Hasselblad 503CW

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.

Image quality, image quality, image quality

the winder accessory is balky

Pentax 67 II medium format system

The best

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.

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.

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

Bronica 6x6

Ecellent

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!

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

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

Pentax 645, 6x7, Yashica-Mat TLR.

I haven't yet needed it.

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.

all

nothing

nikon f5

not used

after years of 35mm format I wanted to go MF. I rented all possible types of MF cameras to test them. Nothing compares to Hasselblad. It is back to the basics and by this, definitely timeless. this is a camera, shutter, diaphragm, lens, film, thats it. but all components are of extremely high quality and solid build. My first rolls of film delivered surprising results. Images pop out of their frame. (kodak E100SW)It is SO ALIVE. Beautifull B&W (Agfa APX100)but I had to get used to the depth of field of this camera. compared to my canon eos5 with EF50/1.4 the Hasselblad lens is very limited in dof when wide open.check DOF indication on lens all the time when you first use it !loading and changing the film magazine is very easy compared to other brands.(I can do it while jogging - really !) After a while I added the PME-45, so It became more like a reflex-camera I was used to work with. Did not buy winder CW because it does use batteries ...Often used a Minolta spotmeter-F with it too. Extension rings are very expensive but in combination with the 80/2.8 CFE gives beautifull macro possibilities without loss of quality!!!Weight is not a problem, especially when you are used to cary along a SONY Betacam all day ... I have the D-flash40 as well, this is great, TTL-OTF works very good

timeless design, NO BATTERIES needed, basic photography no needless gadgets, modular design, ready to be converted to a digital camera by changing filmback (+ winderCW+kodak dcs pro)snap lock for X-contact flash is great- I am promised a good after sales service

expensive, but so is a Steinway&sons or a Porsche (get the picture?)

Rollei 6008i, Mamiya 645, Mamiya RZ, Bronica ETRSi, Pentax 6x6,

not needed yet, very good contact with Belgian head of sales mr. Bruyninckx