Hasselblad 503CW

Review Date
February 10, 2008

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
4.50 of 5, 4 votes

Reviewed by
David Scouffas , Professional

Price Paid
$2000.00 at ebay

Photography Experience
2-5 years , Fine Art

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

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Review Date
June 4, 2004

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, 1 votes

Reviewed by
lgpod1 , Intermediate

Price Paid
$2600.00 at internet

Photography Experience
11-20 years , Outdoor

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

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Review Date
September 27, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Reviewed by
Karl Winkler , Expert , from CT

Price Paid
$0.00

Photography Experience
11-20 years , Fine Art

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.

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Review Date
May 7, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5, 2 votes

Reviewed by
emilio_garay , Expert , from Zaragoza Spain

Price Paid
$1350.00 at Fotoprix

Photography Experience
2-5 years , Other

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

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Review Date
April 24, 2002

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.71 of 5, 7 votes

Reviewed by
patrickx , Professional , from erembodegem,belgium

Price Paid
$0.00 at Focilux

Photography Experience
21+ years , Fine Art

Summary
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

Strengths
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

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

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

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

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