Finding original Hasselblad prices

[jackbaty]

Just for fun, I'm putting together a list of my newly-acquired film/darkroom gear and trying to compare what I actually paid with what it would have cost new.

Is there somewhere I might find original pricing for my (early 90s) Hasselblad 500C/M with 80m, WLF and 2 A12 backs?

Thanks

 

[Len Robertson]

I finally found a couple of catalogs in my collection from that era. A 1990 Helix (of Chicago) catalog has a new 500CM chrome with 80mm f2.8 CF and A12 magazine for $1995. The description says it includes waist level finder, and rapid wind crank. Extra A12 backs were $479. A couple of the popular lenses - 50mm CF was $1628, and 150mm CF was $1759, both T*. I don't know if those prices are Hasselblad list prices, but I suspect they may be. I don't know if the New York discount dealers such as Olden sold Hass much below list price or not.

In a 1991 Adorama catalog the "500 Classic Kit" consisting of 500CM chrome body, 80mm CF and A12 was $2295, and $572 for an extra A12 back. 50mm Distagon FLE CF was $2168, and the 150mm Sonnar was $2126. I don't know how often Hasselblad increased prices over the years, but I seem to remember a noticeable price jump back about then.

The May 1963 "Popular Photography" magazine has a Hasselblad ad giving a price for 500C with 80mm lens of $549.50. When I finally bought my first Hasselblad, a used 500C with chrome 80mm and 12 back at a camera swap meet sometime in the 1980s I think I paid $600 or $650. It wasn't until many years later when digital really killed Hasselblad values that I bought my 50mm and 150mm lenses. I don't watch complete 500Cs on eBay really closely, but I think they may be selling in the $450 price range.

Len

 

[jackbaty]

Len, thanks so much for the detailed post. Very cool! It's so nice being able to buy the "expensive" gear these days for a fraction of their original cost.

 

[Venchka]

Late 90s, like 1998, was the last time I did the head scratching, self debating, etc. over a 500CM. At the time, I think the complete "kit" was $3,000 with a near perpetual "rebate" offer of a non-metering prism or extra back. The offer swapped back on forth during the year. I didn't do it.