New Blad vs 2nd hand

[Dismayed]

I used to be an advocate for buying used, but when you count the repair cost into the total price, then I have to say that if I had the money, I'd buy new these days, if you can get it new and not a 30+ years shelf queen.

Just go for it, if the heart and wallet says yes.

That's why I suggested David Odess - he sells used cameras that he's fully serviced.

[rich815]

That's why I suggested David Odess - he sells used cameras that he's fully serviced.

Me too. If this exact body fully serviced by him is available it is downright silly to buy new, unless you just want to leave it in the box and sell later as some pristine untouched museum piece.

[snaggs]

Thanks for that. Looks good, but he doesn't have any 503CW's.

[Dismayed]

Thanks for that. Looks good, but he doesn't have any 503CW's.

KEH has several bodies for about $1,000. I'd suggest that you contact him - he may agree to accept delivery from KEH. He could then service the camera and ship it to you.

[rich815]

So you must have a sliding mirror (long lenses) and plan to use a winder? If not the CX is pretty much the same.

[RalphLambrecht]

i bought almost all of my blad equipment 2nd hand from good ealers and was never dissappointed

[rich815]

i bought almost all of my blad equipment 2nd hand from good ealers and was never dissappointed

He sells blads on the side too ;-)

[snaggs]

Just adds another 10 years to the kit, and almost certainly had a hard life with a wedding photographer. If 2nd hand, Id rather buy something somebody kept on the shelf as a show pony.

Not sure how much fill flash you use, but apparantly the extra 2 stops of TTL are usefull with faster film. Porta 800, -1 stop needs ISO 1600..

I have found a mint- millenium with CFE and A12 for $2700. Think thats the go. KEH, has a mint 503CW for $1599 and CFE on sale for $1099 then Id still need a back.

[Slixtiesix]

Please make sure that the Millenium has ISO 3200. There was once a debate on photo.net and it seemed that not all Milleniums were the high-iso variants.

[declark]

Picked up a 500cm with waist level and 2 A12 backs from KEH a couple years ago. IIRC the body was EX condition and indeed it was. I could hardly tell it from a new one. Film wind is still buttery smooth and I have never serviced this camera. Only problem I had was one of my backs had a bad light seal which I replaced myself for about $20, easy to do, just check YouTube. Total for body, finder, and backs was about $600. If I had that kind of loot to spend on a new camera, I guess it would feel good knowing it's new, but for hobby use, it would never pencil out for me.

In fact I unloaded my Pentax 645 system to get the Hasselblad system figuring that I can always get service in the future, probably not so much for the Pentax, which was a great system BTW.