.', fl A S S f T B T A D 20eFE Fo @ INSTRUCTIONMANUAL
Hasselblad203FEInstructionManual Gontents 3 Hasselblad203FEIntroduction 4 PartsandComponents 6 Gettingstarted 6 Battery 6 Cockingthecamera Cover 6 FrontProtective 6 Attachingthe Lens 7 Removingthe Lens Cover 8 RearProtective theMagazine 8 Attaching Magazine 9 Removingthe Magazine StatusIndicator I 10 WindingCrank 10 Removing theWindingCrank 10 Attaching theWindingCrank 11 Strapand Strap Lugs 11 Attaching theStrap 11 Removing theStrap 12 FocusingHoodand Magnifier 12 OpeningtheFocusing Hood 12 TheBuilt-in Mag
37 MagazineSlidePocket 37 FilmPlaneIndex 38 203FEMeteringSystemand OperatingModes 38 TheMeteringSystem 39 OperatingModes 39 Pr ProgrammingMode Howto usethe"Pr"Mode n 4 Ab AutomaticBracketingMode 45 Howto usethe "Ab"Mode 49 D DifferentialMode 49 Howto usethe "D"Mode 51 A AutomaticMode 52 M ManualMode 52 Howto usethe "M"Mode M(ref)ManualMode, il reference g Howto usethe"M(ref)"Mode 56 M(L.E.)ManualMode, LongExposure Howto usethe'M(L.E.
203FE- Speedand precision HASSELBLAD Your Hasselblad203FE is a camera dewho often work on signedfor professionals lightconditions locationunderunpredictable and fast-movingsubjects.With the 203FE youhavea choiceof eitheraperturepriority automaticor truly manual function.In the automaticmodes you can manuallyadjust exposurewithinthe thecomputer-controlled range+5 to -5 EV.
203FE,Partsand Components 1 2 3 47 4.
203FE,PartsandComponents 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 o1 u 48 Focusinghood 4 9 Fi l mwindingc r ank 50 Magazineslidepocket 51 Filmtab holder 52 Magazinesupportslot 53 Framecounter 54 Magazinesupport 55 Magazinestatus indicator 56 Camerasupport 57 Quickcouplingslide 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 Tripodthread 114" Magazineindicatortrigger Data bus connectors Selftimerindication Lens data bus connectors Lens drive shaft Lens drive shaft catch Lens bayonetplate Grip cushion Mirrorrelease/ selftimerbutton 68 69
Getting Started Thissectiondescribeshowyou prepareyour Hasselblad 203FEfor use.Youwillfindcomprehensiveinformationhow to operate the camera in the sectionstartingon page 18. Followthe instructionsstep by step to avoid jamming or damagingthe camera.Always keep the rear protectivecover on to protect the shutter cuftain when the magazine is detachedl Battery The battery comparlment and cassette is locatedin the lowerfonryard corneron the left hand side of the camerabody.
Checkthat boththe cameraand the lensare cocked.The lower illustrationon page 6 showsthe properpositionagainstthe index marksfor the camera drive shaft (top) and thelensdriveshaft(bottom).lf the lensis not cockedyou can insert a coin or a similar objectin the slot and turn the shaft in the direction of thearrowapprox.415of a f ullturn. Youwillfindthat holdingthe camerabodyin yourlefthandand the lensin your righthand as shownin the illustration(top,right)is the easiestway to attach the lens.
Rear Protective Cover Depressthe catch, tilt the cover backwards and lift it off. Always keep the rear protectivecover on to protectthe shutter curtain when the magazine is detached! Attaching the Magazine Ensure that the magazineslide is fully insertedand that the magazinestatusindicator is white.lf the indicatoris red,then followthe instructions on page9. Restthemagazineon the magazinesupportswith the supportlugs properlyengagingthe recessesin the magazine bottom.
Removingthe Magazine Itis advisableto havethe camerafullywound and the magazinestatus indicatorshowing white.lf the indicatorshows red,then follow the instructionsbelow. Insertthe magazineslide fully and with the hingetowardsthe front of the camera. Slidethe magazinecatchto the right,tilt the magazineback and lift it off the supports. NOTE:The magazinecannot be removed withoutinsertingthe magazineslide. The slide protectsthe film from fogging.
