Hasselblad 553ELX User manual

HASSELBLAD
INSTRUCTION MANUAL

Hasselblad 553ELX Instruction Manual
Page
3 Introduction
4 Parts and Components
6 Basic Instructions
6 Batteries and Fuse
8 Normal Settings
8 Front Protective Cover
8 Rear Protective Cover
8 Attaching the Lens
9 Removing the Lens
10 Attaching the Magazine
10 Removing the Magazine
11 Camera and Magazine Indicators
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 Release Cords
16 Mode Selector Dial
17 Remote Control Socket
17 Double Exposure
18 Battery Types
19 Battery Check
20 Lens and Shutter Functions
20 Shutterspeeds
20 Aperture
21 Exposure Values
Copyright © 1992. Victor Hasselblad AB
Page
21 ShutterSpeed/Aperture Interlock
22 Focusing and Depth of Field
22 Infrared Photography
23 Checking Depth of Field
23 FlashSynchronization
24 Magazine Operation
24 — Loading the Magazine
26 Load Status
26 Removing the Film
26 Film Tab Holder
26 Changing the Magazine Status Indicator
26 Film Plane Index
27 Viewfinder System
27 Changingthe Viewfinder
27 Changingthe Magnifier
28 Changing the Focusing Screen
28 =PMEandPME3/PMES5 Viewfinder Adjustment
31 Automatic Flash Control
32 Flash Adapters SCA390/590
32 Film Speed Setting
33 Viewfinder Signal
34 Accessories
Accessory Mounts
36 Accessory Chart
g
36 Technical Specification
37 Camera Body Dimensions
38 Troubleshooting
39 CircuitDiagram
40 Camera Care, Serviceand Guarantee
Allrights reserved. No part of this material may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, of transmitted, in any form
orby any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the
Company
1

Guarantee
Provided that you bought your camera from an
authorized Hasselblad outlet, itis covered by an
international guaranteo for one year. Further
details can be found on page 40.
Service and Maintenance
While Hasselblad equipment is extremely reli-
able and durable, cameras and lenses that arein
constant intensive use in a professional environ-
ment should be maintained and serviced by an
authorized Hasselblad service center at regular
intervals. Further information 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 internationally renowned
tradition of excellence in the world of pho-
tography. Victor Hasselblad, the father of
the cameras which bear his namo, was
himself an accomplished photographer. It
was to satisfy his own exacting standards
and diverse requirements that he first
envisioned the Hasselblad system: a me
dium format single lens reflex camera with
interchangeable lenses and film magazines.
A photographer first and businessman
second, Victor Hasselblad would never
sacrifice quality for ease ot production. To
this day, Hasselblad cameras are pain-
stakingly crafted with this principle in ming.
The Hasselblad system has beon taken to
the ends of the earth and beyond — into
space, to earn its reputation for rellability and
absolute fidelity. A range of accessories
affords limitless flexibility and the potential
forsuccesstul photograohyin any application.
The realisation of this potential is of course
dependantupon the ski, care and judgement
of the photographer.
The Hasselblad 553ELXis.amotorizedsingle
lens reflex camera featuring lens, magazine,
viewfinder, and focusing screen interchange-
ability. It is capable of TTLIOTF (Through
The Lens/Off The Film’) flash metering,
providing direct full control of the Hasselblad
Proflash 4504 flash unit or, with Hasselblad
flash adapters SCA 380 and 590, of the
Hasselblad Macro Flash unitorany flash unit
conforming to the European Systems SCA
300 and 500. When the flash output is
sufficiont to provide a correct exposure the
flash units’ discharge is automatically cut off,
TTLOTF tnotering is particularly important
when using electronic flash for macro
photography.
Lenses
Since the early 1950's the Hasselbladlenses
have been manufactured by Carl Zeiss in
Germany. All C and GF lenses manufactured
after 1957 can be used with the 553ELX.
F-type lenses, however, can only be used
with Hasselolad focal plane shutter cameras
manufactured after 1976.
Use this manua! to learn how to operate
your camera. The knowledge gained from
reading twill give you access to the Hassel-
blad potential. Exploiting the potential is left
to your imagination!

