Hasselblad 500C

campy51 · Apr 3, 2023

I have the 500 C/M, Mamiya 6, Bronica EC-TL, Kowa Six and had the Bronica SQ-A at one time. The 500 C/M was the nicest in the hand until you go to focus, it's stiff and takes forever to go from infinity to close focus. To me the easiest to focus is the Bronica, it's viewfinder is bright and focus ring is much easier to go from end to end. The Kowas Six is also nice but the Bronica SQ-A would be my choice if starting over. You could probably get an SQ-A with 2-3 lenses for under $1500. The Mamiiya 6 is probably the best if you can go higher and get by with one lens for now.

Sirius Glass · Apr 3, 2023

The Hasselblad fits well in most peoples hands. Square is the perfect format. So go square and by the Hasselblad. I cannot comment on the price.

eli griggs · Apr 3, 2023

MattKing said:
It is true - any time left handed me tried to use a Hasselblad, it was the sort of torture only the really dedicated and pure would ever endure!

Naturally, as the Hasselblad box design, lenses and accessories were purpose built for Left handed operations, which a few folks find too off putting in actual use, by hand.

Starting from the first contact with a 500 V Series camera, left hand hold, without depending on a Left Hander's muscle memory of other medium format slr's, is doable, and even Righties need to keep that in mind for themselves, making the mental leap into the form and function of these cameras.

The camera is an excellent tool and it's results under a good, well versed photographer's handling often produces quality images

itsdoable · Apr 3, 2023

On a 35mm SLR/MILC, you hold and trigger the shutter with your right hand, and focus with your left hand.

On a Hasselblad, you hold and trigger the shutter with your left hand, and focus with your right hand.

Which one is left handed, and which one is right handed?

eli griggs · Apr 3, 2023

itsdoable said:
On a 35mm SLR/MILC, you hold and trigger the shutter with your right hand, and focus with your left hand.

On a Hasselblad, you hold and trigger the shutter with your left hand, and focus with your right hand.

Which one is left handed, and which one is right handed?

Judging from the majority replies of unhappy Hasselblad campers, over a number of years, the Left Hander's seem to have the most difficult time of it, IMO.

The Left Hand merely points, levels, supports the camera and triggers the shutter.

I'm right handed, and for over 43 years, never once tried to take an actual film exposure by way of my Right hand, knowing by reading and examples of others shooting with the Left hand in support, which is why I spoke of approaching the Hasselblad 500's V system from the very start with the Left Hand.

While I normally shoot a SLR or rangefinder from the Right Hand/Eye, I have had a few situations where I've elected to shoot the camera, lowered, with the Left Eye, so I can follow the action with the Right Eye.

The correct hand in most cases is optional however the Hasselblad has it's petty design to learn and contend with.

IMO.

Axelwik · Apr 7, 2023

Steven Lee said:
@Melvin J Bramley I won't talk you out of it. Getting a Hasselblad is the end of your GAS journey. There's nothing after. A Hasselblad is the final destination. You now have everything. From now on you only have your skill and bad luck to blame for not becoming rich and famous.

Well, there is large format, although I've found that in terms of image quality I can't tell much difference in prints taken with my Hasselblad and a 4x5. The Zeiss glass is outstanding. A step above though, is 5x7 and 8x10. Camera movements are harder and more expensive to do with a Hasselblad. I shoot mostly 5x7 nowadays, but there are many prints on walls taken with my Hasselblads.

Kodachromeguy · Apr 7, 2023

Steven Lee said:
Getting a Hasselblad is the end of your GAS journey. There's nothing after. A Hasselblad is the final destination. You now have everything.

I offer one final destination to this GAS journey: the Rollei SL66.

otto.f · Apr 7, 2023

Axelwik said:
my Hasselblad and a 4x5.

Yes and in between is the Mamiya 7 which also delivers images that can hardly be distinguished from the other two.

Thomas71 · Apr 7, 2023

I have both 500C and 500C/M. For me Hasselblad is the perfect system: compact, modular, reliable, beatiful glasses, easy to service.
You can't go wrong with 500C

Axelwik · Apr 7, 2023

otto.f said:
Yes and in between is the Mamiya 7 which also delivers images that can hardly be distinguished from the other two.

Sure, and it comes down to the workflow you prefer. SLR vs. rangefinder vs. view camera with movements. They all have advantages and disadvantages.

eli griggs · Apr 7, 2023

Steven Lee said:
Phew! Someone gets it

Buy a Right handed hand grip, with a cable release and suddenly, your World makes sense again!

Sirius Glass · Apr 7, 2023

Thomas71 said:
I have both 500C and 500C/M. For me Hasselblad is the perfect system: compact, modular, reliable, beautiful glasses, easy to service.
You can't go wrong with 500C

Singing to the choir, man.

Slixtiesix · Apr 7, 2023

Just make sure everything is in good working order, especially if the lenses are the older C-lenses.

MattKing · Apr 7, 2023

eli griggs said:
Buy a Right handed hand grip, with a cable release and suddenly, your World makes sense again!

