BradleyGibson
New member
In the recent CFV-39 thread, possible issues were raised around compatibility of the various 90-degree finders and the CFV back.
With respect to CFV compatibility and PM90 and PME90 viewfinders, some have said they do work with the 503 body, while others have indicated they will or might not. I don't have a CFV back so I can't say much of anything to help.
I did purchase an RM-2 (an HC-3/70 finder with a larger exit pupil and lower magnification) with the intent to modify it to work with the 203FE. Due to its design there is no risk of interference with a CFV back, but it was not designed to slide over the 203FE's viewfinder LCD display.
I did perform the modification, and I'm pleased to say that it works! Mostly. (See below). All said and done, the cost was $3 and a couple of hours.
Here are photographs of the process of modifying the RM-2 in a minimally invasive way. By doing it in this way, the viewfinder lacks the 'snap' it had on the 500-series I tested on previously. It does partially obstruct the LCD (I cannot tell if this is due to my modification or because the initial design does not allow for the LCD display). At some point in the future I will probably have the front edge of the viewfinder ground 1.5mm to accomodate the LCD without using standoffs (see below):
(Please excuse the poor quality iPhone photos.)
This is the base of the RM-2. Note the silver ring goes all the way around. The front of the viewfinder is at the bottom of this photo, and would collide with the LCD screen on a 203FE.
After measuring the size of the gap using another finder (see next photo) it was very easy to remove and cut through the finder ring. This is the only permanent modification to the finder. I assume it will not be too much trouble to purchase a replacement ring to restore the finder to stock, if necessary. Even if not, the cut won't change the finder's performance on a non-LCD Hasselblad.
Comparison to the gap of a PME-51 45-degree finder (bottom), which *is* compatible with the 203 FE. A perfect match. Attempting to fit the modified RM-2 finder to the 203FE revealed that an additional ~1.5mm of clearance is required. Note the cutout in the front of the housing of the PME-51.
Instead of making the same cutout in the housing of the RM-2, I decided to use a standoff to raise the housing off the ring by about 1.5mm. It was pretty easy to do with some adhesive felt and an X-acto knife. This felt comes in rectangular pads for $3 from Home Depot. I still have $2.50 worth of it left over.
The ring is reattached to the finder and slid partway onto the 203FE. Clearance over the LCD (that white bar between the 'Hasselblad's) looks good!
Success! Works like a charm.
Any issues? Well, yes, actually. The finder doesn't 'snap' into focus like it did before it was raised. I'd assumed I could compensate for this easily with the diopter adjustment at the eyepiece of the RM-2, but despite a huge diopter range, it doesn't ever get as crisp as it did before I raised it. Based on that, I have to recommend grinding out the front 1.5mm for best results. Still, it's useable for now, and I'll eventually explore the PM-90 as an option before griding, assuming the CFV-39 lives up to expectations.
A little low fidelity camera pr0n for those still reading. (Forgive the atrocious fashion clash of a black body and a chrome back! hahaha! I've borrowed a film back from a friend to see if I like the handling enough to finish the job and go digital with this kit.)
Here's the 203FE with the Hasselblad-modified Winder CW attached.
Best regards,
-Brad
With respect to CFV compatibility and PM90 and PME90 viewfinders, some have said they do work with the 503 body, while others have indicated they will or might not. I don't have a CFV back so I can't say much of anything to help.
I did purchase an RM-2 (an HC-3/70 finder with a larger exit pupil and lower magnification) with the intent to modify it to work with the 203FE. Due to its design there is no risk of interference with a CFV back, but it was not designed to slide over the 203FE's viewfinder LCD display.
I did perform the modification, and I'm pleased to say that it works! Mostly. (See below). All said and done, the cost was $3 and a couple of hours.
Here are photographs of the process of modifying the RM-2 in a minimally invasive way. By doing it in this way, the viewfinder lacks the 'snap' it had on the 500-series I tested on previously. It does partially obstruct the LCD (I cannot tell if this is due to my modification or because the initial design does not allow for the LCD display). At some point in the future I will probably have the front edge of the viewfinder ground 1.5mm to accomodate the LCD without using standoffs (see below):
(Please excuse the poor quality iPhone photos.)
This is the base of the RM-2. Note the silver ring goes all the way around. The front of the viewfinder is at the bottom of this photo, and would collide with the LCD screen on a 203FE.
After measuring the size of the gap using another finder (see next photo) it was very easy to remove and cut through the finder ring. This is the only permanent modification to the finder. I assume it will not be too much trouble to purchase a replacement ring to restore the finder to stock, if necessary. Even if not, the cut won't change the finder's performance on a non-LCD Hasselblad.
Comparison to the gap of a PME-51 45-degree finder (bottom), which *is* compatible with the 203 FE. A perfect match. Attempting to fit the modified RM-2 finder to the 203FE revealed that an additional ~1.5mm of clearance is required. Note the cutout in the front of the housing of the PME-51.
Instead of making the same cutout in the housing of the RM-2, I decided to use a standoff to raise the housing off the ring by about 1.5mm. It was pretty easy to do with some adhesive felt and an X-acto knife. This felt comes in rectangular pads for $3 from Home Depot. I still have $2.50 worth of it left over.
The ring is reattached to the finder and slid partway onto the 203FE. Clearance over the LCD (that white bar between the 'Hasselblad's) looks good!
Success! Works like a charm.
Any issues? Well, yes, actually. The finder doesn't 'snap' into focus like it did before it was raised. I'd assumed I could compensate for this easily with the diopter adjustment at the eyepiece of the RM-2, but despite a huge diopter range, it doesn't ever get as crisp as it did before I raised it. Based on that, I have to recommend grinding out the front 1.5mm for best results. Still, it's useable for now, and I'll eventually explore the PM-90 as an option before griding, assuming the CFV-39 lives up to expectations.
A little low fidelity camera pr0n for those still reading. (Forgive the atrocious fashion clash of a black body and a chrome back! hahaha! I've borrowed a film back from a friend to see if I like the handling enough to finish the job and go digital with this kit.)
Here's the 203FE with the Hasselblad-modified Winder CW attached.
Best regards,
-Brad