{"id":2837,"date":"2023-03-08T23:00:08","date_gmt":"2023-03-08T22:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/onslowphotography.com\/?p=2837"},"modified":"2025-03-27T16:24:08","modified_gmt":"2025-03-27T15:24:08","slug":"hasselblad-503cx","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/onslowphotography.com\/en\/hasselblad-503cx\/","title":{"rendered":"Hasselblad 503CX"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n
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Hasselblad 503CX kit<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The Swedish brand Hasselblad is inextricably linked to the world’s most famous medium format cameras. Here I will talk about the 503CX, its history, its features, and how it can still give much satisfaction to those who love experiencing film photography today. As a system camera, much of what you will read also applies to other models of the V System 500 series. Enjoy your reading!
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A brief history of Hasselblad and the V System<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

It all came about thanks to the far-sighted vision of a 35-year-old engineer, Victor Hasselblad, whose great-grandfather had founded Wictor Hasselblad & Co in 1841 in Gothenburg. The company was actively involved in international trade and became the sole distributor of Eastman photographic materials in 1885, later known as Kodak.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

From a young age, Victor was immersed in photography. His grandfather Arvid sent him around the world as an apprentice to major photographic industries. However, upon returning to Sweden, Victor decided to go his own way. He opened a photography shop in Gothenburg, but that was just the beginning. His expertise gained such renown that in 1941, the Swedish government commissioned him to create a reconnaissance camera.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Thus, the HK-7 was born, followed by the SKa4. Both were intended for military use and already featured technical and aesthetic characteristics that would later define Hasselblad\u2019s consumer and professional camera production.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

In 1948 appeared the Hasselblad 1600F<\/strong>, whose features were an absolute first for the time: single-lens reflex, it produced 6×6 cm square negatives, had a curtain shutter that went up to 1\/1600 s. It was also a system camera, composed of several interchangeable parts (lens, film magazine, and viewfinder), allowing complete customization. The famous V System had been born, the specifications of which would allow complete interoperability of the accessories of the cameras that would be produced in the years to come.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The focal plane shutter of the 1600F limited flash sync to 1\/25s, restricting its use outdoors. This limitation was overcome in 1957, with the launch of the Hasselblad 500C<\/strong>, whose lenses all featured a central shutter, allowing flash sync at all speeds. The 500C was the first model of the 500 series in the V System and remained in production until 1970, when it was succeeded by the 500C\/M<\/strong>, which introduced an interchangeable focusing screen. The 503CX<\/strong> (1988) followed, then the 500 Classic<\/strong> (1990), 501C<\/strong>, and 503CXi<\/strong> (1994), the 503CW<\/strong> (1996), and the 501 C\/M<\/strong> (1997). Given that the 503CW remained in production until 2013, the V System 500 series lasted an impressive 56 years, setting a longevity record for a system camera. .<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

In addition to the 500 series, the V System also included the 2000<\/strong> and 200<\/strong> series (produced from 1977 to 2002), which were equipped with a curtain shutter but compatible with the 500 series lenses, the EL<\/strong> series (1965-2006), with motorized film advance, widely used in studio photography, and the Superwide<\/strong> (1954-2006), featuring viewfinder cameras with fixed 38mm lenses.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The Hasselblad 503CX<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Produced from 1988 to 1994, the Hasselblad 503CX<\/strong> belongs to the successful V System 500 series.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Very similar to its predecessor (500C\/M), it introduced several key innovations, such as the Acute Matte<\/strong> focusing screen, which is significantly brighter and facilitates focusing, a new internal coating<\/strong> reducing stray reflections, and TTL flash exposure<\/strong> capability.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

It was sold as a kit, including the standard 80mm lens, film magazine, waist-level viewfinder, and strap.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Once these parts are removed, the essential and elegant body design becomes apparent: a virtually cubic form, with a frame made from a single piece of die-cast aluminum.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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the camera body of the 503CX<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

On the top, you can see the interchangeable ground glass<\/strong> focusing screen and the guide rails for mounting the viewfinder.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

At the rear, the film magazine<\/strong> attaches via a light-tight coupling. By swapping the magazine, you can quickly switch between different film types. A metal dark slide<\/strong> protects the film from light when the magazine is detached.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

At the front, the bayonet lens mount, shutter release button (with a locking lever), and lens removal button are present. Inside, the mirror reflects the image onto the ground glass screen when the camera is cocked. A drive shaft transmits commands to the lens for stopping down the aperture, triggering the shutter, and recocking it when advancing the film.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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By holding down the unlock button located on the front of the body, the lens can be removed by slightly rotating it counterclockwise. This operation is only possible if the camera is cocked.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The 503CX, like all 500 series cameras, features a central shutter in each lens<\/strong>. The body also houses an auxiliary shutter<\/strong> made of rubberized flaps that open before exposure and close immediately after. Its primary function is to protect the film when changing lenses without a dark slide but can also be used as the main shutter at a fixed 1\/30s when employing lenses without a built-in shutter, such as those of the 200 and 2000 series.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

At the bottom of the body is the threaded tripod mount. A quick-release plate was available as an accessory, but today most tripods offer equivalent solutions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

On the right side, you\u2019ll find the winding crank, strap lugs, and mirror pre-release button, which reduces vibration before the shot. It is important to remember that once the pre-release command is activated, it is mandatory to take the shot (but a trick to deactivate it is to remove the magazine, take the shot, recock, and then reattach the magazine).<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

On the left, there is the flash sync port and the ISO setting for TTL flash exposure.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The 503CX is entirely mechanical and lacks a built-in light meter. However, an optional metered winding knob was available.

The 503CX\u2019s shutter sound is distinctive, complementing its robust build and reflecting the precise sequence of operations triggered upon release:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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  1. the mirror lifts<\/li>\r\n
  2. the shutter closes<\/li>\r\n
  3. the diaphragm stops down<\/li>\r\n
  4. the auxiliary shutter opens<\/li>\r\n
  5. the main shutter opens for the preset time<\/li>\r\n
  6. the main shutter closes<\/li>\r\n
  7. the auxiliary shutter closes<\/li>\r\n
  8. the diaphragm reopens<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    After the shot, the mirror stays up until the film is advanced, recocking the shutter.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    The magazines<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    The standard magazine in the kit is the A12, allowing 12 exposures of 6\u00d76 cm on 120 film.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    A semi-circular indicator on the left side shows film consumption, turning progressively red as exposures are made.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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    A12 magazines (6×6 cm)<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    Both the magazine and the camera body feature indicators showing the respective status of the magazine and the body. The colors of these indicators must always match; if they don\u2019t, the magazine is in an inconsistent state with the body. In this case, remove the magazine and cock or uncock the camera body, as appropriate, before reinserting the magazine.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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    There is a pocket on the back of the magazine in which to insert a piece of the film packaging as a reminder.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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    Hasselblad A12 magazines.<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    The magazine can be replaced by operating the unlocking command located on the top.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    Some safety precautions prevent unpleasant errors:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n