Why did Hasselblad no weatherize any of the general 500 V Series ...

[Mike Lopez]

Hasselblads were in production for almost six decades and used all over the world, on mountains, in cities, in laboratories, etc. Are you manufacturing an issue that does not exist? Where is this all going? What is its purpose?

And let’s not forget the moon.

 

[eddie]

Yet nowhere do I see a statement on how well they worked in those environments, when wet, frozen, mudded, etc.

Do you think pros would have used them in those environments if they weren't reliable?

 

[Sirius Glass]

Any camera can be misused and then have problems. What you stated is not proof, just anecdotal conjecture.

 

[removedacct1]

500CM/C Hasselblads have always been an outdoor camera, as well as a inside studio or location tools, which, again, is why I asked the question in the first place.

Leica/other copies of Leica's, 39mm mount cameras, have been used and submerged in sea and fresh waters, especially during WWII, as one wartime photographer observed, was a frequent issue to deal with, and the solution, no pun, was to simply put them in a bucket of fresh water, for rinsing the salt out, then dry them out overnight, presumably by a fan or heater with a fan, so they were ready to go the next day.

If you approach your craft with the expectation of being able to dunk your camera in the sea and then simply rinse it in clean water and dry it and you're good to go, then I think you're approach to photography is a bit more "hazard embracing" then it need be. In 50 years of making photographs, I have yet to drop a camera in a lake/ocean/sea or equivalent. I see no need to start expecting it to happen.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Tempest in a teapot teacup.

 

[138S]

.and is there any one out there that does or knows how to DIY, other than 'rubberized' or Silicon spray the body and mags?

IMO, best choice is being careful with the hassie an using some commercial rain cover when needed

https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/buying-guides/the-best-rain-covers-for-your-camera-gear



If needed, you may use any plastic bag or kitchen plastic wrap.

Of course a 500 can be used for anything, but IMO its design is more oriented to studio usage, an skilled user shots handheld conveniently, but it has not best ergonomy in the world, still it's better for the field than other studio cameras like the Mamiya RB67.

I know a retired photographer that made his wedding photographer career with the 500 series, not necessary to say that he crafted top quality jobs providing an edge over local competition, but he told me that it was a very hard job because every single shot had to be nailed. He also told me that he never sold a single square image, in general he framed mostly "open" allowing to refine composition in the post, and determining the final rectangular cropped format orientation later... this is a very Pro way to shot a hassie: play attention to expression, and illumination and frame a bit open, solve framing in post... the negative size allows to crop a bit if necessary with still sporting top quality.

At the end some (event) Pros relied in 645 format for the field, allowing more shots and (in general) using more agile cameras, that provided a (in general) remarkable quality boost compared to 35mm film.

I guess you won't find much weather sealed gear in that era... even the Nikon F3 and F4 are not well weather sealed, only the F5 (1996) and F6 are.


Twelve hassies stay on the moon IIRC, they were abandoned there so additional rocks could be carried up, those are "sealed". In a rare case one (probably/possibly) returned from the moon, it was sold at auction for $909,150 to japanese businessman Terukazu Fujisawa.
https://www.dpreview.com/articles/1746013070/camera-from-nasa-s-moon-missions-sold-at-auction

 

[eli griggs]

If you approach your craft with the expectation of being able to dunk your camera in the sea and then simply rinse it in clean water and dry it and you're good to go, then I think you're approach to photography is a bit more "hazard embracing" then it need be. In 50 years of making photographs, I have yet to drop a camera in a lake/ocean/sea or equivalent. I see no need to start expecting it to happen.

Nor have I, but that does no mean I am no curious as to the consequences and remedies, historically and today.

Cheers

 

[Huss]

How do y'all deal with the traffic there? I would arrive at LAX around 12 leave about 1 and traffic was already bad going towards Bakersfield.

There's nothing good about going to Bakersfield.

For those not familiar, the name is very misleading. There are zero bakers standing around, let alone baking, in a field. Save yourselves the trip.

 

[Huss]

Hasselblad was too concerned about making its cameras work on the moon than to deal with mundane stuff like rain. That was for lesser marques.

 

[Sirius Glass]

How do y'all deal with the traffic there? I would arrive at LAX around 12 leave about 1 and traffic was already bad going towards Bakersfield.

If you had ever been to Bakersfield you would understand why they are leaving Bakersfield.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Hasselblad was too concerned about making its cameras work on the moon than to deal with mundane stuff like rain. That was for lesser marques.

We have had rain in Los Angeles, and frankly it is not that big a deal. Rain is not even a deal breaker. What about snow? Ever seen a snowsuit for a Hasselblad? For any camera? OMG we have a new reason to start a thread: HASSELBLAD NEVER MADE SNOWSUITS FOR THEIR CAMERAS!

 

[Huss]

We have had rain in Los Angeles, and frankly it is not that big a deal.

Kinda is. Annoying having to switch from regular Coppertone sunblock to Coppertone Sport waterproof .

 

[Sirius Glass]

Kinda is. Annoying having to switch from regular Coppertone sunblock to Coppertone Sport waterproof .

Tough life but someone has to live it.

