Hasselblad Prices

zeta3 · Feb 20, 2010

HI,

Every year approaching bonus time since 2007, I start to think of blowing it all on a Hasselblad 501 or 503. A couple of times I have been pipped to the post. My memory has late '90's and early '00s going for between $1300-1800. Recently I have seen these same cameras now going for $2000-3300. Is my memory playing tricks or are these cameras going up in value much more than other cameras?

I also noticed today that quite a few cameras are now being sold out of China/Hong Kong. breguetcamera has a lot of high value items and good feedback. Anyone dealt with them?

Thanks

Ravi

timk · Feb 20, 2010

well... based on KEH.com prices EX condition:

501C Body w/ WLF $429
A12 Back $139
80mm f/2.8 planar $379

so, $947 for a 501C outfit. The 503CW body is about twice as expensive as the 501C

Sirius Glass · Feb 20, 2010

If you do not need a power winder, consider the 503 CX.

Steve

zeta3 · Feb 20, 2010

timk said:
well... based on KEH.com prices EX condition:

501C Body w/ WLF $429
A12 Back $139
80mm f/2.8 planar $379

so, $947 for a 501C outfit. The 503CW body is about twice as expensive as the 501C

Thanks Tim - that is quite a bit cheaper than eBay and it looks in reasonable condition too. Maybe I will start looking at parts instead of a whole kit.

Anyway - is it just me or have prices for used Hassies gone up over the last couple of years? And why?

cbphoto · Feb 20, 2010

I would guess that everyone who would dump their 'blads for digital already did so years ago, so the prices are coming back up to normal.

wclark5179 · Feb 20, 2010

I just received a 500c body from KEH that I paid $179.00 and it looks as nice as my 501c/m that I bought brand new just a few yrs. ago.

Q.G. · Feb 20, 2010

But that nice looking 500 C isn't a 501 CM. Which in turn isn't a 501 C.
That all matters as far as the price of these thingies is concerned.

I lost track of what things go for nowadays, so can't answer the OQ.

Sim2 · Feb 20, 2010

zeta3 said:
HI,

Every year approaching bonus time since 2007, I start to think of blowing it all on a Hasselblad 501 or 503. A couple of times I have been pipped to the post. My memory has late '90's and early '00s going for between $1300-1800. Recently I have seen these same cameras now going for $2000-3300. Is my memory playing tricks or are these cameras going up in value much more than other cameras?

I also noticed today that quite a few cameras are now being sold out of China/Hong Kong. breguetcamera has a lot of high value items and good feedback. Anyone dealt with them?

Thanks

Ravi

This may be a bit of a daft answer but,

Providing you are not using a seconhand camera as an investment vehicle, its' price or whether it goes up or down is irrelevant.

Yes, we may have missed the real cheap 'blads etc from a few years ago as pros went to digi but their cheap prices partly refelcted the fact that they were pro use cameras - potentially worn out etc and priced to reflect that. Additionaly the market was flooded compared to buyers.

The key question is how much to you want/need or benefit by buying now at todays prices or what benefit will you get by postponing your purchase for another year? It is unlikely you will benefit by significantly cheaper prices but you may benefit by greater job security/car paid off or whatever by delaying a purchase - only you can answer that one.

You would only be "blowing your bonus" if you buy and don't use. If you buy and use you will be investing in your ability/enjoyment/progression (delete as appropriate). Providing you don't bankrupt yourself by buying and it is something you want or need, your return on using will be greater than a current return on the money in the bank.

Personaly, I avoid buying internationally as if it all goes pear shaped at least I can blat up the motorway to a dealer/seller and *discuss* the issue in person. Much more difficult if the seller is abroad and you speak a different language.

Sim2.

wclark5179 · Feb 20, 2010

Well Q.G. perhaps you are correct. But, I can make pretty good photographs with my 500C.

At any rate, it's a pretty nice camera and I'm sure I will continue to make pictures with it.

Another topic, I have a 1938 Rolleicord and it makes pretty good photos.

How much of this is due to the photographer?

Have a nice rest of the weekend!

Smiles.

timk · Feb 21, 2010

zeta3 said:
Thanks Tim - that is quite a bit cheaper than eBay and it looks in reasonable condition too. Maybe I will start looking at parts instead of a whole kit.

Anyway - is it just me or have prices for used Hassies gone up over the last couple of years? And why?

actually, I don't know why people buy things from ebay when KEH is so cheap and you get a much better guarantee on condition.

Even for me being in Australia, it's still cheaper from KEH including postage than from ebay locally.

zeta3 · Feb 21, 2010

Hi,

SIM2: I usually buy 2nd hand from the US and I guess I have been lucky, but as I used to visit at least 4 times a year there was no problem in returns or viewing before I bought. I buy to use, but as I already have a Bronica SQA and Mamiya RB67 each of which gets about 10 rolls a year (I still do more 35mm) I dont know if I would replace the Bronica with the Hasselblad. I will spend less than $2k for the basic kit so I am not going to blindly buy.

TIMK: From above - I dont travel much anymore because I used to collect them from a US address (the younger folk enjoy it more than I do, so I let them go) and my problem is not the local taxes but the administration charges the Customs people put on the transaction ... as well as the fact that my wife then gets to see the invoice :-(

Colin Corneau · Feb 21, 2010

From my (admittedly limited) experience, eBay is only good for those "occasional" deals...its standard prices are usually out of whack. The trick seems to be to keep an eye out, and once in a while you see a great deal.

I did, a few days back, on a Hasselblad set that was exactly what I was looking for...didn't keep track for the final half hour and got outbid by 50 lousy bucks!

Anyway, I've had better luck in finding things either here or in places like KEH or stores.

zeta3 · Feb 21, 2010

Yes Colin- that was my experience too. However, if I was on line for those last few minutes, I might have been tempted to bid over my wish price; certainly that is the only explanation I have for those items that go for more on eBay than their brand new price.

zeta3 · Feb 22, 2010

I just noticed that you sold your Bronica and mention your "Hassy fetish" - I think my desire is also just a fetish.

Colin Corneau · Feb 22, 2010

Well, I was being a bit glib about it being a 'fetish'. I'm absolutely happy with my SQ-Ai but it (Hasselblad) is something I wanted to try out and see for myself (especially since I'd like to do a lot more long-exposure photography and it'd be easier with an all-manual camera). If I change my mind I can always sell it for at least what I paid.

Hasselblad Prices

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