Hasselblad 500 CM Pricing

[mshchem]

Thanks, I thought "AccuMatte" was specifically the one without the split. Do you know anything about the relative brightness of after market screens? The one thing I miss about my Bronica is the bright screen. Could be just the eyeballs getting old, though.

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]

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]

Thanks for the info about the 60mm.

The kit is in near mint condition. The lens is the CF variant. Nothing fancy included, standard A12 back, screen and WLF. Insert matches. One owner, lightly used but never serviced. All original boxes and manuals.

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]

Thanks, I thought "AccuMatte" was specifically the one without the split. Do you know anything about the relative brightness of after market screens? The one thing I miss about my Bronica is the bright screen. Could be just the eyeballs getting old, though.

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.

 

[ParkerSmithPhoto]

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

KEH is selling one for a cool $472...

 

[GLS]

KEH is selling one for a cool $472...

Yes that is the one with the split-image + microprism, and demands the highest price.

 

[logan2z]

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!

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]

Just wondering if anyone has any experience with the 60mm Distagon f/3.5 vs. the 'standard' 80mm CF. I'm looking at a 500CM that comes with the 60mm lens. I intend to use the camera primarily for landscapes so the 60mm focal length may actually be the better choice for me.

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.

 

[logan2z]

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.

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

 

[Sirius Glass]

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

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]

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

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]

KEH is selling one for a cool $472...

Almost 500 bucks for a screen? This is crazy. Better investment than the stock market!!! O_O

 

[etn]

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.

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]

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.

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]

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)

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

 

[MattKing]

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.

 

[GLS]

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

I essentially paid nothing for mine, as they came with lens purchases. I have never used them.

 

[Sirius Glass]

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

I essentially paid nothing for mine, as they came with lens purchases. I have never used them.

Actually me neither, but is does serve as ballast to balance the backpack camera bag.

 

[BradS]

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

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.

 

[logan2z]

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.

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]

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.

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]

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

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]

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!

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

 

[Sirius Glass]

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

So do mogul mice in snow.

 

[Nefarious]

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...