm lens.<br>

Thx,<br>

Peter</p>

 

<p>501CM and 503CW have floating mirror, CX to my knowing does not. 501CM straight ahead manual camera, both 503s have TTL flash connection. CW taks a separate winder also. I suggest doing some searches and reading up better on them.</p>

<p>Quick answer -<br>

503cx is much older than the other two - 503cx run ended in 1994; the other two began in 1996/7.<br>

501cm is 'entry level' compared to 503cw. Main advantage of the latter is availability of an electric winder.<br>

Hassy kits come with 80mm so if you want a 50 you'll need to go for separates. The earliest lens models you should be looking at are CFs.<br>

If you haven't done so already pay a visit to Hasselbald Historical, http://www.hasselbladhistorical.eu/ and the Hasselblad bit at http://www.photoethnography.com<br>

I have a 503cx and a 205fcc. The cx is a fantastic well-built, manual, camera. The cm and cw equally so. But I would recommend the last one (if you have the funds) just because of the age factor.</p>

<p>To complicate things, the 503 CX comes in two versions: the 'plain' 503 CX and the 503 CXi.<br>

The latter (with the "i") will also take the Winder CW.</p>

<p>(And there is a 501 C - without the "M" - which has a shorter mirror.)</p>

<p>Thank you for the responses. I have visited that site Hasselblad Historical. I have been targeting the 503CW in my mind, but I wanted to know if that was just me wanting the "latest" model.</p>

 

<p>The bigger mirror that avoids vignetting in the viewfinder e.g. with longer lenses is the main argument to go either for the 501CM or 503CW. The 503CW offers a TTL-flash sensor and can be used with a winder. I really do not like that winder but TTL-flash can be an advantage in certain situations.<br>

Ulrik</p>

What's advantage of TTL metering? It never seems to be accurate in my experience. Oh, and what do you not like about the removable winder? I have never used one, and personally use an ELM, which I love!

<p>TTL flash metering can be useful in macro photography as it avoids the problem of working out exposure compensation with extention tubes or bellows. Also a good reason to choose a model with the larger mirror as it avoids viewfinder cut off with the added lens extension of close up accessories. </p>

<p>I found the Winder CW I once tested to be in the way when using it e.g. with my 50 mm Distagon. For me a EL-/ELM/ELX/ELD-camera is a much better choice for motorized shooting.<br>

Ulrik</p>

<p>For what it's worth, the 503cx will allow the use of a meter knob which I have found to be an excellent combination. I believe the 501 and the 503cw do not permit that because of the redesigned wind knob which accepts a winder.</p>

<p>Update. I purchased a 503CX and an 80mm CF lens from keh.com. Very happy with the results. I may investigate the idea of a meter knob.</p>

 

<p>Then make sure, first, that the camera you have is a CX and not a CXi (you will know that already ;-) ), and, second, that the selenium meter in the meter knob still works properly.</p>

<p>QG, thanks. Definitely a CX. I thought about your comment and will remain using my handheld meter since am happy with the early results.</p>

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<p>I guess the advantage of the meter knob is that you do not have to bring a separate handheld meter. You probably want to slide it off the camera to take the reading anyways, right?<br>

I often shoot filters. I think a metered prism would be my preference since it meters TTL.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>"the 503cx will allow the use of a meter knob which I have found to be an excellent combination. <br>

I believe the 501 and the 503cw do not permit" <em><strong>Bill L.</strong></em></p>

</blockquote>

<p>Actually there is a work-around. <br>

Hasselblad offered a handly little accessory that allows the meter knob to attach to the front edge of their square lens hood. </p>

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