The WindingCrank Onefullrevolutionof the windingcrankwinds the camera,cocksthe lens mechanismand transportsthe film to the next:frame. Underneaththe crankare the driveshaftand the bayonetmountforthe Hasselblad Winder (pages74,76), whichcan be attachedafter removingthe crank.lt is recommendedthat the camerais fullywoundwhen the crank is removedor replaced. Removing the Winding Crank To removethe crank push the catch leveron the rear of the crank hub downwardswhile rotatingthe crank counter-clockwise.
Strapand Strap Lugs The 203FEis deliveredwith a mediumwide shoulderstrap,packedseparately.You will find other types of straps in the Hasselblad ProductCatalog.All strapsare providedwith specialclipsfor easyattachingand removing of the strap. Attaching the Strap Placethe main body of the strap clip from behindoverthe straplug on the camerawith thestrappointingbackwards(seefig.).Press the tip of the clip towardsthe camerawhile pullingthe strapto slidethe clipoverthe lug to the lockedposition.
Focusing Hood and Magnifier Openingthe FocusingHood Liftthe lidwitha firmgripon the tab at its rear edgeand swingit up to a verticalposition. andlocksin Thehoodunfoldsautomatically openposition. The Built-in Magnifier Use the built-in4x magnifierto enlargethe viewfinderimage, e.g. for more accurate focusing.To unfold it, push the oval catch insidethe lid to the right,as indicatedin the illustration. To fold the magnifierdown, simply push it back towardsthe lid until it locks.
Viewfinderlmageand Display Focusing Screen I The Hasselblad203FE is equippedwith the Acute-Mattefocusing screen featuringthe highestbrightnessand resolutionamongthe Hasselbladfocusingscreens.The centerof the screenis indicatedby a hairlinecross.A circleof dotsindicatethe meteringareaused by the built-inselectivemeter. See page 27 how to change the focusing screen. The Exposure Meter The exposure meter is a center weighted selective meter where the metered value derivesfrom a approx.
' I The Control Panel The control panel occupies most of the left handside of the camerabody. lt includesall the controlsfor the variousfunctionsof the 203FE,such as: The FlashConnectors The DisplayllluminationSwitch The Mode SelectorDial The AdjustmentButtons Flash Connectors The flashconnectorsare locatedunderneath the protective cover in the upper fonruard cornerof the controlpanel.The smallerone is a standardPO-socketandthe largerone is a 6-pin connectorfor TTl-controlleddedicated flash units.
The Mode Selector Dial Withthe mode selectordial you can select anyof the fiveoperatingmodes Pr, Ab, D, A or M availablein the203FE.The Ab, D, A and and Prfor M modesare usedfor photography the programmingof certainfunctions. The Automatic Exposure (AE) Lock In the centerof the mode selectordial is a push-button,marked with a red circle. lt operatesthe AE-lockand ceftainotherfunctions,dependingon the settingof the mode selectordial.You can also use it to startthe electronicoperatingsystemin the camera.
Left HandGrip Holdingthe 203FEin your lefthandwithyour indexfingeron the releasebutton,as shown in the upper illustrationbelow, is the most convenientgrip.You can reachthe AE-lock and the adjustmentkeyswithyour leftthumb (lowerillustration below)and your righthand is free for focusing,aperturesetting,operating the crank or changingthe lens or the magazine.
t* le, l* l* Focusing, Exposure Release and Viewfinder Display Turn the focusingring (page 31) until the image of the subject appears sharp in the viewfinder. Depressthe exposurebuttonto the pressure point(half-wayin). lf the modeselectordial is set in Ab, D or A positionthe displaynow shows- besidesa fewothersymbolsdescribedin the following section of this manual the preselected apertureand the shutterspeedcalculatedby the cameracomputer.
Operatingdetails MsDrFt*lJ,ll,LEf .H,LEf ,fJ,Ef ,Hfios1 Viewfinder Display & Symbols The displayis shownin the illustrations the way it is builtintothe camerabody.Whenyou use a prism viewfinderthe display appears reversed,but the microprocessoradjusts all the indicationsto make them fully readable. s Flash Ready Signal The flashsymbolis illuminatedgreenwhen a dedicatedflashis connected, turnedon and readyto be fired (pages56, 82). M Manual Mode The mode selectordial is set at M (page52).
# i] H: j 1l Figures Eight7-segmentfiguresindicateconections,deviations,EV, shutterspeed, apertureand certainotherinformationin operationmodesAb, D, A and M as well as programmingfunctionsin Pr mode and certainwarningsin variousmodes of operation. Fraction Indication One or two dashesto the rightof the figureindicate1/3and 2/3 step higher valuethan indicatedby the figure.
