HASSELBLAD PME
Metered 45º Prism Finder (1987-1994)
HASSELBLAD PME (for 500, 501 and 503 series cameras, takes one 4LR44, A544, PX28, 4SR44, S28PX, V28PX or 476A six volt battery, 15.110 oz. / 428.4 g, about $375 used in 2022 and 2024 (was only about $250 used in 2016)). enlarge. I got mine at this link directly to them at eBay (see How to Win at eBay).
This all-content, junk-free website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to approved sources when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. Buy only from the approved sources I use myself for the best prices, service, return policies and selection. Thanks for helping me help you! Ken.
June 2024 HASSELBLAD Zeiss Contax Mamiya LEICA Nikon Canon All Reviews
Why fixed lenses take better pictures
HASSELBLAD 500 C/M with PME metered prism finder and 80/2.8 CF. enlarge.
HASSELBLAD 500 C/M with PME metered prism finder and 80/2.8 CF. enlarge.
Introduction top
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I love my PME finder for my HASSELBLADs because it lets me see my images much better, and provides a superb light meter as well.
I would think that everyone should use these over the silly little standard pop-up finders, which show reversed images.
Good intro top
Its prism lets me see my image without the left/right reversal of the standard waist-level folding "chimney" finder.
Built-in eye shade lets me see my image sharp and clear in any light, without any light leaks of the folding "chimney" finders.
Its through-the-lens (TTL) light meter compensates automatically for variations in filter factors (critical for use with film), lens transmission and macro extension factors.
Brilliantly simple-to-use TTL meter
45º angle is ideal for everything: hand-held, tripod, straight down or straight up.
Bad intro top
It adds a good deal of weight to the camera due to the solid optical glass prism used to display the image unreversed.
Battery intro top
It takes one 4LR44, A544, PX28, 4SR44, S28PX, V28PX or 476A six volt battery which pops into the front of the finder, behind the sliding cover atop the "HASSELBLAD" logo and between the two silver buttons.
Tap the small front button to check the battery. Look for the BATT light on the back.
It draws 11mA while ON. Figure about 10 hours battery life, so at 12.5 seconds per tap, that's about 3,000 shots or about 240 12-exposure rolls.
It draws about 0.8 µA when off, which calculates to about 200,000 hours or 25 years, ignoring that the shelf life is less than this. It suggests the battery won't run down being left in the prism, but I'd take it out to protect my prism from leakage.
Usage intro top
HASSELBLAD PME. enlarge.
HASSELBLAD PME. enlarge.
Set your film speed with the black lever on the left. ASA is the same as ISO.Just as importantly, set the lens' maximum aperture with the "MAX" lever on the left.
To meter, tap the larger front button, read the red EV LED that lights in the finder, transfer that EV to the lens, and shoot.
Hint: when two numbers light up, the correct EV is the click halfway between them on the lens!
ASA Calibrations
I make a little sticker with my calibrated ISOs with different filters and put it above the ASA setting for fast reference as I change filters. My ISO (ASA) settings for TMAX 100 (and they seem to work as well with ACROS 100) are:
Filter |
Set ASA |
None |
100 |
80 |
|
Orange (O56) |
64 |
Red 25A (R60) |
40 |
Deep Red 29 (R62) |
20 |
More at Tech Details, Route 66, 2016.
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