Hasselblad 503CWD User Manual

Digital anniversary kit

Hide thumbs Also See for 503CWD:

Brochure (6 pages)

Brochure & specs (4 pages)

User manual (92 pages)

Table Of Contents

Table of Contents

Quick Links

Download this manual

501

503

CWD

Digital Anniversary Kit

User Manual

English, version 2.0

Table of Contents

Need help?

Do you have a question about the 503CWD and is the answer not in the manual?

Questions and answers

Summary of Contents for Hasselblad 503CWD

Page 1 Digital Anniversary Kit User Manual English, version 2.0...
Page 2: Table Of Contents
Shut ter speed and aper ture Working with an Imagebank At taching the lens Tethered to a computer Inset photo on user user manual CD and user manual cover: Deepanita Sharma photographed by Tarun Khiwal / Hasselblad Master 2005 / ©...
Page 3: Introduction
Welcome to the HASSELBLAD 503CWD ! The year 2006 marks the centenary of Victor Hasselblad, the founder of the world famous Hasselblad camera . It is therefore ﬁtting that in commemoration of this anniversary, a camera should be be dedicated to his memory and with links to the both the past and the future.
Page 4 The Lenses You have access to the whole range of Hasselblad ‘C’ series lenses both old and new. Lenses are specially manufactured for Hasselblad by Carl Zeiss of Germany − the indisputable leader in camera optics.
Page 5 Hasselblad 3F RAW ﬁles: Hasselblad 3F image raw ﬁles carry full sets of metadata, including capture conditions, keywords and copyright, facilitating work with image asset manage- ment solutions. The ﬁles also deﬁne the colours in the Hasselblad RGB colour space, remov- ing the need for experimenting with diﬀerent colour proﬁles to get optimal colours and the...
Page 6: Special Considerations
FireWire for maximum ﬂexibility. The 503CWD saves images as 3FR or 3F ﬁles which are Hasselblad raw digital-camera capture standards. From FlexColor, you can optimize and then export the ﬁles to DNG or TIFF or JPEG formats instead if you wish.
Page 7: Before You Start
Leave protective covers on as much as possible and avoid touching glass surfaces and inserting ﬁngers into the camera body etc. The 503CWD has a robust construction and is capable of withstanding fairly rough treatment but nevertheless is a precision instrument and will serve you longer if treated with respect from the beginning.
Page 8: Working Digtially
It is absolutely essential that you ensure you have a fully-charged battery, a spare fully-charged battery, access to battery re-charging or access to a computer, de- pending on how you work. However, in the case of the 503CWD, a ﬁlm magazine can act as reserve for emergencies.
Page 10: Opening The Focusing Hood
29. Focusing hood magniﬁer 45. Battery contacts 30. Magazine hook 46. Battery (not supplied) 31. Auxiliary shutter 47. Ready light indicator 32. Film speed selector 48. Navigation button 33. Strap lug 49. Busy light indicator 34. Accessory rail 50. Instant Approval button 35.
Page 11: Camera Body
Front protective cover Always ﬁt the front protective cover when no lens is attached to protect the mirror and interior. Attach the cover as you would a lens, see below. To remove, turn the cover (bayonet ﬁtting) in the direction of the arrow and lift it out.
Page 12: Built-In Magnif Ier
(see “Changing the magniﬁer”). Focusing screen and viewﬁnder image The 503CWD is ﬁtted with an Acute-Matte D focusing screen for unrivalled brightness and sharpness. The markings on the screen indicate the format of the sensor for correct composition with digital capture.
Page 13: Lenses
Lenses The 503CWD is compatible with lenses that have an integral leaf shutter, namely, all C series lenses. CFi/CFE lenses are the latest developments and are mentioned and illustrated here as the conventional choice. C, CF and CB lenses, although differing in speciﬁcation and appearance to CFi/CFE lenses, are...
Page 14: Shutter Speed And Aperture
Therefore in the illustration, the exposure setting is 1/60 second at f/11. The orange ‘F’ setting is used only when the lens is attached to a Hasselblad camera in the 200 or 2000 series with a focal plane shutter. The operation of the diaphragm is not aﬀected.
Page 15: Interlocked Shutter Speed /Aperture
PC ﬂash terminal. Suitable elec- tronic ﬂash units can be used at all shutter speeds from Is -l/500s as well as B. Please see under ‘Flash’ the sections on the use of a Hasselblad Flash adapter SCA 390.
Page 16: The Viewfinder System
The focusing hood on the standard viewﬁnder has a built-in 4.5x magniﬁer for accurate focusing and this can easily be changed to suit individual eyesight. The 503CWD is equipped with an Acute- Matte D focusing screen which produces an exceptionally bright and sharp image. The markings on the screen indicate the format of the sensor for correct composition with digital capture.
