Found this Hasselblad 500C suitcase at the family attic. Questions.

[firstofone]

Hi

Can anyone tell me more about the background of this Hasselblad? I found it by emptying a family attic inside a suitcase with orginal Hasselblad backsides, lenses, purchase documents from 28th of December 1970…. I will include some pictures. I can’t work with it. I also have no appetite in working with it (sorry, no offense). So I want to sell and have somebody else have fun with it but I have no idea if it still works and what a fair price would be to let it go for. Can you have a look at the pictures and let me know some history and give me a fair price to let it go for? Thank you!

 

[Nitroplait]

Looks nice. Check completed/sold items on ebay.de for an idea about value.

If it hasn't been used for years, something is likely not working. If you have never handled Hasselblad, you could do more damage than good by trying to figure out if it works.

If you have a camera store in your proximity that deals in used film cameras, you could let them look at it and give you an offer. They'd also tell you what works and what doesn't - useful information if you don't want to accept their offer.

 

[Chan Tran]

First looks like you have all the manual so read the manual and you can tell if it's still working. If you have the original receipt I think the fair price would be the same price they were bought for. This may actually somewhat less than what you can really get for them.

 

[firstofone]

Looks nice. Check completed/sold items on ebay.de for an idea about value.

If it hasn't been used for years, something is likely not working. If you have never handled Hasselblad, you could do more damage than good by trying to figure out if it works.

If you have a camera store in your proximity that deals in used film cameras, you could let them look at it and give you an offer. They'd also tell you what works and what doesn't - useful information if you don't want to accept their offer.

Thanks for the insight. I have a bid of 1600 euro from a potential buyer who is aware of the situation. He knows that the material hasn’t been handled since 1970 or sometime close to that year. He also knows that he might has to revise the material. Based on what you write this seems like a fair bid. Have a great weekend.

 

[firstofone]

First looks like you have all the manual so read the manual and you can tell if it's still working. If you have the original receipt I think the fair price would be the same price they were bought for. This may actually somewhat less than what you can really get for them.

I am totally not interested, with all due respect, in trying to figure out how the machine works. Thanks for your reply though.

 

[Chan Tran]

I am totally not interested, with all due respect, in trying to figure out how the machine works. Thanks for your reply though.

So may I ask how do you have the kit? Someone gave it to you or you bought the house that came with it?

 

[J Durr]

Hi, If you decide to sell it I am interested. Thanks, John

 

[firstofone]

So may I ask how do you have the kit? Someone gave it to you or you bought the house that came with it?

Sure you can ask the question. It’s a house that belongs to the family since many decades. We “attacked” the attic recently and this suitcase popped up. Nothing more, nothing less.

 

[Don_ih]

I have a bid of 1600 euro from a potential buyer

That's a good offer.

 

[firstofone]

That's a good offer.

Thanks again for your insight.

 

[koraks]

Can you have a look at the pictures and let me know some history and give me a fair price to let it go for?

I'd suggest having a look at the major second hand platforms in your part of the world to get a view on going rates of the different parts of the kit you've got there.

② Hasselblad Fotocamera's voor Creatieve Geesten | 2dehands

Ontdek Hasselblad fotocamera's speciaal voor fotografieliefhebbers. Kies uit unieke modellen die jouw creatieve visie ondersteunen. Verken het aanbod.

www.2dehands.be

≥ Vind hasselblad op Marktplaats - september 2025

541 aanbiedingen in september - Koop en verkoop hasselblad eenvoudig op Marktplaats ✅ Lokale aanbiedingen - Ga ervoor!

www.marktplaats.nl

Keep in mind that 'parting out' a set generally generates higher revenues, although it will overall take more time (and effort) to sell everything.
Given the anticipated value of the kit I'd invest some time in determining a realistic going rate for it.

 

[firstofone]

I'd suggest having a look at the major second hand platforms in your part of the world to get a view on going rates of the different parts of the kit you've got there.

② Hasselblad Fotocamera's voor Creatieve Geesten | 2dehands

Ontdek Hasselblad fotocamera's speciaal voor fotografieliefhebbers. Kies uit unieke modellen die jouw creatieve visie ondersteunen. Verken het aanbod.

www.2dehands.be

≥ Vind hasselblad op Marktplaats - september 2025

541 aanbiedingen in september - Koop en verkoop hasselblad eenvoudig op Marktplaats ✅ Lokale aanbiedingen - Ga ervoor!

www.marktplaats.nl

Keep in mind that 'parting out' a set generally generates higher revenues, although it will overall take more time (and effort) to sell everything.
Given the anticipated value of the kit I'd invest some time in determining a realistic going rate for it.