19 18 17
|
16 5
553ELX Parts and Components
1 Focusing hood
Acute-Matte” focusing sereen
Screen retaining clip
Flash function indicator
Diive statt
Lens release button
Focusing ring and soale
Shutter speed and aperturo
interlock button
Lens central index
Depth of feld scale
11 Aperture ring and scale
Seo syoasen
12
13
14
15
Shutter speed ring and scale
PC flash terminal
External and internal lens
accessory mount
Exposure value scale
Exposure value index
Release button
Front release sockets
FK30 release cord
Time exposure and locking
lever
Remote release socket
22 Remote socket cover
23 Camora status indicator
24 Straplug
25 Frame counter
26 Magazine stalus indicator
Film plane incex
28 Film winding crank
29 Magazine designation
20 Mode selector
31 Name plate
32 Magazine catch button
“Acule-Maite designed by MINOLTA
33 Focusing hood magnifier 41 Fuse holder 49 Depth-ot-fieid preview button
34 Magazine side 42 Fuse 50 Flash connector cover
35 Film holder key 43 Battery compartment 51 Dedicated flash connector
36 Film load indicator 44 Lens drive coupling 52 Lens locating index
37 Film tab holder 45 Battery compartment cover 53 Accessory rail
38 Motor housing 46 Battery check button 54 Strap ug
39 Tripod socket 1/4” thread 47 Battery check lights 55 Film speed selector
40 Quick-couplng plate 48 Cover locking button
NOTE: In the text, the positions of components are described in relation to the camera as you see it
when taking a photograph, i.e. the lensisonthe front, the viewfinderisin the top, andthe winding crank
is on the right hand side.

Basic Operation
This section describes the steps you must take to
make the camera ready to use. Follow the stegs
as they are described. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO
ATTACH THE LENS TO A CAMERA WITHOUT
BATTERIES. You will find 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 into the bat-
tery compartment. To gat access to the battery
compartment you have to remove the cover on
the loft hand side of the motor housing, i.e. the
lower section of the camera body. You unlock the
cover by inserting a suitable coin into the cover
locking button slot and turning it counter-clock-
vise into a vertical position. Now youcan remove
the cover by opening the rear end outwards and
disengaging the hooks in the front end,
The Battery Compartment
When you have removed the cover the battery
compartment will be exposed. I! you look closely
at the battery receptacles, you will see that there
is a symbol moulded inside each one, indicating
which way each battery should be inserted. On
the front face of the compartment at the bottom
is another moulding that represents a battery,
showing the positive and negative ends and the
various different designations of the required
battery type.
TheBatteries
You will need five 1.5V 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 (0°C).
Regarding use of other battery types, see page 18.
Battery Types}
The Fuse
The fuse is a 5 x 20mm instrument ‘use rated
4.6A medium slow-blow (semi time-lag).
Fitting the Batteries
Fit the batteries into the compartment in accor-
dance with the symbols moulded into the recep-
tacles. Once fitted the positive (+) ends of the two
uppermost batteries and the negative (-) ends of
the other three, should be visible. Fit the fuse into
its receptacle at the top right hand side of the
battery compartment. It is always advisable to
have a spare fuse, which can conveniently be
carried in the hole directly below the fuse recep-
tacle.
When you refit the cover you must ensure that
the twa hooks in the front of the cover positively
engage in the corresponding slots in the front of
the motor housing. Firmly holding the hooks in
place you insert the coin in the lock button slot.
Keeping the siot strictly vertical you push the
cover against the resistance of the contact
‘springs until tha lock pin engages in tho slot in the
motor housing. While pushing you turn the lock
button clockwise until it stops (approximately
1/4 turn) and the cover will be lacked in place.
NOTE: Ifthe camera hes been released using
the locktime (LOT) lever without batteries
inserted, the mechanism remains in the re-
leased state. When the cover is positioned
alter batteries have boen inserted tho power
circuit is closed and the camera will start and
complete the rewind cycle.

