Hasselblad 553 EL User manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

Hasseiblad 553ELX Instruction Manual
Page
3 Introduction
4 Parts and Components
6 Basic Instructions
6 Batteries and Fuse
8 Normal Settings
8 F ront Protective Cover
8 Rear Protective Cover
8 Attaching the Lens
9 Removing the Lens
1 0 A ttac h ing the W ag azi ne
10 Removing the Magazine
11 Camera and Magazinelndicatois
12 Focusing Hood and Magnifier
13 Strap Lugs
13 Left Hand Grip
13 Focus and Release
14 Operating Details
14 Exposure
14 Time Exposure and Locking (LOT) Lever
15 Release Sockets
15 Re/ease Cords
16 Mode Selector Dial
17 Remote Control Socket
17 Double Exposure
18 Battery Types
19 Battery Check
20 Lens and Shutter Funciions
20 Shutterspeeds
20 Aperture
21 Exposure Values
Page
21 Shutter Speed/Aperture Interlock
22 Focusing and Depth of Field
22 I nf ra red Ph otog rap h y
23 Checking Depth of Field
23 FiashSynchronization
24 MagazineOperation
24 Load i ng th e Mag az ine
26 Load Status
26 Removing the FIm
26 Film Tab Holder
25 C han g I ng th e M agaz i ns Status 1 nd i cato r
26 Film Plane Index
27 Viewfinder System
27 Changlngthe Viewfinder
27 Changlngthe Magnifier
28 ChangjngtheFocusIng Screen
28 P MEand PME3/PM E5 Viewfinder Adjustment
31 Automatic Flash Control
32 Flash Adapters SCA390/590
32 Film Speed Setting
33 Viewfinder Signal
34 Accessories
34 Accessory Mounts
35 Accessory Chart
36 Technical Specification
37 Camera Body Dimensions
38 Troubleshooting
39 CircultDiagram
40 Camera Care, Serviceand Guarantee
Copyright© 1392. Victor Hasseiblad AB,
rigtits f9S&ivec No pan of itus maier/aJmayOe reproduced, swreCin a reifieirai sysiern, or transmiaed. in ar^y form
orbyanymeane. e^cuonic, meci^anica}, photocopy recording, or otherwise, v^nhouiihepriotwrinert permission oUhe
Company
1

Gu«irante9
Provided frial you bought your camera from an
authorized Hasselblad outlet. ii Is covered by an
iniemaclonal guarantee for one year. Fuhher
details can be found on page 40,
Service <ind Maintenance
While Hasselblad equipment is extremely reli¬
able and durable, cameras arid lenses that are in
constani intensive use in a professional environ¬
ment should be mainlained and serviced by an
authori2dd Hasselblad service center at regular
intervals. Further informaiion on service and
maintenance can be found on page 40.
Introduction to the Hasselblad Camera System
As a Hasselblad owner, you have In your
possession a camera of exceptional quality,
the product of an into mat ton ally renowned
tradition o' excellence in the world of pho¬
tography. Victor Hasselblad, the father of
the cameras which bear his namo, was
himself an accomplished photographer li
was to satisfy his own exacting standards
and Clverse requiremerits that he first
envisioned the Hasselblad system: a me
dium format single lens reftex camera with
Intercharrgeable lenses andfilm magazines.
A photographer first and businessman
second, Victor Hasselblad would never
sacrifice quality for ease of production. To
this day, Hasselblad cameras are pain¬
stakingly crafted with this principle In mind.
The Hasselblad sysiem has boon taken to
the ends of the earth and beyond - into
space, to earn Us reputation for re^'ability and
absolute fidelity. A range of accessories
affords llmitii^ss flexibility and the potential
to r success! ul photograph y in any a p pi icatl on.
The realisation of this potential is of course
d^erKlant upon the skill, care and judgement
of the photographer.
The Hasselblad 553ELX isa molonsed single
lens reflex camera featuring lens, magazine,
viewfinder, and focusing screen interchange-
ability It is capable of TTL/OTF (Through
The Lens/Off The Film ) flash metering,
providing direct full control of the Hasselblad
Proflash 4504 flash unitor, with Hasselblad
flash adapters SC A 390 and 590, of the
Hasselblad Macro Flaslj u nit or any flash u nit
conform ing to the European Systems SC A
300 and 500. When the flash output is
sufficient to provide a correct exposure the
flash units’ discharge i$automaf;>nally cutoff,
TTL/OTF moiering Is particularly Important
when using electronic flash for macro
photography.
Lenses
Since the early 1950's Ihe Hassel blad lenses
have been manufactured by Carl 2eiss in
Germany. All C and OF lenses manufactured
after 1967 can be used with the 653ELX.
F-type lenses, however, can onJy be used
with Hasselblad focal plane shutter cameras
manufactured after 1976.
Use this manuaf to learn how to operate
your camera. The knowledge gained from
reading it will give you access to The Hassel¬
blad pofenilal. Expioiling the potential Is left
to your imaginalionl
2
3

