Hasselblad A16 back?

Im interested in shooting some 645 orientation with my 503CW. Also like the idea of getting 4 extra shots per roll. If I purchase the A16, what are my masking options for the focusing screen? Also I am curious whether or not I can use my PM prism finder with this back or am I limited to my WLF? I assume its probably going to be difficult to shoot vertical portraits with the A16? I would like the option, but most likely use primarily for landscape shots…

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

The A16 and A16S (square superslide) backs both originally came with an accessory drop-in transparent plastic masking plate, part number 42145. I have one of these and it is very convenient (you can move it between different cameras and use it with any screen, without having to make marks on the screen or cut your own masks). I no longer have a 16 back, but kept the plate because its also useful on the occasions I borrow a digital back (the rectangular 645 guidelines approximate the sensor size of larger backs, the central square matches the sensor of older 36mm x 36mm backs nicely). This 42145 mask turns up on eBay regularly, there are a couple listed now for under $30. Most sellers don't know the actual part number, so you if you don't see it under "Hasselblad 42145" search for something like "Hasselblad 6 x 4.5 16S Drop In Mask". And yes, Hasselblad shooting 645 vertical is an ergonomic nightmare, unless you use a 90 degree prism and some sort of grip. Enough pros complained about this that Hasselblad sold a small quantity of vertically-oriented dedicated A16V backs, which could shoot vertical portraits with the waist level finder (the mask that came with those had an additional set of vertical guidelines, as pictured below).

And yes, Hasselblad shooting 645 vertical is an ergonomic nightmare, unless you use a 90 degree prism and some sort of grip.

I suspect this is why prisms are so popular on dedicated 645 cameras and not so much on other sizes. My Pentax 645 doesn't even have interchangeable finders-all you get is a prism. It helps too that a 645 prism is smaller and lighter than a 6x6.

Of course, for 6x7 SLRs you have the Mamiya solution of a rotating back. That's even more convenient since the RB67 is-in my experience-of limited use off a tripod.

The A16 and A16S (square superslide) backs both originally came with an accessory drop-in transparent plastic masking plate, part number 42145. I have one of these and it is very convenient (you can move it between different cameras and use it with any screen, without having to make marks on the screen or cut your own masks). I no longer have a 16 back, but kept the plate because its also useful on the occasions I borrow a digital back (the rectangular 645 guidelines approximate the sensor size of larger backs, the central square matches the sensor of older 36mm x 36mm backs nicely). This 42145 mask turns up on eBay regularly, there are a couple listed now for under $30. Most sellers don't know the actual part number, so you if you don't see it under "Hasselblad 42145" search for something like "Hasselblad 6 x 4.5 16S Drop In Mask". And yes, Hasselblad shooting 645 vertical is an ergonomic nightmare, unless you use a 90 degree prism and some sort of grip. Enough pros complained about this that Hasselblad sold a small quantity of vertically-oriented dedicated A16V backs, which could shoot vertical portraits with the waist level finder (the mask that came with those had an additional set of vertical guidelines, as pictured below).

 

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Thanks this is super useful info! I will be on the look out for one of those clear focus screen masks. Do you know if I can use that mask with the Hasselblad PM prism finders? Mine is the original PM version which is the 45 degree. I would be fine using it in landscape orientation if I am ergonomically limited without upgrading to a 90 and a grip.

Yes, AFAIK it is compatible with all the prism finders: the prism base slides right over it just like the WLF. I've used it with my ancient unmetered NC2 prism and an early PME 45. This is how it looks thru the eyepiece of my PME prism. The pincushion distortion is caused by my cellphone camera that took the pic (it looks normal and straight IRL), and of course the acute matte screen photographs with a hot spot in the center that you don't normally see with your eye.

The additional square frame in the middle doesn't bother me, but it does annoy some users who only shoot 645 and have no intention of ever shooting superslides or using an old CFV digital back. Those people usually opt for the solution Ed_Ingold described, cutting your own custom mask from some translucent material.