I'm unable to use one of those - for the same reason I am unable to adjust aperture or shutter speed with my right hand.
With most cameras, I can use a winding crank with my right hand.

Don_ih · Apr 7, 2023

Melvin J Bramley said:
I have the opportunity to purchase a Hasselblad 500C and lenses at a reasonable price.
My current SLR MF is a Mamiya 645 pro, which is nice but I prefer the square format.
Talk me into it or out of it!

Pro's and cons.

Size weight portability metering etc!!

It won't be available long at the advertised price.

TB

Melvin, did you buy it? Inquiring minds want to know.

Sirius Glass · Apr 7, 2023

MattKing said:
I'm unable to use one of those - for the same reason I am unable to adjust aperture or shutter speed with my right hand.
With most cameras, I can use a winding crank with my right hand.

I have full capability with both hands and I found it unbalanced and uncontrolled. I did better with the hand mount under the camera using a prism with a cable release, but I gave it up as not having any advantage but take up extra space in the camera bag.

Loose Gravel · Apr 7, 2023

Anytime you can use Zeiss glass, do.

Melvin J Bramley · Apr 7, 2023

Don Heisz said:
Melvin, did you buy it? Inquiring minds want to know.

Talked myself out of it!
I likely could have bought it , played with it and then flipped it and made a few dollars.
The size and weight put me off.
I'll stick with the Mamiya and 'maybe' add a pocket-able vintage folder.

logan2z · Apr 7, 2023

Thomas71 said:
I have both 500C and 500C/M. For me Hasselblad is the perfect system: compact, modular, reliable, beatiful glasses, easy to service.
You can't go wrong with 500C

I love my 500 C/M, beautiful camera, great lenses. I guess it's all relative, but I don't think I'd ever use the word 'compact' to describe it. It's a pretty meaty camera with a lens installed. I did a 5 hour, hilly hike with it a few years back and I still don't think I've replenished all of the fluids I lost that day

Sirius Glass · Apr 7, 2023

logan2z said:
I love my 500 C/M, beautiful camera, great lenses. I guess it's all relative, but I don't think I'd ever use the word 'compact' to describe it. It's a pretty meaty camera with a lens installed. I did a 5 hour, hilly hike with it a few years back and I still don't think I've replenished all of the fluids I lost that day

If you want your 500 C/M to look compact, place it next to a Bronica or RB67.

Thomas71 · Apr 8, 2023

logan2z said:
I love my 500 C/M, beautiful camera, great lenses. I guess it's all relative, but I don't think I'd ever use the word 'compact' to describe it. It's a pretty meaty camera with a lens installed. I did a 5 hour, hilly hike with it a few years back and I still don't think I've replenished all of the fluids I lost that day

I still remember my 2 days hike at "Bocchette Centrali" and "Bocchette Alte" in Dolomiti Mountains... with a Mamiya c220 + standard 80 + wide 55 + tele 135 + filters...from that moment I discovered the compactness of 500c

dave olson · Apr 17, 2023

I have a 503CW, the only difference is the flash sync availability. Hasselblads are made for a tripod. That said they are also great for hand-holding, and walking around. I use a PME 51 metered viewfinder, which adds some weight but the pros outweigh the cons. Also consider a good carrying strap.

Eff64 · Apr 17, 2023

Melvin J Bramley said:
I have the opportunity to purchase a Hasselblad 500C and lenses at a reasonable price.
My current SLR MF is a Mamiya 645 pro, which is nice but I prefer the square format.
Talk me into it or out of it!

Pro's and cons.

Size weight portability metering etc!!

It won't be available long at the advertised price.

TB

There isn’t enough info to answer. If the lenses are Compur shutter, parts have gotten very scarce, and also in that case the price (you mentioned further down) seems high.

I also do not like the early focus screens which were dark and made focusing a challenge u less the scene is very bright.

These are great cameras overall, fitting well in one hand, and a pleasure to use.

Having said that, personally if I were shopping it I would stick with CF or newer lenses (which are Prontor shutters), and I would get a body with interchangeable screens, ideally one that already has an Acute Matte D screen installed. They are the brightest and if you have to find one to add, they run $400-$500USD!

Sirius Glass · Apr 17, 2023

Eff64 said:
There isn’t enough info to answer. If the lenses are Compur shutter, parts have gotten very scarce, and also in that case the price (you mentioned further down) seems high.

I also do not like the early focus screens which were dark and made focusing a challenge u less the scene is very bright.

These are great cameras overall, fitting well in one hand, and a pleasure to use.

Having said that, personally if I were shopping it I would stick with CF or newer lenses (which are Prontor shutters), and I would get a body with interchangeable screens, ideally one that already has an Acute Matte D screen installed. They are the brightest and if you have to find one to add, they run $400-$500USD!

I too stick to CF lenses or later models. My only exceptions were the 30mm C Fisheye and the 500mm C because they were offered at a price that I could not pass up, and without purchasing those, I probably would not have those focal lengths.

benjiboy · Apr 18, 2023

I have never owned a Hasselblad camera, but it strikes me that once you do like Eisenhower " you have nowhere to go", because you can't blame your equipment.

Hasselblad 500C

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