Hasselblad 500 CM Pricing

mshchem

Subscriber
Joined
Nov 26, 2007
Messages
14,665
Location
Iowa City, Iowa USA
Format
Medium Format
Acute-Matte was a Minolta development. My 501cm came with a pure matte screen no split image, my 503cw has a split image Acute-Matte screen. These screens are amazing IMHO. The pure matte is so bright that focusing is a snap. The split image screens go fo more money, if all you can afford is a plain matte version it's still worth it. The older meter prisms will require adjusting the ISO, these screens are about 2 stops brighter. I love these cameras.
500 CM will take these screens and is the classic Hasselblad.
 

MattKing

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Apr 24, 2005
Messages
52,998
Location
Delta, BC Canada
Format
Medium Format
FWIW, my 65mm is my "standard" lens with my 6x6 TLR - a Mamiya C330.
It has a field of view that really suits me.
The 65mm, 135mm duo that forms my kit works very well for me.
 

etn

Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2015
Messages
1,113
Location
Munich, Germany
Format
Medium Format
Sounds good! if the price is reasonable and if everything works well, this looks like a nice camera. Have it CLA’d before use and you’ll be good to go for decades!
 

GLS

Member
Joined
Apr 29, 2018
Messages
1,726
Location
England
Format
Multi Format

The Acute Matte screens come in various flavours, including one with a split-image (with or without grid lines; I have the latter type), or one with a split-image + microprism ring (typically the most expensive and sought after). IMO these screens are indispensable. They are at least 1 stop brighter overall than older types of screen, and are more evenly illuminated. Combined with a split-image or microprism, it makes focusing on things in dim conditions (or when stopped down) considerably easier than with an older plain screen.

After getting accustomed to my 501CM + Acute Matte D, looking through other viewfinders is like peering into a murky tunnel by comparison.
 
Last edited:
OP
OP

logan2z

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 11, 2019
Messages
3,721
Location
SF Bay Area, USA
Format
Multi Format
etn said:
Sounds good! if the price is reasonable and if everything works well, this looks like a nice camera. Have it CLA’d before use and you’ll be good to go for decades!
Click to expand...
The price seems pretty reasonable given what I'm seeing. I figure it's time to jump in before prices go even higher.

Re: CLA, I know that David Odess is the go-to guy in the US, but of course his lead time is a bit long (3+ months). Are there other good Hasselblad technicians that are worth considering?
 

Sirius Glass

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 18, 2007
Messages
50,369
Location
Southern California
Format
Multi Format

I found the 60mm too close to the 80mm so I recommend:
  • 50mm and 80mm [I choose 30mm Fisheye, SWC (38mm), 50mm, 100mm, 150mm, 250mm, 500mm]
  • 60mm and 100mm
Note the the 100mm lens is very sharp and will show every hair and pore on a face, so I would not recommend it for women's' portraits.
 
OP
OP

logan2z

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 11, 2019
Messages
3,721
Location
SF Bay Area, USA
Format
Multi Format

I plan to use this primarily as a landscape camera so the unflattering-to-women 100mm probably isn't an issue
 

Sirius Glass

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 18, 2007
Messages
50,369
Location
Southern California
Format
Multi Format
logan2z said:
I plan to use this primarily as a landscape camera so the unflattering-to-women 100mm probably isn't an issue
Click to expand...

I use the 80mm lens the most, but for the normal range the 100mm is my favorite. Each focal length has its own advantages and disadvantages.
 

Adrian Bacon

Subscriber
Joined
Oct 18, 2016
Messages
2,086
Location
Petaluma, CA.
Format
Multi Format
logan2z said:
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
Click to expand...

