Hasselblad 500 CM Pricing

logan2z · Oct 10, 2019

I've been keeping my eye out for a Hasselblad 500 or 501CM for several months and ran across a 500CM today from a seller local to me (I'd prefer to buy a camera I can touch and feel so I have avoided eBay sellers). The camera comes with an A12 back (back and insert with matching numbers), a WLF, and 80mm CF T* lens. No Acute Matte screen, but the seller claims the screen is a brighter late-model screen. From photos, the camera and lens appear to be very clean examples.

I'm trying to get a handle on current pricing but I'm seeing a fairly wide range from sellers online. Does anyone have an opinion as to what this camera might be worth in the current market, assuming that it's cosmetically clean and mechanically sound?

etn · Oct 10, 2019

For what it‘s worth, I bought a very good condition 503CW 5 years ago with a CFi lens abd a new-style A12 back for 1200. Recently the same store had one in average condition for 1800. I find this too expensive but it sold.

In your case I would be ready to pay somewhere between 1000 and 1500 provided the camera is in very good condition. Not sure this reflects real prices though (and the market in California is probably different than here - so others, please correct me if you have other opinions!)

campy51 · Oct 10, 2019

I think a decent deal would be $1000 if in excellent condition.

guangong · Oct 10, 2019

When I buy any camera, lens, etc from eBay, I always include the cost of repair into my total cost. If camera is in the condition you describe, them $1,000 to $1,500 sounds ok. In today’s buying environment, it may be worth you while to pay a little more for the now rare privilege of being able to handle and examine camera and lens before laying out cash.

ParkerSmithPhoto · Oct 10, 2019

Personally, I always buy from KEH.com - you get a six month warranty, and if you don't like the gear, just send it right back with no hassles.

bdial · Oct 10, 2019

KEH is also a good reference for pricing, for common stuff they usually have several examples in various conditions.
Other useful sources include usedphotopro.com, Blue Moon camera, and the NYC usual suspects. I think Blue Moon show photos of the actual items, usedphoto does too for some stuff, the others use stock photos.

BrianShaw · Oct 10, 2019

appraisal can only be done by touching and seeing.

Suggest working the numbers and make a offer. Find the range via eBay completed sales and KEH for the same kit. Compute the average. Offer the low number and if not accepted... counterofffer up too the average. If that doesn’t result in a deal look for another.

How much is the seller asking?

logan2z · Oct 10, 2019

BrianShaw said:
appraisal can only be done by touching and seeing.

Suggest working the numbers and make a offer. Find the range via eBay completed sales and KEH for the same kit. Compute the average. Offer the low number and if not accepted... counterofffer up too the average. If that doesn’t result in a deal look for another.

How much is the seller asking?

He's asking $1750 which seems high to me.

Saganich · Oct 10, 2019

There are potential issues you cant see or touch. I picked up mine for around $700 with standard lens about 10 years ago. I didn't take long to realize the mirror was out of alignment, the mainspring was sluggish, film spacing was off, and back needed to be physically adjusted (like rematched). The NJ shop did all this for about $700. The difference in performance was night and day.

Alan Gales · Oct 10, 2019

I sold a 500 CM just a few years ago on eBay. It was an all black model with 80mm Planar and both original screen and a Beattie Intenscreen included. The condition was mint minus. It had a few fine scratches on the tripod socket. I got right at $1,000 plus shipping which was what they were going for at the time at least on eBay.

I'd expect to pay a little more for one that I could actually touch but $1750 seems high to me. You might check past eBay sales and KEH to get a better idea of what to pay.

They are great cameras and you will enjoy it if you get one.

etn · Oct 10, 2019

1750 seems high to me too. We are venturing in 503CW territory here, which generally comes with A12N back and Acute Matte screen on top of having the "gliding mirror" (or however it is called).

Adrian Bacon · Oct 10, 2019

Used 500CMs go for $1000-$2000 for a body, lens, and film back. If it’s less than $1000, expect to spend some money on repair/CLA, if it’s more than $1500, expect it to be in good condition and recently CLA’d, or come with more stuff like an extra back or extra lens.

warden · Oct 10, 2019

logan2z said:
He's asking $1750 which seems high to me.