Normal Settings
‘While setting up the camera as described in this
section, itis important that both the mode selec-
tor dial and the ‘LOT’ lever are set in the 'O'
position. You will find detailed information about
these items on pages 14 and 16.
Front Protective Cover
Turn the cover (bayonet fitting) in the direction ot
the arrow and remove.
Rear Protective Cover
Depress the catch, tit the cover backwards, and
lift it off.
Attaching the Lens
DONOT ATTEMPT TO ATTACH THE LENS TO
A CAMERA WITHOUT BATTERIES!
Make sure that both camera and lens are fully
cocked. The adjacent illustration shows the car-
rect relationship between the drive shaft, the lens
drive coupling and their indexes.
if the camera is not fully cooked (it may have
been accidentally pre-released), press and re-
lease the release plate. The camera will then
wind on and be fully cocked.
Ifthe lens is not cocked, you can insert a coin in
the coupling slot and roiate it clockwise until it
locks (about 4/5 of a turn),
You will find that holding the camera in your left
hand ang the lens in your right hand, as shown in
the illustration, is the easiest way of attaching the
lens.
When you have aligned the orange index on the
Jens with the one on the camera as shown in the
illustration, 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 unti it stops.
NOTE: You can only remove the lens when
the camera is cocked (fully wound) and not in
tho pro-reloased mode (see page 16}.

Attaching the Magazine
Ensure that the magazine slide is fully inserted,
and that the indicators are white. If the indicators
are not white, then refer to the instruction on
page 11
Rest the magazine on the camera’s magazine
supports and make sure that itis properly located
on them. Carefully swing the magazine towards
the camera body and check that the camera's
magazine hooks fitinto the slats inthe magazine.
Push the magazine gently but firmly against the
hooks while sliding the magazine catch button to
the right.
Release the button when the magazine has
made contact with the rear plate of the camera,
and pushitto the leftto ensure thatithas reached
the locked position. Remove the magazine slide
and the camera is ready to use.
Removing the Magazine
It is advisable to have the camera cocked (fully
wound) and the magazine indicator displaying
white, I the magazine indicator shows a red
signal then follow the instructions on page 11
Insert the magazine slide into the magazine with
the hinge towards the front of the camera.
Slide the magazine catch to the right, swing the
magazine back and lift it off the magazine sup-
ports.
NOTE: The magazine cannot be removed
without inserting the magazine slide. The
slide protects the film from being inadvertantly
ruined by exposure. Note also that the camera
cannot be operated when a magazine, with
slide Inserted, is atlached to the camera.
Camera and Magazine Indicators
‘The 553ELX camera indicatoris permanently set
on white. The magazine indicator shows whether
tha film has been advanced (white) or not (red).
When the magazine is attached to 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, sce page 17.
if the magazine indicator shows red, the film has
to bo advanced to change the indicator to white.
This can be carried out in two different ways. The
procedure below has to be used on frame No. 1
and can be used on all consecutive frames.
1. Set the ‘LOT’ lever from the © (normal posi-
tion). to the T (time exposure) position.
2. Attach the magazine to the camera, leaving
the magazine slide in place.
3. Retum the leverto the O position, The camera
will now start to wind the film on and the
magazine status indicator will change to white.
A simpler method to advance the film on all
frames except frame No. 1 is described on
page 26.
W

Opening the Focusing Hood
‘Open the lid by gripping the tab firmly and litting
it to the vertical position.
The Built-in Magnifier
The magnifier flips up into the viewing position
when the oval button inside the lidis moved 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 at the hinge points, and
fold the lid down.
Strap Lugs
Strap Attachment
Place the main body of the strap clip over one of
the camera's strap lugs. Press down on the tip of
the clip and pull back, and ensure that the locking
plate secures the strap in place.
Strap Removal
Lift the clip locking plate and slide the olip 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 illustration, 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 can take a photograph, you must
remove the magazine slide. The magazine will
then be locked an the amera body. and the
camera release plate will be 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 depress and release the re-
lease plate to operate tho camera.
13