Page 17: Changing The Focusing Screen
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 replacement lens plate with the printed side up. Fold the hood down and replace on the camera. Changing the focusing screen 1.
Page 18: The Digital Back
Hasselblad. General overview In very simple terms, the 503CWD digital back holds a light sensitive sensor in place at the film plane. The electronic signals from the sensor are then processed and stored as a digital ﬁle.
Page 19 The 503CWD‘s digital back is designed to also ﬁt other Hasselblad V model cameras. Please check the connectivity diagram in this manual for further details about the various models, including the possibility of connectivity to large format cameras. • Bear in mind that the sensor is 37mm x 37mm in size. This results in a smaller image (compared to the approx.
Page 20: Parts, Components & Control Panel Buttons
Parts, components & control panel buttons The control panel has an OLED screen that provides a bright, high- The buttons are used for browsing images and navigating the menu contrast view even in bright surroundings and at fairly acute angles. system.
Page 21 Databus connectors Flash sync OUT terminal For communicating with a Hasselblad ELD model camera body or Used when working with studio / strobe ﬂash units. Allows con- with a modiﬁed Hasselblad 202/203/205 model camera body. nection to the lens sync contact via the ﬂash sync cable to ensure...
Page 22 Although the 503 CWD digital back is primarily designed for use with the 503 CWD camera body, it can also be used with other Hasselblad camera models as well as other camera brands that have been ﬁtted with an adapter for mounting Hasselblad ﬁlm magazines.
Page 23: Shooting/Image Storage Modes
2. Semi-tethered / Imagebank mode This mode enables you to attach the camera to a portable Hasselblad Imagebank via a FireWire cable. The Imagebank features massive storage capacity and high-speed data transfer. It is small, lightweight, battery powered and easily clips to your belt, so the solution is just as portable as the untethered option.
Page 25: Tethered To A Computer
3F ﬁle in the currently selected folder of the computer hard disk. 3F is a proprietary Hasselblad format for storing raw captures. It contains the complete raw image exactly as it was captured by the camera, plus technical details that enable FlexColor to process and display the image correctly.
Page 26: Initial General Menu Settings
Initial General Menu Settings General Using the menu on the 503 CWD is very similar to using a menu on a cell phone or similar. When you ﬁrst enter the menu you will be see an initial list: White Bal. Media Browse Storage...
Page 27: White Balance
Below is a simple overview of what is avail- able and where it is situated on the menu. Inset photo: Deepanita Sharma photographed by Tarun Khiwal / Hasselblad Master 2005 / © MENU WHITE BALANCE Sets the light sensitivity of the sensor.
Page 28 Introductory overview of menu access, navigation and settings choice. The menu is structured in a manner similar to cell phones and similar electronic devices. Various branches within the tree system are accessed by pressing the navigation button until you reach the point where a choice has to be made.
Page 29: Setting The Menu Language
Setting the menu language The menu is available in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Japanese and Chinese. To choose any of the above languages, proceed as follows: 1. Press the MENU button to open the menu. 2. Press  and  to select the SETTINGS sub-menu. 3.
Page 30: Menu Shortcuts
can change the setting later using FlexColor or another program that reads DNG ﬁles and the eﬀect will be the same as though you had set it before shooting. The 503 CWD provides several options for establishing the white balance, including: •...
Page 31: And Batches
Storage overview– Working with media and batches General Whichever way you choose to store your images, they should be ﬁled in batches for ef- ﬁcient workﬂow. Organizing your work with batches Batches help you to organize your shots as you work. They function just like folders on a computer.
Page 32 Medium-type icon (Compact Flash) Medium name Number of green, yellow and red shot s currently stored on the medium The MEDIA list. In this example a CF card and a FireWire disk are illustrated and there- fore connected. The blue frame around the CF card symbol tells you that captured images will be saved to the CF card and not the FireWire disk.
Page 33: Creating New Batches
To select the current medium and batch using the browse con- trols: 1. Press the zoom-out button repeatedly until you are all the way at the top zoom level. If you start with the single-image preview view, then you pass through the following views to get there: •...