553ELX Parts and Components
1 FocusiDQ hood 12 Shutter spooQ ring ana scale 22 Remote socket cover
2 Acutd'Uaue'focusing screen 13 PC flash termmaJ 23 Camera statue indicator
3 Screen retaining clip 14 External and internal lens 2a Siraplag
A Flash turxllonlfxJIcaior accessory mount 25 Frame counter
5 Diivesliati 15 Exposure valuescae 26 Magazinestaius indicaor
6 Lens release burton 16 Exposure value index 2? Flimpiarteinoex
7 Focusir^ ring and scale 17 Rgigase button 28'Frim wiriding crank
8 Shuiterapooc and aperture 16 Front releese sockets 29 Magazine desag notion
interlock burton 19 FK30 release cord 30 Mode selector
9 Lens central index 20 Time exposure and bcKing 31 Nameplate
10 Depth-of-field scale lever 32 Magazine catch button
11 Aperture ring ana scale 21 flsmote release seeket
4
'Acute-Malte designed by MINOLTA
33 Focusing r>ood magnifier
34 Magazine slide
35 Film l^der key
36 Film load indicator
37 Rim lab holder
38 Motor housing
39 Tripod socket 1/4" thread
40 Quick-coupling plate
41 Fuse holder
42 Fuse
43 Banery compartment
44 Lens dri\/e coupling
45 Battery compartment cover
48 Battery check button
47 Battery check lights
48 Cover locking button
49 Deplh-of-Held preview Dulion
50 Flash connector cover
51 Dedicated hash connector
52 Lang locating index
53 Accessory rail
54 Strap lug
55 Rim speed selector
NOTE: In the text, the positions of components are described in relation to the camera as you see it
I when taking a photograph, I e. thelensisonlhe from, the viewfinder is in the lop. and the winding crank
I is on the right harxl Side
S

Basic Operation
This sect! o n d escri bes th e steps yo u m ust take to
make the camara read/ to use. Follow the steps
as they are described. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO
ATTACH THE LENS TO A CAMERA WITHOUT
BATTERIES. You will tind comprehensive infor¬
mation on how to operate the camera in the
following sections.
Batteries and Fuse
You cannot operate the camera until you have
inserted the batteries and the fuse mto the bat¬
tery compartiTiehl. To get access to the battery
compartment ycxj have to remove the cover ot^
the left hand eide of the motor housir^, I.e. the
lowersectionot the camera bod/. You unlock the
cover b/ Inserting a suitable coin Into the cover
locking button slot and turning It counter-clock¬
wise into a vBTlical poshlon. Now /ou can remove
the cover by opening the rear end outwards and
disengagir*>g the hooks In the front end.
The Battery Compartment
Wh@i you have removed the cover the battery
companmeni will be exposed, II you look closely
at the battery receptacles, you will see there
Is a symbol moulded inside each one, indicating
which way each battery should be inserted. On
the front face of the oomDartment at the bottom
is another moulding that represents a battery,
showing the positive and negative ends and the
vdiiojft Jifleieiii Je^gnalions of the required
battery type.
The Batteries
You will need five 1.6V alkaline batteries size AA
(alternative designations are LR6 or AM*3). Fresh
batteries will give you up to 4000 exposures at
ambient temperatures above 32®F (O^C).
Regard! ng u se of oth er bane ry type $, s ee pag e 18.
Battery Types}.
The Fuse
The fuse is a 5 x 20mm instrument fuse rated
1.6A medium slow-blow (semi time-lag).
Pitting Ihe Batteries
Fit the batteries into Ihe companment in accor¬
dance with the symbols moulded into the recep¬
tacles Once fitted the positive ( 4 -) erxfs of the two
uppermost batteries and the negative (-) erids of
the other three, should be visible. Rl fuse into
ils reo^tacle at the top right hand side of ihe
battery compartment. It is always advisable to
have a spare iuse, which can conveniently be
earned In tne hole directly beiow the fuse recep¬
tacle.
When you refit the cover you must ensure that
the two hooks in the Irwil of the cover positively
engage in the corresponding slots in the front of
the motor houslf>g. Rrmly holding the hooks in
place you insert the coin in the lock butter; slot.
Keeping the slot strictly verticdl you push the
cover against the resistance of the contact
springsuntiltholockpinengages in iheelotinihe
nnotor housing. While pushing you turn the lock
button clockwise until It stops (approximately
1/4 turn) and the cover will be locked tn place.
NOTE: If the camera has been released using
Ihe lock/time (LOT) lever without batteries
Inserted, the mechanism remains in the re¬
leased state. When the cover Is positioned
baftenes have been inserted the power
circuit is closed and Ihe camera will start and
complete the rewind cycle.
6 7

