Film cameras
Hasselblad 503cw User manual
User manual for Hasselblad 503cw. 40 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
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- Brand
- Hasselblad
- Model / document
- Hasselblad 503cw
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 40
- File size
- 4.5 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 3 · Read text
EI'Gl
- Hasselblad503CWffie"wunkhnrse"mototizeil
Well- we haveto admitthatthe headlineis not altogether WithyourHasselblad503CWyouhaveopenedthedoortothe
true.However,for thefirsttime,youhavetheopportunityto HasselbladSystem,that,in additionto theitemsalreadymen-
motorizeit yourselfby simplypurchasingandattachingthe tioned,alsofeaturesinterchangeabilityof 15differentlenses,
onlytrueoriginalHasselbladWinderCW. 1,4xand2x teleconverters,magazinesforditferentimagefor-
matsandfilmsincludingPolaroidfilms,viewfinderswithor
The Hasselblad503CW(W for winder)continuesthe withoutexposuremeteringproperties,a numberof focusing
Hasselbladtraditionof well-knownandappreciatedfeatures screensanda varietyofaccessoriestofityourspecialrequire-
thathavecarriedtheHasselbladnamebeyondtheendsofthe ments,
earthandintospace:reliabilityandabsolutefidelity.
The completerangeof accessoriesaffordsalmostlimitless
Althoughlookingas it alwayshas,it offersa numberof new flexibilityandpotentialfor superiorphotographyin anyappli-
features,Oneis theGMS(GlidingMinorSystem)whichwith cation.Therealizationof thispotentialis onlydependantupon
its largemirrorprovidesa full viewfinderimagewith all yourskill,cafeandjudgementasa photographer.
HasselbladC andCFlenses,Theimageis furtherenhanced Leruses by the new improvedfocusingscreen"Acute-MatteD" for Sincethe early1950'sHasselbladlenseshavebeenmanu- moreevenilluminationas wellas easierandmoreaccurate facturedby CarlZeissin Germany.The Hasselblad503CW focusing. usesC andCFlensesmadeby CarlZeiss.
Originallyfeaturingthe 6 x 6 cm (2tl+x 2rlt_in)formatthe Withthe exceptionof F and FE-typelenses,all Hasselblad
503CWalsoacceptsformatmasksfor6 x 4.5cmand6 x 3 cm lensesmanufacturedsince1957canbe usedwiththe503W.
(panoramic)formats. FE-typelensescan onlybe usedwiththe Hasselbladfocal
olaneshuttercameras. A specialfeatureof the HasselbladWinderCW is the SAI
(SelfAdjustingInterface)functionwhichsensesthecamera's Thisinstructionmanualdescribesindetailhowtooperateyour
status,ensuringmechanicalreliability.Justdetachthewinding 503W.Pleasereadit carefully.Theknowledgegainedfromit
crankandhookthe winderon for the additionalfeaturesof willgiveyoufullaccessto theHasselbladpotential.Exploiting
fast sequencephotographyand variouschoicesof remote thepotentialis leftto yourimagination!
control.
Congratulationson a very wise choice!
www.orphancameras.comView original page 3Page 4 · Read text
LI'cE
1
2
3
4
30
29
28
27
24 23 ?2 21 20 19 18 17 16 15
1 . Focusinghood 11.PCflashterminal 22.Pre-releasebutton
2. Focusingscreen:Acute-MatteD. 12.Externalandinternallensaccess- 23.Winderbayonetmount
screen ory mount 24.Straplug
3. Screenretainingclip 13.Exposurevaluescale 25.Windingcrank
4. Flashfunctionindicator 14.Exposurevalueindex 26.Windingcrankindex
5. Focusingringandscale 15.Lensreleasebutton 27. Framecounter
6. Shutterspeedandapertureinterlock 16.Driveshaft 28. Magazinestatusindicator
button 17.Threadedcablereleasesocket 29,Filmwindingcrank
7, Centrallensindex 18.Shutterreleasebutton 30.Magazinedrivinggear
8. Depth-of{ieldscale 19.Viewfindermirror 31.Magazinecatchwithmagazinetype
9. Apertureringandscale 20.Nameplate designation
10.Shutterspeedselectorring 21.WindingcrankandWindercoupling (continued)View original page 4Page 5 · Read text
tll'eE
Gameratype: Singlelensreflexcamerawith6 x 6 cm (2tl+x2tlqin)max.filmsize.Interchangeable
lenses.filmmaoazines.viewfinders.andfocusinoscreens.
