wuyeah Posted November 8, 2003 Share Posted November 8, 2003 I am new to medium format and very interested in Hasselblad 500 serise. i want a 500 camera that can last me fairly long time so it can adapt digital back and other possible new feature. for those reasons i am set between 503CW and 555ELD. But i do not know which one to get, and the reason getting one over another. Can you guys give me an advice? or you guys think 500 serise is not a good camera to start with, which you will recommand, to some one how use friendly with AF and MF 35mm SLR, mainly portrait, people, sometimes landscap. thank you for help me out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
db1 Posted November 8, 2003 Share Posted November 8, 2003 <html> <head> <title>Untitled Document</title> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> </head> <body bgcolor="#FFFFFF"> <p>I'll try to give it a go.....The 555 is a studio camera that requires batteries and is typically kept indoors. The 503CW can be used anywhere since it requires no batteries but can be used with a winder. </p> <p> The 503CW is a great camera as it can also be used with metered prisms and the D40 flash. <p>If you have no need for a winder and TTL flash, then go for a 501CM and save a few dollars. <p>Either the 501 or 503 is a great camera that will be just fine outdoors or shooting studio portraits. The 555 is a bit limiting. <p>Good luck, <p>david <p> <p> </p> </body> </html> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank_bunnik Posted November 8, 2003 Share Posted November 8, 2003 Both are excellent cameras but if you do not need an integrated winder, you might skip the 555 eld. I had both an 553 elx (preevious model of the 555) and an 503CX. I sold the 553 yesterday. It was just too big to take on trips and I never work in a studio. Consider the tip that if you do not need ttl flash, you might get a 501. Good luck, Frank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roland_haid Posted November 8, 2003 Share Posted November 8, 2003 Get the 503CW, that's the best camera Hasselblad ever made and the center of the Medium-Format universe. You can adapt digital backs and a winder, if necessary, later. There is no reason to listen to other people telling you that this particular rangefinder is better or a 6x7 cam has bigger negatives. The Hasselblad is a long lasting universal system which can be adapted for almost all your needs in the future. The 503CW is fine for Macro, Landscape, Portrait, Studio, so what else do you need? Picture quality is at least, very very good. The 503CW is a good starting system. I recommend one of these lens as a starting point: Either the 3.5/60, the 2.8/80 or the 3.5/100. Each lens have its merits. The 2.8/80 is the cheapest and fastest lens. The 3.5/100 is considerably more expensive, but better suited for portraits. As the 6x6 needs tight framing, the 3.5/100 works better for most people. If you lean to a wide angle (say 50mm) as second lens, the 3.5/100 is the better option. Third the 3.5/60, more like a 35mm in 24x36, is good suited for snapshots. This lens is recommended if you do not like Wide Angle lens to much (like me). The 3.5/60 will be seconded by a 4/120 Macro or the ever popular 4/150. In my case, the 3.5/60 and 4/150 gives a fine, small 2 lens outfit which covers ererything including macro. However, you need to work with a meter and it will last one year to become really familiar with the camera. You will gain from it for the rest of your live (that's serious). Regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julius_huang Posted November 8, 2003 Share Posted November 8, 2003 How long when you say fairly long time? Many people still use 500 series camera that older than I am. If digital back is the key concern in few years. They both accept digital back now from serveral makers, but might be tricky compare with other product line/ brand such as H1, Contax, etc. Do some web search and check with digital back maker's before get the camera and lens. How it work and things like that, may change in the future(few years). Still give you some idea. For digital, CFE lens might be required alone with some accessories. I have 503CW, very happy with it. Love to have a digital for it if I can afford. But still love it very much without. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julius_huang Posted November 8, 2003 Share Posted November 8, 2003 Forget one thing, many people will suggest this book, The Hasselblad Manual Fifth Edition by Ernst Wildi. I have two. Detail about Camera, Lens, etc, nothing about digital. Amazon have it both new and used. This book is not cheap so does Hasselblad. Even the camera/lens price is low now because many gone for digital. Sitll not as cheap as mamiya, bronica. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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