Difference between revisions of "Hasselblad 500 C/M"

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<!--<div style="background-color: #ffd; padding: 2px 5px 2px 5px">''This article is a [[Camerapedia.org:stub|stub]]. You can help Camerapedia.org by [{{SERVER}}{{localurl:{{NAMESPACE}}:{{PAGENAME}}|action=edit}} expanding it]''.</div> -->
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{{Flickr_image
 
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/50678983@N00/271569051/in/pool-camerawiki
<div class="floatright">[http://www.flickr.com/photos/50678983@N00/271569050/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://static.flickr.com/99/271569050_aa9cb9ebf6.jpg]</div>
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|image= http://farm1.static.flickr.com/96/271569051_cf1ee17cc8.jpg
 
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|image_align= right
 
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|image_text= Hasselblad 500 C/M
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|image_by= Dries van den Elzen
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|image_rights= with permission
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== Origins and name ==
 
== Origins and name ==
The '''Hasselblad''' 500C was intoduced in 1957 by the Hasselblad Corporation in Sweden, after a series of trouble-stricken 1600 and 1000 focal plane shuttered models. The camera number indicates the top shutterspeed. With the V-series, as the series started with the 500C is known, Hasselblad opted for an in the lens Compur shutter (hence the C). This solved the problems it had experienced with the focal plane shutters and allowed x-sync at all speeds. At the same time, it also meant a reduction of the top shutter speed to 1/500s.
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The [[Hasselblad 500 C]] was introduced in 1957 by [[Hasselblad|Victor Hasselblad AB]], replacing the original [[focal plane shutter]] models [[Hasselblad 1600 F|1600 F]] and [[Hasselblad 1000 F|1000 F]], which, despite their innovative concept never got rid of the problems associated with the shutter used. Realizing this, Hasselblad decided to start almost from scratch in order to make a more reliable model. It was a major decision for the company to create a completely new camera, only keeping the physical shape of the original, while everything inside would be new. The single inspiring factor was the promising new [[Compur]] shutter, based on [[Zeiss Ikon]]’s [[Contaflex (SLR)|Contaflex]] experience, and the fact that Zeiss committed themselves to manufacture the new range of lenses. The shutter would be an integral part of every interchangeable Hasselblad lens. The new design meant electronic [[flash sync#X_Sync|flash synchronization]] at all shutter speeds, and automatic aperture stop down, the latter one year before the first 35mm SLR, the [[Minolta SR-2]]. The new model name 500C reflects the fastest shutter speed and the shutter type, already an established practice: a 1/500th second and the Central lens shutter made by Compur.
  
The 500C was produced from 1957 to 1970, after which the camera and backs were updated (''Modified'') according to Hasselblad. The ''modified'' version version was called 500C/M. This newer version enabled the exchange of finder glasses. Also a new series of automatic backs was introduced (eg. the A-series magazines).
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The 500 C, the first in the long lasting V-series, comprising the 500, SWC, 2000 and 200 range of cameras, was received with scepticism. Both the lens shutter concept associated with less advanced 35mm SLR cameras, and the moderate top speed of 1/500th of a second worried the critics. However, the decision was proven a sound one. Very short exposure time is easily and more accurately obtained using strobe light, in the studio anyway. The original model stayed in production until 1970. It was replaced by the 500C/M (M for modified according to the factory), featuring an interchangeable focusing screen and an improved automatic back, the A-series film magazines.
  
Over the years, the Hasseblad cameras, like their 35mm counterpart, the [[ Leica ]] M-series, developed a reputation for their robustness, mechanical accuracy and spectrum of many available high-quality lenses, making it the camera of choice for generations of professional photographers. Without a doubt, Hasselblad purposely reinforced this reputation by brilliantly marketing their moon-camera.
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The new Hasselblad camera gained a reputation over the years for its robustness, mechanical accuracy and for having a wide range of high-quality lenses, making it the medium-format camera of choice for generations of professional photographers. Victor Hasselblad AB reinforced this reputation by making the most of the fact that their camera had been chosen by NASA for use in space, although not without modifications.
  
