Hasselblad 500 EL/M 2-1/4 Camera
Dec 24, 2014 09:36:40 #
Anyone have experience with this camera? A friend of mine wants to part with his but I'm not sure just what I would be getting into with it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Dec 24, 2014 09:42:26 #
I'd explore film availability and processing first.
What len(es) do you get?
What len(es) do you get?
Dec 24, 2014 09:50:18 #
I never experienced one but when the U.S. landed men on the moon, the still pictures were from modified Hasselblad cameras. If your into old film cameras, it would be cool to have
Dec 24, 2014 09:53:22 #
nancyab wrote:
Anyone have experience with this camera? A friend of mine wants to part with his but I'm not sure just what I would be getting into with it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
I had a 500 ELM in the 70's and loved it. My brother has a Hasselblad now and loves his. There is film and processing for it but it is an expensive proposition in the long run. For me it would depend on the condition of the camera and lens. I believe my brother paid about $1000.00 for each of two 500 C's with 80mm lens in new condition.
Dennis
Dec 24, 2014 10:04:48 #
I don't have one but I have an RB67 that is similar. Film is readily available online. If doing b&w, process it yourself. It's very easy. Color is also easy but has less tolerance to temperature. There are plenty of places to get it developed you just have to mail it in.
It is worth it as medium format can produce very high quality images.
It is worth it as medium format can produce very high quality images.
Dec 24, 2014 11:02:21 #
I used the EL/M at several places I worked.
Amazing precision, as all the 'blads are.
Be sure you have good and spare batteries- ours always seemed to be dead when we needed to use it. They didn't hold a charge well.
Good thing we had a manual 500C as a back-up.
Another thing to watch for is make sure the lens and body are cocked when changing lenses.
I discovered if you put a lens on too slowly, it may trigger the shutter before it is seated (the shutter is the lens) jamming the body & lens.
There is a relatively easy way to fix it but I don't remember exactly- involves taking the back off and re-cocking the shutter with a screwdriver from the inside.
(Personally, I liked my Mamiya RB67 better.
As big as it was, I found it pretty comfortable to hand-hold.)
Amazing precision, as all the 'blads are.
Be sure you have good and spare batteries- ours always seemed to be dead when we needed to use it. They didn't hold a charge well.
Good thing we had a manual 500C as a back-up.
Another thing to watch for is make sure the lens and body are cocked when changing lenses.
I discovered if you put a lens on too slowly, it may trigger the shutter before it is seated (the shutter is the lens) jamming the body & lens.
There is a relatively easy way to fix it but I don't remember exactly- involves taking the back off and re-cocking the shutter with a screwdriver from the inside.
(Personally, I liked my Mamiya RB67 better.
As big as it was, I found it pretty comfortable to hand-hold.)
Dec 25, 2014 07:52:08 #
The lens is one of the catches. I'm going to have to locate one on my own since I may not get the lens. Re the film, I do my own B&W developing and printing, so cost there really isn't an issue. I used to do slides with mailers - never got into color print processing, and never wanted to. Have a happy holiday, Nancy B.
Dec 25, 2014 08:04:14 #
waykee7
Loc: Cortez, Colorado
nancyab wrote:
Anyone have experience with this camera? A friend of mine wants to part with his but I'm not sure just what I would be getting into with it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
I just saw an ad for a digital photo back for the 500 series, $15k. One thing you'd be getting into are superb optics. My qualifier regarding these comments is that I've never owned a Hasselblad, but their optics are legendary.
Dec 25, 2014 09:23:11 #
nancyab wrote:
Anyone have experience with this camera? A friend of mine wants to part with his but I'm not sure just what I would be getting into with it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Great but quite heavy camera. Typical Hassy build. However, if you are thinking of getting one of the new Hasselblad digital backs, I am not sure if it will fit this model.
Dec 25, 2014 10:00:40 #
Thanks for info about weight of the Hasselblad. It looked from its photo that it would be fairly light weight compared to some of the other models. That, for me, is a big consideration since I'm 4'9-1/2" short. Maybe best I stick with the 35mm or digital.
Dec 25, 2014 12:08:53 #
nancyab wrote:
The lens is one of the catches. I'm going to have to locate one on my own since I may not get the lens. Re the film, I do my own B&W developing and printing, so cost there really isn't an issue. I used to do slides with mailers - never got into color print processing, and never wanted to. Have a happy holiday, Nancy B.
I just sol my two Hassies with 3 lenses, 5 backs, 2 waist level & 1 45degree view finders for $1800.00. I shot over 800 weddings with them without one mishap. Great camera!
Dec 25, 2014 12:28:13 #
BobHartung wrote:
Great but quite heavy camera. Typical Hassy build. However, if you are thinking of getting one of the new Hasselblad digital backs, I am not sure if it will fit this model.
The CFV-50c is designed for the older, V system cameras. Uses a CF card when not tethered to a computer. I have shot with this back in the field, but battery life is not that great. But, it produces an amazing file!
Merry Christmas to all!!
Dec 25, 2014 12:47:35 #
wj cody
Loc: springfield illinois
nancyab wrote:
Anyone have experience with this camera? A friend of mine wants to part with his but I'm not sure just what I would be getting into with it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
brilliant camera and brilliant lenses. still un use today in many commercial studios with both film and digital backs. there is no finer 6x6 camera made.
Dec 25, 2014 13:31:33 #
edazz wrote:
I just sol my two Hassies with 3 lenses, 5 backs, 2 waist level & 1 45degree view finders for $1800.00. I shot over 800 weddings with them without one mishap. Great camera!
And now Hasselblad has a digital back for the 500 c/m
Dec 25, 2014 13:35:14 #
wisner wrote:
The CFV-50c is designed for the older, V system cameras. Uses a CF card when not tethered to a computer. I have shot with this back in the field, but battery life is not that great. But, it produces an amazing file!
Merry Christmas to all!!
Merry Christmas to all!!
These cameras are designed for a different type of digital photographer than is the current trend. Instead of capturing hundreds of exposures, the photogs who use these tend to be more deliberative capturing many fewer images. Many expose more like they still have film in the backs. Thus battery life is not as much of an issue.
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