Hasselblad 1000F - How many are still being used today ?

Hassasin · Oct 13, 2023

This is not to start just another thread on Hasselblad, but I am tinkering with the idea of having a nice 1000F kit on display, but also a working one, if possible.

I see sometimes 1000F offered as still in fully working condition, always with comments on deformed shutter curtains. This makes me wonder, how many of these fragile ancestors of V series have survived the time and still function as a photographic tool. If I find one that can still take photos, it would be cool to take some myself too, especially given what this model eventually gave birth to, well with help of 1600F of course.

Or does a working unit mean today, that someone made it work to boost sale price, but such a kit will likely drop dead soon after, no matter how gently it is handled? I would not use it as a regular shooter, but if it clicks, then on occasions sure. Maybe some Hollywood inspired portraits here and there.

But getting one would be mainly with historical spirit in mind.

Anybody still clicking one successfully ? Or is going after 1600F less of a lottery?

outwest · Oct 13, 2023

The 1600F was the original model and was soon replaced by the 1000F. I had a mostly working 1600F and made some beautiful shots with its Kodak lenses.

Hassasin · Oct 13, 2023

outwest said:
The 1600F was the original model and was soon replaced by the 1000F. I had a mostly working 1600F and made some beautiful shots with its Kodak lenses.

Stand corrected, the other way around, shutter of 1600 was too much so they chopped it off a bit.

Sirius Glass · Oct 13, 2023

I asked my Hasselblad repairman about the Hasselblad 1600 and 1000. His comment is that the cameras can no longer be repaired and that the shutters are the Achilles heel. He said they can be used as shelf queens but not to expect them to work and if they work, not to expect them to last for long.

OAPOli · Oct 13, 2023

I've seen Vince Lupo over at RFF use the 1000F and 1600F with lovely results.

I sort of went down that rabbit hole recently. Got a Kiev 88 and a pair of Hasselblad lenses (Ektar 80mm and Sonnar 135mm). In hindsight I think a serviced 1000F would have been better. The Kiev 88 is okay once tuned-up but I think it shares all the design pitfalls the 1600F had, whereas the 1000F is better. The Kodak lenses are pretty hard to find, Zeiss less, the Kiev easy.

The nice thing is that you can adapt all sorts of lenses to a focal plane shutter camera. All the native lenses use aperture preset anyways.

itsdoable · Oct 13, 2023

I have a mostly working 1000f which I had been using regularly - it is much more refined than the Kiev clones. I don't know any 60+ year old equipment that works without some service, especially CLA's, since the mechanism uses a pneumatic vane to time the slow speeds, which is more sensitive to old lube than clock work systems. So any working ones have been serviced, and that service is hard to find, since not many were made.

I replaced the Hasselblad mount with a Kiev-88 mount so I could use the more plentiful and excellent FSU lenses. I have the original 80/2.8 Tessar, and it's a hot lens (radioactive), and so-so optically.

Arthurwg · Oct 13, 2023

A good one seems rather expensive. Not sure why this might be a good idea.

Hassasin · Oct 13, 2023

Arthurwg said:
A good one seems rather expensive. Not sure why this might be a good idea.

A piece of history, but still capable of making photographs. I have a few others from the past that look good on shelf, but I keep wondering what it would be like, if I could actually use them.

4season · Oct 14, 2023

I haven't examined a Hasselblad 1600 or 1000, but earlier this year, I DIY'd a Salyut-S rebuild. I haven't yet used it enough to comment on long-term reliability, but with modern, high-quality lubricants, it's buttery smooth, much smoother, in fact, than a circa 2005 Kiev 88CM I once owned, using the original factory lubes. Stainless steel focal plane shutter can be dented if you poke your finger into it, but it's otherwise not so fragile. Nor have I found it a particularly big deal having to cock the shutter before changing shutter speeds - that's common practice for many older designs.

The slow shutter speeds are regulated with a rotary paddle-like device, which is sort of entertaining, though you can't see it when the camera is assembled. But I suppose it means that slow shutter speeds will vary a bit depending on barometric pressure, and will be way off in the vacuum of space!

guangong · Oct 14, 2023

I owned and used a 1000F in early 1960s. The design and manufacture of the shutter mechanism was too fragile for normal use, plus a very strict cocking procedure. Mine died an early, unlamented path. As I have repeatedly noted on other threads, Hasselblad was able to survive because of superior ergonomics. No other MF SLR comes close. Also, the C models are rugged. I waited for the 2000 FCM. A fine camera that enables me to use all my lenses, but is now unserviceable.

outwest · Oct 14, 2023

In addition to the Kodak lenses I picked up a Tessar to test. The Kodak Ektar blew the Tessar away. No Comparison. Of course the Hassie history book said the reason they switched to Zeiss was that the Kodak lenses became too expensive! The Ektar of the same formula was used on the Kodak Medalist.

OAPOli · Oct 14, 2023

outwest said:
In addition to the Kodak lenses I picked up a Tessar to test. The Kodak Ektar blew the Tessar away. No Comparison. Of course the Hassie history book said the reason they switched to Zeiss was that the Kodak lenses became too expensive! The Ektar of the same formula was used on the Kodak Medalist.

