User manual HASSELBLAD 503CWD

501 Digital Anniversary Kit 503 CWD User Manual English, version 2.0 CONTENTS Please see the `bookmark' list in the PDF document for a comprehensive and interactive list. Introduction Special considerations System requirements Warnings and restric tions Before you star t Working digtially Par ts & components 3 6 6 6 7 8 9 Removing the lens E xposure Warning mark E xposure values Interlocked shut ter speed /aper ture Focusing and depth of f ield Depth of f ield preview Pre -release and cable release Flash synchronization 14 14 14 14 15 14 14 14 14 Initial general menu settings Storage -working with media and batches 26 31 Over view of viewing, deleting and transferring images 37 Working with the menu STOR AGE SETTINGS Flash / strobe Cleaning Film magazine use Accessories Technical specifications Equipment care, ser vice and guarantee Further reading 43 48 57 69 71 73 76 78 Camera body Front protec tive cover Rear cover Multicontrol Opening the focusing hood Built-in magnif ier Focusing screen and view f inder image Closing the focusing hood Winding crank Accessor y rail Strap at tachment and removal Lef t hand grip 11 10 10 10 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 The View finder System Changing the focusing hood or view f inder Changing the magnif ier Changing the focusing screen 16 16 16 17 80 81 The Digital Back General over view Par ts, components & control panel but tons Shooting / image storage modes Selec ting the current medium Using compac t f lash memor y cards Working with an Imagebank Tethered to a computer 18 19 20 23 23 24 24 25 PLEASE NOTE ! The menu on the digital back can be set to seven different languages: Lenses Shut ter speed and aper ture At taching the lens 13 14 14 Inset photo on user user manual CD and user manual cover: Deepanita Sharma photographed by Tarun Khiwal / Hasselblad Master 2005 / © 2 501 503 CWD 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. The Hasselblad 503CWD is just that. The Hasselblad 503 CW is an extremely popular model from the 500 series. Soon after it was launched it became the workhorse for so many photographers, professional and amateur alike. It is an all-rounder, being as easy to use on location as in the studio. Entry into the new millenium naturally offered the opportunity of digital capture. Even though the camera design is mechanical, the modular concept allows the integration of a digital back to secure the optimal combination. There are many who prefer a more traditional design of camera while wishing to exploit the latest in technology and that is where the Hasselblad 503 CWD comes in. It offers the best from both worlds, mechanical and electronic. Hasselblad is the choice of the world's leading photographers, and the name is synonymous with compatability, reliability and image quality, reaching beyond the ends of the earth and into space. The System The Hasselblad 500 system is the most comprehensive medium-format photographic system in the world. It offers magazines for different image formats and films, viewfinders with or without exposure metering capabilities, a number of focusing screens to mention just a few items to suit your special requirements. The Camera The 503CWD features the sophisticated GMS (Gliding Mirror System) which provides a full viewfinder image with virtually all Hasselblad `C' lenses. The bright viewfinder image is further enhanced by the improved focusing screen from the brilliant 'Acute-Matte D' range. The completely mechanical camera body boasts a one-piece aluminium alloy construction for 3 serious work. The Winder CW, specifically designed for the 503CW models, provides fast sequential photography and various choices of remote control, including IR. Altogether, a winning combination for professional or dedicated amateur use. 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. The Hasselblad specifications of these lenses exceeds the demands made by digital capture to ensure the optimum in performance whatever the chosen medium. The Hasselblad V system features more than a dozen different lenses, as well as 1.4x and 2x teleconverters. The integral shutter feature combines with the TTL/OTF facility to provide tremendous flash freedom. The Digital Back The 16 Mpix based digital back is custom built to fit the design and functionality of Hasselblad V cameras with its range of high performance, leaf-shutter based lenses. However, it can also fit onto view cameras using the V-system interface plate for mechanical attachment and flash sync connection to trigger the digital capture for optimum compatibility and economy. It provides both cable free and computer tethered options to suit all types of work. The back offers an ultra high level of integration, image quality and flexibility to the specialist professional photographer or highend amateur user. Instant Approval Architecture: Limitless digital image capture loses some of its potential if the photographer cannot quickly review and select the best image. Building on the success of its Audio Exposure Feedback technology, Hasselblad has created Instant Approval Architecture (IAA), an enhanced set of feedback tools, designed to liberate the photographer to focus on the shoot rather than the selection process. IAA triggers audible and visible signals for each image captured, telling the photographer immediately whether the image has a red, yellow or green light status. The information is recorded both in the file and in the file name, providing a quick and easy way to classify and select images, in the field or in the lab. A larger, enhanced OLED display provides a realistic, high quality and perfect contrast image view, even in bright sunlight, to allow instant on-site image approval. IAA is a Hasselblad trademark and is patent pending. Large format digital capture: Today's photographers demand higher resolution, less noise, and improved flexibility, all of which the 503CWD addresses. The 503CWD uses an optical format allowing for digital capture with sensors more than twice the physical size of today's 35mm sensors. The sensor can therefore hold more and larger pixels, which secure a high-end image quality in terms of moiré free color rendering without gradation break-ups in even the finest lit surfaces. "Instant" user interface: The 503CWD is operated with a straight forward user interface with a series of "instant" one-button-click operations including: instant capture, instant browse, instant approval, instant zoom, and instant image info. Three modes of operation and storage: Optimum portability and image storage are critical for the professional photographer. 