Hasselblad 500 C - Ground glass Replacement + Other Thoughts

Hey there!

I recently picked up a Hasselblad 500C body in a trade, but it arrived without its ground glass focusing screen. Thankfully, the spring that holds the screen in place is still intact.


For those familiar with this model, I have a few questions:

• What’s the best source for a replacement screen for the 500C?
• Did these originally use only ground glass, or was there also a separate Fresnel?
• Am I missing any other parts that secure the focusing screen?
• Does anyone know the correct screw size used to hold the glass in?
• Has anyone made their own ground glass for this camera—does it work well?
• Alternatively, could a 500C/M screen be modified by removing the metal frame?

The camera also came with a 45° metered prism, but it’s missing the battery cover. If anyone knows where to find a replacement, I’d appreciate it—otherwise I may just design and 3D-print one.



Lastly, I’m torn on whether to keep this camera or sell it to help fund a Toyo 45AII or Bronica RF645. I’ve never owned a Hasselblad before, though I’ve shot plenty of medium format. Since I still need to pick up a lens for this body, I’m debating whether it’s worth the investment. If anyone has thoughts on choosing between keeping the 500C or putting the money toward the Toyo/Bronica, I’d love to hear them. For reference, I currently use a Mamiya C330 for 6x6, and a Bronica GS-1 for 6x7.

Thanks!

Howie1922 said:

• What’s the best source for a replacement screen for the 500C?
• Did these originally use only ground glass, or was there also a separate Fresnel?
• Am I missing any other parts that secure the focusing screen?
• Does anyone know the correct screw size used to hold the glass in?
• Has anyone made their own ground glass for this camera—does it work well?
• Alternatively, could a 500C/M screen be modified by removing the metal frame

Click to expand...

You can easily find Hasselblad screens online. The standard one is usually inexpensive and is recognizable by the black crosshairs. That one is a plain Fresnel screen with a glass cover to allow the user to mark it. The fancier acute matte screens have a full-frame very fine microprism, also with a cover glass. No ground glass. The screen and cover glass are sandwiched into the metal frame. The 500C uses the same screens as the C/M.

You are missing the screws plus the little tabs that hold the screen in the four corners. I don't know the exact size, I don't have a 500C. You could make a plain ground glass or Fresnel to go in the opening, but the height would be slightly off. I believe that under the black liner are four screws to adjust the position of the screen.

You are also missing a sheet metal cover for the cocking gearing. Those should not be exposed like that.

OAPOli said:

The 500C uses the same screens as the C/M.

Click to expand...

NOT ALL 500C. Early 500C bodies had a fixed, non-interchangeable focusing screen. Later production bodies had an interchangeable screen, as with the C/M bodies.

Kodachromeguy said:

NOT ALL 500C. Early 500C bodies had a fixed, non-interchangeable focusing screen. Later production bodies had an interchangeable screen, as with the C/M bodies.

Click to expand...

Yeah this one has a non-interchangeable screen, that’s what keeping me from just buying one of the inexpensive screens off eBay.

Apologies, I confused it with the Kiev 88.

OAPOli said:

You can easily find Hasselblad screens online. The standard one is usually inexpensive and is recognizable by the black crosshairs. That one is a plain Fresnel screen with a glass cover to allow the user to mark it. The fancier acute matte screens have a full-frame very fine microprism, also with a cover glass. No ground glass. The screen and cover glass are sandwiched into the metal frame. The 500C uses the same screens as the C/M.

You are missing the screws plus the little tabs that hold the screen in the four corners. I don't know the exact size, I don't have a 500C. You could make a plain ground glass or Fresnel to go in the opening, but the height would be slightly off. I believe that under the black liner are four screws to adjust the position of the screen.

You are also missing a sheet metal cover for the cocking gearing. Those should not be exposed like that.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the input. I might end up selling this for parts since it’s missing so much. We’ll see!

You also should not be able to see this:



There should be a cover on that. I'd wonder if anything else is missing.