The Right Hand Side On the righthandsideof the camerabodyare on page10,and thewindingcrank,described the pre-releaseand selftimerlever. Double Exposure You can make double (or multiple)exposures by rewindingthe camera without advancingthe film. This is possibleby depressingthe doubleexposurebuttonin the centerof the crank hub and simultaneously turningthe crank slightlyclock-wise.Then you can releasethe buttonand completethe windinguntilthe crank locks.
The Selftimer Pressingthe pre-releaselever a second time starts the selftimerfunction. This is indicatedby the selftimersymbolin the viewfinderdisplayand by a flashingred lighton thecamerabodyto the leftof the lensmount. Thestandarddelayin the selftimeris 10 s but itcanbe set in intervalsbetween2 s and 60 s in the Pr mode (pages 39,42).
The Front The Shutter Speed Ring The shutterspeed ring for the focal plane shutter in the 203FE has speed markings from 1 s to 1/2000s as well as B and C. Betweenthe markingsare intermediatehalf speed click stop settings. One of these settings- 1/90s, markedwitha flashsymbol - is the fastest shutter speed for flash synchronisationwith the focal plane shutter (page60).
Exposure Release Button In the lower right hand corner of the front, within comfortablereach with the left hand grip, is the exposure release button. The buttonhas four differentfunctions: A. When depressedto the "pressurepoint": 1. Activatethe camera. 2. Change the displayto indicateaperture and shutterspeed. 3. Lockthe lightvaluein Ab and A mode B. When depressedall the way in: 4. Releasethe shutterto makethe exposure with presetor calculatedvalues.
The Rearof the Cameraand the FocalPlaneShutter Avoid leavingthe rear of the cameraand the shuttercurtainsunprotected!Always attachthe rear protectivecoverwhen the magazineis removed! The opening in the rear of the camera is normallycoveredby the shuttercurtain.The 203FE has a mechanicallypowered, electronicallycontrolledfocal plane shutterwith two textilecurtainsrunningfrom left to right acrossthe opening.The runningtime for the curtainsis 1/90s.
'i The Bottom At the bottom of the camera are the quick couplingplate, the tripod thread and two ridges,supportingthe camerawhen placed on a flatsurface.The quickcouplingplatefits the Hasselbladaccessories,such as the tripodquick couplingand the flash bracket. Thetripodthreadis 114". q fi i illw The Top The viewingcomponents(page26) occupy mostof the cameratop. The camerabody is suppliedwith the collapsiblefocusinghood, which also serves as a protectivecover for the focusingscreen.
The ViewfinderSystem Changing the Focusing Hood or Viewfinder To removethe focusinghood for using any other vieMinderwithinthe TCC systemdetach the magazine(or the protectivecover). Also fold down the focusing hood to avoid damagingit. Removethe hoodby slidingit to the rearin its guideslots.Slidethe replacement viewfinder intothe slotsand push it fonruard untilit stops.
Changing the Focusing Screen Your203FE is equippedwith the exceptionally brightand sharp Acute-Mattefocusing screen.The area inside the dotted circle indicatesthe area metered by the built-in exposuremeter (page38). lf you wish to replacethe focusingscreen withany of the otherfocusingscreensin the System,simplyfollowthe proceHasselblad durebelow: 1. Detachthe magazineand the viewfinder. 2. Push the two screen latchesto the side into their recesses. 3. Placeyourhandoverthescreenand invert the camera.
The Left Hand Side The Mode Selector Dial The modeselectordial is in the centerof the controlpanelat the left hand side.To select any of the operatingmodes of the 203FE simplyturn the dial untilthe symbolfor that particularmode is alignedwith the red index mark.The differentoperatingmodes are: Pr: ProgrammingMode Ab: AutomaticBracketingMode D: DifferentialMode A: AutomaticMode M: ManualMode The functionsof thesemodesare described in detailon pages38-53.
The Adiustment Buttons The adjustmentbuttons also have different functionsdependingon the selectedmode. With a few exceptionsa singlepush on the upper button increasesand on the lower buttondecreasesthe valueto be adjusted.lf you keepthe buttondepressedfor morethan halfa secondthe value startsto changeat a rateof 4 - 5 stepsper seconduntilthe button is released. The Flash Connectors The larger six-pin TTl-connector provides automaticcontrol of dedicatedflash units.
