The Hasselblad 503CW is constantly evolving, constantly improving. With the Hasselblad 503CW, you're always ready to grow. Whether it's adapting to next year's digital options or last century's lenses, the outstanding versatility of the 503CW provides a bridge between classic and cutting edge.
I hate products that live off legendary reputations, but in many cases the reputation is deserved. In this case, the 503CW is not a watered down version of what created the legend, but an improved version. They have resisted so far the temptation to cheapen construction, like a couple of other legends in photography where the old ones are the ones to own, at least for reliability reasons.
I love playing with new things, so I have been investigating other medium format options to use in addition to Hasselblad, not instead of. It seems with each brand I know what to watch out for in the used ones, frame spacing problems, focusing track wear, advance lever problems, electronics problems that are excessively expensive to fix........But with Hasselblad, it seems that there are no chronic problems that have not been addressed. The only one I can thik of is the possible jamming of the 500 when the shutter button is mistakenly hit when taking off a lens. And this has been addressed. And even that problem was quickly remedied with no sustained damage. This is just bulletproof equipment.
Optically, we all know that it is up there with the best. The furnishing of MTF diagrams by Hasselblad is really valuable to the end user in choosing lenses over the years.
The camera/lens/back is reasonable in size and weight for a 6 x 6. 6 x 6 is important to me as although a 645 has the same enlargement for an 8 x 10 as a 6 x 6 does, if you happen to have a subject for which you want a square final print you end up with much less enlargement if you have a 6 x 6 neg.
I am a devil's advocate in second guessing decisions, and recognizing weak points in products I have decided on. I am not hesitant at all in making a change. Recently I seriously considered going to an alternative, but I came to the same conclusion I did the first time I entered this system: for me it covers more bases than any other system.
If a better system comes along, I'll be the first to jump, but for now, this system fits my needs of extreme reliability, quality of build, quality of optics, ability to rent mating equipment anywhere (almost!), numerous service stations, good resale, compatibility with used equipment, probably compatibility of future equipment, good client impression........
Regarding value, although I would not give all accessories 5 thumbs, the basic 80/503cw/back is a good value if you look for the best promotion and price from the dealer, especially considering the perfectionist construcion.
Strength
Part of a comprehensive system.
Great compatibility with past parts including lenses, backs, screens, viewfinders
All mechanical, metal, time tested construction
High resale.
Weakness
Expensive lenses and metering prisms, can't be made auto exposure.
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Written By
Pall Stefansson(Unregistered User)
From
Reykjavik, Iceland
Date Created
01/29/2000
Summary
Very well made camera, With lenses of top quility. Small and strong
Strength
It´s down to earth workhorse. I like 6x6
Weakness
No
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Written By
William(Unregistered User)
From
Toronto, Ontario Canada
Date Created
12/30/1999
Summary
If you are primarily into Landscape Photography or Portraits, and are thinking about spending a bundle on a 35mm camera, better to channel that money into a medium format such as the Hasselblad. The image qualilty is superior. On the downside, be prepared to spend a lot more on everything related to the camera, such as film, developing, accessories. E.g. An A-12 Magazine runs me in Canada around $1000+ dollars!
Strength
Very rugged construction, you hear the term "built like a tank", well this one really is!
Weakness
Only one small problem, mind you it didn't seem small at the time, one of the main springs needed replacing. It seem that someone that tested the camera forgot to trip the shutter, which weakened the spring.
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Written By
Sam Stia(Unregistered User)
From
Trenton, NJ USA
Date Created
11/12/1999
Summary
Tremrndous asset to a person with limited mobility of a hand. Great lenses also.
Strength
Very ergonomic. I have ahd reconstruction of my hand and with the 503cw it is an asset!
Weakness
None
Visitors rate this review
5.00 out of 5
after 1 votes
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Written By
Jorge(Unregistered User)
From
Miami, Florida
Date Created
08/02/1999
Summary
A very nice system camera, can do all, easy to live with and great lenses. I use this camera on location and it never lets me down,I also own an RZ 67 which I use in the studio, but I must admit that the lenses for Hassy are better at handling high key lighting, and the contrast is richer. Clients like rectangular images but the Hassy cropped is just as good as the bigger neg 6x7. I own both so as to deliver what client wants but I prefer to shoot with my 503CW. It's a nice camera that I feel confident using and carrying on location.
Strength
Size, reliable,lenses, non-obselece
Weakness
none
Visitors rate this review
1.00 out of 5
after 1 votes
4.75 of 5