 

[Ai Print]

Wow, sorry you seem to have had a run of bad luck with Hasselblad cameras and lenses? I have used them professionally in foul weather at all elevations and seasons without fail for over 30 years, and I do mean rainy snowy and dusty conditions....guess I got and continue to be, lucky.

I think it is a very good piece of kit and belongs in my bag, at the least, and perhaps it is also what is know as a "Baffle Bag".

I do wish it was lighter in colour, so if the camera is set up, it reflects warming light, but as is it'll do.

I think it would be even better if it had a matching material darkcloth, and a heavy vinyl window flat, that was removable, from under a camera wide permanent flap, for at 90 and 45 degrees, viewfinders prism viewfinder or a ground glass screen, could be used.

500CM/C Hasselblads have always been an outdoor camera, as well as a inside studio or location tools, which, again, is why I asked the question in the first place.

Leica/other copies of Leica's, 39mm mount cameras, have been used and submerged in sea and fresh waters, especially during WWII, as one wartime photographer observed, was a frequent issue to deal with, and the solution, no pun, was to simply put them in a bucket of fresh water, for rinsing the salt out, then dry them out overnight, presumably by a fan or heater with a fan, so they were ready to go the next day.

When making a new, expensive professional's camera in the following years, I would have though that would have been a priority, especially in light of the hours wildlife photographers sat in the weather, waiting for their quarry, especially birds and most especially, water foul.

Hasselblads 500 C/CM cameras, weak link is in the materials of the camera, and shuttered lenses, which include, it seems, steel parts that will rust, , ie. the shutters and self-timer.

That is a complication that deserved additional attention, IMO, that other than the weather jacket seen linked, above, that was never dealt with, in all the years of production.

With all the young shooters, or mature shooters that have/are come(ing) along, most of those I've see, online, are using these cameras and lenses, out of doors, in all kinds of weather.

No doubt about it, I will always view no minimum weather resistance is the #2 failure of Hasselblad Design, #1, as we all know, is the sync train of the lens, body linkage.

IMO.

 

[Lachlan Young]

Wow, sorry you seem to have had a run of bad luck with Hasselblad cameras and lenses? I have used them professionally in foul weather at all elevations and seasons without fail for over 30 years, and I do mean rainy snowy and dusty conditions....guess I got and continue to be, lucky.

Or maybe it's because you keep up on maintenance & don't buy the bargain basement stuff?

 

[Luis-F-S]

For shooting in inclement weather I choose a different camera. There was an underwater housing option. Didn’t we just discuss this?

+1!!!

 

[Sirius Glass]

Or maybe it's because you keep up on maintenance & don't buy the bargain basement stuff?

All cameras must have regular and consistent maintenance done. Nikonos cameras can go directly into ocean water, but not Hasselblads and Leicas.

 

[Ai Print]

Or maybe it's because you keep up on maintenance & don't buy the bargain basement stuff?

Oh yeah...that's right! I make my own luck...

 

[Lachlan Young]

All cameras must have regular and consistent maintenance done. Nikonos cameras can go directly into ocean water, but not Hasselblads and Leicas.

Apparently that isn't obvious to some people...

Though a Nikonos is probably the ultimate all-environments camera.

 

[Luis-F-S]

I used Hasselblads for some 25 odd years as a professional photographer. I never considered using a different camera. I typically worked with 4 cameras and a 5th camera was typically into VHI for service. I always carried a main camera and a backup, and still do on any professional job. They never let me down on the job, and no, I didn't photograph in the rain. Largely, I don't like getting wet, so I was always under cover if working outside and it was raining.

 

[Kodachromeguy]

I used Hasselblads for some 25 odd years as a professional photographer.

And I bet your Hasselblads worked perfectly well even if they were not equipped with marine grade stainless steel screws.

Let's invent some new fatal flaw in a product that has been in use for six decades in all environments on earth, in space, and on the moon.

 

[Sirius Glass]

And I bet your Hasselblads worked perfectly well even if they were not equipped with marine grade stainless steel screws.

Let's invent some new fatal flaw in a product that has been in use for six decades in all environments on earth, in space, and on the moon.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

.and is there any one out there that does or knows how to DIY, other than 'rubberized' or Silicon spray the body and mags?

What would you do?

as You see; it's a studio camera!

 

[138S]

There was an underwater housing option. Didn’t we just discuss this?

Nor have I, but that does no mean I am no curious as to the consequences and remedies, historically and today.

Yeah... hassies are cult objects... they have been used on the moon and in underwater diving, in both cases yielding impressive works with rocking image quality even for today's standards.

But models made for commercial photography are not intended to be exposed to the rain or the mud... this is refined Pro equipment to be used with care by pros knowing what they had in their hands. Perhaps a ruggedized version would have made sense, but luxurious finishings in the available models speak o their own, if you misstreat it then signs will be engraved on it.

I guess this was a good commercial policy... If I mistreat a hassie and I sell it then the second owner will see what kind of owner I was... so if one buys a mistreated hassie later he won't complain if it has problems. In part legendary quality reputation is forged by second owners...

Any drop to the ground may leave signs in the exposed metal edges of the body, they are unprotected, so everybody plays extra care with it. IMO with that design Victor was saying: Hey guys, we are jewelry artisans, do not misstreat what we manufactured.

 

[itsdoable]

as You see; it's a studio camera!

The world is your studio!

Then they took it off world....