Normal Sertlngs
While setting up the camera as described in this
section, it is Important that both ih© mode selec-
lof dial and the LOT lever are set in the O’
position. You wlii find detailed information about
Ihese items on pages 14 arid 16.
Front Protective Cover
Turn the cover (bayonetfittlng) in the direction ot
the arrow and remove.
Rear Protective Cover
Depress the catch, tut the cover Backwards, and
lift it off.
Attaching the Lens
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO ATTACH THE LENS TO
A CAMERA WITHOUT BATTERIES!
Make sure that both camera arxl lens are fully
cocked. The adjacent II lust ration sinows the cor¬
rect relationship between the drive shaft, the lens
drive coupling and their indexes.
If Ihe camera is not fully ccd<ed {it may have
been accidentally pre-released), press and re¬
lease the release plate. The camera will then
wind on and be fully cocked.
If the lens Is not cocked, you can insert a coin In
the coupling slot and rotate it clockwise until it
locks (about 4/5 of a turn).
You will find that holding the camera in your left
hand and Ihe lens in your right hand, as shown m
the illustration, is the easiest way of attaching
lens.
When you have aligned the orange ndexonthe
lens with the one on the camera as shown I n the
II lust ration, the lens will be correctly positioned
into the bayonet fitting. You can then rotate It
clockwise until It stops with a faint click as the
lens catch locks it in place.
Removing the Lens
Depress the lens release button and rotate the
lens counter-clockwise until li stops.
NOTE: You can only remove the lens when
the camera Is cocked (fully wound) and not In
the pre-roloascd mode (see page 16}.
6 9

Attaching the Magazine
Ensure that the magazine slide is fully inserted,
and that the indicators are white, it the indicators
are not while, then refer to the Instruction on
page 11
Rest the magazine on the camera's rnaoazine
suppo os a nd m ake sure ih at it i s p rope riy located
on them. Carefully swing the magazine towards
the camera body and check that the camera's
magaz ine hoc ks I it i nto th e s I ots i n the mag azi ne.
Push the magazine gently but firmly against the
nooks while sliding the magazine catch button to
the right,
Paiaasa the button when the magazine has
made contact with the rear plate of the camera,
and push if to the teftto ensure that it has reached
the looked position. Remove the magazine slide
and the carr^era is ready to use.
Removing the Magazine
It is advisable to have the camera cocked (fully
wound) and the magazine indicator disolaying
white. II the magazine indicator shows a red
signal then follow the instructions on page 11
Insert the magazine slide Into tine magazine with
the hinge towards the front of the camera.
Slide the magazine catch to the right, swing the
magazine back and lift K off the magazine sup*
ports
NOTE: The magazine cannot be removed
without inserting the magazine slide. The
slide protects the film from being inadvertantly
ru ined by exposu re. Note a Iso that the came ra
cannot be operated when a magazine, with
slide Inserted, is attached to the camera.
Camera and Magazine indicatore
The 553ELXcamera ind caior Is permanently set
on white. The magazine indicator shows whether
the film has been advanced (white) or not (red)
When the magazine is attached tb a camera
body, it can also be used to determine whether
the camera has been released but not wound on
(red) or is ready to be operated (white). The ex¬
ception Is when the magazine has been removed
to produce a double exposure, dcc page 17.
ft the magazine indicator shows red. the film has
to be advanced to change the Indicator to white.
This can be car ried ou i In two diffe re ni w ays. Th e
procedure below has to be used on frame No. i
and can be used on all consecutive frames.
1. Set the 'LOT' lever from the 0 (nwmal posi¬
tion). to tine T (time exposure) position.
2. Attach tine magazine to the camera, leaving
the magazine slide in place.
3. R eturn the levertolhe 0 position. The camera
will now Stan to wind the film on and the
magazine status Indicates* will change to while.
A ampler method to edvonce tho film on ail
frames except frame No. 1 is described on
page 26.
10 11

Opening the Focusing Hood
Open the lid by gnpping the tab firmly and lifting
it to the ^/ertlcal position.
The Built-in Magnifier
The magnifier flips up into the viewing position
when the ov/al button inside the lid is In the
direction of the arrow.
To fold the magnifier down simply press it back
with your fingertip until It locks into the lid.
The magnifier may be exchanged for correction
lenses. See page 27,
Closing the Focusing Hood
“Pinch" in the side plates attne hinge points, and
fold the lid down.
2
Strap Lugs
strap Attachment
Place mam body of the strap dip over one of
the camera’s strap lugs. Press down on the tip of
the dip and pull back, and ensure thatthe locking
plate secures the $tr^ In place.
Strap Removal
Lift the dip locking plate and slide the dip for¬
ward. The strap is then freed from the camera
Left Hand Grip
You will find that holding the camera In your left
hand with your Index finger on the release plate,
as shown In the illustralion. is most convenient
when taking photographs. Your right hand is then
free tor focusing, setting the exposure and
changing the lens or magazine.
Focus and Release
Before you car take a photograph, you must
remove the magazine slide. The magazine will
then Inrkctd on Ihe rj^mera horfy- and the
camera release plate will De operative.
Rotate the focusing ring on the lens until you can
see a sharp image of the subject In the viewfin¬
der, You can now duress and release the re¬
lease plate to operate the camera.
13

