I have a 1961 Hasselblad 500c w/lenses (help, i know nothing)

[buyusfear]

This camera belonged to my grandfather, and my dad dug it out to show me. Original paperwork, lotsa goodies, all in all a pretty cool find. I don't want to sell it, I just want to know anything and everything I can about it. Since the POTN forum is my primary resource for my own DSLR needs, I thought I could try my luck with this here aswell.
I would appreciate any help in terms of knowing the approx. value of things, rarity, whatever. There are a bunhc of other things that belong to a Leica that was stolen, if anyone's wondering about that stuff when looking at the pics.
I appreciate the help.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/buyusfear/Hasselblad%20500c/IMG_6798.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/buyusfear/Hasselblad%20500c/IMG_6805.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/buyusfear/Hasselblad%20500c/IMG_6806.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/buyusfear/Hasselblad%20500c/IMG_6808.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/buyusfear/Hasselblad%20500c/IMG_6809.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/buyusfear/Hasselblad%20500c/IMG_6811.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/buyusfear/Hasselblad%20500c/IMG_6816.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/buyusfear/Hasselblad%20500c/IMG_6817.jpg

[the_incubus]

awesome! It looks in great condition. I know the body probably ranges from 100-150 not sure about the lens (what lens is it?) . I wouldnt sell it just because its a camera your grandfather used.

[buyusfear]

Thanks Izak. How about the lenses, or the extension tube?

I'm going to take the camera and goodies into a shop (Macbain Camera in Edmonton) when I get back to the city after the holidays, just to get everything cleaned maybee appraised if its worth it, maybee try even get some film, I don't know, it's just a really cool find/surpise.

[cledwards]

Found this link ....has a bunch of links at the bottom and one for the 500C

http://www.3106.net/photo/cam1033.htm

[the_incubus]

hmmm. I think its a Carl Zeiss Planar 80mm 2.8. I just checked ebay and it was selling for like 200. I could be totally off on the prices here though :D.

[buyusfear]

Awesome, thanks guys.
I'm surprised at how cheap or of little value everything is worth, but, thats the way it goes.

So, if I wanted to make this camera digital, that is what would cost me an arm and a leg, correct?
From what I understand I'm looking at spending anywhere from 9k to 35k for a digital back? Or can i even get one for this model?

[Tony-S]

Awesome, thanks guys.
I'm surprised at how cheap or of little value everything is worth, but, thats the way it goes.

Put some slide film in it to make sure it's exposing properly. Do the same for any other lenses (presumably the shutter is in-lens).

So, if I wanted to make this camera digital, that is what would cost me an arm and a leg, correct?

And probably a few children.

From what I understand I'm looking at spending anywhere from 9k to 35k for a digital back? Or can i even get one for this model?

Not sure. If they've changed the back in 40+ years, probably won't work.

[Permagrin]

I read this reference on another board...it's dated material so I don't know if a digital back is still available but it was a couple of years ago

http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00Edba

[cowpix]

I would not think about a digital back. This is an awesome camera, so do some research and learn how to use it. Looks like a 135mm lens to go with that 80, and a 16 exposure 6x4.5cm film back.

Do your homework, pick up some 120 negative film, and have fun. However, it can be a little challenging to find a lab to process that film these days.

[FlyingPhotog]

I agree with cowpix. Go buy some film and get busy. Me, I'd shoot transparency instead of neg but YMMV... Just go have some fun with it!!!

[koalawalla]

Definately a great set you got there :) Go get some film and have fun with it like what was said before! My dad just found his Canon AE-1 that he used to take my baby pictures a little bit ago. Im getting it cleaned and gonna give it a whirl in a bit. That thing is as old as I am! The Speedlight 177A still works hehe.

[FlyingPhotog]

Definately a great set you got there :) Go get some film and have fun with it like what was said before! My dad just found his Canon AE-1 that he used to take my baby pictures a little bit ago. Im getting it cleaned and gonna give it a whirl in a bit. That thing is as old as I am! The Speedlight 177A still works hehe.

Young pup !!! :rolleyes:

[koalawalla]

It's almost 3 decades old :p :lol:

[cdifoto]

I'll give you 50 bucks for it. That's a lot of money coming from an American whose dollar isn't worth ****.

[kevin_c]

I'll give you 50 bucks for it. That's a lot of money coming from an American whose dollar isn't worth ****.

I'll give you 50 POUNDS for it! (about $100)

It's practically worthless, so just send it all to me (I'll even pay the postage) and I'll 'look after it' for you ;)

Seriously, thats a nice bit of kit! - A classic Hasselblad - I'd run a film or two through it and see what it produces.

[Mark_48]

From the pics it looks to be in excellent condition. From the age of the camera, it's likely the foam seals that prevent light leaks may have deteriorated and may need replacing, which a good camera shop should be able to do and certainly would be worth the cost in my estimation for this camera.