Lenses : ,TheHasselbladlensesmadesince1957can \e separatedin two majorgroups,each with twp sub-groups: 1. l\enseswith a builfin leaf shutter: C lenses CF lenses 2. Lenseswithoutshutter: F lenses FE lenses All these lensescan be used on the 203FE, butonlythe FE lenseswillgiveyou accessto the full rangeof exclusiveand sophisticated featuresof the 203FE. FE Lenses The HasselbladFE lenses,which have no built-inshutter,can easily be identifiedby theirsystemsign,i.e.
FE Lens Functions Setting the Aperture The aperturering is the one closestto the shutterspeedringon the camerabody.Use it to pre-setthe selectedf-stop.The full fstopsmarkedon the ringhaveclickstops,but thereare alsoclickstopsfor each intermediate halff-stop.The set aperturevaluecan be read against the heavy index line on the groovedringin frontof the apefturering.ltwill you alsoshowon theviewfinderdisplaywhen depressthe exposurebuttonhalfwayin, i.e. to the pressurepoint.
L 4 b v zae The Depth-of-field Scale The depth-of-fieldscale repeatsthe aperture valueson bothsidesof the heavierindexline betweenthe fixedringwiththe indexlineand the focusingring.Whenthe imageis focused on the screen you can read the focusing distanceoppositethe indexlinein the depthof-fieldscale.The depth-of-field limitscan be read oppositethe left and rightvaluescorrespondingto the pre-setaperturevalue.The illustrationdepictsthe depth-of-field for the pre-setaperturevalue of 8.
Infrared (lR) Photography Infrared light with wavelengths beyond 800 nm are refractedby the lensto an image plane furtheraway from the lens than the image plane for visible light. When photographingwith lR lightyou have to compensatefor thisdifferenceby settingthe focusing distanceat the red lR indexto the rightof the commonindexline. Followthis procedure: 1. Focusas usualon the focusingscreen. 2. Mark or memorizethe distanceon the focusingscale oppositethe common index line. 3.
MagazineOperation Loading the Magazine You can loadthe magazinewithfilmon or off the camera.Withthe magazineslideinserted you haveto ensurethat its flat side is turned towardsthe magazinebody. Followthe procedurebelowto load a film: (cw=clockwise ; ccw=counter-clockwise) 1. Foldout the film holderkey. 2.Turn the key ccw and withdrawthe film holder. 3. Placean empty take-upspool under the groovedknobof the spoolclampbar. lnsert a rollof film underthe otherend of the bar, turnedas in the picture.
Number1 will now be displayedin the frame counter window indicatingthat the loaded magazineis readyfor use. The film windingcrankis blockedat frame 1 only. lt can be used to wind up a partially exposedfilm at any frame after that. The frame counter is automaticallyreset when the film holderis withdrawnfrom the magazine. www.orphancameras.
Magazine Load Status In the centerof the film holderkey there is a crescent-shaped indicatorwindowthatshows whitewhenthe magazineis freshlyloaded.lt graduallychangesto red as the filmis wound through.An all red indicatorshows that the filmis usedup or thatthe magazineis empty. Removing the Film After the last frame has been exposed and the film advanced,the magazineblocksthe cameraagainstfurtherrelease.
MagazineSlide Pocket On the rear of the magazineis the slide pocketwherethe magazinedark slidecould be stowedaway when not in use. Turn the slidewith the hingetowardsthe rear to fold the bow fully into the slidepocketrecesses. Film Plane Index Close to the magazinefront and moulded intothe rubbergrip cushionis the film plane index.lt can be usedto measurethe subjectto-film distance when the exact figure is required,e.g. in close-upphotography. www.orphancameras.
203FESelectiveMeteringSystem and OperatingModes Pages28 and 29 describedin shorthow you can selectthe variousoperatingmodes of included,alsoin the 2O3FE.The description short,the functionof the differentcontrolson the controlpaneland how to use them.The followingsectiondescribesin detailthe metering system and the different operating modes. The Metering System The differentmethodsto start the camera and activate the metering system are describedon page 16.
