How To Use: Hasselblad 500C/M - Kamerastore

The Hasselblad 500C/M is arguably the most iconic camera from the V system. This camera brought Hasselblad to the forefront of the high-end camera market, and they haven't looked back. Connor explores this modular SLR and shows you why people keep coming back to this classic design.
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Time Codes:
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00:00 - Introduction
00:38 - The Lens
00:49 - Shutter Speed & Aperture
01:11 - Focus Ring
01:26 - PC Sync & Depth-of-Field Preview
01:59 - Waist Level Finder
02:19 - Side #1
03:00 - Side #2
04:10 - Disassembly
04:48 - Changing Focusing Screens
05:29 - Attaching Film Backs
05:49 - Attaching a Lens
06:10 - Removing the Dark Slide
06:29 - The Shutter
06:45 - Focusing
07:19 - Focus Magnifier
07:48 - Bottom of the Camera
08:08 - The Film Back
09:46 - Lens Accessories
10:26 - Mirror Lock-Up
11:04 - Outro

[@john_murch]

Appreciate the way you gently ease the film back lever onto the body (right thumb press)...👍

[@inevitablecraftslab]

nice review, but you mixed the film spool and the takeup spool. it was already in the correct position when you opened it 😉

[@jacovanlith5082]

The focus magnifier is also an eyesight adjustifier of several lenses of minus 3 to plus 3 dioptry.

[@gretaciuk8936]

Thank you for such a thorough guide! My dad has one of these and I've been terrified of using it because it seems so complicated!

[@Kamerastore]

feel free to send us a message on Instagram @kamerastorecom if you run into any issue! I'd be happy to help! - C

[@gretaciuk8936]

@@Kamerastore That is so kind of you thank you so much! The camera actually has the issue that the lenses don't "stick" to the body, the release button seems to have some rust and is not functioning properly. Any idea if it's possible to send it to Sweden to get it fixed?

[@Kamerastore]

@@gretaciuk8936 getting it fixed is possible for sure. I'm not 100% sure what capacity Hasselblad still has to repair V cameras like this one, but it's worth looking into! If you can't find anything, send us an email at [e-mail] and we'll try to help! - C

[@tittfestx3]

You’re a legend I have this camera but am having trouble understanding the depth of field can you help me understand please!!!

[@Kamerastore]

@@tittfestx3 Sorry for the slow response! The depth of field indicators on the lens adjust when you change the aperture. This tells you the depth of focus you'll get with the current aperture setting. For example, imagine we have an 80mm f2.8 Planar lens with our focus set at 15 feet (4.5m). With our aperture set to f8, the red lines indicate our depth of focus is between 10 feet and 25 feet. This means everything from 10-25 feet will be in focus. If we change our aperture to f22, we get everything from 8 feet to infinity, and at f2.8 we basically only have subjects at 15 feet in focus (Sorry if you're a metric person, the lens I grabbed used feet for the focusing scale). So basically the depth of field indicators work to show you the closest and furthest distances at which you'll get "in focus" results at the aperture value you have selected. Hope that makes sense! If you need more help feel free to message us on Instagram @kamerastorecom ! - Connor

[@davidintokyo]

Ha! That's how you undo the DOF preview! Sheesh. I was pulling up on it, and that barely worked and seemed really silly. Thanks! (I used a 500C back in the day when it was the current model and just acquired a 500CM + 50/4.0 CF. A sweet combination, but there are minor diffrences here and there, and I had forgotten a few things.)

[@Kamerastore]

Glad the video helped!! Enjoy the Hasselblad.

[@jmbaug1229]

Basically I don’t have a digital camera because they are ugly. Hasselblad and Contax are beautiful object and take better pictures than any digital camera. Thanks for the beautiful video of my favourite camera ever ;)

[@Kamerastore]

You are very welcome, it is a beautiful camera.

