Hasselblad 500 C - Ground glass Replacement + Other Thoughts

[Howie1922]

3.55mm +/- 0.05mm
View attachment 412983

This was exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!

 

[RalphLambrecht]

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.

View attachment 411470 View attachment 411469
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.

View attachment 411472

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!

be prepared to sell all you own to invest in a working Hasselblad collection, but you'll love it.

 

[Certain Exposures]

I was going to offer to try measuring. Thankfully, you have the manufacturer's info from @OAPOli .

I may have to get a bargain bin 250mm lens too for the calibration step.

 

[Howie1922]

Hi everyone! Here’s an update:

I purchased a 250mm lens and it’s works great! However, it has shown that there is some more gremlins in the camera body:

This first image shows the shutter key on my camera body. The second image shows the shutter key on a different body. It appears that mine has a broken key, and is also missing that other part underneath the key that has the tab. My camera body will not fire the lens, it gets locked up. What is the function of the part with the tab under the key?

Is this pin supposed to move in and out to fire the shutter? This is stationary when firing my camera body without a lens.

Still working through the ground glass projects as well.

 

[Don_ih]

Your lens is fired when the pin is moved by the matching pin in the camera. The tab underneath the winding key doesn't really matter - it not being there shouldn't prevent your lens from firing. Your camera's pin, however, looks chewed up. That might be the reason.

 

[Certain Exposures]

Any updates?

You can also try emailing Rick Olsen about your project if you get stuck.

 

[Howie1922]

Any updates?

You can also try emailing Rick Olsen about your project if you get stuck.

No updates currently, I just moved into a new house so I am currently unpacking instead of working on cameras . I hope to be back up and running by the end of the month though! I do have a ground glass holder made, I'm going to DM it to you

 

[Howie1922]

No updates currently, I just moved into a new house so I am currently unpacking instead of working on cameras . I hope to be back up and running by the end of the month though! I do have a ground glass holder made, I'm going to DM it to you

Update, I'm not at the post limit yet to DM. Can you send me a DM and I can get you the files I have?

 

[MattKing]

Update, I'm not at the post limit yet to DM. Can you send me a DM and I can get you the files I have?

@Howie1922 ,

You should have no problem sending Private Conversations as you have more than enough posts, and our additional moderator access your User file indicates that the utility is enabled for you.
Perhaps @Certain Exposures has disabled the utility on their end.

 

[Howie1922]

@Howie1922 ,

You should have no problem sending Private Conversations as you have more than enough posts, and our additional moderator access your User file indicates that the utility is enabled for you.
Perhaps @Certain Exposures has disabled the utility on their end.

Thanks Matt! Is there a way to post STLs files directly to this thread? I see that it is not an allowed extension when I go to attach files.

 

[MattKing]

Thanks Matt! Is there a way to post STLs files directly to this thread? I see that it is not an allowed extension when I go to attach files.

Probably not. If they are hosted somewhere, you can link to that. I'll raise the issue though with Sean and the other moderators.

 

[Howie1922]

Probably not. If they are hosted somewhere, you can link to that. I'll raise the issue though with Sean and the other moderators.

Sounds good, STL, STEP, and 3mf files would probably all be good to get allowed, those are all common 3D print files (at least ones I use). Mine aren't hosted, they are just on my hard drive.

 

[Certain Exposures]

I sent you a message as a test. I don't have any firewall up...to my knowledge!

There are a few sites where folks host their STL creations and even accept donations or earn perks for downloads.

I built a nice RB67 Instax Mini back design off Cults 3D. Last I heard people are rioting against Thingiverse. Then there's Makers World and Printables (I think Printables was in hot water too at some point). The list goes on. I've seen analog camera designs on all of them.