14
Operating Details
Exposure
As a general rule for all shutter speed settings
except B, with the ‘LOT’ lever in the O position
you should keep the release plate depressed
until the lens shutter has completed the expo-
sure. This is especially important at shutter
speeds from 1s to 1/15s.
If you relax the pressure on the release plate too
soon, the auxiliary shutters will terminate the
‘exposure prematurely (see page 20, ‘Warning
Signal’). The auxiliary shutter consists of two
blinds covering the rear opening of the body.
Time Exposure and Locking (‘LOT’)
Lever
The lever located toward the rear of the motor
housing allows you to select time exposure (T),
locking (L), or normal operation (O).
(©) — Normal operating position.
(T) — For time exposures, you should set the lens
at B and the mode selector at O, S, or RS. The
camera shutter is mechanically opened when
the LOT’ lever is shifted from O to T, The shutter
then remains open without any drain on the
battery. When the lever is returned to the O
setting the shutter cioses, the fiim Is advanced,
and the shutter is cocked automatically.
(L)-Inthe L-mode, release is blocked to prevent
inadvertent exposures.
Release sockets
Hasselblad 553ELX has tworeleasesockets atthe
frontof the motor housing. The socketsare parallell
connected andcanbe used optionally for inserting
the release button.
Release Cords
A tripod should be used when operating the
camera at slow shutter speeds. A release cord
provides a suitable means of releasing the
camera. FK type release cords 0.3 and 6 metres
(1 and 20 feet) long can be connected to either of
the front sockets. LK and SK type release cords
between 1.5 and 5 metres (5 and 16 feet) long
must be connected to the remote contro! socket.
15

Mode Selector Dial
The selector dial offers five release modes forthe
camera.
O-NORMAL MODE. Exposure occurs when the
release plate is depressed. The film is advanced,
Gaza)
16
the shutter cocked and the mirror returned to
viewing position when the presure on the release
plate is removed,
S - PRE-RELEASE. When the dial is moved to
this position the lens shutter is closed, the dia-
phragm stops down to the pre-selected aperture,
the mirror swings up and the auxiliary shutter
‘opens. Oniy the actual operation of the shutter
remains when the release plate is pressed. Since
most of the camera operations are pre-released,
the 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-position but returns to the O-
position when released.
RS- The camera is pro-released when the mode
selector is moved to RS where itis held, and con-
tinues to pre-release after each exposure until
the mode selector is returned manually to the O
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 long as the exposure
button is kept depressed, At the end of the
sequence the camera remains in a pre-eleased
state. The exposure rate is slightly faster than in
the A position.
Remote Control Socket
At the rear of the motor housing on the right hand
side is a 5-pole DIN-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 (see page
38, Circuit Diagram). The external resistance
should not exceed 6 ohms and the circuit should
remain closed at least O.1sec for reliable
triggering.
Double Exposure
The camera has been 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 da-
pressed. The magazine status indicator now
shifts to red.
2, Move the LOT lever to the L position andrelax
the pressure on the release plate.
3. Insert the magazine slide and remove the
magazine from the camera.
4, Return the lever to the O position. The cam-
era will wind on.
5, Replace the magazine and remove the slide.
The unitis now ready to make asecond exposure
on the same frame even though the magazine
indicator is red. You can make additional expo-
sures in the sama manner.
The magazine status indicator remains red until
the magazine is left on the camera and wound
on.
7

18
Battery Types
The five AA size batteries used can either be
non-rechargeable alkaline (LR-6, AM-3) or re-
chargeable nickel-cadinium (NiCd) types, but
must all be of the same type and in similar
condition. Fresh alkaline batteries will iast for at
least 4000 exposures at ambient temperatures
above freezing. Rechargeabie NiCd batteries
have less than hali this capacity when fully
charged. Common zinc-carbon batteries can be
used but have a considerably shorter life span
and should be avoided because they may leak
and cause 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
Unit for AA sizo batteries.
‘The batteries must always be removed when the
camera is not in use for long periods.
Please note that for environmental reasons
alkaline batteries should not be disposed of
with ordinary rubbish.
Checking the Batteries
When you depress the buttery check button the
green lights indicate the remairing battery
power. The following indications are valid for
alkaline batteries.
Two lights: More than 40% remaining power
One light: Less than 40% but more than 20%
remaining power.
No lights: Less than 20%. Change to fresh
batteries!
The battery check circuitry cuts off the 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
characteristics.
19