It would be worth that price to me only if the seller had documentation of a recent service of the whole kit from a quality technician. But without that documentation and without a warranty I wouldn't buy it.

logan2z · Oct 10, 2019

jawarden said:
It would be worth that price to me only if the seller had documentation of a recent service of the whole kit from a quality technician. But without that documentation and without a warranty I wouldn't buy it.

I asked the seller about a CLA - service history is unknown. I agree with you and others, the price is too high and the camera is from a private seller so has no warranty. I think I'll wait for something better to come along.

Sirius Glass · Oct 10, 2019

I buy my Hasselblad bodies and lenses from Samys where I can see and handle them or KEH where they have a wonderful return policy.

logan2z · Oct 10, 2019

Sirius Glass said:
I buy my Hasselblad bodies and lenses from Samys where I can see and handle them or KEH where they have a wonderful return policy.

I didn't even think of Samy's. Just took a look and they have a few 500 CMs but their prices are a bit steep as well. A similar 500CM to the one I've been considering is going for $1995.

Sirius Glass · Oct 10, 2019

logan2z said:
I didn't even think of Samy's. Just took a look and they have a few 500 CMs but their prices are a bit steep as well. A similar 500CM to the one I've been considering is going for $1995.

Samys puts almost all the Hasselblads at the location on Fairfax. That is also where Mike the Hasselblad repairman works. He is a great asset for repairs and advice.

logan2z · Oct 10, 2019

Sirius Glass said:
Samys puts almost all the Hasselblads at the location on Fairfax. That is also where Mike the Hasselblad repairman works. He is a great asset for repairs and advice.

Unfortunately I'm in the SF Bay Area so a bit too far to drop in and look around

Sirius Glass · Oct 10, 2019

logan2z said:
Unfortunately I'm in the SF Bay Area so a bit too far to drop in and look around

Therefore get to know the sales people at KEH. They recognize my voice now.

Luckless · Oct 10, 2019

logan2z said:
I didn't even think of Samy's. Just took a look and they have a few 500 CMs but their prices are a bit steep as well. A similar 500CM to the one I've been considering is going for $1995.

How much is having the camera you receive being a known working camera worth to you?

And how opposed are you to a random road trip? Road trips are good for the soul I'm told.

logan2z · Oct 10, 2019

Luckless said:
How much is having the camera you receive being a known working camera worth to you?

And how opposed are you to a random road trip? Road trips are good for the soul I'm told.

I certainly understand that it's worth a premium to buy from a trusted source that will stand behind the product. And I'm not opposed to a road trip. Drove to LA to buy a car that I wanted

Pieter12 · Oct 10, 2019

Samy's has a San Francisco store. You might be able to get them to send a camera up there for purchase.

logan2z · Oct 10, 2019

Pieter12 said:
Samy's has a San Francisco store. You might be able to get them to send a camera up there for purchase.

Right, I sometimes buy Ilford fiber paper there. Thanks for the suggestion, I'll ask if they will do that.

ParkerSmithPhoto · Oct 10, 2019

BrianShaw said:
appraisal can only be done by touching and seeing.

I have bought BGN grade from KEH, sight unseen, for over 20 years and ALWAYS received a quality, working product. I've purchased BGN large format lenses that looked like they hadn't been breathed on, sometimes it's a very minor paint wear that reveals some brass, but otherwise flawless. Same thing with all the Bronica gear, Hasselblad, Cambo 4x5, Canon, everything has always been top notch.

They have earned my business and my loyalty. Plus they have repair on site, so if a camera needs a few small tweaks to turn it into a higher profit margin (and avoid a needless return), they're going to do that.

$1750 seems way too high to me, especially since it has no maintenance records and no warranty.

logan2z · Oct 10, 2019

ParkerSmithPhoto said:
$1750 seems way too high to me, especially since it has no maintenance records and no warranty.

Yup, I think I'll pass and look at some of the other sources suggested in the thread.

Hasselblad 500 CM Pricing

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