503CWD offers a choice of portable CF card storage, flexible FireWire drive, or tethered operation with extended, special capture controls. With these three operating and storage options, the photographer is able to select a mode to suit the nature of the work at hand, whether in the studio or on location. 4 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 management solutions. The files also define the colours in the Hasselblad RGB colour space, removing the need for experimenting with different colour profiles to get optimal colours and the need for selective colour corrections. FlexColor workflow: FlexColor offers an image processing workflow with the highest degree of control for the studio photographer. In tethered operation tools like live video and overlay masking help bring productivity to advanced set composition. The newest FlexColor version allows the photographer to manipulate colour temperature and compare image details across multiple images for precise image selection. FlexColor works on the basis of the 3FR RAW files generated by the 503CWD. FlexColor runs natively on both Macintosh and Windows platforms and is licensed to allow you to provide free copies for all your co-workers and production partners. Colour refinement ­ new colour handling concept: Colour management solutions have in the past imposed limitations on professional digital photographers, particularly when capturing various skin tones, metals, fabrics, flowers etc. To combat this, Hasselblad has developed a new, powerful colour engine in its FlexColor workflow software. With one camera set up, the new optimised colour engine produces reliable out-of-the-box colour without gradation reproducing skin tones and other difficult colours accurately. · This instruction manual describes in detail how to operate your camera, so please read it carefully. If you have a query do not hesitate to contact your dealer - we want you to be 100% satisfied! You may also contact us directly over useabilty, construction, design, etc as we welcome your feedback in order to improve our products. Your dealer can also provide you with the latest in news and technical developments from Hasselblad. A quarterly magazine - FORUM - is published with the emphasis on photographic imagery featuring photographers from all over the world to provide you with inspiration! Our internet site - www.hasselblad.com - is a source of general and technical information and you can e-mail us for further inquiries - info@hasselblad.se. Your new Hasselblad camera provides access to the Hasselblad potential. The realization of this potential is only dependant upon your skill, care and judgement as a photographer. We wish you great success and welcome you to Hasselblad, the most comprehensive medium-format system in the world. The supreme Hasselblad potential is there, it's up to you to exploit it! 5 1 Special considerations 501 503 CWD Computer system requirements Whichever mode you choose, final image-storage and correction requires a certain minimum standard regarding computer capabilities. Large images will require a highperformance computer with plenty of memory, advanced graphics capabilities and a recent operating system. In most cases, you will want your computer to include a FireWire 800/400 connector, which will enable you to load images directly from the camera or Imagebank. To load images stored on the removable compact-flash card, you could instead use a compact-flash card reader, but we still recommend 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. The 503CWD includes the Hasselblad FlexColor image-capture and editing application and native versions of FlexColor are provided for both Macintosh and Windows platforms. Please see your FlexColor manual for complete system requirements. Warnings and restrictions · Keep your 503CWD (and all computer equipment) away from moisture wherever possible. If your camera becomes wet, disconnect from power and allow it to dry before attempting to operate again. Always take great care when you remove the sensor back for cleaning--the exposed CCD sensor is vulnerable to damage. Keep all cables connected to or from your camera and computer out of the way where they will not be tripped over. Never cover the ventilation openings on the 503CWD when it is turned on. · · · 6 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. In addition to the 503CWD (camera body, digital back and lens), Quick Start Guide and User Manual CD, the items illustrated below are also included in the kit. If anything is missing or seems faulty in any way then you should contact your Hasselblad dealer immediately. Please keep purchase details and the warranty in a safe place. Protection cover CFV Rear cover Multicontrol Front protective cover FireWire cable Flash input sync cable Flash output sync cable CF-Flash card (1GB) Camera strap Grey card E-wipes 7 Anniversary book Working digitally If you have only worked with film before, you will find that working with a digital back is not so very different in many ways. Several changes in routine are needed and a certain amount of experience with digital products and computers is advantageous to lower the learning curve in the beginning. However, practically all of your analogue photographic knowledge is still relevant to achieve optimum results. The following is in no way intended to be a digital primer but simply aims to highlight some main differentiating points to get started. There are many excellent books on the market that explain in great detail the various aspects of digital photography and post-capture processing. 1. 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, depending on how you work. However, in the case of the 503CWD, a film magazine can act as reserve for emergencies. If you intend to work with a CF card, you must ensure you either have enough capacity on the card for the job in hand or have access to a card reader/separate hard disk/computer to off-load the images. The sensitivity ("ISO /film speed") of the sensor can be altered according to circumstances just as you would choose a fast or slow film, thereby providing a range of "speeds". Just as with film, the lower "speed" settings produce finer quality. Always check the three basic settings before starting: · ISO ("film speed") · White balance (colour temperature) · Media (where the captured images will be stored). Remember the size of the sensor causes an `increase' in the focal length of lenses in practical terms. Compose within the masking on the focusing screen. Remember there can be specific restrictions regarding longer exposure times and working with flash. The monitor produces an image as a visual guide only. A histogram display will provide you with the technical information about the optimum exposure. Minor colour casts on the monitor can be ignored as there are opportunities to adjust the files later in processing. Be extra aware when photographing surfaces with a small regular pattern in the colouring or structure (for example, fine-weave fabrics) as a moiré effect can be produced in certain circumstances. