Hasselblad 503CX User manual
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Hasselblad 503CX, 503CXi and 500 Classic Manual
3 Introduction
4 Parts & Components
6 Basic Operation
6 Front Protective Cover
6 Rear Protective Cover
6 Attaching the Lens
6 Removing the Lens
8 Attaching the Magazine
8 Removing the Magazine
9 Indicators
10 FocusingHoodandMagnier
10 Winding Crank.
11 Strap Lugs
11 Left Hand Grip
11 Focus and Release
12 Operating Details
12 Exposure
12 Time Lock
13 Pre-release and Cable Release
13 Double Exposure
14 Lens and Shutter Functions
14 Shutter Speeds
14 Aperture
15 Exposure Values
15 Interlocked Shutter Speed/Aperture
16 Focusing and Depth-of-Field
16 Infrared Photography
17 Checking Depth-of-Field
17 Flash Synchronization
18 Magazine Operation
18 Loading the Magazine
20 Magazine Load Status
20 Removing the Film
20 Film Tab Holder
20 Film Plane Index
21 ViewnderSystem
21 ChangingtheMagnier
22 Changing the Focusing Screen
23 MeterPrismViewnderAdjustments
25 503CX and CXi only
25 Automatic Flash Control
26 Flash Adapters SCA 390 and 590
26 Film Speed Setting
27 ViewnderSignal
28 Accessories
28 Accessory Mounts
29 Accessory Chart
30 TechnicalSpecication503CX
31 TechnicalSpecication500Classic
32 Camera Body Dimensions
33 503CXi
33 New Features
33 Exposure Button
34 Winding Crank
35 Tripod Mount/Rubber Feet
36 Format Masks
37 Troubleshooting
38 Camera Care, Service and Guarantee
39 Notes
Page Page
Copyright © 1994, Victor Hasselblad AB
All rights reserved. No part of this material may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or trans-
mitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise,
without the prior written permission of the company.
Guarantee
Provided that you bought your camera from
an authorized Hasselblad outlet, it is covered
by an international guarantee for one year.
Further details can be found on page 34.
Service and Maintenance
Whilst Hasselblad equipment is extremely reliable and
durable, cameras and lenses that are in constant in-
tensive use in a professional environment should be
maintained and serviced by an authorized Hasselblad
service centre at regular intervals. Further information
on service and maintenance can be found on page 34.
Introduction to the Hasselblad Camera System
As a Hasselblad owner you have in your possession
a camera of exceptional quality the product of an in-
ternationally renowned tradition of excellence in the
world of photography. Victor Hasselblad, the father
of the cameras which bear his name, was himself an
accomplished photographer. It was to satisfy his own
exacting standards and diverse requirements that he
rst envisioned the Hasselblad system: a medium
formatsinglelensreexcamerawithinterchangeable
lenses and lm magazines A photographer rst and
businessman second, Victor Hasselblad would never
sacrice quality for ease of production. To this day,
Hasselblad cameras are painstakingly crafted with this
principle in mind.
The Hasselblad system has been taken to the ends of
the earth and beyond - into space, to earn its reputa-
tionforreliabilityandabsolutedelity.Arangeofac-
cessoriesaordslimitlessexibilityand the potential
for paramount photography in any application. The re-
alization of this potential is of course dependent upon
theskill,careandjudgmentofthephotographer.
The Hasselblad 503CX, 503CXi and 500 Classic are
medium format single lens reex cameras featuring
lens,magazine,viewnderandfocusingscreeninter-
changeability. The 503CX is an upgraded version of
the500Classicwith‘TTL’(throughthelens)‘OTF’(O
The Film) ash metering and a number of additional
renements.The503CXiisafurtherrenementofthe
503CX. The Hasselblad 500 Classic is a 500C/M cam-
era body with a micro raster /line grid focusing screen
complete with the Planar CF 2,8/80 mm lens and the
A12lmmagazine
This instruction manual describes in detail how to op-
erate these cameras Where the operation of the cam-
eras is the same a single set of instructions common
to both models is presented The illustrations accom-
panying the common instructions show the 503CX but
apply equally to the 503CXi and 500 Classic. Where
there are operating dierences between the 503CX,
503CXi and the 500 C/M, these are documented sep-
arately.
Lenses
Since the early 1950’s Hasselblad lenses have been
manufactured by Carl Zeiss in Germany. The Has-
selblad 503CX and 500 Classic use CF and C lens-
es made by Carl Zeiss With the exception of F-type
lenses, all Hasselblad lenses manufactured since 1957
can be used with the 503CX and 500 Classic. F-lenses
can only be used with the Hasselblad200 and 2000 se-
ries cameras. Use this manual to learn how to operate
your camera. The knowledge gained from reading it
will give you access to the Hasselblad potential. Ex-
ploiting the potential is left to your imagination!