2B 8584 8
a
Lens and Shutter Functions
Shutter Speeds
The shutter speed ring is located closest to the
frontot the lens. The desired shutter speedis 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
Exposure Values
The aperture and shutter speed combination set
opposite the lens index determines the expo-
sure. Every combination of shutter speed/aper-
ture has an equivalent exposure value (EV). This
you can road and set against the orange EV
index on the side of the lens key.
Note: Hasselblad PME and PME-3 Meter Prism
Viewlinders give direct EV readings.
w)
t
QL z ngulon 8 2 attached to a Hasselblad focal plane shutter
camera of the 2000 series. The operation of the
diaphragm is not affected. The F setting can only
be engagadidisengaged when the green detent
: button is pressed. When using the 553ELX, the
F setting will cause exposure errors since the
shutter remains open.
Ù
T =
v0
Aperture
The aperture ring is second closest to the front of
the lens, The aperture value is also set against
the lens index.
CF lenses have an automatic diaphragm that
stops down to the preset working aperture imme-
diately prior to exposure.
Interlocked Shutter Speed/
Aperture
If you want to change the shutter speed or aper-
ture without changing the EV, you can interlock
the 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-
ing the aperture and shutter speed to maintain
the EV for correct exposures.
Warning Signal
The shutier speed ring hasan orange marking
opposite the 1, 1/2, and 1/4 s. Thisis toremind
you to maintain pressure onthe release button
Until the tens shutter nas completed the
T I TU exposure (seealso page 14, Exposure). With
7 the 553ELX you should extend this recom-
Fey it) tammy, ‘mendation to include also 1/8 and 1/15 s due
ESTES tothe fast reaction of the camera's motorized
Oye vary fuer ea om rewindoperation.
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22
Focusing and Depth of Field
The focusing ring is the 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 between the subject and
the film plane is set opposite the lens index. The
distance in motres is shown in white numerals,
and the distance in inches/feet is in orange
numerals.
In the image, objects closer or further away than
the selected distance will appear sharp, within
certain limits. The range of sharp focus, i.e. depth
of field, varies with the aperture.
The depth of field available at any given aperture
can be read off the depth-of-field scale on both
sides of the central index. The rings on tho
illustration indicate how to read the depth-of-field
scale with an aperture of f/11.
Infrared Photography
Infrared (IR) rays (wavelengths longer than 800
nanometers) are retracted to a focal plane some
what behind that of the visible light images
formed on the focusing sereen. To compensate
for this difference, proceed as follows:
Focus as usual on the focusing screen (see
figure A)
Read the distance opposite the contral index.
Rotate the focusing ring until the distance read is
aligned with the red IR index (see figure B).
Checking Depth of Field
To allow you to see the depth of field in the image
on the focusing screen as it will appoar on the
fiim, the diaphragm can be stopped down to the
preset aperture simply by sliding the manual
preview button downwards until it locks into the
preview position. The diaphragm will remain in
this position until it is manually opened.
To release the button, and re-open the dia-
phragm, press the lower section of the button
Flash Synchronization
The Hasselblad 553ELX uses lensos from the
Hasselblad CF and C series. These lenses have
built-in leat shuttors with speeds from 1 to
1/5005. A flash 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 - 1/500.

