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Foreword
This Astronaut's Photography Manual has been
prepared by Hasselblad in close cooperation with
the Training and Man-Machine Divisions at the
Johnson Space Center of the National Aeronau-
tics and Space Administration. As a guidebook
for the NASA Photography Training Program, it
not only describes the operation of the Hassel-
blad 500 EL/M cameras used on the U. S. Space
Shuttle but is also a concise manual on photog-
raphy to assist astronauts in creating the best
possible space photographs.
Hasselblad cameras have performed with preci-
sion on every manned space flight since 1962
and undoubtedly future missions will continue to
yield those awe-inspiring and beautiful images
from space - a priceless pictorial legacy for future
generations.
A Hasselblad lunar data surface camera was mounted into the Shuttle
Pallet Satellite and operated remotely by the astronauts by means of a
radio signal to record images of the Challenger in flight.
Table of Contents 1
Camera Controls ............................................................................................. 2
Film Magazine Controls ................................................................................... 2
Viewfinder Controls ......................................................................................... 3
The EL/M Power Supply .................................................................................. 4
Releasing the Camera ..................................................................................... 4
Remote Operation ........................................................................................... 5
Camera Steadiness ......................................................................................... 5
Operating Modes ............................................................................................. 6
Film Magazines ........................................................................................... 6, 7
Film Magazine with Databack.......................................................................... 8
Permanently Attached Databack ..................................................................... 8
Databack with Removable Module .................................................................. 8
Changing Lenses............................................................................................. 9
Lenses ........................................................................................................... 10
Lens Controls ...........................................................................................10, 11
Viewing .......................................................................................................... 12
Diopter Adjustment ........................................................................................ 12
Focusing ........................................................................................................ 13
Focusing Suggestions ................................................................................... 14
Depth of Field .................................................................................... 14, 15, 16
Depth of Field at Different Apertures ............................................................. 15
Depth of Field with Different Lenses.............................................................. 16
Focusing for Depth of Field ..................................................................... 17, 18
Use of Lenses.................................................................................... 19, 20, 21
Lens Aperture ................................................................................................ 22
Shutter Speed................................................................................................ 23
Setting Aperture & Shutter Speed ................................................................. 23
Changing Aperture & Shutter Speed ............................................................. 24
Exposure ....................................................................................................... 24
Exposure from Charts.................................................................................... 24
The Exposure Meter ...................................................................................... 25
ASA/ Shutter Speed Setting .......................................................................... 26
Viewfinder on Meter....................................................................................... 26
Sunlight coming through the windows can make beautiful "available Operating Meter....................................................................................... 26, 27
Determining Lens Settings with Exposure Meter...................................... 27,28
light" shots. The slide is perfectly exposed for the most important part of
Exposing for Sun or Shade............................................................................ 29
the scene - the astronauts facial flesh tones. Exposing for Slides ........................................................................................ 29
Exposing for Negative Film............................................................................ 29
High Contrast Scenes.................................................................................... 29
Bracketing Exposure ..................................................................................... 29
Exposure Techniques .................................................................................... 30
Composition....................................................................................... 31, 32, 33
Obtaining the Most Effective Images ................................................. 34, 35, 36
Hasselblad 500 EL/M Camera 2
Camera Controls:
1) Operate Push button
2) Mode Selector (taped)
3) Lens Cocking Tool (Under tape)
4) Remote Connector
5) Battery Compartment
6) Battery Compartment Lock
7) Lens Release Button
Film Magazine
Controls:
8) Magazine Release Button
9) Magazine Insert Lock (Taped)
10) Darkslide
11) Frame Counter
12a) End of Film Indicator
12b) Film Advance Indicator
14 11 12a 4 12b 3 2 1 13
3
Viewfinder Controls:
13) Prism Viewfinder
14) Diopter Correction Eyepiece
15) Lock for Correction Eyepiece
16) Rubber Eyecup
7 5 8 10 6 9 15 16
The EL/M Releasing the Camera 4
Power Supply
The electric film advance is powered by teries (A) are inserted with the (+) end first The image is recorded on the film by
two 6V rechargeable nickel cadmium (Fig. 2). Properly inserted, the batteries pressing the operate push button. The
batteries located in the battery compart- rest on a spring and can be pushed up shutter is re-cocked, and the film ad-
ment. Two fully charged batteries provide &down. When inserted the wrong way, the vanced to the next frame, when removing
power for approximately 2000 exposures cover cannot be closed easily and may the finger from the button. A second expo-
and changing the batteries should not be be permanently bent. Do not force. Check sure can be made as soon as the winding
necessary. A slowing down of the wind- position of batteries. Cover is re-attached cycle is completed. If the camera does not
ing cycle, however, indicates low battery by placing the hooks at the front of the operate when the release is depressed:
voltage and that both batteries need to be cover into the openings (D) in the camera
changed. then pressing the rear firmly towards the
1. Darkslide may be inserted in film
The battery compartment is opened by compartment while turning the slotted lock
magazine. Remove it.
turning the slotted compartment lock (6) (6) clockwise to the horizontal (locked)
2. There may be no film left in magazine.
counter clockwise to the vertical position position.