Operating Details
Exposure
As a general rule for all shutter speed settings
except B, with the ‘LOT’ lever m tn© 0 position
you should Keep the release plate depressed
until the lens shutter nas completed the expo¬
sure. This is especially importartt at shutter
speeds from 1S to
If you relax the pressure on the release plate loo
soon, the auxiliary shutters will terminate the
exposure prematurely (see page 20, ’Warning
Signal ). The auxiliary shutter c^sisu of two
blinds covering the rear opening of the body.
Time Exposure and Locking (*LOr)
Lever
The lever located toward the rear of I he motor
housing cdlows you to select time exposure (T),
locking (L), or normal operation (0).
(O) - Normal operating position.
(T) - For time exposures, you should set the lens
at B and the mode selector at 0, S, or RS. The
camera shutter is mechanically opened when
th® LOT lever I® shifts tmm H to T Ths sbuHer
then remains open without ary dram on the
battery. When the lever is returned to the O
setting the shutter closes, the film is advanced,
and the shutter is cooked automatically.
(L) - In the L-mode, release is blocked to prevent
inadvertent exposures.
Release sockets
Hasselblad553ELX has two release sockets at the
f ro n t of th e m otor hous ing. The sockete are parall el I
connected an dean be used optionally lor inserting
the release button.
Release Cords
A iripod should be used when operating the
camera at slow shutter speeds. A release card
provides a suitable means of releasing the
camera. FK type release cords 0.3 and 6 metres
(1 and 20 feet) long can be con nected to ^ th er of
the Iront sockets. LK and SK type release cords
between 1.5 and 5 metres (5 and 16 feet) long
must be connected lo the remote control socket.
14
15

Mode Selector DiaV
The selector dial offers five release modes tor the
camera.
O- NORMAL MODE. Exposure occurs when the
release plate is depressed. The film is advanced.
the shutter cocKed and the mirror returned to
viewing position v^en the presure on the release
plate is removed.
S - PRE-RELEASE. When the dial is moved to
ihts positbn the lens shutter is cbsed, the dia¬
phragm slops down to the pre*selected aperture.
the mirror swings up and the auxiliary shutter
opens. Only the actual operation of the shutter
rerrains when the release plate is pressed. Since
most of the camera operations are pre-released,
Ihe camera's reaction time between release and
exposure is reduced to a minimum, as is camera
induced vibration The selector dial is not re¬
tained in the S-po6ltion but returns to me 0-
position when released.
R$- The camera ts pre released when the mode
selector is rDoved to RS where it is held, and con¬
tinues to pre-release after each exposure until
Ihe mode selector is returned manually to the 0
or A position.
A-Automatic. The camera makes a continuous
sequence of exposures as long as the triggering
impulse is applied, and unexposed film remains
in the camera. The sequential exposure rate in
this mode is about 1 frame/sec.
AS - The camera is pre released in AS and
exposes sequentially as bng as the exposure
button is kept depressed. At the end of the
sequencer the cairiuia leiiialiis in d pre*tel«d&eJ
State. The exposure rate is slighily faster than in
the A posilioh,
Remote Control Socket
At Ihe rear of the motor housing on the hght hand
side is a 5-pole DlN-socket. You can use this to
operate the camera by means of the release
cords {SK and lK), a timer or any means that
closes the circuit between pins 1 and 3 (seepage
38, Circuit Diagram). The external resistance
should not exceed 8 ohms and the circuit should
remain closed at least 0.1 sec for reliable
tnggering.
Double Exposure
The camera has boon designed to prevent acci-
dental double exposure. Intentional double and
multiple exposures on the same frame can be
carried out as follows:
1. Depress the release plate and keep It de¬
pressed. The magazine status indicator now
shifts to red.
2. Move the LOT lever to the L position and relax
Ihe pressure on ihe release plate.
3. Insert the magazine slide and remove the
maga 2 tn$ from the camera
4. Return the lever to the 0 position. The cam¬
era will wind on.
5. Replace the rrtagazine and remove the slide.
The unll Is now ready to make asecord exposure
on the same frame even though the magazine
indicator is red. You can make additional expo¬
sures ih the same manner.
The magazine status indicator remains red until
the magazine 1 $ left on the camera and wound
on.
16
17