Magazine Operation
Loading the Magazine
The magazine may be loaded on, or off the
camera. If it is to be loaded off the camera then
the magazine slide must be inserted, its flat side
towards the rear. This facilitates removal of the
film holder for loading. Follow the procedure
below.
1) Fold out the magazine insert key.
2) Tum the key counter-clockwise and with-
draw the film holder.
3) An empty take-up spool should be placed
under the knurled knob of the spool clamp
bar. Insert a roll of film under the other end of
the bar, ensuring that it is turned the same
way asin the illustration. Be caretulto remove
all the paper tape that surrounds a new roll of
film.
4) Tum the magazine insert key clockwise to
open the film clamp. Pull 8 - 1em (3 - 4 in.) of
paper backing oif the film roll and slide the
edge under the clamp.
5) Insert the tongue of the backing paper into the
slot in the take-up spool.
arrow on the paper backing is opposite the
triangular index on the spool clamp bar. but
no further.
7) Turn the magazine insert key counter-clock-
wise and insert the film holdor into tho maga:
zine — ensure that it is correctly positioned.
Lock the film holder into the magazine by
tuming the key clockwise.
8) Fold out the film crank and rotate it clockwise
about ten turns until it stops. Turn the crank
counter-ciockwise and fold it in.
24
E
ot
Number 1 will now be displayed in the frame
counter window and the magazine is loaded —
ready for use.
The magazine's film winder crank is only blocked
at frame 1. A partially exposed film may be
wound off at any frame thereafter.
The frame counter is automatically reset when
the film holder is withdrawn from the magazine.
25

26
Magazine Load status
In the centre of the film holder key is a crescont-
shaped indicator that displays white when the film
is ioaded into the magazine, and progressively
changes to redas the filmis woundon, Acompletely
red indicator shows that either the final frame is
exposed or the magazine is empty.
Removing the Film
When the last frame has been exposed, the
magazine blocks the cameratorfurther exposures.
Wind off the film by folding out the film winding
crank, and atating itclockwise until you canfeelthe
tim leaving thesupply spool. Nowyou can withdraw
the film holder from the magazine and remove the
exposed fim
Changing the Magazine Status Indicator
Tochange the magazine incicatorfrom redtowhite
at any other frame number than 1 you fold out the
film winding crank and turn it clockwise. The indi-
catorchanges after approx. 3/4turn, but you should
Continue for about half a turn until the new frame
numberis centered in tho counter window to avoid
overlapping frames.
Film Tab Holder
The end tab of the film pack can be inserted in the
holder onthe back of the magazineas areminder of
the kindof film you have loaded into the magazine.
Film Plane Index
The film plane index on the right hand side of the
magazine body indicates the position of the film
plene to facilitate accurate determination of the
film-to-subject distance, which is very imporantin
close-up photography
Viewfinder System
Changing the Viewfinder
The film magazine or rear cover must be de-
tached betore the focusing hood or other viewlin-
der can be removed. The focusing hood should
be folded down before being removed, to prevent
it from being damaged.
Remove the hood by sliding it to the roar in its
guide slots.
Slide the replacement finder into the slots and
push it forward.
Attach a magazine or rear cover to the camera.
Changing the Magnifier
The complete magnifier plate in the focusing
hood can easily be interchanged with other
plates with correction 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 lens. The change is easily
carried out by following the procedure below.
Remove the focusing hood from the camera and
open it by lifting the lid firmly at the rear edge.
Bring the magnifier to the viewing position by
moving the oval button in the direction of tne
arrow.
Push the magnifier hait way back down to its
folded position
Grip the lower edge of the magnifier between
thumb and forefinger (through the underside of
the hood), and pull firmly.
The replacement lens is inserted by reversing
the above procedure.
27