Design: Mechanical,withan aluminumalloycamerabodyshellcastin onepiece.
Viewfinders: Foldingfocusinghoodinterchangeablewithreflexviewfinder,prismviewfinderswithor
withoutbuilt-inlightmeter,or magnifyinghood.
Filmadvance: ManualadvanceormotordrivenwithWinderCW.Simultaneousshutterwinding.Winder
CWwindingtime:1.05sec,approx.0.8frames/secincontinuousmode.
Flashcontrol: TTL/OTF-metering,lS016-1000withflashadaptorsSCA390orSCA590forconnection
withflashunilsfromtheSCA300orSCA500systemsresp.Meteringareawithin40mm
diameterinthecentreoftheimaoearea,
Tripodcoupling: 1/4in.and3/8in.socketthreadsandbaseplateforquickcouplingattachment.
Externaldimensions: Camerabodyonly- seepage(vi).CamerabodywithPlanarCF80mmlens,filmmag-
azine412 andfocusinqhood:180mmL x 114mmW x'l 1OmmH ( 7 x 4tlzx 41lain).
Weight: Camerabodyonly:0,6kg (1.3lb).
CamerabodywithPlanarCF80 mmlensand A12filmmagazine:1.5kg (3.3lb).
Focusingscreen: HasselbladAcute-MatteD-focusingscreen
Thecanerabody(chronenldel, cat n010243,blackmodelcat.n0.10246)c0meswrthfocusrnghood,focusing
screen,windingcrank,standardstrap,andfrontandrearprltectiveclvers.
Forcomprehensiveinformationon accessoriespleasereferto theHasselbladProductCatalogue.
Hasselbladreservetherightto nakechangesin thepublishedspecificatronswithoutpnornotice
Acute-MatteD- desionedbv MINOLTA
www.orphancameras.comView original page 5Page 6 · Read text
EI to
Contents
I lntroduction 16 Exposurevalues
tl Parts& components 16 Interlockedshutterspeed/aperture
iii TechnicaI specificatrons 17 Focusinganddepthof field
1 Contents 17 Depthoitietdpreiview
18 Pre-releaseandcablerelease
2 GETTINGSTANTED 18 Doubleexposure
19 Flashsynchronization
2 Frontandrearprotectivecovers 19 Infraredphotography
20 THEVIEWFINDEfrSYSTEM
8 Exposurerelease
9 MAGAZINEOPERATION
9 Loadingthemagazine
1q Slep-bi-stepfilfi bading
12 Magazineloadstatus
12 Removingfilmfromthemagazine
12 Filmtabholder 28 Accessorymounts
13 Installingformatmasks 29 Attachingandremovingthe WinderCW
13 Filmplaheindex 30 Accessorycharts
14 LENSANDSHUTTENFUNCTIONS 32 TROUBLESHOOTINE
1 4 Shutterspeedandaperture IV C_amer4care,serviceandguarantee
1 5 Exposure V Parts& components
1 5 Warningmark VI CamerabodydimensionsView original page 6Page 7 · Read text
ltl'o
Getting$tanted
Thissectiondescribeshowto prepareyourcamerafor Checkthatthewindingcrankontherighthandsideof
useaswellasthebasicoperations.Followtheinstruc- thecamerais lockedthusensuringthatthecamerais
tionsstep-by-stepto avoiddamagingtheequipment. fullywound.lf thecrankis notlocked,rotateit clock-
wiseuntilit doeslock,therebywindingthecamera.
FrontProtectiueGouer
Turn the cover (bayonet fitting) in the direction of
the arrow and lift it out. Do not remove it until
you are ready to attach a lens.
Thefrantprofectivecsvetrcan only'be
remavedwhenthecamerais {ullvwound.
RearPrstectiveCouer
Depress the catch, tilt the cover backwards, and
lift it off. Do not remove it though until you are
readyto attacha magazine.
Always replace the cover to protect the auxiliary
shutter when storing the camera body without a
masazine attached.
www.orphancameras.com
Getting StartedView original page 7Page 8 · Read text
LI 'CI
AttachingtheLens
Make sure that both camera and lens are fully
wound.The adjacentillustrationshowsthe correct
relationshipbetweenthe drive shaft, the lens drive
coupling and their indexes.
If the lens is not wound, you can insert a coin in
the coupling slot and rotate it clockwise until it
locks (about4/5 of a turn)
When you have aligned the red index on the lens
with the one on the camera as shown in the illus-
tration, the lens will drop easily into the bayonet
fitting. You can then rotate it clockwise until it
stops with a faint click as the lens catch locks it in
place.