My 80mm Ektar is a Tessar formula, it's fairly easy to check via the reflections of a strong light. I also have the Medalist and you can see the extra reflection in the front group. Did you check your 80mm? There may have been a 2nd version (Heliar) but I've never heard of a first hand account.

outwest · Oct 15, 2023

Mine was a modified Heliar.

Alex Varas · Oct 15, 2023

I have and use my 1000f and Ektar 80mm (Heliar type) lens, looking for a second working body to work on in case my 1000f dies.

OAPOli · Oct 15, 2023

Alex Varas said:
I have and use my 1000f and Ektar 80mm (Heliar type) lens, looking for a second working body to work on in case my 1000f dies.

Do you have pictures and/or the date code for yours? Curious to see if there are physical differences between the versions.

Alex Varas · Oct 15, 2023

I don’t think there is much difference in the photos I took from what I have taken with a 80mm Tessar.
I saw that difference in the photos of the guy whom I bought the camera from, that’s why I liked the lens so much. He was constantly shooting at f/2.8.

Some I remember they were wide open.

And this one was f/4-5.6 because it was a dark alley.

Still 3 rolls to scan from last vacations…

OAPOli · Oct 15, 2023

Thanks! Mine has a bit of focus shift so I calibrated the screen for f5.6 (tested with improvised equipment, YRMV).

Just to confirm, you checked the reflections to verify it's a Heliar? My 80mm is ET135x from 1949.

guangong · Oct 15, 2023

An advantage of a focal plane shutter on the 1000F and 2000FCM is in using my Leitz, Zeiss, Nikon, and Kilfitt lenses. But I would not recommend buying a 1000F for only this purpose.
For those still using a 1000F...you lead a charmed life. Enjoy while you can.

Hassasin · Oct 15, 2023

@Alex Varas Thanks for the photos, especially liked the guitar. For me it is always about what an image shows and relations within, never actual lens it was taken with. Since it appears a working 1000F is not an entirely crazy idea, I'll be watching out for something that would make sense to acquire, maybe I get lucky and this time pull the trigger when I see it. Good to know about potential issues with shutter mechanism, if it all appears to be fine otherwise.
Regarding shutter curtains though. I understand it is fragile part, but is this only from direct contact with objects, or does its shape deteriorate from just being used / fired ?

gorbas · Oct 15, 2023

guangong said:
An advantage of a focal plane shutter on the 1000F and 2000FCM is in using my Leitz, Zeiss, Nikon, and Kilfitt lenses. But I would not recommend buying a 1000F for only this purpose.
For those still using a 1000F...you lead a charmed life. Enjoy while you can.

Sorry, what Kilfitt lenses did you use? All with proper-original adapters to Hasselblad 1000F? I have 150 and 300mm and no adapters

Alex Varas · Oct 15, 2023

Hassasin said:
@Alex Varas Thanks for the photos, especially liked the guitar. For me it is always about what an image shows and relations within, never actual lens it was taken with. Since it appears a working 1000F is not an entirely crazy idea, I'll be watching out for something that would make sense to acquire, maybe I get lucky and this time pull the trigger when I see it. Good to know about potential issues with shutter mechanism, if it all appears to be fine otherwise.
Regarding shutter curtains though. I understand it is fragile part, but is this only from direct contact with objects, or does its shape deteriorate from just being used / fired ?

As far as I know only fragile if you mess with them, just keep the back on, anyway you can load/unload with the back put on the camera.

4season · Oct 15, 2023

The fabric ribbons used as part of the shutter curtain assembly is what broke in my Salyut-S. The stainless steel curtains themselves were alright.

blee1996 · Oct 15, 2023

If the main interest is in the Kodak Ektar lens, maybe the Medalist will be a cheaper and less fragile alternative? But I do appreciate the appeal of a classic SLR like Hasselblad 1000F in working condition.

Hassasin · Oct 15, 2023

blee1996 said:
If the main interest is in the Kodak Ektar lens, maybe the Medalist will be a cheaper and less fragile alternative? But I do appreciate the appeal of a classic SLR like Hasselblad 1000F in working condition.

Not after any particular lens from that era, not part of consideration. Hearing about them is good to know, but not reason I'm thinking of 1000F.

guangong · Oct 15, 2023

gorbas said:
Sorry, what Kilfitt lenses did you use? All with proper-original adapters to Hasselblad 1000F? I have 150 and 300mm and no adapters

As for Kilfitt, 90mm MacroKilar, also 150mmmadapters, that was about 50 yrs ago so memory is shaky. I do remember an adapter for Nikon lenses that allowed me to use Zeiss Olympic Sonnsrs and Nikon lenses.
Later, for 2000FCM, I used Kilfitt adapters for Kilfitt lenses. Hasselblad sold a mount for micro lenses, which is essentially a treaded block of aluminum at one end with a Hasselblad mount at other end. I modified these to mount Zeiss, Nikon, and Leitz lenses. I bought last one available from Olden Camera, NYC, just in case. Only after arrival of digital did used Hasselblad lenses become affordable.
You should be able to find a machinist for fabricating adapters for 1000F.

Hasselblad 1000F - How many are still being used today ?

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency