Hasselblad Reality Check

thuggins · Apr 9, 2020

A local classified has a 500CM with the 80mm and a 150mm listed for $1600. It appears the listing has been up for several months. The camera has never been CLA'd. I offered $1200 but was willing to go to $1300 assuming at least $500 for everything to be serviced.

The guy won't budge from $1400. I know 100 bucks isn't much to quibble over, but now it's kind of a matter of principle.

What are your thoughts on the price? One other point is that I don't do portraits so a 150mm lens would be useless for me. For $1400 I could get a really nice Pentax 645N kit with an assortment of lenses, which is what I was saving for.

Also, will the 500CM fire without the film back in place? I would like to be able to verify the shutter firing by viewing thru the lens.

kahlheins · Apr 9, 2020

Hi there,

I can't comment on prices too much as I am based in Europe, but if this was in Europe I'd say prices would be a little high without a back. The type of focussing screen installed also makes a big difference in value. If it has one of the newer acute matte (d) screens attached, that would be a big plus and maybe justify the price more. Check the palpas coatings (can be cracked but shouldn't be loose), barn doors, shutter speeds when you're having a look at it. Also, If the back of the camera where the magazine would usually attach looks beat up, it's a sign that it's been used intensively.

The 500 C/M will fire without a back attached, so you can test the shutter speeds in the lens.

thuggins · Apr 9, 2020

To clarify, it has the film back. I just was asking if the shutter will fire with that removed. The finder is an unmetered prism finder.

Alan9940 · Apr 9, 2020

Value depends a lot on the type and age of the components. For example, what series are the lenses? C? CF? CFi? etc. Age of the film magazine? Something from, say, the 1968 timeframe is not as "valuable" as a back from the mid-90's. Is the prism finder a PM45 or one of the knock-off third-party 45 degree prisms? Without knowing these kinds of details, I'm not sure how anyone here could help with the potential value of this equipment.

cramej · Apr 9, 2020

Part of successful negotiating is knowing when to walk. If $1400 is too much for you, either for your budget or your mind, walk away. They are out there for less. Even KEH is less for a 500cm/80mm/A12 - WITH a warranty. I put them all in my cart to check prices...

BrianShaw · Apr 9, 2020

If you quibble over a hundred bucks “as a matter of principle” then you don’t really want, or need, it.

I don’t do portraits very often but find the 150 to be my most used lens for other photography pursuits.

warden · Apr 9, 2020

The price only makes sense if the camera is perfect. Otherwise walk.

For cameras that last this long condition is more important than initial price to me. When you inspect it if the camera appears and functions as new then the price is close enough. The 150mm can be used for more than portraits so maybe keep and service that too. All in you'd be investing $2100 to buy, ship, and have David Odess (for example) service everything with a 6 month warranty. If you plan to use the camera a lot this is reasonable.

Comparing to KEH prices makes sense if you're comparing similar condition gear, but bear in mind the KEH gear might need servicing soon too.

4season · Apr 9, 2020

If that were a 503-series camera (or at least a later-production 500CM) with latest A12, WLF and lenses with OEM lens shades in true EX+/Mint-Minus condition it could be a deal.

Otherwise eh, based on the limited information provided, I wouldn't be rushing to the bank, particularly as you don't even want the 150mm lens.

jeffreyg · Apr 9, 2020

During this time it may be difficult but if possible I would take a roll or two of film and make exposures at different setting combinations. Develop or have the film developed so you can see how the equipment performs. Any problems with the camera or lenses should be obvious. ( Many years ago a reputable dealer was offering a 350mm 30 year old lens at a great price. He had a return policy so I bought it and tested it as I described. It tested great so I kept it and still use it.) If it tests out okay make a final offer and see what happens.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

http://www.sculptureandphotography.com/

Arthurwg · Apr 9, 2020

Did you say that these are CF lenses? If not, forget it.

thuggins · Apr 9, 2020

The description says:
80 mm F 2.8 T star Zeiss lens
150 mm F4 Zeiss T star Sonnar lens

4season · Apr 9, 2020

thuggins said:
The description says:
80 mm F 2.8 T star Zeiss lens
150 mm F4 Zeiss T star Sonnar lens

No photos of the gear? Without further information I'd assume those are older pre-CF/CFi lenses. Which is perfectly fine save that they typically sell for less money.

thuggins · Apr 9, 2020

Hey guys, I appreciate the info. From the pictures in the listing the gear is in pretty good shape, the lenses are CF (they have the bayonet attachment on the front) and the prism is a Hasselblad prism. But all of your comments have reinforced my feelings that it is not that good of a deal (especially considering it's a local classified). For the same money I can get a mint Pentax 645N with a wide, normal and telephoto lens. And that's a better compliment to my Kowa 6 kit, anyway.

Considering the posting has been up for at least three months, the seller doesn't seem very motivated. Perhaps I'll wait till September and make another offer, as he certainly won't sell it for what he's asking.

