Hasselblad prices

[Pieter12]

After following Andrew's thread about buying a Hasselblad kit, I got the bug. For a while I was able to convince myself I really didn't need another film camera, another medium format film camera, another medium format film SLR. That didn't last long. So I went shopping online and I am amazed at the prices used Hasselblads are commanding. Not only the bodies, but the backs, waist-level finders (prisms seem to be reasonable, surprisingly) and 80mm lenses. KEH has a bargain 80mm CF for close to a grand! It is almost worthwhile picking up a few complete cameras to put together the best components and selling off what's left over. Besides, it all probably needs a CLA.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I am glad that I bought my Hasselblad equipment about the time I joined Photrio. At that time professional photographers were dumping their equipment.

 

[Pieter12]

It is almost worthwhile picking up a few complete cameras to put together the best components and selling off what's left over.

Of course, the fault of that logic is I will say to myself, I should really keep the rest as spares...

 

[mshchem]

If you can afford it get it while you can.

 

[Pieter12]

If you can afford it get it while you can.

I say to myself it's still cheaper than a Leica...

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Don't do it!!!

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

 

[mshchem]

I say to myself it's still cheaper than a Leica...

Don't limit yourself. If you limit your other purchases (food, clothes, heat) you can have both.

 

[chuckroast]

I say to myself it's still cheaper than a Leica...

Not really. An M2 with a 50mm 'cron is about the same

 

[blee1996]

You can still find clean 500C and 500C/M at reasonable prices. If you don't mind the weight and bulk, 553ELX is a bargain.

The price of 80mm Planar has risen a lot, especially the pretty chrome C or the later CF versions. You might also try 60/3.5 and 120/4 Makro which are cheaper. 150/4 is definitely the cheapest.

You don't need the newest A12, and in a pinch you can run 120 film in A24 backs.

 

[sonora]

Another option is skip the A12 and use the old 12-magazine with the peep holes (sometimes labeled C12 or 12-on by sellers). They work just as good, and generally cost less.
The only drawback I've found with them is Kodak's numbering on the backing paper is very faint and comes without warning, so I accidentally wound past frame 1 on my first roll(!) - luckily I had a darkbag to bail me out.