Battery Types
The five AA size batteries used can either be
non-rechargeabte alkaline (LR-6, AM-3) or re¬
chargeable nlckei-cadinium (NiCd) types, but
must all be of the same type and in similar
canefition. Fresh alkaline batteries wSt ia$t for at
least 4000 exposures at ambient temperatures
above freezing. Rechargeebte NiOo batteries
have less than half ib/s capacity when fully
charged. Common z^c carbon baneriescan be
used txjt haves considerably shorter hte ^an
and should be avoided because they may leak
and oause serious damage to the Interior of the
camera. Lithium type batteries cannot be used
due to their higher voltage. Rechargeable batter¬
ies can be recharged in a standard Recharge
(Jnil for AA size battenes.
The batie ri es must always bare moved whe n the
camera Is not in use for long periods.
Please noto that for environmenral reasons
alkaline battenes should not be die posed of
with ordinary ri^biah.
Checking the Batteries
When you depress the battory check Dutton the
green lights indicate the remaininq battery
power. The folbvring indications are valid for
atkalino batteries.
Two lights; More than 40% remaining cower
One light; Less than 40% but more than 20%
remaining power.
No lights: Less than 20% Change to fresh
battenes!
The battery check circuitry cuts off tine lights after
1 -1.5 sec. in order to conserve battery power,
Rechargeable batteries cannot be checked in
this way since alkaline batteries and re¬
chargeable batteries have different discharge
charactercstics.
18
19

Lens and Shutter Functions
Shutter Speeds
The shutter speed ring is (ocated closest la the
tror^t ol ihd lens. Theddsired snurter gpeed is set
against the lens index.
The white scale shows the shutter speeds, and
the orange scale the exposure values (EV).
The green F setting Is used only when the lens Is
attached to a Haaselblad fo^ plane shutter
camera ot the 2000 series. The operation or the
diaphragm is not affected. The F setting can only
be engaged/dlsengaged when the green detent
button Is pressed. When using the 553 ELX, the
F setting will cause exposure errors since the
shutter remains open.
Aperture
The aperture ring is second closest to the front of
the lens. The ^srture value 1$ also sot against
the lens index.
CF lenses have an automatic diaphragm that
slops down to the p reset work! ng apertu re i m me-
dlately prior to exposure.
Warning Stgna)
The shutte t s peed ri ng h as a n orange m arki ng
opposite the 1, i /2, and i /4 s. This is to remind
you to m ainlai n pressu re 0 n the rele ase b utton
until tn© tens snutter nas completed me
exposure {see also page ti, Exposure}. With
the 553ELX you should extend this recom¬
mend ati on to include also 1/8 and 1/16 8 due
to the fast react! o n of th e camera’s m otorized
rewind operation.
Exposure Values
The aperture and shutter spaed combination set
opposite the lens index determines the expo¬
sure. Every combination of shutter speed/aper-
lur© has an equivalent exposure value (EV), This
you can read and set against the orange EV
Index on the sWe of the lens key.
Note: Hasselblad PME and PME-3 Meter Prism
Viewfinders give direct EV readings.
Interlocked Shutter Speed/
Aperture
If you want to change the shutter speed or aper¬
ture without changing the EV, you can interlock
tne speed and aperture rings by holding down
the interlock button on the right of the aperture
scale then turning the interlocked rings to the
desired aperture and speed combination that will
produce the image required. When interlocked,
the rings move together, increasing or decreas-
inQ rhA ^^p^rtiiTR ;4nH shutter speed to maintain
the EV for correct exposures.
20
21

B "
If
_L
11 8 If
1 1 hi
A, 8 11 16
111 1 1 i
3
t 5 7 10 20
KU 15
25 50
t 1 1 1 1 1 Ml 1
n 1 ! M M 1 M M 1 1 HrW
Focusing and Depth of Field
The focusing ring i3 te ring with the knurled
rubber grip positioned closest to the camera
body. The distance scales appear on this ring.
You focus the lens by rotating the focusing ring
until a sharp Image of the subject is obtained or
the measured distance betwe^ the subject and
the film plane is set opposite the lens Index. The
distance In metres Is shown In white numerals,
and the distance in Inches/feet Is In orange
numerals.
In the Image, objects doseror further away than
the selected distance will appear shaip. within
certain limits. The range of sharp focus, i.e. depth
of field, varies with the ^erture.
The depth of field aval I abl e at any g iv en ape rtu re
can be read oft the d^th-of-fleid scale on both
sides of the central index. The rings on the
Illustration Indicate howto read the depth-oMield
scalo widi an aperture of f/11.
Infrared Photography
Infr^ed (IR) rays (wavelengths longer than 800
n ano m eters) are ref racted 1 o a focal plane som e *
what behind that of the visible light images
formed on the focusing screen. To compensate
lor this dilference, proceed as follows:
Focus as usual on the focusing screen (see
ligure A).
Read the distance opposite tne central index.
Rotate the focusing ring until the distance read is
a.igned with tne red IR Index (see figure B).
Checking Depth of Field
To allow you to see tne deptn of field In tne image
on the focusing screen as it will appear on the
film, •tfie (Saphragm can be stopped down to the
preset fi^^erture sirr^ply by sliding tne manual
preview button downwards until it locks Into the
preview position. The diaphragm will remain in
this position untli It is manually opened.
To release the button, and re*open the dia*
phragm, press the lower section of the button.
Plash Synchronization
The Hasselbled 583ELX uses lenses from the
Hasselblad CF and C senes. These lenses have
built-in leaf shutters with speeds from i lo
1 /500s. A Hash unit connected to the PC terminal
will be activated when the shutter is fully open.
Electronic flash units can be used at all shutter
speeds, 1 • I/50D.
22
23