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Most other usual photographic practices apply such as using a lens shade, using a tripod when you can, checking for depth of field etc. However good your postcapture skills are on the computer, for optimum results you should still aim for optimum image capture! 8 3 2 1 28 27 26 25 24 4 21 22 20 19 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 23 5 1. Magazine catch lock 2. Magazine catch 3. Sensor (covered by glass IR filter) 4. CF card cover 5. Limited Edition number 6. Sync socket (for use with Winder CW and EL-type cameras) 7. Databus contacts 8. Strap lug 9. Winding crank 10. Pre-release button 11. Winding crank index 12. Viewfinder mirror 13. Shutter release button 14. Threaded cable release socket 9 15. Drive shaft 16. Exposure value index 17. Exposure value scale 18. Shutter speed and aperture interlock button 19. External and internal lens accessory mount 20. PC flash terminal 21. Shutter speed ring 22. Aperture ring and scale 23. Depth-of-field scale 24. Central lens index 25. Focusing ring and scale 26. Lens release button 27. Focusing screen: Acute-Matte D screen 28. Focusing hood 60 59 58 57 56 55 54 53 52 51 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 50 49 48 47 37 29. Focusing hood magnifier 30. Magazine hook 31. Auxiliary shutter 32. Film speed selector 33. Strap lug 34. Accessory rail 35. Lens locating index 36. Dedicated flash connector 37. Lens drive shaft 38. Camera support 39. Quick-coupling plate 40. Tripod threads, 1/4" & 3/8" 41. Digital back /magazine supports 42. Digital back support slots 43. Battery release catch 44. Battery support lugs 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 45. Battery contacts 46. Battery (not supplied) 47. Ready light indicator 48. Navigation button 49. Busy light indicator 50. Instant Approval button 51. Zoom out / Value change button 52. Zoom in / Value change button 53. OLED 54. Display button 55. Menu button 56. ON / OFF button 57. Flash sync OUT terminal 58. Flash sync IN terminal 59. Firewire 800 socket 60. Ventilator 10 2 Camera Body This section describes the basic operations. Follow the instructions step-by-step to avoid damaging the equipment. Check that the winding crank on the right hand side of the camera is locked thus ensuring that the camera is fully wound. If the crank is not locked, rotate it clockwise until it does lock, thereby winding the camera. 501 503 CWD Front protective cover 1 1 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. The front protective cover can only be removed when the camera is fully wound. 2 Rear cover Multicontrol 2 Always fit the rear cover Multicontrol when no back is attached to protect the auxiliary shutter. Attach the cover as you would a back, see below. To remove, depress the top part, tilt the cover backwards, and lift it off. See later sections on the other uses of the Rear cover MultiControl. 3 Opening the focusing hood 3 Lift the lid by firmly gripping the tab on its rear edge, and swinging it up to a vertical position. The hood unfolds automatically and locks in the open position. 11 4 Built-in magnifier 4 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 exchanged to suit individual eyesight (see "Changing the magnifier"). Focusing screen and viewfinder image 5 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. The screen can easily be exchanged for others specially designed for various applications (see "Changing the focusing screen"). 6 Closing the focusing hood 5 Fold away the magnifier by pressing it back down towards the 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 automatically folds back down. Winding crank 7 6, 7 The winding crank can be removed. Push the catch lever downwards while rotating the crank counter-clockwise and pull the crank straight out from the shaft. To attach it, align the small triangular index mark against the red dot on the camera body. Keep the crank pushed against the camera while turning it clockwise until the larger triangular mark is aligned with the red dot where it will click into position. 8 Accessory rail The camera has an accessory rail on the left hand side for the spirit level and the adjustable flash shoe (for small flash units). Strap attachment and removal 9 8, 9, 10 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 into position. To remove the strap, 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. Left hand grip 10 Without a Winder CW (3044105) attached, you may 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. The Snap-lock flash grip (3045169) also acts as an ergonomic camera grip, see under `Accessories'. 12 3 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 operated in a very similar manner but please see the relevant instruction manuals for complete details. 501 503 CWD 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. Shutter speed ring F-setting button Warning mark Depth-of-field preview knob PC-socket with positive lock Central lens index Focusing distance scale Lens bayonet plate with red index External and internal front bayonets EV index Exposure value (EV) scale Shutter speed/aperture interlock button Shutter speed scale Aperture ring and scale Depth-of-field scale Infrared focusing index Focusing ring Zeiss Planar CFE 2.8/80 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 The illustration shows the Planar CFE 2.8/80 mm lens but the layout of the parts is identical on all CFi /CFE lenses. 13 1 Shutter speed and aperture 1 2 The shutter speed selector ring is the ring located closest to the front of the lens. To set the speed, turn the ring until the desired marked shutter speed position aligns with the central lens index. The white scale shows the shutter speeds, and the orange scale the exposure values (EV). The aperture setting ring is the second closest ring to the front of the lens. The aperture value is also set against the central lens index. The diaphragm is automatic and stops down to the preset working aperture at the start of the exposure sequence. 