Check film load signal (12a) if red,
using the lens cocking tool (3). Remove change magazine.
the compartment cover (Fig. 1). Always NOTE: Camera operates only if a fuse in good 3. The fuse is dead. Replace.
remove both batteries and insert one condition is in the fuse receptacle. The fuse (C) 4. The batteries may have no charge left.
spare battery in either compartment. Bat- can be replaced and inserted in (B) either way. Replace.
FIGURE 1 FIGURE 2 FIGURE 3
Remote Operation Camera Steadiness 5
Camera can also be released with remote The camera must be perfectly steady 5. Pressing the operate push button
cable, Remove socket cover (Fig. 3) by when the exposure is made. Camera mo- slowly and gently so you are hardly
turning it counter clockwise and attach tion while the film is being exposed can aware when the exposure is made
remote release cable to remote connector result in unsharp pictures. Reduce the and keeping it depressed until the
4. The camera operation is determined by danger of camera movement by: exposure is completed. Don't jerk the
the position of the mode selector (page 6) release or depress it rapidly.
one picture in position 0 - or sequences in
1. Holding camera firmly with both hands,
position A. NOTE: Perfect camera steadiness is important
one hand on the bottom, the other on
with aIl lenses - but more so with the 250mm
top (Fig. 4&5). 2. Pressing both elbows Sonnar. The long focal length magnifies camera
into your body for additional support. shake.
3. Pressing rubber eyepiece of the view-
finder against your viewing eye to form
a firm contact between the forehead
and finder (Fig. 6).
4. Holding Breath.
FIGURE 4 FIGURE 5 FIGURE 6
Operating Modes Film Magazines 6
1) The mode selector is set at 0 at launch To attach a film magazine to the cam- OPERATlNG SIGNALS: (Fig. 13)
and taped over (Fig. 7). Do not remove era body, hook the magazine onto the
the tape and change the setting except two lower support catches (E) (Fig. 9),
The film magazine includes a frame coun-
for automatic sequence operation. swing the top of the magazine firmly and
ter (11) which counts up and indicates
2) For automatic sequence operation completely against the upper catches (F)
number of frames exposed. Check once
(1 picture per second) remove tape, and camera body while at the same time
in a while so you do not run out of film in
change selector to A (Fig.8). When sliding the magazine release button (8) to
the middle of an important picture taking
the release is depressed, the camera the right (Fig. 10). After the magazine is
sequence. There are about 120 frames
takes pictures at regular intervals of attached remove darkslide (Fig. 9a).
on a roll of film. There is also an end of
1frame/second as long as the release To remove a magazine, insert darkslide film indicator (12a). It turns from white to
is kept depressed - and as long as (10) slide magazine release button (8) to red when the roll of film is finished and at
there is film in the camera. When se- the right (Fig.11), lift off magazine (Fig. that moment the camera will stop operat-
quence is completed, change dial back 12). ing. Film advance indicator (12b) goes
to 0 and re-tape.
from white to red to white to show film is
NOTES: a) Magazines cannot be attached or advancing properly.
removed unless darkslide is inserted. b) Never
remove the darkslide from a magazine that is
not attached to the camera. It would expose
some of the film in the magazine.
FIGURE 7
FIGURE 8
7
FIGURE 9 FIGURE 10 FIGURE 11
FIGURE 9a FIGURE 12 FIGURE 13
Film Magazines with Permanently Attached Databack with 8
Databacks Databack Removable Module
Some or all film magazines used on your Proper operation is indicated by a green The electronics module is removed by de-
mission may be equipped with a databack. LED at rear. Check whether it goes on and pressing the latch and sliding the module
It may be permanently attached to the off after the exposure. This indicates that towards the rear. It can now be attached
magazine (Fig. 14) or have a removable the data recording has been successful. to another magazine in the same fashion
electronics module which can be switched by depressing the latch again (Fig. 15). It
from one magazine to another (Fig. 15). is made operative with the On/Off Switch.
The film magazine of either version is at- Make certain that the exposure setting
tached to the camera body, as is the regu- switch is set for the ASA rating of the film
lar magazine 100/200 but the magazine in that particular magazine.
release button (8) is pushed towards the Position 1 for ASA 25 - 100
left (not right). To remove a film magazine, Position 2 for ASA 100 - 400
push the magazine release button again
Position 3 for ASA 400 - 1600
towards the left (Fig. 14).
Position 4 for ASA 1600 - 6400
Instructions for the correct setting will be
supplied.