Magazine Operation
Loading the Magazine
The magazine may bo loaded on, or off tho
camera, if il i$ fo be loaded off thte camera then
tne magazine slide must be Insened. Its flat side
towards the rear. This facililates removal of the
film holder for loading. FoUow the procedure
below.
1 ) Fold outline magazine Insert key.
2) Turn the key courter-clockwise and with¬
draw the film holder.
3) An empty take-up spool should be placed
under the knurled knob ol the spool damp
bar. Insert a roll of film under the other end of
ths bar, ensuring that it Is turned the same
way as m the illustration. Be careful to remove
al I th e paper tape th a1 su rro u nds a new ro II of
film.
4) Turn the magazine insert key dockwlse to
open the film clamp. Pull 8 • 10cm (3 - 4 in.} of
paper backing off the film roll and slide
edge u nder the damp.
5) 1 nserT the tongue of Ihe backing paper Into the
slot in the take-up spool.
6 )
Turn the knurled knob clockwise until the
arrow on the paper backing is opposite the
triangular index on the spoof damp bar, but |
no further.
7) Turn thernagazine insert key courtter-clock-
and insert thd film holder Into tho maga
zine - ensure lhal it is correctly positioned.
Lock the film holder into the magazine by
turning Ihe key dockwlse
8 ) Fold 0 ut the f il m crank a nd rotate II c I ockwlse
about ten turns until It stops. Turn the crank
counter-clockwise and fold it in.
Number 1 will now be displayed in the frame
counter window and the magazine is loaded -
ready lor use.
The magazi n e*s fl l m wi n der cran k is onl y blocked
at Ir^e 1. A partially exposed film may be
wound off at any frame thereafter.
The frame counter is automatically reset when
Che film holder is withdrawn from the magazine.
24
25

Magazine Load status
In ihd centre of the film holder key Is e crescent*
s haped t nd icato r that dtsp lay s whi le whe n trte fi l iti
Is loaded into ihe magazine, and progressively
changes to redae the film is woundor. A coiripletely
red indicator shows that either the final frame is
exposed o r the m agailn e i s empty.
Removing the Film
When the last frame tias been exposed, the
mag azm e blocks the cameratorfu rm e r«^ posures.
Wind off the film by folding out the film winding
crank, and rotating tldockwise until you can feel the
fil m le aving the supply s poo I. Now you can withdraw
the film holderfrom the magazine and remove the
exposed ‘I'lm,
Orenglng the Magazine Status lr)dicator
To ch an ge ih e magazi ne ino icator fro m red to wh ite
atanyoiherframe number than 1 you fold out the
film winding crank and turn It clonkwis©. Tho indi-
catorchanges after approx. 3/4 turn, but you should
continue (or about half a turn until the new frame
number Is centered in the counter window to avoid
overlapping frames.
Film Tab Holder
T he e nd tab Of the fil m pac K can be inse led i n the
h old er 0 n the back of the magazi n e as a remi nder of
thekindofftlmyou have loaded into the magazine.
Film Plane Index
The film plane index on Ihe right hand side of the
magazine body indicefes the position of the film
plane to (acilitafe accurate det^minaUon of ihe
fiim-to-subjeci distance, which is very important in
c 1 we -u p ph otog raphy
Viewfinder System
Changing the Viewfinder
The film magazine or rear cover must be de*
taohed Defo r© th e focu sing hood or oth er vi ewII n-
der can be removed Tho focusing hood should
be folded down before being removed, to prevent
W from being damaged.
Remove the hood by sliding it to the rear in tis
guide slots.
Slide the replac^ent finder into Ihe slots and
push it forward.
Attach a magazine or rear cover to the camera.
Changing ihe Magnifier
The complete magnifier plate In the locusing
ftood can easily be interchanged with other
platus with correctiori lenses to compensate for
different eyesight. Correction lenses with powers
ranging from +3 to —4 diopters are available
mounted in plates and marked with the correc¬
tion power of the lene. The change Is ©astly
carried out by following the procedure below.
Remove the focu^ng hood from the cameraand
open it by lifting the lid firmly at the rear edge.
Bring the magnifier to ihe viewing position by
moving the Oval button in the direction of the
arrow.
Push the magniffer half way back down to its
folded position.
Grip me lower edge o( the magnifier between
thumb and forefinger (through the underside of
the hood), and pull firmly.
The replacement lens is inserted by reveroing
the above procedure.
26
27