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. The `F' setting can only be engaged/disengaged when the orange lever is pressed. If the F setting is used, exposure errors will occur since the shutter remains open. Attaching the lens 2, 3 3 Make sure that both camera and lens are fully wound. Illustration 2 shows the correct relationship between the drive shaft, the lens drive coupling and their indexes. If the lens is not wound, you can insert a small coin or similar in the coupling slot and rotate it clockwise until it locks (about 4/5 of a turn) When you have aligned the red index on the lens with the one on the camera (illus 3), 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. Removing the lens 4 Depress the lens release button and rotate the lens counter-clockwise until it stops and lift it out of the mount. 4 You can only remove the lens when the camera is fully wound and not In the pre-released mode (see "pre-release and cable release). Exposure As a general rule for all shutter speed settings except B, you should keep the release button depressed until the lens shutter has opened and closed fully. This is especially important at shutter speeds from Is to l/4s, as the auxiliary shutter remains open only when the button is kept depressed (see also `Warning Mark' below). If you remove the magazine, you can see the auxiliary shutter, consisting of two blinds, covering the rear opening of the camera body. It protects the film from unwanted exposure as the lens" shutter normally is open for focusing. 5 With longer exposure times, connect the flash sync input cable between the PC-socket (flash sync contact) on the lens and the flash sync IN terminal on the digital back. This eliminates any conflict between the shutter setting and the digital back `time -out` setting. Warning mark 5 6 You will find an orangeline on the shutter speed scale above the 1, 1/2, and l/4s settings. This is to warn you of possible exposure errors as detailed above. The auxiliary shutter will terminate the exposure prematurely if you relax the pressure on the button too soon. Listen to the buzzing sound of the delay escapement in the lens' shutter and maintain the pressure on the release button until the sound stops. Exposure values 6 The aperture and shutter speed combination set opposite the central lens index determines the exposure. Every combination of shutter speed/ aperture has an equivalent exposure value (EV) which you can read and set against the red EV index on the right hand side of the lens. 14 Interlocked shutter speed /aperture 7 7 If you want to change the shutter speed or aperture while still keeping the same shutter speed/aperture combination (EV), you can interlock the speed and aperture setting rings by holding down the interlock button which is on the right of the aperture scale. When interlocked, the rings move together, increasing or decreasing the aperture to compensate for a decrease or increase of speed respectively. Focusing and depth of field 8 8 The focusing ring is closest to the camera body. It has a knurled rubber grip and engraved distance scales in feet and metres. Focus the lens by rotating the focusing ring until you obtain a sharp image of the subject in the viewfinder. The distance between the subject and the film plane is read off the focusing ring's distance scale opposite the central lens index. Objects closer or further away than the selected distance will be sharp, within certain limits. The limits of this field of sharp focus-depth of field-vary with the aperture. The depth of field available at any given aperture can be read off the depth of field scale on both sides of the central index. As an example, the illustration indicates how to read the depth of field scale at an aperture of f/11. The depth of field will in this case range from ca 6 metres to infinity. Depth of field preview 9 9 Depth-of-field can be visually checked on the focusing screen. The diaphragm can be stopped down to the preset aperture from its normally wide open position simply by pushing the depth-of-field preview lever downwards until it locks. To reopen the diaphragm, depress the lower part of the lever. Pre-release and cable release 10 10 Considerable efforts have been made to reduce camera vibrations caused by moving parts in the exposure sequence. However, if you wish to avoid these vibrations completely, you can pre-release the mechanism by pushing the pre-release button upwards. This causes the following sequence: 1. The mirror folds up 2. The shutter closes and remains closed 3. The diaphragm closes to its preset aperture 4. The auxiliary shutter opens When you subsequently press the release button, only the shutter then operates at the preset speed. As shown in the illustration, you can also attach a cable release to further reduce vibrations. Flash synchronization 11 The C series lenses have built-in leaf shutters with speeds from Is to l/500s and B. Flash synchronization occurs at full shutter opening via the PC flash terminal. Suitable electronic 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. 11 15 4 The Viewfinder System The 503CWD is supplied with a light, compact and foldable viewfinder, providing a through-the-lens laterally reversed image. It is easily interchangeable with alternative viewfinders including the prism finders, which produce a laterally corrected image. Please see `Accessories' for further details about prism finders. 501 503 CWD 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 AcuteMatte 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. While this normally covers most needs, the Hasselblad system offers a range of alternative screens for various specific applications. Each item is easily and quickly interchangeable without the need for special tools or facilities. Changing the focusing hood or viewfinder 1 1 To remove the focusing hood so as to attach any other viewfinder in the Hasselblad system, proceed as follows: 1. Detach the digital back. 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. 2 When fully inserted the viewfinder is retained in position by a spring-loaded catch until you have reattached the magazine. Changing the magnifier 2 Mounted lenses with dioptre correction from +3 to -4 are available, and are easily interchanged as follows: 1. Remove the focusing hood from the camera and open it by lifting the lid. 2. Release the magnifier by pushing the catch to the right. 