Looking for some assistance in testing a Hasselblad 500c

Webbie · 2025-05-23T11:29:19-0400

Hello all, and thanks for fielding my questions. I recently acquired a Hasselblad 500c camera that I'm looking to sell. The problem is, I have no idea how to test the functions other than the shutter so that I can properly describe the camera when I list it for sale. I'm not sure if there's anyone local to the Rockford Illinois area that would be willing to take a look at it for me and test it out, or people here that could help me with some tips on what to look for / at. I appreciate all responses - thanks for your time and patience with me.

Warner

Webbie · 2025-05-23T11:49:26-0400

koraks · 2025-05-23T11:52:12-0400

Welcome aboard @Webbie
We'll leave your thread up for now, but please be advised that we only allow offers for sales etc. in the Classifieds section. Since your questions are not really such an offer, the thread is OK for now, but your post #2 with the pictures takes this into a grey area.

Webbie · 2025-05-23T11:55:16-0400

koraks said:
Welcome aboard @Webbie
We'll leave your thread up for now, but please be advised that we only allow offers for sales etc. in the Classifieds section. Since your questions are not really such an offer, the thread is OK for now, but your post #2 with the pictures takes this into a grey area.

I appreciate you leaving them up. They were more for if any experts notice anything that is good or bad about it. Thanks much! This thread is strictly for research, but you are correct that my intention is to sell. I'd be happy to sell it here on the forum (in the appropriate area) once I know what I have and what is a fair price for it. Thanks again!

koraks · 2025-05-23T11:57:44-0400

Sure thing! Good luck with the pre-research and in due course with the sale!
One obvious step you might take is to have a look at average list prices of 500 series Hasselblads here on Photrio; this would be a good place to start: https://www.photrio.com/forum/searc...=post&c[child_nodes]=1&c[nodes][0]=402&o=date
Note that many of the ads are either somewhat dated or are for complete kits or on the other hand only certain parts/accessories. Still, you may be able to determine something of a usable price range.

Webbie · 2025-05-23T11:59:19-0400

koraks said:
Sure thing! Good luck with the pre-research and in due course with the sale!
One obvious step you might take is to have a look at average list prices of 500 series Hasselblads here on Photrio; this would be a good place to start: https://www.photrio.com/forum/searc...=post&c[child_nodes]=1&c[nodes][0]=402&o=date
Note that many of the ads are either somewhat dated or are for complete kits or on the other hand only certain parts/accessories. Still, you may be able to determine something of a usable price range.

Thanks!! I'm just trying to figure out what I have here.

koraks · 2025-05-23T12:04:35-0400

Yes, I'm sure some of the Hasselblad aficionados (there are quite a few on Photrio) can tell you a lot about that. Hopefully they'll chime in.

djdister · 2025-05-23T13:50:35-0400

You should know from the start that you have a very beat up Hasselblad, with a non-standard replacement dark slide in the film back. But at the very least, you can test out all speeds of the lenses by dry firing and looking through the back of the camera body with the film back removed. Since the aperture and shutter are both in the lens, this will give you an idea if the lens works at all. The 80mm Planar lens looks a bit odd, but again, test out each lens on the camera body and fire it through all shutter speeds. If it appears to work, then shoot some film with the camera to determine if you can even call it functional. If it is not functional, then the best you can do is sell it "for parts" which is why you need to test it out.

abruzzi · 2025-05-23T14:15:44-0400

As @djdister points out, you need to actually run a real roll of film through it to know whether it can be sold as working or "as-is". One of the issues with this type of camera (and frankly with all film cameras) is that without film everything may seem to function, but with film you may find a light leak in the back that ruins the film, or a shutter speeds that are far from the what they should be that makes it impossible to accurately set exposure.

Webbie · 2025-05-23T14:18:05-0400

Thanks for the responses guys. I'm not sure if I want to go through all that or just sell it as "untested".

cowanw · 2025-05-23T14:43:18-0400

It was made in 1969

abruzzi · 2025-05-23T16:45:32-0400

Webbie said:
Thanks for the responses guys. I'm not sure if I want to go through all that or just sell it as "untested".

I can't suggest a price that is appropriate, but the classifieds here is one on the best places on the net to sell something like that. You will need to pay for a subscription to get access to using the classifieds, but it is a small cost (far far smaller than cut you'd have to give ebay if you list it there.)

AnselMortensen · 2025-05-23T16:52:34-0400

There appears to be a problem with the flip-up magnifier in the waist-level finder...it is taped down with what looks to be dried-up masking tape.

Kodachromeguy · 2025-05-23T17:09:30-0400

What the cr@p is that dark slide with a ring? That's a red flag. I suggest you order a replica slide of the right shape and size.

djdister · 2025-05-23T17:29:51-0400

Kodachromeguy said:
What the cr@p is that dark slide with a ring? That's a red flag. I suggest you order a replica slide of the right shape and size.

It's like a punk dark slide with a nose ring...

MattKing · 2025-05-23T17:41:58-0400

Kodachromeguy said:
What the cr@p is that dark slide with a ring? That's a red flag. I suggest you order a replica slide of the right shape and size.

While I won't disagree, that ring looks like the sort of modification that might enable use for someone with less than typical two-handed dexterity.
I used my Mamiya C330 for years with a modified film wind lever for just such a reason.
It was only when I stopped photographing weddings that I re-installed the stock lever.

Looking for some assistance in testing a Hasselblad 500c

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Looking for some assistance in testing a Hasselblad 500c

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