Changing the Focusing Screen
The screen Is easily Interchanged witfioul tie
requi rement of special tocris.
Detach the magazine and vievsrfinder
Slide thescreen lalcheslotl^ side. Cup your hand
Qverthe screen, and invert the camera.
The screen will now drop into your har>d.
Insert the replacement screen, ensuririg that the
s m oolh flat s i de o1 the frame is uppermost and 1 h at
all foci roomers are seated on the support pins.
It i s rx)t necessa ry to retu m ih© screen latches. T>iis
is done auiomaiicaiiy when tne viewfinder is
replaced
In the Hasselblad Product Catalog you will find
the entire range of focusing screens of diflereht
deal g ns fc r variou s appllcatio n s.
The 553ELX model is eQuipped with an Acute*
Matte foe using screen which provides aconslder-
able Increase in the brightness of the focusing
Image when compared with the older Hasselblad
focusing screens. On page 30 you will find instruc
fions on how to adjust the PME and PME3 / PME5
Meter Prism Viewjjnders to compensate for the light
leveldifferences on the different focusingsereens
PME and PME3 / PME5 Wieier Prism
Viawlinder Adjustments
Since the Hasselblad Meter Prism y#ewfina«rs
measure the light level on the focusing screenthey
have been calibrated at the factory to give an
accurate readi ng wf fh o ne partic u \o r type oteoreen.
tfthatfocusng screen is replaced with another type
which gives a different light level under the same
am bie ni condlti ens, th e meter has to bo adj usted to
compensate for ihedlfferwnce,
Th e PM E and PME3 1 PME5 .Ttete t v le wtirtoers are
basically the same design but are differently
adjusted from the factory. The PME3/PME5 type
is adjusted to the bh ghter Acute-M atte scree n i n lh e
553ELX camora while th© previous PME type is
adj usted to the lower I i ght level of the G ro u r>d*glass
screen (Cat No. 42161) and similar, comparable
screens, such as Split image (42186), Microprism
and split image (422f6j, or Grid and microprism
(4^250). The P/ain glass screen (42200) Is not
Suliabl© ?0 r TT L mete tl ng.
The dlsnnctiofi between the two viewllnoet types
IS indicated by the OesfgnaTion PME3 or PWE5
re^ectlveiy on the rear ot the viewfinder body
abovethe eyepiece. ThePME has nodesignatic^.
The ways of oompo nsati ng for alte mab ve us ag e of
the meter viewfinders are shown in tho charte on
the next page.
Z$
28

A. Acute-Matte' focusing screen, combined wiih:
Viewfinder
model
Adjustment or action required lo obtain the correct EV value
PME3/PME5
No adjustmen; or aaion required.
PME
Reduce the ASA/ISO setting to half the film speed Vdiue as Indicated
or the film package {e.g. to 50 for a lOO ASA film)
or
Ipgiftafifi the MAK lens aperture setting one Full step (e g. to fZ for
an f 2.d lens^
or
Reduce the EV reading one full step when setting It on Ihe lens EV
scale (e.g. to EVi t Instead of EVI2).
B. Other Hasseibiad focusing screens, combined with:
VIev/finder
model
Adjuatment oraellon required to obtain a correct EV value
PMES/PMES
Increase the ASA/ISO setting to twice the film speed value as
indicated on the film package (e g. to 200 for a too asa film)
or
Reduce the MAX ler^ aperture setting one full sfep (e.g. to f4 for
an f2.8 lens)
or
Increase the EV readmo one full s/ep when ReWrn itnn tha lane PV
scale (e.g. to EV13 instead of EV12).
PME
No adjustment or action required.
Automatic Flash Control
Th© camera's bullt-jn flash sensoi and eieclronics
m ete r th © I ight reftecteo from the centra t p>o rti or of
th©film surface, acirels with aaianieterof4Q mrr.
Themeteting system is connected to atilm speed
selector. With the Hasseibiad Profbsh 45C4directly
connected ur any othRr System SCA 300 or 500
d edi cated flash u nit con necied thro jgl i the Hass© l-
blad flash adapters SCA390 crSdO it controls the
Hash unit and cuts oft fhe ilash when ihe exposure
is correci.
For con n ecti ng the H assol blad Prof la$h 4SQ4 to the
553ELX, please referto the instruction manual For
the Flash unit.
UnoBriheiefthandeflQeofthefociJsing screen an
indicatorlightshows when me flash Is ready to be
0 porated a nd a ISO confi i ms it the tl a sh o utpu i wa $
sufficient to give a correct exposure.
The flasl i u n i t powers i he cam era© e tectronics and
also the flash adapter, when mans uood.
30
Aculg'Maiie designed by MINOLTA.
31

