Hasselblad 503CW Reviews

Irfan Omer

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
2.13 of 5,
8 votes

Price Paid:  $5000.00 from Hasselblad

Summary:This is a wonderful camera.
Totally mechanical and depndable runs without batteries except winder and Prism Finder.
This camera is with Carl Zeiss lenses no other lens is designed for this camera it runs on lens with central shutters. The camera was launched in 1957 as Hasselblad 500c and never gets old for a person who is comploetely aware with principles of photgraphy. It is very unfortunate that the Hasselbald is sold to Shriro China Ltd. They are so busy in their other business that have handed over to the management of Imacon who has killed the 200 and 500 series.
The only reason is for not having good relation with the management of Zeiss.
So now Hasselbald is depndent on Fuji GX645 Camera known as Hasselbad H which is being attached with Imacon Digital Backs and are called HD cmeras.
The 500 and 200 were also attached Digital Backs Imacon but only 16MP.
The higher MP Digital Backs are available with Phase One.
The Danish Brothers are more interested in attaching the Digital Backs to the camera so they thought best is to get rid all the film cameras which were 200 and attached 16 MP CFV Digital Back to 200 and 500 series and forgot the series.
The lenses of H are made by Fuji and are not bettter than 500 and 200 series so a adapter was provided to H series to accept Carl Zeiss. H is a gist of 203Fe, 202FA and 205 FCC but more of a electronic and autofocus camera.
H lenses are having similar central shutter but electronic ones which ofcourse has shorter life as compared to Carl Zeiss Prontar shutter lenses.
The 500 and 200 series are wonderful cameras but unfortunately they were not liked by Danish Brothers.
The 200 and 500 series are work horses not only for professionals but for amateurs like me also who take pictures everywhere to test their skill.
If you have proper exposure meter for 500 series and 200 series are already with exposure meters you take perfect photos using your skills,
They are complete cameras.

Strengths:500 and 200 are complete cameras there are no weakness in their making.
Tough robust and longlife partners not only 500 and 200 series but H is also designed. The H series is not fully Hasselblad Camera but borrowed from Fuji.
It lacks beautiful Carl Zeiss lenses.
200 and 500 series are complete cameras in every aspect for a professionals and series amateurs.
There are more than fifteen lenses for 500 series. Superachromatic lenses are 250 m.m and 350 m.m all are having mechanical aperture shutters but long life.
200 series have six lenses made by Zeiss but with no shutters. The 200 series have Focal Plane Shutters.

Weaknesses:No Weakness

Similar Products Used:Rollei Hy6

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
4.67 of 5,
6 votes

Price Paid:  $2000.00 from ebay

Summary:I noticed that the last review of this camera system is from several years ago. That being said, this camera is still manufactured by Hasselblad and offers the photographer a unique set of capabilities. I got mine just 4 years ago and use it almost every week.

I shoot digital, large format and 2 different medium format systems, the Hasselblad and a Pentax 67II. Some of my work is commercial (all digital) and fine art (90% film). After some years of work with all of these systems I can truly say that the best results I've gotten in any of the work I've done comes from the Hasselblad. Over and over, I find that looking over the work I've done its the Hasselbad images that stand out.

It comes down to lenses and the Zeiss optics are the best I've ever used. Just superb. Leaf shutters in the lenses are a part of this as well. they result in minimum camera shake and flash synch at almost any shutter speed. There is also an almost undefinable character to the light they put on the emulsion - just amazing

Look at work by Mona Kuhn and Josef Hoflehner to see what can be done with this camera system.

As many others have pointed out, its expensive gear. It is not a perfect system. I wish they had faster shutter speeds, and more reasonably priced accessories, but I have never regretted the money I paid.

Fim and digital technologies are both excellent and each has its own strengths. Try shooting film with the Hasselblad.

Strengths:Image quality, image quality, image quality

Weaknesses:the winder accessory is balky

Similar Products Used:Pentax 67 II medium format system

Customer Service:The best

lgpod1

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
3 votes

Price Paid:  $2600.00 from internet

Summary:I find the Hasselblad 503CW the best camera I have ever used. You can feel the percision craftsmanship of this camera in your hand every time you trip the shutter. The Zeiss lenes product images of the finest definition, sharpness and quality.

Strengths:The highest quality optics, joined with a finely crafted body and film backs. The TTL flash works superbly, as does the metered prism. Camera works great on a tripod as well as hand held.

Weaknesses:Everything in this system is very expensive, but worth every penny

Similar Products Used:Bronica 6x6

Customer Service:Ecellent

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
2 votes

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:After much consideration on the subject of moving from 35mm to medium format for my main camera, I ended up going with Hasselblad. The Pentax 645 also was considered, but I felt that for the long haul, the Hasselblad would hold its value, perform for many, many years, and that the German-made Zeiss lenses are simply unbeatable. Then due to my desire to do studio portraits (along with other types of photography) I decided to get the 503 for it's ability to meter flash exposure off the film. The 503 also allows for a wider range of accessories than the 501. I couldn't be more pleased with my choice. From day one, I've loved the way this camera feels in the hands, and the absolute precision of operation and construction quality. I have experienced nothing but great results, as long as I do my job as the photographer!

Strengths:Build quality, feel, and precision performance. Hasselblad cameras and lenses hold their value very well. Wide range of accessories available, new and used.

Weaknesses:Expensive, but you get what you pay for. This camera makes you have to think, and for some, this may be a problem.

Similar Products Used:Pentax 645, 6x7, Yashica-Mat TLR.

Customer Service:I haven't yet needed it.

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
4.00 of 5,
4 votes

Price Paid:  $1350.00 from Fotoprix

Summary:when you take the hasselblad 503 cw on your hands, you want to take the pictures inmediatly, because the 503cw ivites to take a lot of pictures, a true master piece . i love it.

Strengths:all

Weaknesses:nothing

Similar Products Used:nikon f5

Customer Service:not used