A green LED lights up momentarily at the
end of each shot to indicate a successful
data recording.
Malfunctioning or low battery power is
indicated by a red LED. The batteries,
however, have sufficient power for an
entire flight.
FIGURE 14 FIGURE 15
Changing Lenses 9
To remove a lens, press lens release b) Lenses can be attached only if the camera
button (7) and turn lens counterclockwise body is cocked and the shutter in the lens is
about 1/10 turn (Fig. 16). To attach a lens, also cocked (open). (Shaft J) in lens is op-
posite red dot (L) (Fig. 19). If a shutter should
match red marking on lens barrel with red
have been closed accidentally while lens was
marking on camera body (Fig. 17). Turn removed from camera insert lens cocking tool
lens firmly clockwise until it clicks positive- (3) located under the taped mode selector (2)
ly in place (Fig. 18). Do not depress lens in shaft slot (M). Make a full turn clockwise in
release button when attaching a lens. the direction of the arrow. (Fig. 20)
NOTES:
a) Lenses can be removed only when the shut-
ter is cocked, which is normally the case on
the EL/M. The lens could be uncocked only
if the camera stops before completing the FIGURE 18
cycle due to low battery power, or if a fuse
is blown. If so change batteries to complete
cycle or change fuse.
FIGURE 19
FIGURE 16 FIGURE 17 FIGURE 20
Lenses Lens Controls 10
Hasselblad cameras may be equipped 17) Focusing Ring with distance engravings
with either "C" lenses or "CF" lenses. The 18) Lock for "F" setting ("CF" lens only)
"c" lenses have a VXM lever on the left 19) Aperture Setting Ring with aperture engravings
side (Fig. 21) 20) Shutter Speed Ring with shutter speed engravings
This control is only on the "C" lenses (Fig. 21) Index for distance, aperture &shutter speed
21), not the "CF" types (Fig. 22). Other- 22) EVS Engravings
wise, the lenses differ only in the location 23) Index for EVS Setting
and operation of the lens controls. 24) Lever for unlocking aperture & shutter speed (on "c" lenses only)
25) Button for interlocking aperture and shutter speed rings (On "CF" only)
26) Movable depth of field indicators (on "c" lenses only)
27) Engraved depth of field indicators (on "CF" lenses only)
28) Flash Sync Lever, (must be on X or M) (on "c" lenses only)
29) Flash cable connector
30) Manual diaphragm stop down
C Lens CF Lens
FIGURE 21 FIGURE 22
11
C Lenses
FIGURE 23 FIGURE 24 FIGURE 25
CF Lenses
FIGURE 26 FIGURE 27 FIGURE 28
Viewing Diopter Adjustment 12
The prism viewfinder (13) provides a NOTE: It is recommended that you remove The prism viewfinder is equipped with an
magnified, upright and laterally correct your eyeglasses. Eyeglasses prevent the close adjustable eyepiece (14) (Fig. 29). It may
image. Make certain that you always see contact between eye and eyepiece. They also be adjusted to your eyesight for accurate
allow objectionable light to enter between the
the entire square groundglass screen from focusing and strain-free viewing. Remove
eyeglasses and eye. (Fig. 31).
corner to corner. This requires placing lens from camera. Remove eyeglasses.
your eye firmly against the rubber eyecup View through finder and turn diopter
(16) and in the optical center of the eye- adjusting ring (14) until the groundglass
piece lens (Fig. 29 & 31).This is especially screen appears critically sharp. Remove
important when photographing through the the eye, relax it for a moment by looking
windows in the space shuttle. You may not at infinity, and view through the finder
see a window frame cutting into part of the once more to ascertain that the screen is
image unless you move your eye around still sharp. The eyepiece is now adjusted
the viewing screen. The rubber eyecup to your eyes. Lock it with screw (15) (Fig.
which 0ffers a comfortable support for 29).
viewing can be turned for left or right eye
viewing. Pressing eye and forehead firmly NOTES:
towards the viewfinder eyepiece also a) It is suggested that you read the diopter
provides an important camera support for setting after adjusting the eyepiece to your eye-
increased camera steadiness. sight (-1 in Fig. 30). This makes it unnecessary
to repeat the diopter adjustment after someone
FIGURE 30
else uses the camera simply set it to your pre-
determined number (-1 for example) and lock it.
b) If you cannot view without eyeglasses,
make the adjustment on the diopter correction
eyepiece with the glasses on. c) The viewfinder
is not meant to be a handle for carrying the
camera.
d) Should the image in the finder appear dark
the diaphragm in the lens is probably stopped
down. To re-open it, proceed as described
under "lens aperture" (Page 22).