Page 34 Using Instant Approval Architecture The Instant Approval Architecture system helps you to classify your images as quickly as you take them. It works by supplying immediate audio feedback, which tells you instantly whether each new picture is exposed correctly or likely to be over- or underex- posed.
Page 35: Browsing By Approval Status
 Note that some shots may trigger the warning even though they are exposed according to your intentions. You should consider these warnings only as a guideline. This feature can be turned oﬀ. 3. If no problem is detected, then the image is saved with green status. ...
Page 36: Deleting By Approval Status
There are many ways to make use of this feature. For example: • Set the ﬁlter to show only yellow images. Then step through each image and decide whether any of them should be promoted to green or demoted red. •...
Page 37: Over View Of Viewing, Deleting
Overview of viewing, deleting and copying images Basic image browsing The large, full-colour OLED display enables you to inspect your shots while you are still on-location. The display oﬀers full-screen previews, high-magniﬁcation zoom, two levels of thumbnails and analysis tools including a full histogram and camera settings. When you ﬁrst turn on the camera, the display opens in standard browse mode, showing the last image taken (if any) for the current medium and batch.
Page 38: Thumbnail Views
1. Browse to the image you wish to zoom into with the navigation button. 2. Press the zoom-in button to zoom in one step. The screen updates to show both a zoomed image and a thumbnail image that includes a red box outlining the por- tion of the images currently shown.
Page 39: Preview Modes
You can cycle through all the available preview modes by pressing the View-Mode button. Preview Modes Choosing the Preview mode You can use the view-mode button to cycle through the available preview modes. The preview screen works in several diﬀerent modes: •...
Page 40: Using The Histogram
The standard preview display The standard preview display is the one shown when you ﬁrst turn on the camera. It features a preview of your most recent shot and basic information about the digital back settings and the image itself. Using the histogram The histogram provides a graph that indicates the total number of pixels at each brightness level, with brightnesses going from black on the left to white on the right.
Page 41: Overexposure Indicator
Battery-saver mode In this mode, the digital back is fully responsive, so you can take pictures but the screen is not lit up, thereby saving battery power. You can enter the menu system while shooting in this mode (which activates the screen until you exit the menu system again) but the approval, zoom and navigator buttons have no eﬀect.
Page 42 See Using Compact Flash Memory Cards for details about how to remove and insert the card. The 503CWD can also function as a CF card reader for ﬁle transferrence. Select MAIN MENU > SETTINGS> Misc> Interface > Disk. Images that you have stored on an Imagebank can also be transferred to a computer by connected the external disk to the computer with a FireWire cable and then copying the ﬁles using the ﬁle system.
Page 43: Working With The Menu
Working with the menu settings Menu system overview The main menu contains those settings that you will need to access most often as you work on an assignment. It also provides sub-menus that give you access to all other settings, most of which you will need less often.
Page 44 Menu structure Entries of the main menu...
Page 45 So, for example, when the text says to select the MAIN MENU > SETTINGS > USER INTERFACE > Language entry, you should do the following: 1. Press the menu (MENU) button to open the menu. 2. Use  and  to select the SETTINGS sub-menu. 3.
Page 46 White balance Use this entry to set the white balance saved with the image and There are six ‘White Balance’ settings to choose from. applied to the preview. To select a preset white balance: 1. Select the MAIN MENU > White Bal entry. The current setting is displayed here.
Page 47 Browse The browse ﬁlter complements the instant-approval system by enabling you to browse through images according to their approval status. You have the following choices: • All: browses all of the images in the current batch, regardless of their approval status. This is the default. •...
Page 48: Storage
STORAGE This section describes ﬁle storage, ﬁle transference, storage organization, ﬁle classiﬁcation and related subjects. Navigating the STORAGE settings...
Page 49 MAIN MENU > STORAGE > Delete Use the MAIN MENU > STORAGE > Delete menu to delete images that you do not need, thereby making room for more captures. There are several ways to delete images: • Delete a single selected image •...