3. Push the magnifier halfway back down to its folded position. 16 3 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 3 1. Detach the magazine and viewfinder. 2. Push the two screen clips to the side into their recesses. 3. Place your hand over the screen, and invert the camera. The screen will now drop into your hand. 4. Insert the replacement screen, ensuring that the smooth flat side is uppermost and the sharp-edged corners down. Ensure that all four corners of the screen are positively seated on their supports. You need not return the screen latches. This is done automatically when the viewfinder is replaced. Should the screen refuse to drop out by itself, ensure that the camera is fully wound, remove the lens and check that the mirror is in the down position. Put a finger through the lens mount and push gently on the screen from underneath, preferably with a soft cloth between the screen and the finger. Do not immerse the screen in water, or use any kind of cleaning fluid. Do not use hot air to dry the screen if it becomes damp. 17 5 The Digital Back The 16 million pixel digital back can produce 16 bit raw files at 33 Mbytes each at a rate of 35 frames per minute. FlexColor then processes these files to produce the quality expected from Hasselblad. 501 503 CWD 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. As an electronic colour image is made up of three components - red, green and blue which combine to form a so-called RGB image - the sensor's task is to convert a multi spectrum light image into three digital files (red, green and blue) for combination later on. The 503CWD uses a CCD (Charged Couple Device) type sensor that has 16 million light sensitive areas on its surface each of which creates a pixel. Each pixel in the sensor is filtered to create the three separate red, green and blue files. Software then processes these electronic files as a package to produce the various formats - RAW, TIFF, JPEG etc. The three components of the image file are later recombined on the computer screen to produce the familiar full colour image. · The image file can be temporarily stored either in the 503CWD digital back with a CF card, on a Hasselblad Imagebank or the hard disk on a computer. Processing of these images is carried out in conjunction with the included FlexColor software. See the separate FlexColor manual for further details · 18 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. 60mm x 60mm format produced with a film magazine) and the markings on the focusing screen should be used as the guide for composoition. This smaller format also in effect `lengthens' the focal length of the lens in use with a lens factor of 1.5. So, for example, a 50mm lens together with the digital back will produce a similar apparent perspective as a 75 mm lens would produce if the full 60mm x 60mm format was used. · The 503CWD is an electronic device and consequently attention to power access is vital. When working untethered it is therefore important to plan either battery charging or battery replacement to ensure continued workflow. Likewise, image storage is limited, particularly when using flash cards and appropriate steps should also be taken when planning a shoot. External storage is accomplished by FireWire connection to a separate hard disk or a computer. · When attaching and removing the back, pay particular attention to the image sensor area. The sensor itself is covered and therefore protected by the glass IR filter but take great care when handling. If you need to clean the filter, see later section for specific details. When storing separated from the camera, always ensure you have replaced the protective cover. If you scratch or mark the filter in any way, it will show up on every shot. Replacements are expensive so treat the glass surface with at least as much care as you would a lens. The sensor itself is not accessible for any kind of cleaning or maintainence by a user. Do not attempt any such action as you will almost certainly damage it irreparably. As is the case with all electronic devices pay extra care when working in damp environments and avoid damp conditions for storage. The menu can be displayed in one of seven different languages: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Japanese or Chinese 19 1 2 3 4 5 6 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 7 8 22 9 23 10 23 Parts, components & control panel buttons The control panel has an OLED screen that provides a bright, highcontrast view even in bright surroundings and at fairly acute angles. The panel is the main graphical interface for image checking and settings changes when not connected to a computer. The buttons are used for browsing images and navigating the menu system. Two of the buttons, located at the bottom-right and -left of the screen, are given an on-screen label that changes according to the current context (e.g., the bottom-right button sets the approval rating when browsing images, but confirms settings when using the menus). Digital back retaining catch lock Ensures that the digital back is not unitentionally removed. 1 2 3 Menu / (Menu Exit) button 4 ON /OFF button Powers the digital back. Opens and closes the menu system. Also used for various other tasks (Exit button, for example) as you issue commands within the menu system indicated by a label beside the button on the preview screen. OLED preview screen Display mode button 5 Displays preview images and the menu system even in bright light and from acute angles. 20 Steps through the various view modes for the preview image: standard, histogram overlay, image details, screen off and full-screen. Ready light indicator 6 Navigation button 15 Flashes yellow to indicate that the digital back is performing an operation and is not available for new commands. Flashes green when the back is ready. A four-way rocker button enabling you to step through preview images and navigate the menu system. To use it, press the side of the button that corresponds to what you wish to do (e.g., move up, left, right or down). Digital back retaining hook slots Accepts digital back/magazine retaining hooks on camera body. 7 Digital back retaining catch Locks the mounted digital back onto the camera body.. 16 CCD and IR filter 8 This is the light-sensitive element, which is positioned behind a permanently mounted IR filter. Usually, this assembly will either be inside the camera or protected by the cover. Always be very careful not to touch or scratch the surface of the filter when it is exposed and to replace the plastic cover whenever the