Getting started with ELM body

[flashbulbman]

I am new to the forum and could not figure out how to post a new thread. I looked around for POST A NEW THREAD and could not find a way to do so nor could I recall how I posted a few prior. Today, I used my 500 ELM on a theatrical shoot. I had read a lot about how to use the camera and did dry runs for a day or so. Last night, I ran a test roll through it and had a couple of question.
First: After you fire the last shot on the 500 ELM, does it automatically advance the rest of the roll (paper backing and rest of the end of the film) onto the take up spool. I did not hear the motor running to do that, so I set the counter to 1 again and fired 5 or 6 times to be sure all the film got taken up. Is that the way to do it?

Second: I did the entire shoot today on the 50 Distagon. I had tested the lens for accuracy of the distance scale on the barrel. When I focused at 7 feet, the scale indicated I was at 15 feet. When I turn the barrel to focus, it gets extremely stiff and very very hard to turn when it reaches 10 feet on the scale. I note that you can not see the red vertical line on the barrel when on 15 feet to infinity. The lens completely turns downward into the body and covers the red line, so you can not see it pointing to the distance scale. I could see if the lens is in and out of focus, even though the scale is off. Is this OK and should I not worry, as long as the lens is focussed on the ground glass insert? I must admit it is darker and harder to see than I imagined with the small F4 opening on the 50 Distagon. I have an 80 f2.8 coming in the mail,and hopefully it will be brighter.

Thank you in advance.

Thanks

 

[Victorh]

You did nothing wrong but some details could be improved.

After completing all frames manually transport the film till it is completely on the take up spool.
You do not need to remove the film back from the camera to do this.

Not sure what is exactly wrong with yout 50 mm Distagon but it looks like at least the helicoid is damaged.
Focusing should be smooth over the complete range.
Try to find a repair shop that does a lot of Hasselblad gear.
They may have some used spares to solve the problem with your lens.

The distance scale on C series lenses is quite accurate.
Another indication your Distagon lens has a problem.

Older style focussing screens are less bright and make focussing difficult.
Later Acute Matte screens are about 1 stop brighter.
That helps especially under low light conditions.

See what the 80 mm lens looks like and report how you are doing.
The 80 mm is one stop faster to start with.



Vic.

 

[flashbulbman]

Vic,
You say to manually move the film. I have a 500 EL which is motor driven. I do not understand how to manually move the film. Do you mean to just turn the key on the back? I have the old back with the peep hole, which I like better than the one with the crank on it. It does not automatically wind onto the take up spool with the motor?

My 50 Distagon was probably damaged in the mail last week when it arrived. The Ebay seller put it in a shoe box, wrapped it in newspaper and charged me $49.50 for the USPS delivery.The front UV filter on the lens was smashed. He had taken the lens cap off and wrapped it separately. I think the lens took a blow to the front element. I will see how the photos I took yesterday look in a day or so.

Thanks

 

[Victorh]

I would not spend too much time on the 50 Distagon.
The seller does not stand a chance to claim the damage with USPS.
Inform him the lens arrived damaged due to insufficient packing.
What good are lens caps if they are not used for lenses in transport?
This must be a confused person.
eBay purchases paid for by PayPal are fully covered.

Could be related to the fool who managed to push this camera in a small box.
Shoebox is too much credit for this box.






Rare SWA camera destroyed in transport.
Seller is a professional trader of camera gear!




There are two ways to move the film to the take up spool:

1. Use the motor of the ELM body after resetting the counter on the model 12 film back.

2. Manually transport the film with the key on the RH side of the back.


Vic.

 

[flashbulbman]

Thanks Vic. Here is a photo of the lens when it arrived.

 

[Victorh]

OUCH!!!