Should I sell my Hasselblad 500CM?

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Ariston

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I was blessed to be able to buy a lot of cameras that included a 500CM, at a price that allowed me to sell off everything but the Hasselblad, and still make my money back. I basically got it for free, which is unbelievable.

It is a nice camera, and I will likely never have another chance to own one because, frankly, I can't afford it. Still, I am leaning toward selling it. Because of the prices of lenses for these things, I am not likely to ever use anything but the 80mm it came with. In effect, it is not an interchangeable lens camera for me, and I already have an Autocord that covers this format and approximate focal length. I thought about selling the Autocord and keeping the Hasselblad, but that just isn't going to happen. I love my Autocord.

I realize that the 500 offers interchangeable backs, too, but I don't really shoot multiple film stocks at once. I figure I can get some more lenses for my RB if I sell the 500, which will give me much more versatility in my gear.

The only thing that irks me is that, like I said, I will never have the opportunity to own a Hasselblad again. It really is a fine machine - I am just trying to think practically. I'm just not sure how much I would actually use it, and I am not one to simply look at cameras on a shelf.

Should I keep it, or sell it to buy gear I am more likely to use? Have you ever faced this type of decision?
 

BrianShaw

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I don’t use any of my cameras as much as I’d like to but never thought about selling them. If you don’t need the money and will use the Hasselblad at some point in the future then keep it and keep reciting the following mantra: “it didn’t cost me much to get; it costs nothing to keep.” Don’t worry about not using the full capabilities of the Hasselblad system.
 

tezzasmall

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Based on you saying, 'I'm just not sure how much I would actually use it, and I am not one to simply look at cameras on a shelf', I'd SELL it and get something that you WILL use!

You also say that you, 'love' your Autocord. So use that as your main camera and buy some lenses for your RB, which you also seem to like more than the Hassleblad.

BTW I've never owned a Hassleblad, never particularly wanted one and I am very happy with all of my other MF cameras, so with this in mind I may not be the best person to ask, but you have my opinion. :smile:

Terry S
 

cramej

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Seeing as you've already made your money back on it, I'll give you $10 for it and you'll be ahead! :whistling:
 
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It seems like this is largely a TLR vs SLR conversation, and on those terms I'll only say that when I discovered Rolleiflex cameras for myself, I knew I would not go back to Hasselblad. TLRs suit my style of shooting so much more as they're far friendlier to hand holding. People knock the Pentax 67 system for mirror slap but man, I never could get sharp images hand held at 1/60th with my 500CM. I'm shooting at 1/30th with my Rollei. Focusing is so much faster with the Rollei, you have to turn those Hasselblad lenses for days. No chance of catching anything quickly. The Hasselblad lenses are newer and better than the old Planars or Xenos or whatever is in your autocord. So if you are planning to shoot a bunch of chrome film or want modern contrast from color, you could consider that.

Personally, don't let the Hasselblad just be a shelf trophy. Use it or lose it. Great camera designs are only great if they suit your preferred shooting style.
 

Wallendo

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If you are ambivalent about selling the camera, and don't need the money right now, then shoot a few rolls and put the camera on your shelf. Come back in 6 months. If it is still sitting where you left it, then sell it.
 

Sgore

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I bought a Hasselblad system a few years back and shot with it pretty regularly for about 18 months. Then I had an opportunity to pick up a Rolleiflex 2.8f at a bargain price. It turned out that I liked using the Rollieflex far more than I did the Hasselblad, so I sold the Hasselblad and have never looked back. Perhaps you could sell yours and upgrade a little from the Autocord and get a Rolleiflex . But there's no reason for you to get another camera. If you love your Autocord, then that's the camera you should use. When you have a camera that you love to use, then it will more often than not be the camera that you make your best images with. Be happy that you have a camera that you love to use and go out and use it
 

MattKing

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Clearly, Sirius hasn't checked in to Photrio so far today :D.
I own and use too many camera systems, so I may be the worst person to ask.
But even so, I still see the advantage of owning a smaller and lighter SLR as a complement for my smaller, square format TLR (Mamiya C330) and my larger, rectangular format SLR (RB67).
In my case, my "middle child" is a rectangular format Mamiya 645 Pro, and I'm fortunate enough to have a fairly complete kit.
If I were the OP, I would concentrate on thinking about what options the Hasselblad might give me that my other cameras do not. And then decide whether I could, in the forseeable future, afford to take advantage of those options.
 