RemouinglheLens
Depressthe lens releasebutton and rotate the lens
counter-clockwiseuntil it stops and lift it out of
the mount.
a,IView original page 8Page 9 · Read text
EI'CI
AttaehingtheMagazine
Ensure that the magazine slide is fully inserted
with the hinge towards the front of the camera
(see detail on page 9) and that the magazine status
indicator is white. If the indicator is red then fol-
low the instructions on the page 5. It is also advis-
able to have the camera fully wound.
Rest the magazine on the magazine supports mak-
ing sure that the lugs are properly engagedin the
recesses.Carefully swing the magazine towards
the camera body and check that the camera's
upper support hooks fit into the slots in the maga-
ztne.
Push the magazine gently but firmly against the
hooks while sliding the magazine catch to the
right. Release the button when the magazine has
made contact with the camerabody, and then push
the button to the left to ensure that it has reached
the locked position. Remove the slide to positive-
ly lock the magazine to the camera body. The
camera is now ready to use.
Remoulnutneffiagaiine
Just as when attaching the magazine,it is advis-
able to have the camerafully wound and the mag-
azine indicator displaying white.
www.orphancameras.com Getting StartedView original page 9Page 10 · Read text
El !GE
Insert the magazine slide fully with the hinge
towards the front of the camera (see detail on
page 9). Slide the magazine catch to the right,
swing the magazine back and lift it off the lower
supports.
Themagazinscannothe removedwifft-
out firstinseftingthemagazinestide.
?o Notealso that the cameracannotbe
nperatedwhnna m&gazine,with slide
inserted,is attathedta theffiffiEra"
./ 7 TheMagazihe$tatusIndicalor
The status indicator on the right hand side of the
magazine shows WHITE when the magazine is
ready to operate and RED when the film has not
been advanced after an exposure. If the status
indicator shows red, release the camera first
before attaching the magazine. Then, winding the@ @
camera again will automatically advancethe film
by one frame.
-t -T
Seepage 9 for a-gbneral explanation of
thesemagazinefeatures.
Getting StartedView original page 10Page 11 · Read text
El'o
0peningthefocusingHood
Lift the lid by firmly gripping the tab on its rear
edge, and swing it up to a vertical position. The
hood unfolds automatically and locks in the open
posltlon.
TheEuilt-inMagnilier
The magnifier flips up into the viewing position
when the oval button inside the lid is moved to the
right, as in the illustration.
To fold the magnifier down simply press it back
down towards the lid until it locks into place.
It can easily be exchangedto suit individual eye-
sight (see page2l).
focusingScreenandUiewfinderlmage
The 503CW is fitted with the Acute-Matte D
focusing screen featuring unrivalled brightness
I focusingand the highestscreens.resolutionThe centreamongof thethescreenHasselbladis indi-
cated by a hairline cross.
The screen can easily be exchanged for others + specially designed for various applications (see
page 22).
www.orphancameras.com Getting StartedView original page 11Page 12 · Read text
EI'o
elosingtheFnmsingHood
Fold away the magnifier by pressingit back down
towardsthe lid until it locks into place. 'Pinch'in
the side plates at the hinge points and then push
the lid lightly backwards.The hood then automat-
ically folds back down.
Removingthet{findingerank
Push the catch lever downwards while rotatins the
crank counter-clockwise. Then pull the c"rank
straight out from the shaft.
Attachingtile WindingCrank
Attach the crank to the shaft, aligning the smaller
triangular index mark against the red dot just
above the mount. Keep the crank pushed against
the camera while turning it clockwise until the
larger triangular mark is aligned with the red dot.
:-2
Getting StartedView original page 12Page 13 · Read text
$trapAttachment
Place the main body of the strap clip over one of
the camera's strap lugs. Press the tip of the clip
towards the camera while pulling back on the
strap so that the clip slides over the lug and locks
lnto posltlon.
Removingthe$trap
Lift the clip locking plate high enough to be able
pass over the camera lug. Slide the clip in the
direction away from the strap until it is free.
LeftHandGrip
Without a Winder CW attached. mav find that
holding the camera in your left hand is the most
convenient grip; operating the exposure release
button with your index finger. Your right hand is
then free for focusing, setting the exposure,
rewinding, and changing the lens or magazine.