In the meantime it's my birthday. So I guess I need to find something else to buy. ;-)

Alan9940 · Apr 9, 2020

thuggins said:
Perhaps I'll wait till September and make another offer, as he certainly won't sell it for what he's asking.

In general, a good strategy. However, keep in mind that used film equipment seems to be rising in price as time goes by. Equipment I considered 10 years ago and could have picked up really cheap, is quite a bit more expensive nowadays. Just sayin...

Sirius Glass · Apr 9, 2020

I would stick to KEH because they will do the CLA if necessary, exchange, take a return, ...
I have the 503 CX, the 903 and stick to the CF lenses or later.

John Koehrer · Apr 9, 2020

FWIW, at $2k including service it's not even close to being realistic. More like $1.4k minus the possible service would be
mo betta.

Arthurwg · Apr 10, 2020

4season said:
No photos of the gear? Without further information I'd assume those are older pre-CF/CFi lenses. Which is perfectly fine save that they typically sell for less money.

Well, not perfectly fine. Much older, more wear, difficult to repair, parts are disappearing.

Ai Print · Apr 10, 2020

Give it another month, prices of nearly everything sold will drop considerably. On that note, if you are needing to liquidate to shift funds....do it like now.

NortheastPhotographic · Apr 10, 2020

It's abundantly clear that you should purchase a Rolleiflex instead. Thank the seller for saving you from that Clunkerblad.

removedacct1 · Apr 10, 2020

thuggins,
A 500C/M in good condition with two lenses is perhaps worth $1200 these days, but if the seller acknowledges that it has never been serviced while in his care, then its worth maybe $800 in my opinion. For $1200 you should get a very clean camera that has been serviced and comes with some kind of warranty. A friend of mine recently sold her 1978 500C/M to another friend of mine for $800. It included filters, two backs, and two lenses. It hadn't been used in maybe 15 years but she took very good care of it and its been working just fine.
If your seller doesn't want to accept your offer of $1200, then wait a month and offer him $1000. In the meantime, shop around.

A good Hasselblad in decent condition is a joy to work with. They require some maintenance, sure, but that doesn't make them a poor choice.

guangong · Apr 10, 2020

The Pentax and Hasselblad are two quite different cameras in handling, and so forth. It’s a matter of person preference. As for myself, I looked at the Pentax when first on market, and while I liked 35mm Pentax Spotmatic, I found the Pentax MF camera cumbersome compared with my Hasselblad 1000F. But the OP may find that it a perfect fit. Since OP has stated a preference for a Pentax, I would recommend buying one from a reputable dealer, and, if not a good fit, return and try a Hassy on for size.

thuggins · Apr 10, 2020

paulbarden said:
thuggins,
A 500C/M in good condition with two lenses is perhaps worth $1200 these days, but if the seller acknowledges that it has never been serviced while in his care, then its worth maybe $800 in my opinion. For $1200 you should get a very clean camera that has been serviced and comes with some kind of warranty.

After seeing how long the posting had been up, $800 was the amount I had originally thought to offer. But the gear did look very good from the photos and I would have a chance to actually handle and inspect the camera. Since this wasn't buying a pig in a poke, there would be the option to walk away. I wanted to get to the point of seeing the camera and made an offer he wouldn't just ignore. $1200 was very fair, $1300 would have been generous, $1400 was a bridge too far.

I'm somewhat amused at what folks think their stuff is worth. This posting was on Craigslist, and the guy stressed meeting in person for the exchange. So it is limited to only local buyers. Another guy had a Kowa 6 with the standard lens for $500! Since it never hurts to have a backup, I offered him $160 which is about what I paid for same kit. He acted insulted. Another ad had an Olympus LT-1 listed at $125. I'm probably the only person in the greater Dallas/Fort Worth area who would have an interest in it. I have the LT, but the LT-1 is a gap in my collection I'd like to fill. If it worked and was pristine, I could actually see parting with $50. But $125 is crazy talk!

BrianShaw · Apr 10, 2020

There are a lot of interesting aspects to the psychology of perceived value.

campy51 · Apr 10, 2020

The way I see the market is if you find one in excellent visual condition and you check the usual things and everything appears to be in the same condition I wouldn't pay more than $1300 for a 2 lens kit (80,150), but keep in mind I don't buy anything that I can't get at least my money back if I decide to sell within 6 months. But don't go by me I buy and sell more often than I buy underwear. As far as it having been serviced recently does not guarantee something is not going to happen under your ownership. There is a statement in the service manual of the 500 C/M that has you reforming a lever to make an adjustment. Does that sound like a finely tune machine?

warden · Apr 10, 2020

thuggins said:
Another guy had a Kowa 6 with the standard lens for $500! Since it never hurts to have a backup, I offered him $160 which is about what I paid for same kit. He acted insulted.

I don't think he was acting.

Hasselblad Reality Check

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