As was suggested, get a few rolls of 120 film and give it a try. B&H Photo still carries a variety of 120 films and also has processing mailers available.

I've collected a few old cameras over the years and a Hasselblad of that vintage that your grandfather owned is a nice piece to hang on to, even if it just finds a home in a display case.

[cowpix]

buyusfear: Go to the library and check out a book named "The Hasselblad Way". This was pretty much the bible for Hasselblad users. It explains the history, parts of the system, and how to use the camera.

[buyusfear]

Thanks a lot for all of the responses everyone. This place never ceases to amaze me.

I'll have to check out that book cowpix, as it took me some time to figure out how to get the thing to work yesterday. Thanks again.

[Mark_48]

Here's the manual in PDF
http://www.butkus.org/chinon/hasselblad/hasselblad_500c/hasselblad_500c.htm

I started a download, but presently a bit slow. Maybe the time of day or something.

[Mark_48]

Oh, one other neat thing to note.... no batteries needed, totally mechanical.

A photographer I know still uses a Hasselblad exclusively for the weddings he shoots. I've tried to convince him to try digital, but he doesn't trust it's reliability yet and he doesn't want to be bothered with post processing.

[cowpix]

Here's the manual in PDF
http://www.butkus.org/chinon/hasselblad/hasselblad_500c/hasselblad_500c.htm

I started a download, but presently a bit slow. Maybe the time of day or something.

Good find, Mark. Buyusfear, that should get you started. Then find the book I recommended, so you can figure it all out. :)

[SlowBlink]

Get yourself a poloroid back and enjoy! :) It looks like it's in beautiful shape.

[buyusfear]

Great tips and advice again folks.

Mark_48, THANK YOU, what a great link.

And yes, the camera is in splendid shape. I think it was used for only a few years before it was put away.
Its kinda trippy looking through the viewfinder with everything backwards, a lot of fun even without film.

[cskn0125]

You are lucky! The 500c is an awesome camera, as other said just get some 120 and try it out.

You sure you wouldn't sell it? :p

[joeseph]

fabulous, a camera as old as I am - and in much better nick too...

[sapearl]

Hello there buyusfear - that is some terrific gear you have there. There is a Hasselblad users forum located over at:

http://www.hasselbladusers.com/

There used to be another one I belonged to some years back, but I believe it may have shut down. I live in Cleveland which has one of the few remaining authorized Hassy repair shops in the country if you ever need such services. They're a great bunch of guys. Enjoy the gear - elegant, ergonomic and all mechanical like a fine Swedish windup clock :D. - Stu

[sapearl]

I am almost positive that anything prior to a 503CW could not be digitally adapted. The 503CW has some gizmo's in it that allow such coupling, but the older 503CX, 500C/M and 500C lack that capability.

I could have gone digital with my 503CW I believe, but the cheapest aftermarket back that would do the job was around $8K + I believe. You can get a lot of Canon DSLR w/AF and TTL and such ;).

......So, if I wanted to make this camera digital, that is what would cost me an arm and a leg, correct?
From what I understand I'm looking at spending anywhere from 9k to 35k for a digital back? Or can i even get one for this model?

[sapearl]

Just found this link to another Hassy forum - I think it may be the mutation of my old group:

http://www.kelvin.net/forum/forum_topics.asp?FID=1&SID=b67zda44b222db72e172c8be26z5a76d

[buyusfear]

Thanks for the Hasselblad forum link sapearl!

You sure you wouldn't sell it?


I'm kinda glad its worth so little, as i'm sure I would regret ever letting it go. My dad says it was used to take pictures of him when he was a baby, so that in itself is cool.

I would like to get it up and running to be able to take pictures of my kids, the day I have some.

[sapearl]

You are very welcome - it was a fun camera when I used it regularly. I hiked Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons with mine and also used it for wedding and event work over the years. Even though mine had metering capabilty with the prism finder, I always used an old handheld Sekonic meter when outside.

Have you tried getting film for it? That should not be a problem as 120 and 220 film is style quite common. I even have some in my freezer :D. It's great to have the interchangeable film magazines too so you can simultaneously shoot different films; sort of like shooting RAW today ;).

There's a book that's been out and revised over the years called the "Hasselblad System Compendium" by Richard Norton:

http://www.amazon.com/Hasselblad-System-Compendium-Richard-Nordin/dp/1897802102/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1197999756&sr=8-1

I bought a used one some years back just before I got my 500 C/M (now sold) and it educated me enough to make some intelligent purchases. Another place to buy great used Hassy gear is Keh.com. It's always fun looking through their inventory. - Stu

Thanks for the Hasselblad forum link sapearl!

I'm kinda glad its worth so little, as i'm sure I would regret ever letting it go. My dad says it was used to take pictures of him when he was a baby, so that in itself is cool.

I would like to get it up and running to be able to take pictures of my kids, the day I have some.