503CX och 500 Classic, Parts and Components
1. Focusing hood
2. Focusing screen 10.
503CX:Acute-Matte’screen
500C/M:Ground-glassscreen
500Classic:Gridµprism
screen
3. Screen retaining clip
4. Flash function indicator**
5. Focusing ring and scale
6. Shutter speed and aperture
interlock button
7. Central lens index
8. Depth-of-eldscale
9. Aperture ring and scale
10. Shutter speed selector ring
11. PCashterminal
12. External and internal lens
accessory mount
13. Exposure value scale
14. Exposure value index
15. Lens release button
16. Drive shaft
17. Threaded cable release socket
18. Shutter release button
19. Time exposure catch
20. Name plate**
21. Winding crank bayonet
22. Pre-release button
23. Camera status indicator
24. Strap lug
25. Winding crank
26. Winding crank index
27. Frame counter
28. Magazine status indicator
29. Film plane index
30. Film winding crank
31. Magazine designation
32. Magazine catch
33. Focusinghoodmagnier
34. Magazine slide
35. Film holder key
36. Film load indicator
37. Film tab holder
38. Magazine supports
39. Tripod thread 1/4”
40. Quick coupling plate
41. Dedicatedashconnector**
42. Connector cover**
43. Lens drive shaft
44. Depth-of-eldpreviewknob
45. Lens locating index
46. Accessory rail
47. Strap lug
48. Film speed selector**
* Acute-Matte designed by
MINOLTA
** 503CX only
NOTE:Inthetext,thepositionsofcomponentsaredescribedinrelationtothecameraasyouseeitwhentaking
aphotograph,i.e.thelensisonthefront,theviewnderonthetop,andthewindingcrankisontherighthand
side.
Basic Operation
This section describes the steps you must take to make
the camera ready to use. You will nd comprehensive
information on how to operate the camera in the follow-
ing sections. With the camera, lens, and lm magazine
unwrapped but unassembled, ensure that the camera is
cocked (i.e. the mechanism is fully wound). otherwise the
circular front protective cover cannot be removed. The
winding crank on the right hand side of the camera is
locked if the mechanism is fully wound. If the crank is not
locked, rotate it clockwise until it does lock.
Front Protective Cover
Turnthecover(bayonettting)inthedirectionofthearrow
and remove.
NOTE: The front protective cover may only be removed
when the camera is cocked (fully wound) .
Rear Protective Cover
Depressthecatch,tiltthecoverbackwards,andliftito.
Attaching the Lens
Make sure that both camera and lens are fully cocked.
The adjacent illustration shows the correct relationship
between the drive shaft, the lens drive coupling and their
indexes.
If the lens is not cocked, you can insert a coin in the cou-
pling slot and rotate it clockwise until it locks (about 4/5
of a turn).
Youwillndthatholdingthecamerainyourlefthand
and the lens in your right hand, as shown in the illus-
tration, is the easiest way of attaching the lens.
When you have aligned the red index on the lens with
the one on the camera as shown in the illustration, the
lenswill dropeasily intothebayonet tting. 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 it stops.
NOTE: You can only remove the lens when the cam-
era is cocked (fully wound) and not in the pre-re-
leased mode (see page 13).
Attaching the Magazine
Ensure that the magazine slide is fully inserted, and
thattheindicatorsarewhite:lftheindicatorsarenot
white, then refer to the instruction on page 9.
Rest the magazine on the camera’s lower support
hooks and make sure that it is properly located on
them . Carefully swing the magazine towards the cam-
era body and check that the camera’s upper support
hookstintotheslotsinthemagazine.Pushthemag-
azinegentlybutrmlyagainstthehookswhilesliding
the magazine catch button to the right. Release the
button when the magazine has made contact with the
rear plate of the camera, and push it to the left to en-
sure that it has 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 and camera indicators both display-
ing white. If the magazine indicator shows a red signal
then follow the instructions on the next page.
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 maga-
zinebackandliftitothelowersupports
NOTE: The magazine cannot be removed without
inserting the magazine slide. The slide protects the
lmfromfogging.Notealsothatthecameracannot
be operated when a magazine, with slide inserted, is
attached to the camera.
Magazine and Camera Indicators
The indicators on the right hand side of the camera
and magazine show if the particular unit is ready to
operate (white) or if it has been operated (red). The
golden rule is, that when you attach a magazine to a
camera, the indicator colours should match - white to
white, or red to red. There are only two correct combi-
nations. This is how you rematch the indicators.