ExposureRelease
Before you can take a photograph, you must
remove the magazine slide. The magazine will
then be locked on the camera bodv. and the cam-
era releasebuttonwill be unlocked.
After exposure,the viewfinder remains dark until
you have rewound the camera by one full turn of
the crank, which also advancesthe film.
Getting Started www.orphancameras.comView original page 13Page 14 · Read text
lll'K)
Magazine0penation
Hasselbladfilmmagazinesprovidetheopportunityto The {m.r.ra[omaticallyadvancedframe-byJramein
varyformat,lengthandtypeof filmused.Theycanbe themagazineby thecamerawindingmechanismand
quicklyandeasilyswitchedmid-filmwithoutthelossof consequentlyonlywhenattachedto thecamerabody.
a singleframe. Thereforewhenseparated,themagazineandcamera
bodycouldbecomeunmatched.Thiscan be deter-
Operationof themagazinesis notdifficultbutpaypar- minedby checkingthemagazinestatusindicator(see
page5) or bythewindingcrankstatus(seepage2),ticularattentionto thesectionon loading.Gothrough
theprocedureonestepat a timeandpracticea little Tryto adopta routinethatsuitsyouregardingwinding
untilyou feel confident.Noteespeciallywhichway andremovalas wellas checkingonthestatusof each
roundthespoolof filmis placedandthepositioningof item.Thiswillensurethatthe camera/lens/magazine
thebackingpaperundertheclampbar. combinationstatusis alwaysfullyoperative,
LoadingtheMagazine
The magazinecan be loaded on, or off the camera.
If it is to be loaded off the camera,then the mag-
azine slide must be inserted flrst.
In either case,when inserting the slide ensurethat
its flat side is towards the rear (see detail in illus-
tration) as this facilitates the removal of the film
holder.
Magaz,ine OperationView original page 14Page 15 · Read text
'[o
Step-by-stepFilmLoading Follow the procedurebelow in the correct order.
GW= clockwise
C-GW= counter-clockwise
t) Fold out the film holder key. 3) Place an empty take-up spool under the grooved knob
of the spool clamp bar. Insert a roll of film under the
other end of the bar, turned the same way as in the illus-
tration. Be sure to remove all of the paper band sur-
roundins a new roll of film.
2) Turn the key C-Cti and withdraw the 4) Turn the film holder key GWto open the film clamp.
film holder (magazineinsert). Pull 8 - l0 cm (3 - 4 in.) of paperbacking off the film roll
and slide the edge under the clamp.
1 0 Magaz.ine Operation www.orphancameras.comView original page 15Page 17 · Read text
El'CI
MagazineLoadStatus
In the centreof the film holder key there is a cres-
cent-shapedindicator window that shows white
when the magazineis freshly loaded. It gradually
changesto red as the film is wound through. An
all red indicator shows that either the film is used
up or that the magazincis empty.
RemouingFilmfromtheMagazine
When the last frame has been exposedand wound
on, the magazine blocks the camera for further
release.
Wind off the film by folding out the film winding
crank, and rotate it clockwise until you can feel
the film leaving the supply spool.
You can now withdraw the film holder from the
magazineand remove the exposedfilm.
The frame counter is automatically reset when the
film holder is withdrawn from the masazine.
FilmTabHolder
The end tab of the film pack can be insertedin the
holder on the back of the magazine as a reminder
of the kind of lllm that has been loaded into the
magazlne.
12 MagaTine Operation www.orphancameras.comView original page 17Page 18 · Read text
El'cE
InstallingFormatMasks
The body's rear plate has an accuratelymachined
mount that acceptsthe 6 x 4.5 and 6 x 3 panoram-
ic format masks.
To install a mask, push it in place in the mount.
The masks can be used horizontally or vertically.
Each format mask has a correspondingviewfind-
er mask which is placed over the focusing screen.
to
FilmPlanelndex
The film plane index on the right hand side of the
magazine body indicates the position of the film
plane to facilitate accurate determination of the
film-to-subject distance. This can be particularly
important in close-up photography.
Magazine Operation 13View original page 18Page 20 · Read text
El'o
Warningftlark
You will find a red mark on the shutter speedscale
abovethe 1, I/2, and,l/4ssettings.Thisls to warn
you of possibleexposureeffors as detailed above.
The auxiliary shutter will terminate the exposure
prematurely if you relax the pressureon the but-
ton too soon.
Listen to the buzzing sound of the delay escape-
ment in the lens' shutterand maintain the pressure
on the releasebutton until the sound stops.
