Pricing advice on used Hasselblad 500 C/M kit

trueimage · Feb 20, 2015

Hi I'm looking at a local kit including:

Hasselblad 500 C/M chrome
Accumate screen
waist level finder
A12 6x6 back
Planar 80mm f2.8 CF T*
Distagon 50mm f4 CFE T* FLE
UV filter
8mm and 56mm extension tube
single frame back for glass plates or sheet film

more info:
Body - 1991
Back - 1996
80mm - 1990
50mm - 1993

There is only the slightest bit if wear around the filter bayonet on
the 50mm (none on the 80mm).

I tried to build something on KEH and it came out to 1635 USD, but this is a local sale and would not have any warranty of course. Also I'm in Canada so local helps even more vs exchange rate and potential duty/taxes.

Any ideas on what I should really be willing to pay? Alternatively just the top 5 items could be another package (body, screen, back, finder, 80mm)

Sirius Glass · Feb 20, 2015

Welcome to APUG

trueimage · Feb 20, 2015

Sirius Glass said:
Welcome to APUG

Thanks, I was pointed here by someone over on Fred Miranda.

Slixtiesix · Feb 20, 2015

If the 50mm lens is a CFi FLE (there was no CFE version), then this lens alone is worth at least 800-1000 USD depending on condition. How old is the camera? You can judge it by the serial number VHPICTURES=1234567890, so RR would be 1988.

jeffreyg · Feb 20, 2015

My recommendation since it would be a local sale and no warranty is to take a couple of rolls of film and have the seller let you expose them with the two lenses at different settings. Develop or have the film developed to be sure it is functioning correctly and the light seal is in good condition. Be sure that the camera is not jamming especially when trying the extension tubes.

About 10-12 years ago I purchased a Hasselblad 350mm lens in excellent condition that was about 30 years old at that time. The seller had a 15 day return policy so I was able to test it that way. Fortunately it was perfect and I have been using trouble free since. It was a bargin costing 1/10th of what a new one.

I have an 80, 150, 250, 350, 2x, 8, 16,32, 56 ext tubes and the 50 FLE which I really like.

i can't help price wise but remember that KEH is in business to make a profit and would probably offer you 40 - 50% of what they would sell it for if it was you selling it to them.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

trueimage · Feb 20, 2015

Slixtiesix said:
If the 50mm lens is a CFi FLE (there was no CFE version), then this lens alone is worth at least 800-1000 USD depending on condition. How old is the camera? You can judge it by the serial number VHPICTURES=1234567890, so RR would be 1988.

I think you must be correct. I copy/pasted from what the seller has written, so the typo is his. I've asked for dating information but this was also sent earlier: "The body, backs and lenses are all early 90s era and are in near perfect condition. Some of the accessories are a bit older and show more wear, but all work well."

trueimage · Feb 20, 2015

jeffreyg said:
My recommendation since it would be a local sale and no warranty is to take a couple of rolls of film and have the seller let you expose them with the two lenses at different settings. Develop or have the film developed to be sure it is functioning correctly and the light seal is in good condition. Be sure that the camera is not jamming especially when trying the extension tubes.

About 10-12 years ago I purchased a Hasselblad 350mm lens in excellent condition that was about 30 years old at that time. The seller had a 15 day return policy so I was able to test it that way. Fortunately it was perfect and I have been using trouble free since. It was a bargin costing 1/10th of what a new one.

I have an 80, 150, 250, 350, 2x, 8, 16,32, 56 ext tubes and the 50 FLE which I really like.

i can't help price wise but remember that KEH is in business to make a profit and would probably offer you 40 - 50% of what they would sell it for if it was you selling it to them.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

So how would you best test the light seal? Try some short and long exposures? or only long? Can you describe testing the "jamming" (I've never used a Hasselblad, my only MF foray was a Mamiya C330S TLR about 15 years ago)

I only quoted KEH because if I were to buy from there that would be a price to start with, and then to subtract some for their profit margin. I probably would resell locally or as a private sale online if it came to that.

Alan Gales · Feb 20, 2015

Just to give you an idea, I recently sold my 1980's version all black Hasselblad 500 C/M on Ebay for just barely under $1,000. It came with the waist level finder, 80mm Planar lens, A12 back, original and Beattie Intenscreen focussing screens. The camera and lens were in really nice shape but the camera had a few small scratches on the bottom from tripod mounting.

Welcome to APUG!

trueimage · Feb 20, 2015

Alan Gales said:
Just to give you an idea, I recently sold my 1980's version all black Hasselblad 500 C/M on Ebay for just barely under $1,000. It came with the waist level finder, 80mm Planar lens, A12 back, original and Beattie Intenscreen focussing screens. The camera and lens were in really nice shape but the camera had a few small scratches on the bottom from tripod mounting.

Welcome to APUG!

cheers thanks. I just updated the first post with some date information, so it is a bit newer it seems. looks like the 500CM was made until 1994 so almost at the end of the run

bdial · Feb 20, 2015

Ebay sold prices are one good gauge and KEH's prices are another.
It's probably reasonable to make an offer that is somewhere in between.
You don't get a warranty like you would with KEH, but unlike Ebay, you can examine the equipment in person and you are buying from someone who knows the history of the gear.

Sirius Glass · Feb 20, 2015

Of course if you shot several rolls of film, no one would be able to pry it from your hands.

hsteeves · Feb 21, 2015

does the seller have a price in mind? are you the only person being offered this camera? Remember, KEH is a store, and as such sells things for a profit. Ask them what they would give for that outfit. That is your starting point.

Slixtiesix · Feb 21, 2015

To test the light seal you can also take off the lens, take the dark slide out, lock up the mirror and shine with a very strong flashlight from the side were the dark slide gets in. The 50mm lens is a CF, no CFi version, so I would rather estimate 600-700 USD.

Pricing advice on used Hasselblad 500 C/M kit

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