William D. Lester

<p>Since Hasselblad recently announced the discontinuance of the 503CW, I've searched for a store that might still sell one but have had no luck at all - at least by doing an online search. It would seem that the latest ones built should be available for sale somewhere. I have a 500CM and 503CX which were both purchased new and they work flawlessly despite their being 24 years old plus. I just had it in my mind that purchasing a new 503CW should get me through what I hope to be the next 25 years.</p>

<p>Anyone know when Hasselblad discontinued selling these? I have 1 on each of my two cameras and find them very convenient and accurate. I'm just curious to know how old the newest of them might be as it is my understanding that the selenium cells used in them eventually stop working. So far, there doesn't seem to have been any degradation in their performance.</p>

<p>Anyone know if there is a dedicated lens hood available for this lens? Of all the ones I see for sale, there never seems to be an accompanying lens hood.</p>

<p>Arthur<br>

BH has recently offered delivery to Canada through Purolator and the last 2 orders (last month and this month) showed up in 2 days from the time I placed them. There was a glitch in the on line system that didn't recognize my 'ship to' postal code but that was fixed by the time I placed the second order. Their service is so good that I have finally not renewed my UPS Store box in Detroit where I used to have stuff sent.</p>

<p>I've done a couple of major trips using just my 503Cx and 80mm along with a meter knob with no regrets. Sometimes its good to just work with what you've got. Having said that, I would probably carry my 40CFE as well in the future. I own a 50CF and 150CF as well but don't like lugging a lot of stuff so they increasingly get left at home. I also own a PME 45 metered finder but it adds more bulk and weight than I care for. The meter knob does a good job with the TMY film that I always use.</p>

<p>I'm with Sally Mack. I have both Hasselblad and Leica M systems. I've travelled Europe, Scotland, Havana and Tulum Mexico, all with the Hasselblad and never regretted it. The Leica is a lot easier to carry and the image quality is superb but that larger negative is hard to beat.</p>

<p>Leo<br>

Don't know about the weight of your camera but I have used a 410 head for years with my Linhof Technika. I wouldn't think of using anything else.</p>

 

<p>I seem to have lost the push on lens cover for my 40mm CFE lens. BH has covers for a 30mm CFE in stock but I don't know if they are the same size and I'm having difficulty finding the information. Can anyone tell me if they are the same and if not where I might purchase a replacement cover?</p>

<p>TMY-2 - the finest black and white film available today in my opinion. In all formats and no the highlites are not a problem as in the original version.</p>

<p>Q.G. - I didn't make the distinction between the 2 metering modes until I re-read the manual. Presumably then, the correct long term solution would be to change the screen to a D type. Which then poses another question. Which one? The manual suggest that a 42204 is standard and then suggests a 42207 for use with the PME45 finder. Can you expain the differences?</p>

<p>Q.G. The answer lies in the manual. The finder is optimized for the newer Acute Mat D screens. The older Acute Mat 42165 that I have requires a compensation of plus 1/3 to 2/3 of an EV number which can be programmed into the finder. It works and the readings from both meter prisms now match.</p>

<p>The screens in both cameras are Acute Mat 42165 which I believe are the original versions of the Acute Mat screens. I purchased at least one directly from Hasselblad, the other may have been in the 503CX when I purchased it new as well. In any event, the screens are identical. When checking the readings, I set both cameras on a tripod side by each facing the same blank wall in my basement. I use an 80mm lens on both and the meters are set with the same max aperture and film speed settings - the PME45 on avg mode which I think approximates the metering pattern of the VFC. The incident meter is overly affected by the overhead lights so I have discounted that reading. </p>

<p>About 25 years ago I purchased a VFC metered finder and eventually sent it to Hasselblad service where it was adjusted to read correctly with an Acute Mat 42165 screen in my 500CM. The finder has a small label indicating such. I also have a 503CX with the same screen installed. Some time back I purchased a PME45 finder. The PME45 finder consistently indicates 1EV value number higher than the VFC finder. Is it possible that the newer PME45 finder is programed to read through a newer screen which might account for the different readings? Also my Pentax spot meter typically agrees with the VFC finder when pointed at a uniformly illuminated surface. None of this is anything I can't correct for or work around, I just wondered if there is some reason that I'm not aware of.</p>