Tt flrRlut9u
Lens and Shutter Functions 15View original page 20Page 23 · Read text
Pre-releaseandCableRelease
Considerable efforts have been made to reduce
camera vibrations causedby moving parts in the
exposuresequence.However, if you wish to avoid
these vibrations completely, you can pre-release
the mechanism by pushing the pre-releasebutton
upwards.This causesthe following sequence:
\ 1) the mirror folds up
Qa 2) the shutter closes and remains closed
U)
\ 3) the diaphragm closes to lts preset aperture
4) the auxiliary shutter opens
When you subsequentlypress the releasebutton,
only the shutter then operatesat the preset speed.
As shown in the illustration, you can also attach a
cable releaseto further reduce vibrations.
DoubleExposure
As the camera has been designedto prevent acci-
dental double exposureyou will have to carry out
the following procedurein order to make multiple
exposureson the same frame:
1) Depressthe main releasebutton and make the
initial exposure.
2) Insert the magazine slide and remove the mag-
az7ne.
3) Wind the camera with one full revolution of
the winding crank.
4) Replace the magazine and remove the slide.
The unit is now ready to make a secondexposure
on the same frame. You can make additional
exposuresin the same manner.
| 8 Lens and Shutter Functions www.orphancameras.comView original page 23Page 24 · Read text
Ll'o
FIasfi$ynehfsnizalion
The Hasselblad 503CW uses lenses from the
Hasselblad C and CF series. These lenses have
built-in leaf shutters with speeds from ls to
1/500sand B. Flash synchronizationoccurs at full
shutteropening via the PC flash terminal. Suitable
electronic flash units can be used at all shutter
speedsfrom 1s -1l500s as well as B.
fnlraradFhuto$iapfty
Infrared (IR) rays (wavelengths longer than 800
nm) form an image on a plane further away from
the lens than the image plane for visible light. To
compensatefor this difference you have to align
the chosen distance against the red IR index and
not the normal central index. Proceedas follows:
1) Focus as usual on the focusing screen.
2) Note the distance on the focusing scale that is
opposite the central index line.
3) Now rotate the focusing ring to set this dis-
tance opposite the red IR index line instead
of the central index line.
Lens and Shutter FunctionsView original page 24Page 25 · Read text
lll'cE
TheUiewfinden$ystem
The503CWis suppliedwitha light,compactandfold-- The503CWis equippedwithanAcute-MatteD focus-
ablevievvfinder,providinga through-the-lenslaterally ingscreenwhichproducesan exceptionallybrightand
reversedimage.lt is easilyinterchangeablewithalter- sharpimage.Whilethis coversmost needs,the
nativeviewfindersincludingthe prismfinders,which Hasselbladsystemoffersa rangeof alternativescreens
producea laterallyconectedimage. forvariousspecificapplications.
Thefocusinghoodon the standardvievyfinderhasa
built-in4.5xmagnifierfor accuratefocusingandthis Eachitemis easilyandquicklyinterchangeablewithout
caneasilybechangedto suitindividualeyesight. theneedforspecialtoolsor facilities. '
-zt "2
. ,.::,2.ia
Nnri Thevewfindersystem www.orphancameras.comView original page 25Page 26 · Read text
El'o
GhangingtheFocusingHoodor Uiewfinder
To remove the focusing hood so as to attachany
other viewfinder in the Hasselbladsystem,pro-
ceed as follows:
l) Detachthe magazine.
2) Fold down the focusing hood to protect it
from damage and remove it by sliding it to
the rear in its guide slots.
3) Slide the replacement viewfinder into the
slots and push it forward until it stops.
When fully inserted the viewfinder is retained
in position by a spring-loaded catch until you
have reattachedthe masazine.
ChangingtheMagnifier
Mounted lenses with dioptre correction from +3
to -4 arc available, and are easily interchangedas
follows:
1) Remove the focusing hood from the camera
and open it by lifting the lid.
2) Releasethe magnifier by pushing the catch to
the right.
3) Push the magnifier halfway back down to its
folded position.
4) Grip the lower edge of the magnifier plate
(through the underside of the hood), and pull
firmly.
5) Keep the plate holder halfway down and insert
the replacementlens plate with the printed side
up. Fold the hood down and replace on the
camera.
The ViewJinder System 21View original page 26From the M. Butkus archive. Original publisher and archive notices are retained.
Check the model and edition against your equipment.
PDF verified 2026-10-10.
