Hasselblad prices have really gone up

[Mainecoonmaniac]

On ebay 8 years ago, I bought my 500CM with 80mm, 2 film backs and a prism for $800. Back then, it seemed that owners tried to recoop as much money as they could get. Now, I see the same camera without the prism going for $1500. It seemed back then, nobody wanted to pay top-dollar for them. I lusted after one back in the 80s but couldn't afford one. The only way I could touch one was when I assisted for commercial shooters back in the 90s. Being an old dog, I know the value of Hasselblads. I'm in my late 50's. I guess the newer generation of photographers are discovering them and pushing up prices. They're a joy to use.

 

[Mark_S]

Similar story here - I bought a Hasselblad kit about 10 years ago (500CX, 80mm lens, couple of backs and a prism finder) and paid less than $1000 - I later got a deal on a couple of other lenses, and other misc stuff. As the years have gone by, I've migrated to MF more and more (from 4x5) - until now it is the bulk of the film that I shoot. They are a joy to use, but I'm not sure that I could afford to replace my kit if something were to happen to it now....

 

[Sirius Glass]

I paid similar prices for my 503 CX and 45 degree PME prism. Most of the CF lenses I bought from $400US to $800US each. I bought backs from $100US to $150US and paid $50US to have them CLA'd and light seals replaced. Buying Hasselblads is one of the best purchases I have ever made.

 

[AnselMortensen]

Darn those hipsters!

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

Darn those hipsters!

Those hipsters are increasing the value of my Hassy!

 

[removedacct1]

A few months ago a friend of mine sold her 500C/M to another friend of mine for $750. Prices aren't always as steep as they might seem in the public spaces.

 

[Slixtiesix]

I observed that as well. There were a lot of bargains in 2013/2014 when Hasselblad announced to end the production of the V-System. It seems like back then, a lot of users wanted to sell their cameras because they were afraid they might depreciate soon. You could buy even newer things like CFi and CFE lenses or the latest version of film backs for prices that were rather low. I regret not having bought more back then! Recently, prices have gone up again.

 

[nick_clark]

I guess the newer generation of photographers are discovering them and pushing up prices. They're a joy to use.

This is true for pretty much all quality film gear nowadays.

I paid market price for my M2 about six years ago, and they’re routinely selling for more than double that now. Likewise stuff like the Nikon FE2/FM2, Pentax K1000, Canon F1 etc. etc.

And then there’s the ‘premium’ point and shoots

 

[Chan Tran]

I wanted a 200 series Hasselblad but the price was high and now even higher.

 

[ic-racer]

I got into electronic 120 SLRs in the early 80s, but if I were to get a Hasselblad I'd get an early one that no one wants. I wonder what the pricing is on those.

OK answered my own post by looking up prices on ebay. I'm too late already. I recall when the 500 series cameras with a set of chrome lenses could not be given away. Now the prices are up there.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

On ebay 8 years ago, I bought my 500CM with 80mm, 2 film backs and a prism for $800. Back then, it seemed that owners tried to recoop as much money as they could get. Now, I see the same camera without the prism going for $1500. It seemed back then, nobody wanted to pay top-dollar for them. I lusted after one back in the 80s but couldn't afford one. The only way I could touch one was when I assisted for commercial shooters back in the 90s. Being an old dog, I know the value of Hasselblads. I'm in my late 50's. I guess the newer generation of photographers are discovering them and pushing up prices. They're a joy to use.

You don't buy a Hasselblad;You just take care of it for the next generation.

 

[AnselMortensen]

I had a hard time finding a decent, reasonably-priced 80mm CF lens about 6 months ago. All overpriced, IMHO, and many had haze. Got one from Japan, but paid more than I wanted to, after seeing low prices previously. I found a Makro-Planar for the same price locally a month later....<shrug>

 

[MattKing]

You don't buy a Hasselblad;You just take care of it for the next generation.

Unless you are Sirius Glass, who is planning to be buried with his.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I wanted a 200 series Hasselblad but the price was high and now even higher.

Not worth the trouble. The 200 and 2000 series cannot tolerate fingers poking the shutter so stick to the V series.

 

[Chan Tran]

Not worth the trouble. The 200 and 2000 series cannot tolerate fingers poking the shutter so stick to the V series.

But I always love the focal plane shutter. I never have the 500 series because I don't like the leaf shutter. That is why I don't care for the latest H series either.

 

[Film-Niko]

I guess the newer generation of photographers are discovering them and pushing up prices. They're a joy to use.

It is both the newer generation = young film photographers, as also experienced photographers who have been very active in digital in the last years, but now are also coming back to film. There is a growing phenomenon of "digital fatigue" as the trend researchers call it. People who have been excessively 'riding the digital wave' in the last years, but now have gotten bored with it. And they find in film an attractive alternative. They also can now buy their former dream film cameras. Yes, the prices for used gear have increased significantly, but are still lower than used prices in the 90ies, before digital hit the market. Therefore attractive for lots of buyers.

 

[NB23]

Geez...

I had a pristine mint set: 500c + 80mm cf + 150mm cf + kiev vf + back + rorating flash socket... sold it two months ago locally for a cheap price.

This kit was sitting unused for a decade while my rolleiflex collection kept growing and growing.

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

It is both the newer generation = young film photographers, as also experienced photographers who have been very active in digital in the last years, but now are also coming back to film. There is a growing phenomenon of "digital fatigue" as the trend researchers call it. People who have been excessively 'riding the digital wave' in the last years, but now have gotten bored with it. And they find in film an attractive alternative. They also can now buy their former dream film cameras. Yes, the prices for used gear have increased significantly, but are still lower than used prices in the 90ies, before digital hit the market. Therefore attractive for lots of buyers.

I shoot both, but prefer film for my personal work. I think part of the digital fatigue is the constant churning of equipment, software and the constant retraining. It's a lot of time and money. As for analog photography, there's less churn and more shooting. I'm using photographic skills I learned 30+ years ago. With analog photography, experience counts. Digital, it's a treadmill. I've been lucky to work in tech for over 25 years in the area of photography and film making. I get paid to train on the latest equipment and technology. I would be tough if I didn't have that day job. I felt pretty satisfied processing a roll of film last night and I love my darkroom time. It's really hard to get the same satisfaction opening up an image in Photoshop and printing it on and inkjet printer. I could understand why some younger photographers see film as magical and new.

 

[etn]

Not worth the trouble. The 200 and 2000 series cannot tolerate fingers poking the shutter so stick to the V series.

Poking the shutter of a V series will be a tad more difficult indeed!

 

[Luckless]

Unless you are Sirius Glass, who is planning to be buried with his.

So he is taking care of it for a future generation of archeologist?

 

[miha]

Geez...

I had a pristine mint set: 500c + 80mm cf + 150mm cf + kiev vf + back + rorating flash socket... sold it two months ago locally for a cheap price.

This kit was sitting unused for a decade while my rolleiflex collection kept growing and growing.

I blame you not

 

[Chan Tran]

Poking the shutter of a V series will be a tad more difficult indeed!

The 2000FC is one of the V series which shutter can be poked quite easily.

 

[Sirius Glass]

So he is taking care of it for a future generation of archeologist?

What is so hard to understand that I am taking them with me?

 

[flavio81]

Handling a Hasselblad can be harmful to your financial well being!

Siriously, not just the Hassys have went up in price, the Mamiya RBs too, and the Rolleiflexes too.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Well once the good stuff is bought up like Leicas and Hasselblads then the other prices start getting driven up. If all of you had listened to me ten years ago when I told you to buy Hasselblad then you would not be griping about the high prices now.