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<p>I have an M6 Classic with 90, 50 and 35 mm leical lenses. I have found this kit to be very versatile and comfortable to travel with. I will be travelling to the American Southwest in September and have been told that some of the classic shots such as Horseshoe Bend need a wider angle lens. So I am considering purchasing one because I think that it would be useful in some of the European cities that I travel to and I have read that wide angle lenses can be good for landscapes as well. I am thinking about either a 24mm or a 21mm. I suspect that these might be of more limited use to me simply because I don't have any experience with them and because of that, I might consider the CV lenses as an option to the Leica versions. Can anyone help me with some advice?</p>

<p>I use a Hasselblad meter knob with this same body and lens. Works great.</p>

<p>I personally find the shutter speed / aperture interlock easier to use on the CF versions.</p>

<p>Christer. I'm not the least bit surprised at your results. As per my earlier post, I have come to the same conclusion. TMY2 is the best film I've ever come across and coupled with XTOL makes a terrific combination.</p>

<p>I use TMY-2 exclusively rated at 250 and develop in Xtol 1:1 for 7 1/2 minutes. I floundered around for years looking for the ideal film and developer. I found it when TMY-2 came along. I use it in all formats.</p>

<p>The main reason for thinking about the MP is that I probably would purchase a new camera body if I'm going to do this. I haven't considered the M7 because it has auto exposure and that is something that doesn't really interest me. I shoot strictly black and white which I process myself. I'm very comfortable with the metering system in my M6. I presume the MP is similar. Neither my Linhofs or Hasselblads have meters so while that isn't really an obstacle, the onboard meter in the M6 saves carrying one more thing and is extremely convenient. I know there are a lot of good used cameras available - my M6 was one of them and it is a superb picture taking tool. It had occured to me at one time to get a second M6 Classic and I haven't totally ruled that out. New Leica M cameras are expensive. It's just something that is on my mind and I certainly appreciate the responses.</p>

<p>I've been thinking about purchasing a new Leica MP. As I am now in my early 60's, I no longer want to lug my Linhofs or Hasselblads around. Back in 2006 I purchased a used M6 Classic and then added a new 50mm Elmar M, 35mm Summicron and 90mm Elmarit M. I later added a 50mm Summicron. This system has proved to be a wonderfully liberating travel system. The picture quality is outstanding. Maybe not the equal of the medium format but for the size of prints I am making, it is perfect. The camera itself is a joy to use. As my M6 is approaching about 25 years old and as Leica may or may not be building film cameras for much longer, it has occured to me that a new MP should last as long as me without any difficulty. If I stick with my M6 and I am still photographing 20 years from now, it will be about 45 years old which may or may not be OK. As I have never seen an MP in person, I have a question about the rewind knob. I assume that it pulls straight up to rewind. How does it handle the tension on the film as it nears the end. There is enough tension in my M6 that the knob tends to want to spin backwards a bit to relieve the tension but at least there is the small fold out crank to hang on to. Is this a problem in the MP. Any comments or advice are welcome. Thanks.</p>

<p>I make a point of including the air bulb release and tubing in every self portrait of my wife and I in our travels. It's become a sort of trade mark.</p>

<p>Isn't 8 Elm Street a Leica Dealer?</p>

<p>I rate TMY2 at 250 and develop it in Xtol 1:1 for 7 1/2 minutes or HC110 at 1:50 for 7 1/2 minutes. Both at 68 deg. I use 35mm, 120 and 4x5. I don't like empty shadows and down rating the film just insures a little extra detail. I have no doubt that rating it at box speed works well for a lot of users. This is what works for me. Expose for the shadows and develop for the highlights.</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>Mark<br>

I went out and bought a voltage meter. The batteries all check out at just over 6 volts. The shutter no longer fires at all so I have no way of knowing if there is a drain. I suspect that I'll just chalk this up to an unfortunate purchase from a bad seller and toss it in the garbage. Thanks for your efforts.</p>