503CW: Basketcase or bargain?

[Alex MacPherson]

I have my eye on getting a 503CW but I would like to make it as cheap as possible.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...e=STRK:MEWAX:IT

I have been looking at this one on Ebay. I plan on using the CW winder so the hand crank missing is no biggie and
replacing the screen looks easy enough.

I am pretty unfamiliar with the V-series so I am leery of getting it. Does it look like just a CLA jobbie... or one
for the scrap heap?

[Leonardo Barreto]

Interesting to see someone with same syndrome I have. I just got a 500 C/M, 80mm and 50mm, all on eBay at good price. Some of the parts I got are not working some others are, and I got one roll of film so tangled up inside the magazine that the door would not open (I took apart half the magazine and managed to get the film out)

In other words, it is definitively a hobby, for work I would use my Mamiya AFD/P25 or D300. What you do get is a lot of people pointing to the camera and wanting to know about it... you can say that it is a moon-walk gadget.  

The good side is that you can take it to the beach and never have to worry about batteries etc. The camera is small, but HEAVY..  I am in love with the Distagon 50mm, and got it for less than $300 !


[attachment=15961:HASSY.jpg]

I have my eye on getting a 503CW but I would like to make it as cheap as possible.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...e=STRK:MEWAX:IT

I have been looking at this one on Ebay. I plan on using the CW winder so the hand crank missing is no biggie and
replacing the screen looks easy enough.

I am pretty unfamiliar with the V-series so I am leery of getting it. Does it look like just a CLA jobbie... or one
for the scrap heap?

[vandevanterSH]

I am pretty unfamiliar with the V-series so I am leery of getting it. Does it look like just a CLA jobbie... or one
for the scrap heap?
***********
I wouldn't touch it....even assuming that it is in good shape, it will need a lot of parts before can take a picture.   Missing "screen" a used Acute-Matte D screen $250 used, 80mm lens $600 used, film back $200-250, view finder $75 for a WLF to $1000 for a metered prism....winder electric ~$400, crank ~$75.  A 503CW body in ex condition with screen, crank, WLF finder and caps will run about $900-1000.  A better value would be a late 500 C/M in ex condition.  KEH.com is a good place to get an idea about what is available on the used market.  Just remember, Hasselblads aren't cheap to repair.

Steve

[Alex MacPherson]

I want something with a winder because I want something I can throw a MFDB on.
I have been looking at the 500elm bodies too.

Is TMRPromotions a decent seller? Does anyone have any experience with them?
They seem to have the lion's share of the listings on Ebay for Hasselblad equipment.

[mattlap2]

I want something with a winder because I want something I can throw a MFDB on.
I have been looking at the 500elm bodies too.

Is TMRPromotions a decent seller? Does anyone have any experience with them?
They seem to have the lion's share of the listings on Ebay for Hasselblad equipment.

Dolce,

I have a clean ELM body that I picked up for a project and never finished buying a lens.   I would let it go for $175 plus shipping from Chicago.  

PM me back channel if you are interested.  

Thanks,

Matt

[TMARK]

Stick with the RZ.  

[Alex MacPherson]

Stick with the RZ.

Oh I am... but I would like to have something more portable too. I am planning on using the same back for
each.

[TMARK]

Oh I am... but I would like to have something more portable too. I am planning on using the same back for
each.

Then Hassy H2, leaf adapter H - RZ.

RZ, 110, waistlevel, no winder, or even better, 1ds3 or 5d2.  The RZ/110/waistlevel/no winder fits in a Domke F2 bag.

[Alex MacPherson]

Then Hassy H2, leaf adapter H - RZ.

RZ, 110, waistlevel, no winder, or even better, 1ds3 or 5d2.  The RZ/110/waistlevel/no winder fits in a Domke F2 bag.

hmm .. maybe I should get a grip for the RZ and try that first.

[Dustbak]

I want something with a winder because I want something I can throw a MFDB on.
I have been looking at the 500elm bodies too.

Is TMRPromotions a decent seller? Does anyone have any experience with them?
They seem to have the lion's share of the listings on Ebay for Hasselblad equipment.

I have used the 503CW with Leaf backs without the winder. Yes you need to crank the thing yourself but I found that to be something 'cute' with therapeutic value. You will also not likely outpace your backs speed that way.

I have also used the ELX which has the compartment below (like the ELM) but I found that body not only akwardly big but also had problems with stuff like mounting my back in portrait mode while shooting tethered or using bigger battery blocks. Things that can be dealt with but are a bit of a nuisance.

I have bought once from TMR and have no good experience with them. My experience is that they rate the condition of their equipment very optimistic than again I am pretty anal about taking care of equipment.

I really love the 503CW for the retro laid-back feel it gives me. I would not use it commercially for my type of work today but YMMV.

[Dick Roadnight]

Dolce,

I have a clean ELM body that I picked up for a project and never finished buying a lens.   I would let it go for $175 plus shipping from Chicago.  

PM me back channel if you are interested.  

Thanks,

Matt

I have a (little used, complete) ELD, and I might pick up a digiback I can use with it some time, so it is not for sale... certainly not for less than 10 time that much!

[mahleu]

I think I still have a standard 500cm focussing screen and rapid winder. Don't know if they're the same as on the 503 but if anyone is interested give me a shout.

[bradleygibson]

I want something with a winder because I want something I can throw a MFDB on.
I have been looking at the 500elm bodies too.

Is TMRPromotions a decent seller? Does anyone have any experience with them?
They seem to have the lion's share of the listings on Ebay for Hasselblad equipment.

I think they're good--I've done a few transactions with TMRPromotions and everything has been fine.

-Brad