Hasselblad 500C/M

JGOB · Feb 12, 2016

I'm new to medium format photography but have been looking around to buy a Hasselblad. I'm pretty good at knowing prices for 35mm film camera's but I haven't a clue about medium format film camera's.

So I recently saw an add for a Hasselblad 500C/M. The guy send me a snapshot of it, but can't tell me too much about it since he is no expert.

So it's a 500C/M with the waist-level viewfinder and (I think) a NC3 prism viewfinder based on the shape and the Hasselblad logo. There are three film backs. It has a 100mm F3.5 lens with a rectangular hood. Looks like a C lens with ribbed focus ring. It comes with a neck strap and a case.

Since I've got no idea what a set like this would be worth, I would like to ask you before I make a bid.

Thanks!

BrianShaw · Feb 12, 2016

Go to ebay and search completed sales. You'll get far more data to work with than asking a question here. Besides, you'll also be able to compare condition as it relates to price... and price difference based on geography.

Alan Gales · Feb 12, 2016

A couple years ago I sold a mint- all black 500C/M Hasselblad on Ebay for almost $1000. It included an 80mm lens, waist level finder, one film back and a real nice camera strap. The 100mm lenses are worth more than the 80mm's.

Like Brian wisely suggests, search Ebay for completed sales. You can also add some auctions to your watch list and see how they play out. You might want to check out KEH's prices too.

bdial · Feb 12, 2016

Do you have an opportunity to examine the camera in person?
If not, is the camera described as being in fully working condition? And do you have evidence that you can rely on that assertion?
That kit in fully working condition and with the newer automatic backs should run roughly between 800 and and perhaps 1500 USD
But as stated, you should check out prices in ebay sold auctions.

Sirius Glass · Feb 12, 2016

Welcome to APUG

Check the prices at Dead Link Removed They will take back a camera in 14 days, no questions. They warranty them for six month. Their prices are a good starting point.

The f/3.5 100mm lens is a very sharp almost distortion free lens. One of the best.

crumpet8 · Feb 12, 2016

Ive been keeping track over the last year or so as I sold off one of my 500CMs and they can be found for around 700USD in good working condition. Im located in Norway and am thinking of selling my 500cm. If you are interested, shoot me a pm. Its my user camera that I am thinking of selling and its in good condition with a T lens

jeffreyg · Feb 12, 2016

My advice on purchasing used equipment is that if the equipment is available for inspection check it out but also take a roll of film or two with you and expose at different shutter speeds and lens openings. Develop or have the film developed to see if all is actually accurately working. If not available only deal with a reputable outfit with a return policy. I have had good results that way except several years ago I traded some stuff I wasn't using to one of the very large NY dealers for a Hasselblad back in "excellent" condition only to have a very poor one sent. I complained and they replaced it with one that was not much better. I figured I was stuck and would never buy anything from them again. Five years after that a rep from that company posted on APUG that she was trying to improve their image. I contacted her and somehow had kept the receipt. They actually took it back and sent a decent replacement. Kudos to APUG!

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

Sirius Glass · Feb 12, 2016

Nice to hear that it worked out for you.

John Koehrer · Feb 12, 2016

Chrome body or black? It makes a bit of a difference. Same question about the backs and are they newer or older? The older ones have a winding key rather than a folding lever. Do the serial numbers match on the insert and housing itself. They're interchangeable but if they're not matching pairs have less value.
Regarding the lens. Chrome or black? black will be newer and with a rubber focussing ring, the latest version. With the older lenses the "T" on the beauty ring indicates later multi coating.

Alan Gales · Feb 12, 2016

John Koehrer said:
Chrome body or black? It makes a bit of a difference. Same question about the backs and are they newer or older? The older ones have a winding key rather than a folding lever. Do the serial numbers match on the insert and housing itself. They're interchangeable but if they're not matching pairs have less value.
Regarding the lens. Chrome or black? black will be newer and with a rubber focussing ring, the latest version. With the older lenses the "T" on the beauty ring indicates later multi coating.

I may be wrong but I was under the impression that the 100mm's were all later computer designed lenses and were some of Hasselblad's sharpest lenses.

mike c · Feb 12, 2016

The 100mm is a planar design just as the 80mm is too.. I'm sure the lens have been upgraded thru the years using computers but, that would be with all the lens line up, not just the 100mm.

crumpet8 · Feb 12, 2016

John Koehrer said:
Regarding the lens. Chrome or black? black will be newer and with a rubber focussing ring, the latest version.

My lens is black with no rubber on it... An old C T lens I believe

Alan Gales · Feb 12, 2016

mike c said:
The 100mm is a planar design just as the 80mm is too.. I'm sure the lens have been upgraded thru the years using computers but, that would be with all the lens line up, not just the 100mm.

Thanks Mike!