White magazine - Red Camera
Remove the magazine from the camera.
Wind the camera with one full turn of the winding
crank. The camera indicator will change to white.
Replace the magazine. Both indicators will now dis-
play white.
Red Magazine - White Camera
Remove the magazine from the camera.
Operate the camera - its indicator will change to red.
Attach the magazine.
Wind the camera with one full turn of the winding
crank.
Both indicators will now display white.
Opening the Focusing Hood
Liftthelidrmlybythegripattherearedge,andswing
it up to the vertical position.
TheBuilt-inMagnier
Themagnieripsupintotheviewingpositionwhen
the oval button inside the lid is moved in the direction
ofthearrow.Tofoldthemagnierdownsimplypress
it back with a ngertip until it locks into the lid. The
magniermaybechangedforacorrectionlens.See
page 21.
Closing the Focusing Hood
“Pinch” in the side plates at the hinge points, and fold
the lid down.
The Winding Crank
One full revolution of the winding crank winds the
camera,cockstheshutterandtransportsthelmone
frame.
Removing the Winding Crank
It is preferable that the camera be fully wound when
the crank is being removed or replaced. To remove
the crank, you depress the latch button in the cen-
ter of the winding crank and turn the crank - counter
clockwise.
Attaching the Winding Crank
Place the winding crank against the camera’s winding
crank bayonet with the smaller crank index opposite
the camera index. Push in the crank lightly and turn
it in a clockwise direction until the larger crank index
aligns with the camera index and the crank locks on.
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 so that the strap lug slips into the open-
ing at the tip of the clip.
Strap Removal
Lift the clip locking plate and slide the clip forward.
Theclipwillthenslideothestraplug.
Left Hand Grip
Youwillndthatholdingthecamerainyourlefthand
withyourindexngeronthereleasebutton,asshown
in the illustration, is most convenient when taking pho-
tographs. Your right hand is then free for focusing, set-
ting the exposure, rewinding, and changing the lens
or magazine.
Focus and Release
Before you can take a photograph, you must remove
the magazine slide. The magazine will th,en be locked
on the camera body, and the camera release button
will be unlocked .
Rotate the focusing ring on the lens until you can see
asharpimageofthesubjectintheviewnder.Youcan
now depress and release the release button to operate
the camera.
Operating Details
Exposure
As a general rule for all shutter speed settings except
B, you should keep the release button depressed until
the lens shutter has opened and closed fully. This is
especially important at shutter speeds from 1 s to 1
/15s.
If you relax the pressure on the release button too
soon, the auxiliary shutter will terminate the exposure
prematurely (see page 14, ‘Warning Signal’).
You can see the auxiliary shutter, which consists of
two blinds, covering the rear opening of the camera
body.
Time Exposure Lock
Thetimeexposurelockhastwosettings:0,whereitis
disengaged and T, where the depressed release but-
ton locks in the depressed position until the lock is
returned to the 0 setting.
The winding crank cannot be advanced until the lock
is reset to 0 .
You can use the T setting for time exposure when the
shutter is set at B.
The time exposure lock cannot be used with a cable
release.
Pre-release and Cable Release
Considerableeortshavebeenmadetoreducecam-
era vibrations caused by moving parts in the exposure
sequence. However, if you wish to avoid these vibra-
tions completely, you can pre-release the mechanism
by pushing the pre-release button upwards. This
causes the following sequence: the mirror folds up,
the shutter closes and remains closed, and the auxil-
iary shutter opens. When you subsequently press the
release button, only the shutter then operates at the
preset speed.
As shown in the illustration , you can also attach a ca-
ble release to further reduce vibrations.
Since the image on the focusing screen disappears in
apre-releasedcamera,asportsviewnderisagood
waytokeeptrackofmovingsubjects.
Double Exposure
As the camera has been designed to prevent acciden-
tal double exposure you will have to carry out the fol-
lowing procedure in order to make multiple exposures
onthesameframe:
1. Depress the main release button and make the
initial exposure .
2. Insert the magazine slide and remove the mag-
azine.
3. Wind the camera with one full revolution of the
winding crank.
4. Replace the magazine and remove the slide.
The unit is now ready to make a second exposure on
the same frame. You can make additional exposures
in the same manner.
Lens and Shutter Functions
Shutter Speeds
The shutter speed selector ring is the ring located
closest to the front of the lens. The desired shutter
speed is set against the central lens index.
The white scale shows the shutter speeds, and the or-
ange scale the exposure values (EV).