A
28
Changing the Focusing Screen
The screen is easily interchanged without the
requirement of special tools:
Detach the magazine and viewfinder.
Slide the screen|atchestothe side. Cup yourhand
over the screen, and invert the camera.
The screen will now crop into your hand.
Insert the replacement screen, ensuring that the
smooth latside of the frame is uppermost, and that
all four comers are seated on the suppor pins.
itisnotnecessary toretumnthe screen latches. This
is done automatically when the viewfinder is
replaced.
In the Hasselblad Product Catalog you will find
the entire range of focusing screens of different
designs for various applications.
The 553ELX model is equipped with an Acute-
Matte focusing screen which provides a consider-
able increase in the brightness of the focusing
image when compared with the alder Hasselblad
focusing screens. On page 30 you willfindinstruc.
tions on how to adjust the PME and PME3/ PMES
Meter Prism Viewiindersto compensate forthe light
leveldifferencesonthedifferent focusingscreens
PME and PME3/ PMES Meter Prism
Viewfinder Adjustments
Since the Hasselblad Meter Prism Viewtinders
measure the light lovelonthe focusing screen they
have been calibrated at the factory to give an
accuralereading with one particulertype of screen.
ifthat focusing screen is replacedwith another type
which gives a different light level under the same
ambient conditions, the meterhas to be adjustedto
compensate for the difference.
The PME and PMES / PMES meter viewfinders are
basically the same design but are differently
agjusted from the factory. The PME3/ PMES type
is adjustedto the brighter Acute-Mattescreen in the
5E3ELX camora while the provious PME type is
agjustedtothe loweriightlevel ofthe Ground-giass
screen (Cat. No. 42161) and similar, comparable
screens, such as Split image (42188), Microprism
and split image (42218), or Grid and microprism
(42250). The Plain glass screen (42200) is not
Suitable før TTL metering.
The distinction between the two viewlinder types
is indicated by the designation PMES or PMES
respectively on the rear ot the viewtinder body
above the eyepiece. The PME has nodesignation.
‘Thewaysof compansating for alternative usagect
the meter viewlinders are shown in the charts on
the next page.
29

A. Acute-Matte’ focusing screen, combined with:
oe Adjustment or action required to obtain the correct EV value
PMESIPMES No adjustment or action required,
PME Reduce the ASA/ISO setting to half the film speed value as indicated
on the film package (e.g. to 50 for a 100 ASA film)
or
Increase the MAX lens aperture setting one full step (e.g. to f2 for
an {2.8 lens)
or
Reduce the EV reading one full step when setting it on the lens EV
scale (e.g. to EV11 instead of EV12).
B. Other Hasselblad focusing screens, combined with:
Viewfinder
pace
Adjustment
or
action
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
100
ASA
fim)
or
Baduce
the MAX
lens
aperture
setting
one
full step
(e.g.
to 14
for
an {2.8
lens)
or
Increase
the
EV reading
one
full
step
when
setting
it on the
lens
EV
scale
(e.g.
to EV13
instead
of
EV12),
PME
No
acjustment
or
action
required.
7 Acule-Matte designed by MINOLTA,
30
Automatic Flash Control
‘The camera's built-in flash sensor and electronics
meter the light reflected from the central portion of
tho film surface, acircle with a diameter of 40 mm.
The metering system is connected to afilm speed
selector. Withthe Hasselblad Proflach 4504 directly
connected ur any other System SCA 300 or 500
dedicated flash unitconnectedthrough the Hassel-
biad fiash adapters SCA390 or 590 it controls tha
flash unit and cuts off the flash wnen the exposure
is correct.
For connectingthe Hasselblad Proflash 4504 tothe
553ELX, please refer to the instruction manual for
the flash unit.
Under the jefthand edge of the focusing screen an
indicator light hows when the flash is ready to be
oporated and also confirms tthe flash output was
sufficient to give a correct exposure.
The
flash
unit
powers
the
camera's
electronics
and
aiso
the
flash
adapter,
when
that
is
used.
31