It's funny that you would mention that. I have a 500C/M body, two A12 film backs, an 80mm lens, and a 150mm lens that I was contemplating selling. I see from your profile page that you're in California, I'm in the northern SF Bay Area. I recently had the body serviced via Jeremiah's Photo Corner in Santa Rosa, and the camera has basically been sitting idle because I shoot my GW690 and LF 4x5 if I want more film real estate than 35mm. Feel free to send me a PM if you want to look at it, maybe run some film through it, and talk. I've not settled on what I'd like to have for it, but am willing to negotiate.
 

etn

Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2015
Messages
1,113
Location
Munich, Germany
Format
Medium Format
Sirius Glass said:
Note the the 100mm lens is very sharp and will show every hair and pore on a face, so I would not recommend it for women's' portraits.
Click to expand...
Softar filters can create nice effects, however those are probably out of fashion in today's world.
(Until a smartphone maker comes with a digital effect named 'Softar', that is. Then we'll see those Softars selling for 470 bucks too ha ha)
 

Alan Gales

Member
Joined
Oct 16, 2009
Messages
3,253
Location
St. Louis, M
Format
Large Format
Sirius Glass said:
Note the the 100mm lens is very sharp and will show every hair and pore on a face, so I would not recommend it for women's' portraits.
Click to expand...

That's why there are Softar Filters.

Softar I and Softar II filters are nice depending upon how much diffusion is needed. Softar III filters are too much diffusion for my taste but to each their own.
 

Sirius Glass

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 18, 2007
Messages
50,369
Location
Southern California
Format
Multi Format
etn said:
Softar filters can create nice effects, however those are probably out of fashion in today's world.
(Until a smartphone maker comes with a digital effect named 'Softar', that is. Then we'll see those Softars selling for 470 bucks too ha ha)
Click to expand...

I did not pay anything like that. I got them used.
 

MattKing

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Apr 24, 2005
Messages
52,998
Location
Delta, BC Canada
Format
Medium Format
It is not so much the "sharpness" of the lens that creates unattractive portraits, but rather the qualities and placement of the light.
And modern portraiture tends to favour similar styles for both women and men.
 

Sirius Glass

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 18, 2007
Messages
50,369
Location
Southern California
Format
Multi Format

BradS

Member
Joined
Sep 28, 2004
Messages
8,120
Location
Soulsbyville, California
Format
35mm
logan2z said:
Unfortunately I'm in the SF Bay Area so a bit too far to drop in and look around
Click to expand...

You might check in with the guys at Glass Key photo in the city from time-to-time.(EDIT: I see you already have...sorry.)

There's also Camera West in Walnut Creek...They seem to have much more available than what is on display so, It's good to talk to them and tell 'em straight away what you're looking for.
 
Last edited:
OP
OP

logan2z

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 11, 2019
Messages
3,721
Location
SF Bay Area, USA
Format
Multi Format
Oddly enough I was in there today for the first time. Really nice store and the staff was super friendly. They had a 500 CM with an early 80mm lens that I was able to play with a bit. Nice camera but I'd probably want one in better condition. I'll definitely make a habit of dropping in here, though.
 

Alan Gales

Member
Joined
Oct 16, 2009
Messages
3,253
Location
St. Louis, M
Format
Large Format
MattKing said:
It is not so much the "sharpness" of the lens that creates unattractive portraits, but rather the qualities and placement of the light.
And modern portraiture tends to favour similar styles for both women and men.
Click to expand...

You're right of course. A lot of people don't understand that lighting is way more important than the camera or lens used.
 

Sirius Glass

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 18, 2007
Messages
50,369
Location
Southern California
Format
Multi Format
Alan Gales said:
You're right of course. A lot of people don't understand that lighting is way more important than the camera or lens used.
Click to expand...

Yes, I have noticed that when there is no light, the photographs are really hard to print because the negatives are real thin and the enlarger is not exposing the paper. Must have photons!
 

Alan Gales

Member
Joined
Oct 16, 2009
Messages
3,253
Location
St. Louis, M
Format
Large Format
Sirius Glass said:
Yes, I have noticed that when there is no light, the photographs are really hard to print because the negatives are real thin and the enlarger is not exposing the paper. Must have photons!
Click to expand...

Photos of black cats in coal bins get old after a while.
 

Nefarious

Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2019
Messages
1
Location
UK
Format
Medium Format
Just to add a positive word re Japanese sellers on eBay - I bought my 503cx from one seller, 50mm lens from another and A12 back from a third. I'm very happy so far with them all. The advice I got was read the descriptions carefully and only buy from 100% positive sellers. That magic number is so important to their businesses, they're not going to risk it selling you a pup. Only downside is you have to pay customs charges and they won't understate the value of what they're shipping. I'd definitely do it again though...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn more…