Modify a Hasselblad CW Winder for use with a 200-series camera

At some point last summer (2016), I came across a German eBay member offering one or several Hasselblad CW winder(s) modified to function on the 200 series Hasselblad cameras while, at the same time, retaining full operability on the 503CW and 503CXi. The seller also offered to do this modification for those already in possession of a CW winder. I am therefore sure that the modification was done on the winder, not the camera.

I would like to contact this eBayer to ask him or her to do such a modification, but the listing has ended and I can only find a few lines of Google search text, in German, as a faint trace of its existence:

Hasselblad Winder CW modifiziert auch für 203FE/205FCC | eBay

www.ebay.com › Cameras & Photo › Film Photography › Motor Drives & Winders

Mit diesem modifizierten Winder können die Hasselblad-Kameras 203FE und ... Wenn Sie bereits einen Winder CW besitzen und ihn gern für ein 200-er ...

Unfortunately, the link just takes you to a page with a bunch of other items, which have nothing to do with the winder or the seller, as far as I can tell. No indication of the user name or any other details about the eBay member who listed the modified CW winder. If I understand how Google works correctly, you cannot add more lines of text to your search results.

My question: does anyone have *any* clue as to who it might be, or who I could contact?

I realise that using a CW winder on, e.g. a Hasselblad 203FE or a 205FCC, has been discussed in several posts, on several forums over the years, because A) the F winder is considered to be less attractive/practical than the CW winder and B) it had been done for a special, NASA version of the 203FE - the 203S ('S' for Space?). I saw an explanation on Flickr where the user somehow modified the winding assembly of his 205TCC to take the CW winder. If possible, however, I would like to avoid making changes on the camera.

As always, many thanks in advance for your help and advice,

Best,

Peter

These add-on winders are slow and excessively noisy. While you might adapt the shaft coupling between winders, other features would be unavailable.

If you want electric winding, buy one of the EL bodies. They are big and heavy, but extremely reliable. Even the batteries seem to last a very long time between charges. I have an ELD-555, which was my go-to camera for nearly 10 years (only once, during a concert!). The release is electric, and can be operated from a push button up to 100' away. The mirror can be locked up, which makes the camera somewhat less noisy. All the vibration occurs after the exposure, so it's a good choice for studio or landscape work. Best of all, it works with a CFV digital back via an electronic coupling. No sync cable is required.

If you want electric winding, buy one of the EL bodies.

Ed, many thanks. Good advice. I have never tried an EL body, but they definitely seem to be very sturdy. Moreover, they are not necessarily that expensive in the second-hand market, as far as I can see. However, I was hoping to get a winder for my 205FCC, since no motorised 200-series body exists. The CW winder seemed to be an interesting possibility (provided it can be modified) also because it can be remotely triggered.

Thanks again for your reply.

Peter

Peter, there's an art to searching.

There sure is! Many, many thanks. How did you find the userid?

Peter

Google search for "Hasselblad Winder CW modifiziert auch für 203FE/205FCC"

The third hit is an old listing on ebay.be. Click on the link, explore a little.

Many thanks for the help. I bought a CW Winder, and got it modified. It now works like a charm with both the 503CW and the 205FCC.

I have linked to some pictures of the winder before modification and a closeup, and after modification, also with a closeup. Also a photo that shows the difference between the winding assemblies of the 503CW and the 205FCC.

Best,

Peter

Hello Peter,

I'm interessed in this modification and I like to get in touch with "tangomaniac". Is he still in the business?

Thanks