Did that. But as you write yourself, it takes a lot of time, especially when you are not into this Hasselblad world at all and don’t have ambition to (no offense to your hobby). I rather “lose” money and sell beneath this suitcase’s value (whatever that figure may be) (1600 seems fair) then spending more hours taking pictures, generating separate ads, having chats determining if the separate piece is offered a reasonable price or not, if the buyer is legit etc. If 1600 seems fair to you as connoisseurs for the entire suitcase this will become the price at the end of this month.

 

[Arthurwg]

Koraks: I might think that this complete and historical " kit " might have more value than the individual components parted out. It would for me.

 

[koraks]

Koraks: I might think that this complete and historical " kit " might have more value than the individual components parted out. It would for me.

That's usually the rationale in a case like this, but how many times does it actually sell for the premium?

 

[Chan Tran]

I think the OP has the receipt for all of the items so he knows how much it cost originally. My suggestion is to sell for the same price as when they are bought new.
I feel sorry for the person who bought the kit.

 

[BrianShaw]

Original cost, from the 1970’s is interesting but not sure what that implies today other than a cute marketing tactic. I know what I’d do… put on eBay with a moderate initial bid or take the 1600 euros before the offer gets retracted by a second thought. The impression Im getting is that the goal really is to unload it for whatever money is possible without much effort. That’s a fine goal.

 

[firstofone]

I think the OP has the receipt for all of the items so he knows how much it cost originally. My suggestion is to sell for the same price as when they are bought new.
I feel sorry for the person who bought the kit.

And I am willing to make someone happy 🫣. I have the customs and warranty papers with serial numbers written on it but not the actual receipt. That last one was not in the suitcase. That’s also the reason why I came to this forum. But I made up my mind. Thank you for your contribution.

 

[Meinrad]

Hi firstofone,
nice treasure you have found, yes, old houses have surprises.
The 500C is the first of the 500 series. The 150mm Lens is not very expensive, the other i cannot determine.
For a quick overview about prices i usually have a look at https://collectiblend.com/Cameras/

 

[koraks]

And I am willing to make someone happy 🫣. I have the customs and warranty papers with serial numbers written on it but not the actual receipt. That last one was not in the suitcase. That’s also the reason why I came to this forum. But I made up my mind. Thank you for your contribution.

Definitely; understood and very sensible IMO. Good luck with the sale!

 

[GregY]

Hi

Can anyone tell me more about the background of this Hasselblad? I found it by emptying a family attic inside a suitcase with orginal Hasselblad backsides, lenses, purchase documents from 28th of December 1970…. I will include some pictures. I can’t work with it. I also have no appetite in working with it (sorry, no offense). So I want to sell and have somebody else have fun with it but I have no idea if it still works and what a fair price would be to let it go for. Can you have a look at the pictures and let me know some history and give me a fair price to let it go for? Thank you!

View attachment 408217 View attachment 408219 View attachment 408218

I think a complete set like that would be of interest to collectors. Perhaps contact Jo Geier "Vintage & Rare" in Vienna.
I suspect he would offer you a fair price or get top dollar on consignment

Camera Shop (Buy & Sell) | JO GEIER

Historical cameras, lenses, and accessories for collectors and photography enthusiasts. Visit us in our online shop or in Vienna.

www.jogeier.com

 

[4season]

If it were mine, I'd take the 1600 Euros. Yes, the outfit appears to be in exceptional condition, but just like an automobile which hasn't been used in many years, it's going to need servicing before it can be used to take photographs.

 

[ntenny]

I’m not very knowledgeable about Hasselblads, but doesn’t it seem necessary to know what the second lens is before judging the offer? The 150mm is clear in the photos, but unless I missed something, the other one could be anything.

-NT

 

[AnselMortensen]

It appears to be a 50mm Distagon.

 

[Kino]

This thread is so funny! It was if someone walked into a cage full of doggies and waved a steak around!

Nice kit! Glad it will be appreciated.

 

[RezaLoghme]

Better pics please! The 150mm's lens barrel appears to be in very good condition.