Early Hasselblad; the 500C. How they differ from later cameras and what to check if buying

Early Hasselblads are beautifully made but buyers do need to tread with care. Any camera that's 50-plus years old will need to be checked and tested very carefully. In this video I run through how the 500C differs from later cameras such as the 500CM and what to check and test when buying.

[@seamusjohnson2621]

Thanks for these videos. I only shoot film so pretty much every time I buy a film camera, I usually always go to your channel to learn what problems to look for and what to check before buying. I bought a really early Hasselblad 500c today and made sure I checked everything you mentioned, and all good! Thanks a lot for the videos. They are very helpful!

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Glad they’re useful!

[@seamusjohnson2621]

@@WorldwideCameraExchange They definitely are! Cheers!

[@PikulBoy]

Thank you so much for this concise yet comprehensive overview of what to be aware of! Much appreciated!

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Thank you. Glad it was useful.

[@johnward2964]

Great video. Thank you for taking the time to film it and post it.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Thank you - appreciated

[@yorkieinnz4648]

👍Working my way through these excellent videos...Thanks.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Thank you - glad they’re helpful. More coming on Hasselblad and medium format film soon.

[@subtlymanic1786]

this has been very useful, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge!

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Glad it was helpful!

[@subtlymanic1786]

@@WorldwideCameraExchange i've just purchased this model from a collector, it was all early editions from 1957! 80mm 2.8 as well as the 250mm 5.6. your video helped me loads!

[@ilyafaden1789]

Thanks for the refresher on the manual back.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Hope it was useful. Enjoy your Hasselblad.

[@sophietucker1255]

I have a 500C that I was able to purchase from a family friend in 1978. It was bought new by our friend in 1965. I still use the camera and it works just fine. I have recently got a 503CX and a 553ELX. The 500C spends more time at home as I would be devastated if anything happened to it as has taken every Major event in my life from my 1970 high school year book picture, that was taken by my mother, to my wedding and pictures of my children over the years. I still take it out to shoot around town but it now stays home for family vacations.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Thanks for commenting

[@stevegellas7869]

Great video, been using mine for years, once you are used to loading it and forwarding the film, just a great camera and reasonably priced.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Yes, Hasselblads are fantastic to use and will last a lifetime if you look after them well.

[@earlmccowen5197]

Thanks for the information.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Our pleasure!

[@JeffMak904]

great video ! Could 500c use the a12 back?

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Yes, Hasselblad backs are fully interchangeable

[@toho45]

I have both c and c/m, for me they are all well the same except the screen but once changed that it is. Will you change screen always? I don’t think so

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Yes, the interchangeable screen is the only significant difference between the 500C and 500CM. Thanks for commenting.

[@f2john]

One thing with the 500C is the late ones (not sure what serial number they began with) did have it where you could easily swap out the screen like the 500C/M. If you can find one of those may be a better deal than a 500C/M.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Yes, some of the very last 500C cameras did have the screen update … but not many! Thanks for your comment - always appreciated.

[@blackbelt4488]

I have a C with the replaceable screen. I read that these are actually not late C’s but early C/M’s that Hasselblad elected to stick remaining quantities of C name plates until their stock was used up. Part of the Hasselblad folklore no doubt.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

I’ve heard that too but it’s a very strange thing to do when launching a new model! If I was buying the latest Hasselblad I would want it labelled as such. Not sure we’ll ever know the truth unless there’s a Hasselblad employee from the 1970s out there somewhere?

[@antonroland]

Wish I saw this earlier and I wouldn’t have trashed 4 rolls when I got mine a few months ago😂

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Hasselblads do take a bit of getting used to! Hopefully it’s all second nature now?

[@jimmyzzzzz]

Another thing to look out for is the earliest 500C bodies used a pin lock system to lock the lens. The body had a retractable pin which engaged a hole in the rear of a C lens. A CF lens does not have that hole so a CF lens will not work with the earliest bodies.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Thanks for commenting

[@blackbelt4488]

I have a c marked 500 with a removable screen. Legend has it early cm cameras were given c identification side plates until remaining inventory was exhausted then they started sticking on cm badges. Thoughts?

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

They’re quite common cameras. I’ve heard the same about the name badge but am a bit sceptical. If you were launching a new model wouldn’t you want it to be labelled as such? Unless at the time Hasselblad had the world’s worst marketing team?

[@richardmortenson8525]

One more thing to check with the back: The last three digits on the back should match the number on the insert. They were mated at the factory to be light tight. (Or perhaps I should frame it as a question: Is it really important that the numbers match?)

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Thanks for commenting

[@gregshawphotography8828]

Hello Jonathan. I recently picked up from a thrift store a silver case which inside had two Hasselblad 500 EL/M bodies, one chrome 80mm 2,8, one 50mm f4 Distagon, 150mm Sonnar, and a 250mm 5.6 Sonnar. There are no backs and the battery door latches are broken. I ordered some batteries to turn on the camera. I was just wondering if this is a worthwhile camera to keep and fire some rolls through. It came with a prism finder. I want a waist level finder. Right now, I'm only invested in this kit for $50.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Heavy cameras but they handle well in-hand. The waist level finder is the best way to use motorised Hasselblads. Even if you decide to switch to a non-motorised 500CM you’ve still got yourself a bargain!

[@gregshawphotography8828]

@@WorldwideCameraExchange Thanks. I feel like I want to experience the EL/M before deciding on a different Hasselblad. I know I have a deal. But I have to spend a little bit to get an A12 back and waist level finder.

[@blackbelt4488]

Is the only difference between a c and a cm the removable focusing screen

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Yes, and obviously the Hasselblad 500C will be older.

[@MyF1Scuderia]

What should someone expect to pay for something like this with a film back & a nice 50-80mm lens in good working order? Thanks

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

In the UK £1400-£1600 if working well with clean glass. But more if mint.