wingedrabbit Posted December 7, 2006 Share Posted December 7, 2006 I originally bought a Circoflex from ebay for $25 to see if I was interested in Medium Format before I took the plunge. Now I'm looking further and getting ready to take the plunge with a 500cm at KEH.com.<br> <br> Question: What's the story on the winding crank?<br> <br> There seem to be 3:<br> WINDING KNOB<br> RAPID WINDING CRANK<br> LATE RAPID WINDING CRANK<br> <br> Which one should I be looking at? What are the differences? Should I really care?<br> <br> I'll be using this camera for personal use, so there shouldn't be a need for rapidly cranking the film.<br> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob F. Posted December 7, 2006 Share Posted December 7, 2006 The 500C came with a winding knob. You could get an accessory knob that had a light meter built into the knob. It was a very good meter, by a major manufacturer. The 500CM was issued with a fold-out crank built into the knob. As to a late crank vs. a plain old crank, I'm clueless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicaglow Posted December 7, 2006 Share Posted December 7, 2006 Newer Hasselblads, I think 501's on up, have the crank built in. 500c and 500cm's usually came with the knob. A crank is easier to operate, so Hasselblad came out with an accessory crank that clips in place, replacing the knob. The originals had chrome parts, later ones were all black, and the newest ones protrude out from the body a bit more and are made of a heavy plastic that matches the cranks on modern V system bodies. Another type is the winding knob with built in light meter. They are quite accurate, but there is no crank with meter. Any of the cranks will work fine. It just depends on the "look" you like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
q.g._de_bakker Posted December 7, 2006 Share Posted December 7, 2006 The 500 C/M at first wasn't sold with a "fold-out crank built into the knob". It came with the knob.<br>At the time, you could get a separate folding rapid crank, which only could be used as a crank. Not as a 'knob'.<br>The late rapid wind crank is the one that doubles as crank (when unfolded) or know (when folded).<br>Three different thingies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_neuthaler Posted December 7, 2006 Share Posted December 7, 2006 Unless you already have a Hassie Prism meter on your 500CM, get yourself one of the Gossen Meter knobs mentioned above -- app. $75 in great shape. Terrific & easy to use IMHO<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarashnat Posted December 7, 2006 Share Posted December 7, 2006 It takes a particular hand motion to cock the camera (wind the film) with the knob in one go. Many people end up using two partial turns. The cranks allow one to easily cock the camera in one circular motion without twisting ones wrist too much (or at all). The crank also gives a good visual indication that you have wound it completely. The markings on the knob are less visible in this respect. This is similar to the difference between the old 12 backs and the automatic A12 backs. The winding crank added a degree of ease to the process of winding the film to the first frame, and to finish winding the leader after the 12th frame. Taras Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wingedrabbit Posted December 8, 2006 Author Share Posted December 8, 2006 At first, it sounded like the metered knob was a joke or cheesy. Now looking at it, I might need a manual for it. It does look simple tho. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
q.g._de_bakker Posted December 8, 2006 Share Posted December 8, 2006 <i>I might need a manual for it</i><br><br>Look <a href="http://www.hasselbladhistorical.eu/HW/HWVSys.aspx" target="_blank">here</a> (Under "Accessories").<br> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_layton Posted December 8, 2006 Share Posted December 8, 2006 Aside from the original winding knob - there are two different versions of the winding crank - the later one is a bit more plasticy, but more ergonomic. In the 501CM, the crank is fixed (not removable) which I feel was a mistake, but probably made sense economically. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diegobuono Posted December 12, 2006 Share Posted December 12, 2006 On this matter I would ask to you something: my bodies (500C and 203 FE) at about 3/4 of turn of the winding knob become harder to wind, in particular with magazine and lens attached. It is normal or it should be very smoot untill the end? The 203FE at the end of the turn make a clear CLICK as opposed to teh 500 that stop the turn without any noise, it is normal? The 203 FE just came back from a complete CLA by Hasselblad Sweden and behave this way, as before the CLA. The hard point is particular evident in using the rapid wind crank, you need to steady keep the body to turn the winding crank completely if the film magazine is attached and loaded. Please help me understand so that if this is not normal I can complain Hasselblad and ask to do the work correctly. It is normal for a medium format camera to be notisheably harder to wind than a 35mm film camera? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
q.g._de_bakker Posted December 12, 2006 Share Posted December 12, 2006 Diego,<br><br>Don't worry. It's normal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now