Attaching the Hasselblad Flash
Adapters SCA 390 and SCA 590
For hand-held flash units, either adapter is at-
ached as shown in the illustration above:
— the S-pole contact from the spiral cord is
connected to the camera's side socket
— the syne cord is connected from the adapter
to the PC flash terminal of the lens
— the connecting cord is attached to the hand-
held unit,
ISO(ASA) 16 . 25 . 40 . 64
Setting the Film Speed
The film speed is set via the ISO selector. This is
divided into ISO(ASA) settings from 16 - 1000.
The equivalent in DIN ratings can be found using
the table below. Certain films require compensa-
tion for differences in reflection. In these in-
stances, the compensation is made by changing
the film speed selector setting. The amount of
compensation has to be determined by experi-
ment.
NOTE: The SCA 300 flash unit must always
be setto the "TTL" position, The SCA 500 unit
must be set to the "M" (Manual) position,
700... 200. 400. . 800
DIN
13
14
15
16 17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28 29
30
31
32
Viewfinder Signal
This indicator located under the 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 590 and a flash unit
that conforms to the corresponding System SCA
300 or 500.
Ready Signal
A steady red light indicates that the flash unit is
charged and ready to be fired.
Correct Exposure Signal
A blinking red light thet occurs for just over a
second after exposure indicates that the flash
has emitted the right amount of light for a correct
exposure. After the blinking signal, the indicator
returns to the ready signal when the flash unit is
once again fully recharged.
Incorrect Exposure Indication
After an exposure has been carried out and the
ted light is unlit this indicates that the flash emit-
ted was Insufficient for correct exposure. The
aperture must then be opened or the flash dis-
tance to the subject must be reduced. Changing
to a Taster film is also a possi
Tho Ready Signal will appear after a short but
variable length of time depending on the condi
tion of the flash batteries.
Please refer to your flash units operating instruc-
tions for more information about other functions
when using automatic flash light metering that
conforms to System SCA flash photography with
flash sensurs, ur willi non-automatic flash units.
33

34
Accessories
Accessory Mounts
On the bottom of the camera body a 1/4 in, thread
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
3/8 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 tripod connection.
Should a Quick-coupling be unsuitable for your
application, your Hasselblad distributor can,
upon request provide a replacement 3/8 in
socket together with installation instructions.
On the left hand side of the camera body in front
of the strap lug there is an accessory rail for the
Flash Adapter and other accessories. The
lenses acoept filters and lens shades on the front
bayonets,
Hasselblad Accessory Chart
The accessory chart on the opposite page indi-
cates the wide range of accessories available
within the Hasselblad System. Please refer to the
Hasselblad Product Catalogue for complete in-
formation on tho entire Hasselblad Camera
System.

Technical Specifications and Equipment 553ELX
Camera type:
Motorized singlo-lens reflex camera for 6 x 6cm (2 1/4 x 2 1/4in.) film size
(max.). Interchangeable lenses, film magazines, viowfindors, and focusing
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 pioco.
Viewfinders:
Folding focusing hood. The camera can accept different types of focusing
sereens, prism viewfinders with or without a built-in light meter, magnifying
hood, or sports viewfinder.
Focusing screen:
Hasselblad Acute-Maite’ focusing screen.
Film advance:
Automatic, motorized film advance and simultaneous shutter cocking. Expo-
sure rate of approx. 1.2 trames/s. Mode selector for single and sequence
exposures, with or without pre-release.
Batiery/capacity:
Five size AA (LR6, AM-3) 1.5V alkaline (or 1.2V rechargeable NiCad) batteries.
Up to 4000 exposures with fresh alkaline batteries.
Flash control:
TTL/OTF-measurement. ISO 16 - 1000 with flash adapters SCA 390 or SCA
590 for connection with flash units from the Systems SCA 300 or SCA 500
respectively. Measuring area within 940mm in the centre of the film surface.
Tripod socket:
1/4 in. socket thread and tripod plate for quick-coupling attachment.
External
dimensions:
‘Camera body only — see opposite. Camera body with 80mm Planar GF lens
ang fim magazine A12: 180Lx100Wx150mmH (71/8 x 315/16 x 515/16 in.)
Weight:
Camera body only: 1240g (2lb 120z). The camera body with 80mm Planar CF
lens and film magazine A12; 2130g (4lb 1102).
The camera body (chrome model, product no. 10067 or black model, product
no. 10221), comes with focusing hood, Acute Matte’ focusing screen, fuses,
carrying strap, front and rear protective covers, release plate, and FK 30
release cord,
For comprehensive information on accessories please refer to the Hasselblad Product Catalogue.
Hasselblad reserve the right to make changes th the published specifications without prior notice.
36
* Acute-Matte designed by MINOLTA.
Camera Body Dimensions
37