Alan9940

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Like others, I own too many cameras that don't get enough use. I have sold quite a few, too, because I felt no need for them at the time. If it were me (full disclosure...I own a complete 500C/M system), I'd shoot several rolls and see how you like it. Shoot a few more, if you don't feel you've come to a decision. As already stated, it does kind of come down to an SLR vs TLR decision and which you prefer for your shooting style, subjects, etc. If the Autocord is the winner, then sell the Hasselblad and keep shooting!
 

warden

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I was blessed to be able to buy a lot of cameras that included a 500CM, at a price that allowed me to sell off everything but the Hasselblad, and still make my money back. I basically got it for free, which is unbelievable.

Well, since you've already figured out how to buy cameras for free I suggest you use that approach to get some free lenses for the Hassy. ;-)

Personally I'd keep the Hassy and the Autocord and use both.
 

perkeleellinen

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I say sell. If you're thinking of selling then you ought to sell, we could all do with less stuff.

I faced a similar dilemma when I had a Leica - the cost of the lenses was so high that I could only afford one and I was caring more about the quality of my equipment than the quality of my photos - that had to stop and I sold.
 
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Ariston

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Like others, I own too many cameras that don't get enough use. I have sold quite a few, too, because I felt no need for them at the time. If it were me (full disclosure...I own a complete 500C/M system), I'd shoot several rolls and see how you like it. Shoot a few more, if you don't feel you've come to a decision. As already stated, it does kind of come down to an SLR vs TLR decision and which you prefer for your shooting style, subjects, etc. If the Autocord is the winner, then sell the Hasselblad and keep shooting!
This is not bad advice. It's not really TLR vs SLR, though, since I use both. I am just covered on the 6x6 format by the Autocord, and am covered by the SLR with my RB67. The Autocord is what I use when I want to travel lightly. The RB is for when I need different focal lengths and spot-on composition.

Knowing what kind of pictures you shoot might help make a decision. What are they?
I shoot everything except street photography... not a lot of architectural, either. I have different tools depending on what I'm doing, and that is kind of my thinking. I am already covered on everything I need. I am afraid that I am drawn to the 500CM mostly because of its reputation (which I am sure is deserved).

I say sell. If you're thinking of selling then you ought to sell, we could all do with less stuff.

I faced a similar dilemma when I had a Leica - the cost of the lenses was so high that I could only afford one and I was caring more about the quality of my equipment than the quality of my photos - that had to stop and I sold.
This is the thing that is making me lean toward selling the 500CM the most. The lenses I can get if I sell would have a bigger impact on my options than having another body with an 80mm lens would do.

Someone above had mentioned selling the RB and keeping the 500CM, but I would be able to keep the RB and a lot of lenses versus a 500CM with one, maybe two, lenses.

Talking through this helps - I really am leaning toward selling. I am going to take the advice to shoot a couple of rolls through the Hasselblad first, though.
 

Sirius Glass

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Frankly RBs make much better door stops and paper weights.

That said, obviously it is not the camera for you, it does not have any value for you, so just pack it up and send it to me and I will ship you a dozen rolls of film and if and only if you have a dog I will throw in a few cans of dog food. You really need to get rid of that camera and spend you money on cameras which I have not interest in.
 
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Ariston

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Frankly RBs make much better door stops and paper weights.

That said, obviously it is not the camera for you, it does not have any value for you, so just pack it up and send it to me and I will ship you a dozen rolls of film and if and only if you have a dog I will throw in a few cans of dog food. You really need to get rid of that camera and spend you money on cameras which I have not interest in.
That would be unfair to Cramej. He already offered me $10 for it...

Besides, what's wrong with a camera doing double-duty as a door stop?
 

Sirius Glass

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That would be unfair to Cramej. He already offered me $10 for it...

Besides, what's wrong with a camera doing double-duty as a door stop?


Okay, $15US, a dozen rolls of Tri-X 120 and six cans of dog food.
 

BrianShaw

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That would be unfair to Cramej. He already offered me $10 for it...

Besides, what's wrong with a camera doing double-duty as a door stop?
... actually the RB is much better at holding down a tripod than holding open a door!
 
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Ariston

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Everyone always says that buying a new camera won't make you a better photographer. I will test that maxim. I'll run a couple of rolls through it, and if it makes me a better photographer, I'll keep it.

That's not a very tall order, since I am a lousy photographer.
 
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