FIGURE 29 FIGURE 31
Focusing 13
The prism finder is also used for focusing NOTES:
the lens (setting the lens for the camera to a) With the 250mm lens, one of the range finder
subject distance). The groundglass screen fields remains dark. Focusing must be done in
the microprism or groundglass area.
is split into various sections (Fig. 32):
b) The image always appears sharp in the
(A) Groundglass screen area. rangefinder area, so you must have a straight
(B) Bright microprism area. line intersecting the split.
(C) Split image rangefinder.
The distance is set by turning the focusing
ring on the lens until one or more of the
following conditions are achieved:
1) The image (Fig. 33a) appears sharp
on the groundglass (Fig. 33b).
2) You see a fine detailed image within
the microprism area (Fig. 33b).
3) A straight line crossing the split in the
rangefinder (Fig. 34a) appears unbro-
ken (Fig. 34b).
FIGURE 32 FIGURE 33 FIGURE 34
Focusing Suggestions Depth of Field 14
1) For fast and accurate focusing, turn Theoretically, on Iy subjects that are
the focusing ring quickly back and forth exactly at the focused distance (Fig. 37)
over the point of sharpness making appear sharp on the film. Sharpness
smaller and smaller back and forth gradually falls off in front of and beyond
movements until the point of sharp- the set distance. On the photographic print
ness is locked in. This is better than or transparency, however, some degree of
turning the focusing ring slowly in one "unsharpness" is acceptable. This range
direction towards the point of focus of acceptable sharpness is called depth
(Fig. 36). of field. One third of the total depth of field
2) Do not try to focus visually for earth is in front of the focused distance and two
shots, simply set lens at infinity. thirds beyond (Fig. 37).
3) If all the important elements are at the The depth of field scale on the lens is
same distance (not some closer and used to determine the depth of field range.
some further away), simply turn the fo-
On Hasselblad C lenses (Fig. 38/39)
cusing ring until these subjects appear
depth of field is indicated by the two red
sharp in the finder.
pointers which move automatically as
4) If important subjects are at different FIGURE 36 the aperture ring is turned. The distances
distances (in front & rear of cargo bay
opposite the two red pointers indicate the
for instance) try to set the lens so that
range of acceptable sharpness.
both are sharp. That means setting the
lens for depth of field. On the Hasselblad CF lenses, the depth of
field is engraved (Fig. 40/ 41 ). Read the
close and far distances opposite the two
white lines corresponding to the aperture
set on lens (11 if lens set at f/11 ).
The depth of field range depends mainly
NOTE: The CF lenses have distance scales in on the lens aperture. At large apertures
feet and meters. The footage scale is in orange, (f/5.6 in Fig. 38 &40) depth of field is less
the meter scale in white. than at small apertures, (f/22 in Fig. 39 &
41 ).
15
Depth of Field at different apertures
FIGURE 38 FIGURE 39 FIGURE 40
Large Aperture gives Small aperture gives Large aperture gives
shallow depth of field great depth of field shallow depth of field
FIGURE 41
Small aperture gives
FIGURE 37 great depth of field
Depth of Field with Different Lenses 16
Depth of field also varies with lens focal NOTE: Sharpness beyond the depth of field
length. The 50mm lens (Fig. 43) has range falls off more rapidly with the longer
more depth of field than the 100mm (Fig. lenses. Backgrounds are blurred more with the
250mm than the 50mm wide angle.
44). The 250mm (Fig. 45) has less if the
lenses are used from the same distance
(each lens covers a different area).
The 50mm has depth of field from 50 feet
down to 7 feet (Fig. 43) the 100mm at the
same aperture from 50 feet only down to
17 feet (Fig. 44), while the 250mm goes
from 50 feet only down to 40 feet (Fig. 45).
50mm 100mm 250mm
FIGURE 43 FIGURE 44 FIGURE 45
50mm Wide Angle has depth of 100mm standard has depth of field 250mm Telephoto has depth of
field from 50' down to 7' from 50' down to 17' field from 50' down to 40'
Focusing for Depth 17
of Field
If subjects at different distances are to be NOTE: If the two distances cannot be placed
recorded sharply, set the lens for depth of within the depth of field range (because of
field. Proceed as follows: exposure requirements), decide whether it is
more important to have the background or the
1) Focus the lens at the farthest subject foreground sharp, and set the lens accordingly.
to be sharp. Read the distance on the
scale (30') (Fig. 46).
2) Focus the lens at the closest subject
to be sharp. Read the distance on the
focusing scale (8') (Fig. 47).
3) Set the lens, so the two distances are
within the depth of field indicators (Fig.
48).
FIGURE 46
30' is the farthest
subject distance
Focusing for Depth of Field 18
FIGURE 47 8' is the closest subject distance
FIGURE 48 14' is the distance set on lens
Use of Lenses 19
Three different focal length lenses are
used on Hasselblad. The focal length
engraved on the lens determines the
angle of view and thus the size of the area
included in the picture.
1) The 100mm Planar has a diagonal
angle of view of 43