Page 50 Menus for deleting several images from a selected batch. Deleting several images from a selected batch To delete several images from a selected batch: 1. Starting at the single-image preview display, Select MAIN MENU > STORAGE > Delete. (See also Navigating the Menu System for details about how to ﬁnd this setting.) 2.
Page 51 4. Press OK to conﬁrm the delete. To exit without delete, press EXIT. 5. You now return to the main menu. Either move on to another setting by using the navigator button or 6. Press the menu (EXIT) button to exit the menu system. Menus for deleting several images from all batches from a...
Page 52 Deleting several images from a selected medium To delete several images at once:  1. Starting at the single-image preview display, press the button three times to go to the list of media. 2. Use  and  to select the medium from which you wish to delete.
Page 53 FORMAT The digital back is only able to read and write to media that have been formatted. However, new cards or disks sometimes arrive without any for- matting, or you might want to convert media that are currently using a format that the camera cannot read. ...
Page 54 COPY Usually, you will copy images from a card by connecting the cam- era to a computer and using FlexColor. However, you might also want to load images from a card to a portable FireWire hard disk  or Imagebank, allowing you to erase the card and keep shooting even when you do not have a computer with you.
Page 55 BATCH Batches help you to organize your work. They are very similar to folders on a computer hard disk. Use the Batch command of the STORAGE menu each time you want to create a new batch.  For more information about batches, please see Working with Media and Batches.
Page 56 DEFAULT APPR. LEVEL The Instant Approval Architecture system helps you to evalu- ate and mark each image based on how well it has come out. By  default, the system assigns an initial approval status for each new shot based on an analysis of the distribution of exposure levels. In the factory conﬁguration, the status of each new shot is assigned as follows: •...
Page 57: Settings
SETTINGS There are a number of settings grouped under the general ‘Settings’ heading which are: • User Interface • Camera • Miscellaneous • Default Navigating the (1 - 99, Never) USER INTERFACE settings...
Page 58 MAIN MENU > SETTINGS > User Interface By altering the User Interface settings, you can control the way the digital back interacts to suit you and your preferred way of working. It also includes date and time settings. Entries of the USER INTERFACE Menu The user interface menu includes both entries and sub-menus.
Page 59 Setting the options under the User Interface menu Each of the above entries can be set by similar menu navigation. Language, Power Down and Mark Overex can be set immediately by the buttons while Sound, Date & Time and Display require another move to sub menu for ﬁnal choice.
Page 60 View cameras (with the appropriate adapter and cables) can also be used. The exposure time set on the 503CWD digital back sets the maximum length of exposure. The default setting is 1/8 sec and this is the setting that can be kept for all exposures from 1/8 sec through 1/2000sec.
Page 61 • Use the Adapter EL (supplied) to provide the necesssary extension beyond the motor hous- ing of the EL models for battery attachment. It is attached to the 503CWD digital back in the same manner as a battery, and the battery itself is then attached to the adapter as in the illustration.
Page 62 For use with 500C/CM, 501C/CM and 503 CX/CXi/CW models. • Make a 500 setting. Shutter Delay There can be diﬀerences in the amount of time required in prepara- tion (raising the mirror, opening/closing the shutter etc) for digital capture between various camera models. This corrective feature adjusts the time a little to ensure the image is read out from the sensor.
Page 63 503 CW + For computer control of 503CW+Winder CW use Winder CW Exposure cable 503 CW Hasselblad 503CWD digital backback For computer control of EL/ 500 EL/ELM ELM and ELX use Exposure 500/553 ELX cable ELX...
Page 64 Setting CAPTURE SEQUENCE Proceed as follows: 1. Press the menu (MENU) button to open the menu. 2. Use  and  to select the SETTINGS sub-menu. 3. Press  to open the SETTINGS menu. 4. Use  and  to select CAMERA. 5.
Page 65 This setting controls the number of exposures in the sequence. 16. Press OK to conﬁrm all the settings. 17. The 503CWD digital back is now ready for sequence start. Note that the MENU/EXIT button now diplays START instead: 18. Press START to set the sequence running.
Page 66 Navigating the MISCELLANEOUS settings MAIN MENU > SETTINGS > Miscellaneous The MISCELLANEOUS menu contains two settings:  Selecting an interface The interface setting controls the way the camera will appear to your computer when you connect it. You have the following choices: •...