 
== A modular system camera ==
 
== A modular system camera ==
  
Following the design of the previous models, the Hasselblad Corporation designed the V-series to be completely modular: Not only the lenses are exchangeable, but also then winding crank, the viewfinder and the film magazines are exchangeable during normal operation of the camera. With the introduction of the 500C/M, also the focussing screens were user-exchangeable.
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Following the design principle of the previous models, the Victor Hasselblad AB made the V-series completely modular: Not only the lenses, but also the winding crank, the viewfinder and the film magazine are exchangeable during normal operation of the camera. With the introduction of the '''500C/M''', also the focussing screen became easily exchangeable. The 500C/M was also sold as the '''Hasselblad 500 Classic''' bundle that included a 80mm lens and A12 film back.
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Victor Hasselblad AB put great effort to assist correct magazine handling: the presence of a [[dark slide]] in the film magazine prevents the shutter from being fired, but allows the removal of the back, whereas the back is locked to the body without the dark slide in place. Further: two small indicator windows opposite one another - one on the back and the other on the body - show the state of the film (exposed vs. unexposed) and shutter (cocked vs. released).  
  
Of note in the modular design is the detail the Hasselblad Corporation has put in preventing user-errors related to the film-back: Presence of the dark slide in the back prevents exposure and allows removal of the back, whereas the filmback is locked to the body when the dark slide is removed. Also, both on the back and the body, colored indicators indicate the state of the shutter (cocked vs. released) and exposure (exposed vs. unexposed) on body and film back.
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The above described effort is in strong contrast to the ease with which the shutter and body state dissociate upon removal of the lens. This can result in either (i) a released shutter and a body already in a mirror-down position or (ii) a cocked shutter and the mirror up. In either situation, re-inserting the lens can easily lead to irreversible damage. Over the years, this has led to the introduction of a great variety of tools from many vendors addressing these issues. It is recommended to always keep the camera wound before making any exchanges.
This level of detail is in strong contrast with one of the more well known quirks of the Hasselblad V-series: The relative ease with which the shutter and body state dissociate upon removal of the lense. This results in a released shutter and a body already in a mirror-down position. Re-inserting the lense can easily lead to irreversible damage in this situation. Over the years this has led to the introduction of a great variety of manual shutter cocking tools from many vendors.
 
  
== Optics and shutter ==
 
--> Zeiss, speeds, e-number
 
 
== Magazines and film ==
 
== Magazines and film ==
  
<div class= "floatright">[http://www.flickr.com/photos/50678983@N00/273279541/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://static.flickr.com/86/273279541_ec2e9e382a_m.jpg]<br><small>'' a new A12 magazine and an old style 12 magazine <br> with a HOLE to check the frame number!''</small></div>
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<div class= "floatleft">[http://www.flickr.com/photos/50678983@N00/273279541/in/pool-camerawiki http://static.flickr.com/86/273279541_ec2e9e382a_m.jpg]<br><small>''a new A12 magazine and an older 12-shot magazine <br> with a hole to check the frame number''<br>image by {{image author|Dries van den Elzen}}</small> {{with permission}}</div>
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Upon introduction in 1957, the Hasselblad came with a 12-shot magazine for 120 film. A 16-shot magazine for 6&times;4.5 was also available. When loading the film, the photographer had to find the first frame by winding until the number "1" was visible through a hole in the back. Unlike many manufacturers, Hasselblad deemed it unnecessary to obscure this with a [[red window|ruby window]].
  
Upon introduction in 1957, the Hasselblad came with a 12 shot magazine for 120 film. 16 shot magazines for 6&times;4.5 were available. When loading the film, the photographer had to find the first frame by winding until the number "1" was visible in through a tunnel exposing the film counter on the back of the film. Unlike many camera-manufacturers, Hasselblad deemed it unnessesary to obscure this with a ruby window.
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The introduction of "automatic" magazines (1970) meant the end of all this: when film is loaded, winding the camera will transport automatically to frame&nbsp;1. Hence the name Automatic: A12. Other available magazines include a [[Polaroid]] back, a magazine for [[120 film#220_film|220]] and another for [[70mm film|70mm bulk film]].
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{{br}}
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<div class="floatleft">[http://www.flickr.com/photos/50678983@N00/273286926/in/pool-camerawiki http://farm1.static.flickr.com/89/273286926_6ffa0b5d35_s.jpg][http://www.flickr.com/photos/50678983@N00/273279531/in/pool-camerawiki/ http://farm1.static.flickr.com/111/273279531_9edf811a69_s.jpg][http://www.flickr.com/photos/50678983@N00/273279535/in/pool-camerawiki http://static.flickr.com/95/273279535_d4e934e05f_s.jpg] <br><small>images by {{image author|Dries van den Elzen}}</small> {{with permission}}</div>
  
The indroduction of the automatic magazines (1970) meant the end of all this: when film is loaded, winding the camera will transport automatically to frame 1. Hence the name Automatic: A12. Other available magazines include a [[Polaroid]] back, a magazine for 220 film and one for 70mm bulk film.
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A 12-shot magazine with dark slide (1) and the back of the 500C/M showing secondary shutter and mounting for film back&nbsp;(2). The magazine's inner life&nbsp;(3).
  