Attaching the Hasselblad Flash
Adapters SOA 390 and SCA 590
For hand held (la$h uni23» either adapter is at-
ached as shown In the illustration above.
— the 8-pole contact from the spiral cord is
connected to the camera's side socket
— the sync cord is connected from the adapter
to the PC flash terminal of the lens
— the connecting oord Is attached to the hand-
teld unit
Setting the Film Speed
The film speed is set via the ISO selector. This is
divided Into ISO(ASA) settings from 16 - lOQO.
Theoduivalentin OIN ratings can be found using
the table below. Certain films require compensa-
lion for differences in reflection. In these in¬
stances, the compensation is made by changing
the film speed selector setting. The amount of
compensation rias to be determined by e^rpen-
ment.
NOTE: The SCA 300 flash unit must always
be eet to Ihe '‘TTL" position. The CCA 500 unit
must be set to the "M" (Manual) position.
Viewfinder Signal
Thie indicator located under trie left edge of the
focusing screen displays two different signals,
both shown in a red glowing light. The indicator
is only in operation when the camera is used with
flash adapters SCA 390 or S90 end a flash unit
that conforms to the corresponding System SCA
300 or 500.
Ready Signal
A steady red light inoioates that the flasn unit is
charged and ready lo be fired.
Correct Exposure Signal
A blinking red light that occurs for just over a
second after exposure indicates that the flash
has emitleo the right amount of lig ht for a correct
exposure. After the blinking signal, the indicator
returns lo the ready signal when the flash unit Is
once again fully recnargeo.
Incorrect Exposure Indlcallor
After an exposure has been carried out and the
red light is unlit this indicates that the flash emit¬
ted was insufTicien for correct expusute. The
aperture must then be evened or the flash dis¬
tance lo the subject must be reduced. Charging
to a faster fitm is also a piossibility.
The Ready Signal will appear after a short but
variable length of time depending on the condi¬
tion of the flash batteries.
p rete r to your flash u n it's operating instruc-
tions for more information about other functions
when using automatic flash light metering that
conforms to System SCA flash photography with
flasfi seiisufs. ui williiiuii-dutomatiofla^h unib.
ISO(ASA) 16 . 25 . 40 . 64 . IQQ . . 200 . .400. . 8QQ .
DIN 13 1 4 15 1 6 1 7 1 8 1 9 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 2 9 30 31
32
33

Accessories
Accessory Mounla
On the conom oi the ca m©ra body a i /41 n, th re ad
tripod socket is located in the centre of the quick
coupling plate. The plate and socket accept flash
gun brackets and the plate also fits and easily
locks Into the Hasselblad Tripod Quick-coupling.
If you own tripods and other accessories with
3^ in. screws we recommend you to purchase
the Tripod Quick-coupling which has both 1/4
and 3/8 in. sockets and provides an easily oper¬
ated, fast and reliable tnpod connection.
Should a Ouick coupling be unsultat^e for your
application, ycur Hasseibiad distributor can,
upon request provide a r^lacemenl 3/8 In.
socket together with installation ihstructior^s.
On the left hands Ide of the cam e ra bod /1 n front
of the strap lug there Is an accessory ran for ihe
Rash Adapter and other aocoseohes The
lenses accept fillers and lens shades on the front
bayonets.
Hasseibiad Accessory Chart
The accessory chart on the opposite page indi¬
cates the wide range of accessories available
within the Hasseibiad System. Please refer to Ihe
Hasseibiad Product Catalogue for complete In¬
formation on tha entire Hasseibiad Camera
System.
34 35

Technical Specifications and Equipment 553ELX
Camera type: Motoriiad single-lens reflex camera for 6 x 6cm (21/4x2 i/4in.} film size
(max.). Interchangeable lenses, film magazines, viewfinders, ard focusmg
screens.
Design: integrated motor. The camera body shell and the motor housing are made of
aluminium and magnesium alloys respectively and are each cast in one piece
Vlewflfiiterfti Folding focusing hood. The camera can accept different types of focusing
screens, prism viewfinders with or without a builMn light meter, magnifying
hood, or Sports viewfinder.
Focusing screen: Hasselblad Acute-f^arte fociising screen.
Film advance: Automatic, motorized film advance and simuftaneous shutter cooking. Expo
sure rate ot approx. 1 2 frames/s. Mode selector for single and seouence
exposures, with orwitiiout pre-release.
Battery/capacity: Five size AA (LR6, AM-3) 1.5V alkaline (or 1.2V rechargeable NiCad) batteries.
Up to 4000 expos u re s with f resh al ka li n e batteries.
Flash control: TTlvOTF-measurement. ISO 16 -1000 with flash adapters SC A 390 or SC A
590 tor connection with flash units from the Systems SCA 300 or SCA 500
respectively. Measuring area within 040mm in the centre of the film surface.
Tripod socket: 1/4 in. socket thread and trpod plate for quick-coupling attachment.
External Camera body only - see opposite. Camera body WPth 80mm Planar CF lens
dimensions: an q film magazine A12: laOLxIOOWxiSOmmH (71/a x 315/16 x 515/1S In.),
Weight: Camera body or/y: 1240g (21b 12oz), The camera body with 80mm Piana'^ CF
lens and film magazine A12; 2130g (4lb 11 oz).
The cemera body (chrome model, product no. 1006^ orb/ack model, product
no. 10231), comes with focusing hood. Acute Maffe* focusing screen, fuses,
carrying strap, front and rear protecHue covers, release piate and FK 30
reiease cord.
For comprehensive information on accessories please refer to the Hasselblad Product Catalogue.
Hasselblad reserve the right to make changes (n the published specifications without priof notice.
' Acute-Matte designed by rv1I^ULTA.
36
Camera Body Dimensions
37