The green F setting is used only when the lens is at-
tached to a Hasselblad camera in the 2000 series with
a focal plane shutter. The operation of the diaphragm
is not aected. The F setting can only be engaged/
disengaged when the green detent button is pressed
. When using the 503cx, cxi or 500C/M, the F setting
will cause exposure errors since the shutter remains
open.
Aperture
The aperture setting ring is the second closest ring
to the front of the lens. The aperture value is also set
against the central lens index.
CF lenses have an automatic diaphragm that stops
down to the preset working aperture immediately prior
to exposure .
Warning Signal
Ontheshutterspeedscaleyouwillndaredmark-
ing opposite the 1, 1/2, and 1/4s. This is to warn you
of possible exposure errors. The auxiliary shutter re-
mains open only as long as you maintain pressure
on the release button (see also page 12).
Exposure Values
The aperture and shutter speed combination set op-
posite the central lens index determines the exposure.
Every combination of shutter speed/ aperture has an
equivalent exposure value (EV) which you can read
and set against the red EV index on the side of the
lens.
Interlocked Shutter Speed/ Aperture
If you want to change the shutter speed or aperture
without changing the exposure value (EV), you can
interlock the speed and aperture setting rings by hold-
ing down the interlock button which is on the right of
the aperture scale. When interlocked, the rings move
together, increasing or decreasing the aperture to
compensate for a decrease or increase of speed re-
spectively.
Focusing and Depth of Field
On the focusing ring are the distance scales and a
knurled rubber grip which is closest to the camera
body. You focus the lens by rotating the focusing ring
until you obtain a sharp image of the subject in the
viewnder.
Thedistancebetweenthesubjectandthelmplane
isreadothefocusingring’sdistancescaleopposite
the central lens index. The distance in meters is shown
in white numerals, and the distance in feet is in orange
numerals.
Objectscloserorfurtherawaythantheselecteddis-
tance will be sharp, within certain limits. The limits of
thiseldof sharp focus,i.e.depth of eld,varywith
the aperture.
Thedepthofeldavailableatanygivenf/stopcanbe
readothedepth-of-eldscaleonbothsidesofthe
central index. The rings on the illustration indicate how
toreadthedepthofeldscalewithanapertureof11
lnfrared Photography
lnfrared (IR) rays (wavelengths longer than 800 nano-
meters) are refracted to a focal plane somewhat be-
hind the focal plane of the visible light images formed
on the focusing screen. To compensate for this dis-
crepancy,proceedasfollows:
Focus as usual on the focusing screen. Then rotate
the focusing ring until the distance set is opposite the
red IR index.
Checking Depth of Field
Toallowyoutocheckthedepthofeldintheimageon
the focusing screen, the diaphragm can be stopped
down to the preset aperture simply by sliding the man-
ual preview button downwards until it locks into the
preview position.
To release the button, and reopen the diaphragm,
press in the lower section of the button.
Flash Synchronization
The Hasselblad 503cx and 500C/M use lenses from
the Hasselblad CF series. These lenses have built-in
leaf shutters with speeds from 1 to 1/5005. Flash syn-
chronization occurs at full shutter opening via the PC
ashterminal.
Electronicashunitscanbeusedatallshutterspeeds,
1 - 1/500.
Magazine Operation
Loading the Magazine
Themagazinemaybeloadedon,orothecamera.
Ifitistobeloadedothecamerathenthemagazine
slidemustbeinserted,itsatsidetowardstherear.
Thisfacilitatesremovalofthelmholderforloading.
Follow the procedure below.
1. Foldoutthelmholderkey.
2. Turn the key counter-clockwise and with-
drawthelmholder.
3. An empty take-up spool should be placed un-
der the splined knob of the spool clamp bar.
Insertarolloflmundertheotherendofthe
bar, ensuring that it is turned the same way as
in the illustration. Be careful to remove all the
papertapethatsurroundsanewrolloflm.
4. Turn the lm holder key clockwise to open
thelmclamp.Pull8-10cm(3-4in.)ofpa-
perbackingothelmrollandslidetheedge
under the clamp.
5. Insert the tongue of the backing paper into the
slot in the take-up spool.
6. Turn the splined knob clockwise until the
arrow on the paper backing is opposite the
triangular index on the spool clamp bar, but
no further.
7. Turn the lm holder key counter-clockwise
andinsertthelmholderintothemagazine-
jigglingitalittleifitdoesnotclickintoplace.
Lock the lm holder into the magazine by
turning the key clockwise.
8. Foldoutthelmcrankandrotateitclockwise
about ten turns until it stops. Turn the crank
counter-clockwise and fold it in.
Other manuals for 503CX
1
This manual suits for next models
2
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