Sirius Glass · Feb 12, 2016

mike c said:
The 100mm is a planar design just as the 80mm is too.. I'm sure the lens have been upgraded thru the years using computers but, that would be with all the lens line up, not just the 100mm.

No the 100mm lens has an advanced design that removed all most all aberrations. It is much sharper than the 80mm lens. I have both. Just look at the MFT curves ==> http://www.hasselbladhistorical.eu/HW/HWLds.aspx

Alan Gales · Feb 13, 2016

Sirius Glass said:
No the 100mm lens has an advanced design that removed all most all aberrations. It is much sharper than the 80mm lens. I have both. Just look at the MFT curves ==> http://www.hasselbladhistorical.eu/HW/HWLds.aspx

So, are you saying that I was right in what I read? All the 100mm's are of a later advanced computer design?

Theo Sulphate · Feb 13, 2016

Alan Gales said:
So, are you saying that I was right in what I read? All the 100mm's are of a later advanced computer design?

The 80/2.8 C and the 80/2.8 CF seem to have nearly identical MTF curves. Those curves aren't great, but they're not bad.

Likewise, the 100/3.5 C and 100/3.5 CF seem to have nearly identical MTF curves. However, they are much better than those of the 80mm lenses; the 100mm lenses are outstanding.

Alan Gales · Feb 13, 2016

Theo Sulphate said:
The 80/2.8 C and the 80/2.8 CF seem to have nearly identical MTF curves. Those curves aren't great, but they're not bad.

Likewise, the 100/3.5 C and 100/3.5 CF seem to have nearly identical MTF curves. However, they are much better than those of the 80mm lenses; the 100mm lenses are outstanding.

Thanks. So there is an older 100mm and a newer 100mm. C versus CF.

Theo Sulphate · Feb 13, 2016

Alan Gales said:
Thanks. So there is an older 100mm and a newer 100mm. C versus CF.

Correct. A 100mm in either flavor would be sweet and you wouldn't be disappointed in its quality.

Given a choice, I prefer CF lenses because:

1. They're more convenient. On the C, the shutter speed ring and apertures rings are interlocked by default to maintain the same EV; you have to hold back a tab to set a different combination. On the CF, the rings are independent but you can momentarily interlock them by pressing a button.

2. CF lenses, specifically their shutters, are newer. The Prontor shutter CF lenses date from 1982 onward; a C lens is much older. The Synchro-Compur shutter C lenses began in 1957 and the T* coating appeared in 1974. I don't know whether the type of shutter makes much difference. However, a fully cleaned, lubricated, and adjusted shutter is what you want, regardless C or CF.

Alan Gales · Feb 13, 2016

Theo Sulphate said:
Correct. A 100mm in either flavor would be sweet and you wouldn't be disappointed in its quality.

Given a choice, I prefer CF lenses because:

1. They're more convenient. On the C, the shutter speed ring and apertures rings are interlocked by default to maintain the same EV; you have to hold back a tab to set a different combination. On the CF, the rings are independent but you can momentarily interlock them by pressing a button.

2. CF lenses, specifically their shutters, are newer. The Prontor shutter CF lenses date from 1982 onward; a C lens is much older. The Synchro-Compur shutter C lenses began in 1957 and the T* coating appeared in 1974. I don't know whether the type of shutter makes much difference. However, a fully cleaned, lubricated, and adjusted shutter is what you want, regardless C or CF.

Thanks for the info, Theo. I owned a Hasselblad 500C/M for a while with an 80mm CF lens but I'm no expert on Hasselblads.

Sirius Glass · Feb 13, 2016

Alan Gales said:
So, are you saying that I was right in what I read? All the 100mm's are of a later advanced computer design?

I am saying that the 100mm lens has much better corrected optics than the 80mm lens. I am neither confirming nor denying that computers were used in the design of the 100mm lens.

Alan Gales · Feb 14, 2016

Sirius Glass said:
I am saying that the 100mm lens has much better corrected optics than the 80mm lens. I am neither confirming nor denying that computers were used in the design of the 100mm lens.

Thanks, Sirius.

I read that the 100mm and the 180mm and maybe others were computer designed. If that's true I'm sure it would be the latest models.

mike c · Feb 19, 2016

I have always read the 100mm is their sharpest lens due to its focal length, did not know it was constructed differently as both are a planar designs. Wish I had one to compare, as the 80mm is a pretty sharp lens.

mike c · Feb 19, 2016

Sirius Glass said:
No the 100mm lens has an advanced design that removed all most all aberrations. It is much sharper than the 80mm lens. I have both. Just look at the MFT curves ==> http://www.hasselbladhistorical.eu/HW/HWLds.aspx

Sorry a bout that Alan, but Siriuos is correct about the MTF.

Alan Gales · Feb 19, 2016

mike c said:
Sorry a bout that Alan, but Siriuos is correct about the MTF.

No worries, Mike. We both learned something.

Hasselblad 500C/M

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