digital back is not mounted on a camera. WARNING: never attempt to remove the glass filter--you will probably ruin the CCD if you do so. See `Cleaning the CCD' section for details. Ventilator Ensures the processor is kept cool. 17 Flash sync IN terminal 18 Used when working with studio / strobe flash units. Allows connection to the unit via the flash sync protector cable to ensure correct syncronisation as well as providing protection for the digital back. Databus connectors 9 Flash sync OUT terminal 19 For communicating with a Hasselblad ELD model camera body or with a modified Hasselblad 202/203/205 model camera body. Used when working with studio / strobe flash units. Allows connection to the lens sync contact via the flash sync cable to ensure correct syncronisation Battery (not supplied) 7.2V InfoLithium L type (Sony NP-F550 or similar) 10 FireWire connector 20 Zoom-in button / SELECTION (+ button) 11 Allows the connection to a computer or Imagebank. The digital back requires an 800 connecter whereas the computer can be either an 800 or 400. Zoom-in button (to make the view larger) for the preview image. Also acts as a selection button when viewing available image batches, media and value setting on the menu. Battery retaining catch Ensures secure mounting of battery. 21 Zoom-out button / SELECTION (­ button) 12 Zoom-out button (to make the view smaller) for the preview image. You can continue to zoom out to view several small images at once and finally to view and select batches and media. Also acts as a selection button for value setting on the menu. CF card slot cover Protects card slot. 22 Winder / EL terminal 23 Instant Approval / (OK) button 13 This button steps through the three approval levels, thereby assigning an approval status to the image currently displayed (or selected) in the preview screen (part of the Instant Approval Architecture system). The colour coding is based on the traffic signal convention of green, amber (yellow) and red. Also acts as a confirmation button (OK button) for some types of menu operations, such as deleting images; indicated by a label beside the button on the preview screen. Terminal for connection to a Hasselblad CW winder or Hasselblad EL model camera body. Requires the camera sync cable (supplied). Digital back support slots Accepts digital back/magazine support hooks on camera body. 24 21 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. This manual assumes that you are using the digital back in conjunction with the 503 CWD body camera. As with all digital products, it is essential that you maintain a constant check on battery condition and preferably have a fully-charged reserve battery with you at all times when not tethered to a computer. CAUTION If you remove the digital back, be very careful not to touch or scratch the CCD/filter surface while it is exposed. Always attach the protective cover for transportation or storage. Powering the digital back The digital back requires power either from the battery (7.2V Sony InfoLithium L type - NP-F550 for example) or from a computer via a FireWire cable. To attach a battery: 1. Firstly, ensure the battery is fully charged (see user appropriate manual for battery and charger). 2. Position the battery as in the illustration. 3. Press the battery towards the camera. This automatically depresses the battery retaining catch. 4. Slide the battery into the final position ensuring the contact prongs on the camera are inserted into the battery. The battery retaining catch will now return to the safety position To remove a battery: 1. Depress the battery retaining catch and slide the battery over it. It will then be freely removed. FireWire connection: 1. Simply connect the FireWire cable between the FireWire port on the digital back and the FireWire port on the computer. You will not need to attach a battery with a FireWire connection. ON / OFF button With a fully charged battery fitted or FireWire cable attached, press the ON/OFF to activate the digital back. An audible signal will be heard and a Hasselblad logo splash screen will appear on the OLED. The back will enter standby mode after the preset time to save the battery. Press the ON/OFF button again to turn the digital back off. An audible signal will be heard again to confirm this. However, you will not need to use this button with a FireWire connection as the active mode is instigated automatically. 22 Shooting/image storage modes The 503 CWD can store captured images in three ways: 1. Untethered / Compact flash card mode In this mode the 503 CWD acts independently of other connections. Images are stored on the internal, removable compact-flash card. · The main advantage with this mode is the freedom of cables and extra equipment. · The main disadvantages with this mode in the field are the battery power capacity and the size of the card's holding capacity. 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. · The main advantage with this mode is the great number of images that can be stored without a pause. · The main disadvantage with this mode is the extra equipment and cablage needed that might restrict mobility in some cases. 3. Tethered / Studio mode This mode enables you to connect your 503 CWD directly to a computer and to operate the system using Hasselblad FlexColor software and store images on a computer harddisk. · The main advantages with this mode are the almost limitless storage capacity and being able to work on the images (with Hasselblad FlexColor) on a large screen. · The main disadvantage with this mode is the lack of mobility to any great extent. Selecting the current medium A choice has to be made concerning where the captured images will initially be stored. The current storage medium is the location to which new shots are saved and from which you can browse using the navigation button. In many cases, the destination medium is selected automatically, for example: · When you are connected to a computer, then images are always saved directly to the computer hard disk. · When only one medium is connected (e.g., a compact-flash card), then this medium is automatically selected. However, if you are working away from your computer and have several media attached (e.g., both a card and an Imagebank, then you may need to select a medium explicitly if you want to browse its contents and store images new to it. There are two ways of selecting the current storage medium: · See "Selecting the Current Storage Medium" for details. · Use the zoom-out button to zoom all the way up to the top level, which shows all connected media, and then zoom in on the appropriate medium and batch. See "Navigating Media and Batches" for more information about selecting media and batches in this way. 23 Using compact flash memory cards 1 2 When shooting to a compact-flash card, the H2D is completely self-contained. No additional wires or connectors need to be attached. The 503 CWD is shipped with a 1GB compact-flash card, which is able to hold over 45 shots. Lossless compression is applied to the images, so the actual size of each capture can vary, thereby affecting the total number of shots you can fit on the card. You can purchase additional, possibly larger-capacity, cards and change them as each card becomes full. Note that the camera can copy the contents of its compact flash card 2 to an Imagebank even when no computer is attached. This enables you to backup your shots and then clear space on the card to keep on shooting. See section on "Transferring Images". 