[@markgarcia8253]

The problem with Contax is you can’t trust their auto-focus and electronics lifespan

[@amg231]

What does F do for shutter? Right after bulb. Good overview btw

[@Kamerastore]

Sorry for the late reply! The F is "focal plane" and is used when you mount the lens to a focal plane body, such as the Hasselblad 203. Hope that helps! - Connor

[@_guillermo]

Do you need to wind the film for every shot, or do you only wind it after you first load the film?

[@stevenpam]

The crank on the film back is for advancing the film to frame 1. Once it's attached to the camera, you just use the main crank on the camera.

[@mlmusiclover]

Hi! I've got a dilemma with a 503cx - the shutter won't work. The button can be pressed but there's no sound / the opening and closing of the shutter doesn't show. Everything in the camera is set up as it should be and I can't seem to figure out what's wrong. It was only loaned to us so we're a bit hesitant to constantly fiddle with it. Would highly appreciate any help!

[@Kamerastore]

Hey! I can try to help for sure. Are you able to wind the camera between pressing the shutter? I would recommend taking the lens and film back off first. It's possible that the various components are not in the same "phase" as each other, so they could be jamming each other. With just the body, try to wind and fire as normal. Is the mirror moving at all? What about the auxiliary shutter on the back? If you're not able to wind or fire the shutter at all, then there's likely something wrong with the camera. Hasselblads are reliable mechanical cameras but they do require service every so often depending on how heavy the usage is. They're a lot like old cars in this sense. Hopefully that helps! You can definitely send us a message on Instagram with a video if you're still having issues @kamerastorecom ! Thanks for watching! - Connor

[@turoarturo]

Shouldn't the empty spool be in the seat with the winding shaft not the other way around?

[@stevenpam]

Yes

[@andreakatone]

That's correct, in order to reload a film back, put the empty spool in the seat with the winding shaft.

[@chelseakahana4982]

I can't get my film back off? Help please I don't know anything about hasselblad

[@Kamerastore]

You wont be able to take it off if you have the darkslide off. If you dont have a darkslide then you will need to buy one. Good luck!

[@daphnescott]

I have one I’m borrowing from a friend and I need to give it back soon but I’m having trouble. I can’t get the shutter to open. The right side turn circle won’t turn.

[@Kamerastore]

Oops! That doesn't sound good Daphne. Hasselblads can be finnicky cameras if you're not familiar with how they work. By shutter, do you mean the mechanisms in the lens or the body? I'd recommend taking the film back and lens off the camera and trying to fire the shutter that way. Then add the lens and try again (making sure to have the camera cocked before installing the lens). Hope that helps a bit. - Connor

[@srabansinha3430]

Do you Guys Do International Shipping like to India ?

[@Kamerastore]

We ship all around the world.

[@MARKLINMAN1]

HOW Do You Select FILM speed on these Cameras? Thank you.

[@Kamerastore]

These cameras have no internal light meter and thus no mechanical way to select film speed. There is a reminder dial on the back of A12 and C12 film backs, though! Hope that helps!

[@angelisone]

Quality comes with a price. A better option would to get ATG's Rolleiflex 3003 or ATG's Contax 645 Quantity, then get a Kodak

[@jacovanlith5082]

There are a lot more items changed on the 500 C/M

[@jacovanlith5082]

The Hasselblad quick coupling system is unique in its top quality.. It has not to do with the Arca Swiss quick shoe, which is crap, like all its Oriental copies.

[@henrahmagix]

why do they have to be *so expensive* 😩

[@Kamerastore]

Because it's a professional camera designed for professional use! Those who bought Hasselblads new were photographers who paid their bills with studios or wedding shoots. Plus, with proper; maintenance they can last for decades without becoming obsolete. Thanks for watching! - Connor

[@mojekh]

Bought my 500cm in 2015 for 400 Euros in that time (usual ebay price). The prices skyrocket after people realized the it's value and it will never be produced again. Buy it now if you really want it, the prices will rise even more, you'll not lost. There is a plenty of iconic cameras/things you can still purchase for very low prices, so get them now. For example Canon EM. Perfect small mirror film camera for $200🙂 Or mid-format Mamiya, Zenza Bronica, Rollei. All under $500🙂