Other conceptsused in this manual are continuous metering and continuous indication. This meansthat the systemconmetersthe lightfromthe partof the tinuously subjectwhichat that very momentlieswithin the meteringarea and also continuously updatesthe value displayed in the viewf ind e r. Flashingnumbersor symbolsin the viewfinder indicatethat a warningfunctionhas beentriggered.
s t-f Fr l l -tl I t- H Functions: Pr1 To set the film speed when you are usingstandardfilm magazines.Speed valuescan be set from 12112lSO to 6 4 0 0/39' IS Oi n 1/3 E V step (1' IS O) increments. The standardsettingis 100/21olSO. Pr2 To set the selftimerdelay in the range from 2 seconds to 60 seconds.The a v a i l abl val e uesare:2,4,6,8, 10, 12, 1 4 , 1 6 , 2 0 , 3 0 , 4 05 , 0 ,6 0 s e c o n d s . The standardsettingis 10 seconds.
By repeatedlypressingthe AE-lock button you can shiftthroughthe Pr{unctionsin the sequence Pr1->Pr2-->Pr3-->Pr4->Pr5--> Prl->etc. The sequence always starts on the last used functionexcept after a battery change. In Pr mode the camera can be started by depressing either the exposure releasebuttonto the pressurepoint or the AE-lockbutton. Setting the Film Speed (Prl function) Settingthe film speedin Pr mode is possible only when a commonA-magazineis used.
f-t f-t tsl} lf an E- (or TCC-) magazineis attachedthe filmspeedset on the magazinedialoverrides the stored value. When the magazine is detachedthe stored value is automatically recalled.Thus it is easy to shift betweenEmagazinesand common magazineswith filmsof differentspeeds(e.9.Polaroidfilms). Setting the Selftimer Delay (Pr2 function) 1. Set the Mode Selector Dial in the Pr position. 2. Depressthe AE-lock button to start the cameraand then repeatedlyif requiredto selectthe Pr2 function. 3.
2. Depressthe AE-lock button to start the cameraand then repeatedlyif requiredto selectthe Pr3 function. 3. Press the adjustmentbuttonsto set the desiredcorrectionvaluewithinthe-3 to +1 EV range. Pressingthe upper button increasesthe valueand pressingthe lower buttondecreasesthe value. 4. Resetthe Mode SelectorDial to the desiredexposuremodeor pressthe AE-lock buttonto switchto next Pr-function.
Operating the Reference Metering (Pr 5 function) In Pr mode the referencemeteringfunction can be switchedon or off and the warning levelscan be established. 1. Set the Mode Selector Dial in the Pr position. 2. Depress the AE-lock button to start the cameraand then repeatedlyif requiredto selectthe Pr5 function. 3. Use the upper adjustmentbutton as a toggleswitchto switchthe functionon or off. 4.
buttonat the pressurepoint. Permanentpreselectedadjustmentof the continuousor stored light value +5 EVsteps in 1/3 EV-stepincrements. How to Use the "Ab" Mode For the best utilizationof the sequentialAb mode you are recommendedto use the Hasselbladwinderaccessory. The selectivemeter in the 203FE is very sensitiveand reactsto the smallestchange in the light level within the meteringarea (pages 13 and 38). The shieldingof the sensormakesit much less sensitiveto light outsidethat area.
tV 5 10 I 4 6 3 2 3 4 5 46 I 2 _1 /\ 0 + 1t 1 2 I 4 \ 3 \ \ 5 7 I 11 meteredand stored light value. Thus, after 21 exposuresthere is no more shift in the exposure values. During the bracketing operationthe lightmeteris disabled. Thevalueof the shiftstepshouldbe presetto r V i nP r m o d e a n y o ft h e s t e p 0 s , 1 1 3 , 2 1 3 1o E (page 43). Defaultvalue is 213 EV, which givesa totalexposurespanof 6 2/3 EV.With a shiftstep of 1 EV the max.totalspan is as large as 10 EV.
valueand the meteredlightlevel)is locked in the meteringsystem, and an "A" for AutomaticMode. When you releasethe buttonthe aperturefiguresare replacedby a figure,that shows the storedexposure correction.The system changes to the continuousmeteringstateand the shutter speed figures keep changingwhen the meteringarea is movedabout. lf the display goes out, the system is re-activated by depressingthe exposurebutton halfway again.
adjustmentin 1/3 EV-step increments (page 19). The adjustedshutterspeed is shown with 1/2 speed-stepincrements althoughthe shutterspeed is actuallyadjusted in 1/3 steps. NOTE: "+" adjustmentdecreases and "-" adjustmentincreases the shutterspeed. Any adjustmentmadewiththe adjustment buttons remains stored after exposure releaseuntilnexttime the AE-lockbutton is depressed. 7. Depresstheexposure buttonfullyto make an exposureaccordingtothe stored(and corrected)values. 8.