1 Inserting a card 1. Open the CF card cover to reveal the CF slot. 2. Hold the CF card so that the connector holes face into the slot in the 503 CWD, with the brand label facing in the same direction as the 503 CWD preview screen. Gently press the card into the slot. If you encounter resistance, it might be because you are holding the card backwards or upside down. Experiment until you find the orientation that allows the card to slide in easily. Swing the cover shut again. 3 Removing a card 1. After opening the CF card cover, press gently on the card removal button and then release it. 2. The button will now extend out from its original position, as in the illustration. 3. Press firmly on the card removal button to eject the card for removal. Working with an Imagebank There are no practical differences between shooting to the internal card or to an Imagebank. However, when several media are mounted, you must be sure to select the correct destination medium (see also "Working with Media and Batches"). Working with a Hasselblad Imagebank The Imagebank is an optional add-on for your digital camera system. It is essentially an external FireWire hard disk optimized for digital photography, providing extensive storage space and high-speed data transfer. It is small, light and battery powered. You can easily clip it to your belt, so the solution is nearly as portable as the stand-alone camera. Older digital backs in the `ixpress' line used a different external disk 24 and controller called simply the "Image Bank". This older Image Bank is not compatible with the 503 CWD. Use only the Hasselblad Imagebank with a 503 CWD. To use an Imagebank with the 503 CWD, simply assemble the Imagebank as described in its manual and connect the two with a standard FireWire 800 (IEEE 1394b) cable. See the Imagebank manual for complete details. To remove the Imagebank, simply disconnect the FireWire cable. The back will then revert to saving and browsing images on the internal flash card (if available). Tethered to a computer Even if you never shoot while connected, you will probably connect the camera to your computer each time you want to download your images, though you might instead use a compact-flash card reader and/or connect your Imagebank or FireWire disk directly. Connecting to a computer To connect to a computer, simply attach a FireWire cable from the FireWire port on your computer to the port on the side of the 503 CWD. The port on the 503 CWD is protected behind a sliding cover. Removing from a computer To remove the camera from a computer, simply disconnect the FireWire cable when all image loading activity has finished. Shooting with FlexColor running When you are connected to a computer, the following rules apply: · A Winder CW and the special cable must be attached. · The destination medium and location are controlled from FlexColor. · The screen and menu system on the sensor unit are disabled. · The sensor unit will take power from the FireWire cable if it is available (not all computers supply power here, notably PC laptops). When initiating a shot from FlexColor, the computer sends a signal to the sensor unit, which triggers the Winder CW which in turn triggers the shutter and flash/strobe lights (if any). The sensor unit then sends the image back over the FireWire connection to the computer, where it is displayed on the computer screen and saved as a 16-bit-per-color 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. It furthermore stores a complete history of the FlexColor settings that you have applied to each image and stores metadata such as camera settings, image name, photographer, copyright, etc. When you load images into FlexColor from the camera or external media, the 3FR files are converted into the 3F format. If you prefer not to use FlexColor, then you can export files directly to DNG or other format and use Adobe Photoshop, for example. Please refer to the FlexColor Software Reference manual for further instructions about taking pictures using FlexColor. 25 Initial General Menu Settings General 501 503 CWD 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: ISO White Bal. Media Browse Storage Settings The first four items are immediately accessible for changes, indicated by the appearance of a plus and minus sign in the highlight frame meaning the settings can be altered by the Zoom in / Zoom out buttons. Storage and Settings are more detailed and therefore require further navigation. It is advisable to quickly skim through this section of the manual initially to see build up a picture of the menu structure with its various sections On the following pages you will see an illustration of the philosophy behind the menu, its structure and how changes in settings are made and stored. Some of the buttons have a double function wihile others remain single function. For example, the navigation button always leads you through the menu in the direction that the arrow illustrates. The Zoom in/out buttons though, for example, act as image enlargers and reducers as well as confirmation buttons, according to where you are on the menu. ISO setting White balance Current storage medium -Button label Approval status and browse filter setting Image file name Storage capacity (Shots taken / shots remaning) The standard preview display is the one shown when you first turn on the camera and is probably the view you will use most often. It features a preview of your most recent shot and basic information about the sensor unit settings and the image itself. Several other display modes are also available, including histogram, capture