Page 67 The About box Occasionally, Hasselblad may release updates to the internal soft- ware of the digital back (this is called “ﬁrmware”). These updates may ﬁx small errors and/or add new features. You will probably  receive additional assistance from Hasselblad technical support if and when a new update is available.
Page 68 MAIN MENU > SETTINGS > Default The DEFAULT setting will reset all custom settings you have made back to the original default / factory settings. To reset all settings:  1. Select the MAIN MENU > SETTINGS > DEFAULT entry. 2.
Page 69: Flash / Strobe
It also oﬀers a TTL function if required. Most ﬂash units are suitable for use with the 503CWD. However, for the sake of safety, care should be taken when using studio ﬂash units (strobe) and tethered to a stationary computer.
Page 70 to the TTL socket. It indicates three separate states as described below. Ready signal A steady red light indicates that the ﬂash unit is charged and ready to be ﬁred. Absence of any signal indicates the need for fresh batteries. Conﬁrmation signal A ﬂashing red light occurring for just over a second immediately after exposure conﬁrms that the light output was suﬃcient for a proper exposure.
Page 72: Cleaning
an alternative you can spray the ﬂuid onto the tissue ﬁrst, and then apply it to the ﬁlter as you wipe it. 2. Fold the tissue several times to match the width of the IR ﬁlter—you might use two or three tissues at a time if necessary (to give you a better grip). Be sure to fold the paper so that the coated glossy side faces outwards—do not use the other side, as it can do more harm than good! 3.
Page 73: Film Magazine Use
Film Magazine Use The 503CWD also accepts ﬁlm magazines allowing for greater freedom and versatility. There are a number of reasons why using ﬁlm might either be preferable or even necessary. For ex- ample you might want the speciﬁc results you know that a certain ﬁlm emulsion can produce or you might want to use very long exposure times, etc.
Page 74 ﬁlm; a circle with a diameter of 40 mm. The metering system is connected to a selector for setting ﬁlm speed. When a Hasselblad D−Flash 40 is attached − or an SCA 300 compatible ﬂash unit is connected through an SCA390 ﬂash adaptor −...
Page 75 3. Look at the lens exit pupil. Use the stop-down button and change the aperture noticing as you do so the changes in the size of the exit pupil. 4. Look now at an angle roughly in a line from the exit pupil to one corner of the camera back opening.
Page 76: Accessories
For complete and up to date information please refer to the latest Hasselblad V System Product Catalogue or visit our website - www.hasselblad.com The following list is just a selection.
Page 77 Four fully automatic extension tubes and an automatic bellows extension are available for close-up work. Please see the Hasselblad V system catalogue or visit the Hasselblad website − www.hasselblad.com − for details of the complete range of accessories and lenses.
Page 78: Technical Specifications
Complete camera with Planar CFE 2.8/80 mm lens: 193mm L x113mm W x110mm H Weight: 1620 g (Excluding battery and CF card). Focusing screen: Hasselblad Acute-Matte D focusing screen with sensor format markings. Sensor size 16 million pixels Sensor dimensions 36.7 x 36.7 mm...
Page 79 Technical speciﬁcations — continued Color management Hasselblad RGB . full dynamics . reproduction dynamics Color display OLED type, 2.2 inch, 24 bit color IR ﬁlter Mounted on CCD sensor ISO speed range 50, 100, 200, 400 Longest shutter speed 32 seconds...
Page 80: Equipment Care, Service And Guarantee
Hasselblad distributor. • Keep your 503CWD and all other computer equipment away from moisture. If your 503CWD becomes wet, disconnect from power and allow it to dry be- DISPOSAL fore attempting to operate again.
Page 81: Further Reading
“HasselbladSystemCompendium”by Richard Nordin. Published by Hove Books - ISBN 1-897802-10-2. A complete round up of the history of Hasselblad products until 1998. Contains photos and descriptions of rare items long since out of production. A mine of information for those interested in a chronicle of the company and the development of its products. It contains a unique collection of dates, lists and almost anything you would want to know about the history and background of Hasselblad equipment.
Page 82 Victor Hasselblad AB Hasselblad A/S Box 220, Hejrevej 30, SE - 401 23 Göteborg, DK - 2400 Copenhagen, Sweden Denmark...

Hasselblad 503CWD User Manual

Quick Links

Need help?

Questions and answers

Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel

Related Manuals for Hasselblad 503CWD

Summary of Contents for Hasselblad 503CWD

Table of Contents