details, full-screen and battery saver. Please see Preview Modes for details. The display furthermore enables you to navigate the menu system and make camera settings; see Working with the Menus for details 26 By using the buttons on the control panel you can navigate down through the various levels in the menu. It provides the source of information about image files and also provides a way of making custom settings so the digital back suits your way of working. Below is a simple overview of what is available and where it is situated on the menu. Inset photo: Deepanita Sharma photographed by Tarun Khiwal / Hasselblad Master 2005 / © Overview of menu structure MENU ISO Sets the light sensitivity of the sensor. Equivalent to `film speed'. WHITE BALANCE Set to match the colour temperature of light used. MEDIA Determines where files will be stored (flash card, Imagebank). BROWSE Sets the approval status (classification) filter for easier and quicker image browsing. STORAGE DELETE For single or multiple deletion of images. FORMAT Used to format compact flash cards and Imagebanks for optimum use. COPY Used for off-loading images from a flash card to an Imagebank. BATCH Used to create new storage folders (batches) and name them. DEFAULT APP LEVEL Assigns a default approval status (classification) to all new images. SETTINGS USER INTERFACE Sets menu language, power down, sound, date & time and several other custom settings. CAMERA Sets which type of camera body is being used with the digital back. MISCELLANEOUS Sets the way the camera/ digital back appears to a computer. Also displays firmware version. DEFAULT Resets all custom settings back to the original factory settings. 27 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. The OK (Approve) button or SELECTION (Zoom-in/Zoomout) buttons are then used to confirm choice. After pressing the MENU button, the main menu list appears. The blue frame highlights where you are on the menu. Press on the `up' and `down' symbols on the navigation button to move up and down the list. You can return to the standard image view by pressing either on the `left' symbol on the navigation button or on the EXIT/MENU button again. The need to continue further into the menu is indicated by the arrow symbol beside the menu item. Press the `right' arrow symbol on the navigation button to access the next part of the menu. When you reach the final destination of your choice (this might take several moves), PLUS and MINUS symbols appear to the right in the frame round the item. You then press the Zoom-in /Zoom-out /SELECTION buttons to access a loop list of choices. In the example on the left, 50 is the ISO value shown. By pressing either button the alternatives appear ­ 100, 200, 400 and then back to 50 again ­ both on the list as well as on the upper row to the left (in the case of ISO value). Pressing the EXIT/MENU button will then confirm the new setting. In the next example on the left, the name of a new batch is changed by pressing a combination of the Zoom-in /Zoomout /SELECTION buttons as well as the navigation button. You can then confirm your choice with the OK (Approve) button or revert to the previous status by pressing the EXIT/ MENU button. See later sections for more comprehensive information. 28 Setting the menu language 1 2 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. Press to open the SETTINGS menu. 4. Press to select the USER INTERFACE sub-menu. or button to choose a new language. 5. Press either the 6. Press the MENU/EXIT button again to close the menu. 3 4 Setting ISO and white balance The two digital settings that are most relevant for taking pictures are: · the ISO setting (`speed') and · the white balance setting (`colour temperature') These are therefore available at the top level of the menu system so you can get to them quickly and easily. They are also shown on-screen in most preview modes, so you can easily keep an eye on them as your work . Selecting the ISO rating: The 503 CWD can be set to use a light-sensitivity rating equivalent to ISO 50, 100, 200 or 400 film. Note, however, that the "natural" sensitivity of the CCD is ISO 50, so you will get best results with this setting if your lighting allows it. As with film, which becomes grainer at higher ISO ratings, the camera will reveal progressively more noise in pictures taken at higher sensitivities. The rating can be changed in a similar manner as the Language change described above or see MAIN MENU > ISO for a detailed procedure. or Make a setting on the camera grip menu. (MENU > DIGITAL > ISO) Setting the white balance: When you are looking at a scene, your eyes naturally adapt to the ambient light colour (provided it is nearly white) -- your brain then interprets all other colours according to how they relate to this "neutral" colour. However, this means that when you take a photo and then look at it later, you might not get the colours you expect because the camera has an absolute idea of what "white" is. The digital back therefore provides a white balance setting, which sets the hue that it should consider to be white and interprets all other colours proportionately. Unlike many digital backs, the 503 CWD stores images as raw captures, which means they contain an exact image of the CCD (including its original mosaic colour filter). You are therefore able to adjust the white balance at any time to equal effect. When you set a colour balance, your setting is saved with the image as pair of light temperature and tone values -- the colour values measured by each pixel are not altered. Your white balance setting affects the way colours are shown in the digital back screen and will still have the same effect when you first open images on your computer. You 29 5 6 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: · Sunlight, cloudy, shadow, flash, fluorescent and tungsten Please note that white balance settings are for your viewing con- venience only. The setting is temporary and in no way affects the raw file permanently. The rating can be changed in a similar manner as the Language change described above or see MAIN MENU > White Bal for a detailed procedure. Menu Shortcuts ! To help you work faster, the digital back provides shortcuts to some of the most commonly used menu commands that do not otherwise have a dedicated button on the front panel. These are accessible by pressing and holding one of the front-panel buttons for a second or so. These are mentioned where appropriate elsewhere in this manual, but we summarize them here for your convenience.