<div>[http://www.flickr.com/photos/50678983@N00/273286926/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://static.flickr.com/89/273286926_56cd516643_t.jpg][http://www.flickr.com/photos/50678983@N00/273279531/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://static.flickr.com/111/273279531_37509ef352_t.jpg][http://www.flickr.com/photos/50678983@N00/273279535/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://static.flickr.com/95/273279535_d4e934e05f_t.jpg]<br><small>''A 12 magazine with dark slide (1) and Camera showing secondary shutter and mounting for back(2) The magazine's inner life(3)''</small></div>
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{{br}}
  
 
== Finders ==
 
== Finders ==
--> wlf, prism, metered prism
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The camera can be fitted with a waist level finder, plain prism or a metered prism finder.
 
 
  
 
== Links ==
 
== Links ==
  
 
* A [http://www.photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/index-frameset.html?Hasselblad500.html~mainFrame Hasselblad 500 review] at [http://www.photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/ Photoethnography.com].
 
* A [http://www.photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/index-frameset.html?Hasselblad500.html~mainFrame Hasselblad 500 review] at [http://www.photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/ Photoethnography.com].
 
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*[http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=11035 Hasselblad 500 C/M] at [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/general/html/francais.php Sylvain Halgand's  www.collection-appareils.fr] (in French)
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*[http://jeanc.bouss1.free.fr/dossier_collection/cible.php?%20id=23 Hasselblad 500 C/M] at [http://jeanc.bouss1.free.fr/dossier_collection/ Au Fil des Images (in French)]
  
 
== Images ==
 
== Images ==
<div>[http://www.flickr.com/photos/50678983@N00/271569042/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://static.flickr.com/111/271569042_fa8b9d5435_m.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/50678983@N00/271569044/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://static.flickr.com/81/271569044_b690aff96f_m.jpg]</div>
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<div>[http://www.flickr.com/photos/50678983@N00/271569042/in/pool-camerawiki/ http://static.flickr.com/111/271569042_fa8b9d5435_m.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/50678983@N00/271569044/in/pool-camerawiki/ http://static.flickr.com/81/271569044_b690aff96f_m.jpg]</div>
 
<br>
 
<br>
<div>[http://www.flickr.com/photos/50678983@N00/271569052/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://static.flickr.com/86/271569052_7e996d11d7_m.jpg]
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<div>[http://www.flickr.com/photos/50678983@N00/271569052/in/pool-camerawiki/ http://static.flickr.com/86/271569052_7e996d11d7_m.jpg]
[http://www.flickr.com/photos/50678983@N00/271569051/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://static.flickr.com/96/271569051_2c8383d957_m.jpg]</div>
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[http://www.flickr.com/photos/50678983@N00/271569050/in/pool-camerawiki http://farm1.static.flickr.com/99/271569050_fc35c0d5e9_m.jpg]<br><small>images by {{image author|Dries van den Elzen}}</small> {{with permission}}</div>
[[Category: Stub]]
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[[Category: 6x6 SLR]]
 
[[Category: 6x6 SLR]]
 
[[Category: Sweden]]
 
[[Category: Sweden]]
 
[[Category: Hasselblad]]
 
[[Category: Hasselblad]]
 
[[Category: H]]
 
[[Category: H]]

Revision as of 05:25, 4 October 2016

Origins and name

The Hasselblad 500 C was introduced in 1957 by Victor Hasselblad AB, replacing the original focal plane shutter models 1600 F and 1000 F, which, despite their innovative concept never got rid of the problems associated with the shutter used. Realizing this, Hasselblad decided to start almost from scratch in order to make a more reliable model. It was a major decision for the company to create a completely new camera, only keeping the physical shape of the original, while everything inside would be new. The single inspiring factor was the promising new Compur shutter, based on Zeiss Ikon’s Contaflex experience, and the fact that Zeiss committed themselves to manufacture the new range of lenses. The shutter would be an integral part of every interchangeable Hasselblad lens. The new design meant electronic flash synchronization at all shutter speeds, and automatic aperture stop down, the latter one year before the first 35mm SLR, the Minolta SR-2. The new model name 500C reflects the fastest shutter speed and the shutter type, already an established practice: a 1/500th second and the Central lens shutter made by Compur.

The 500 C, the first in the long lasting V-series, comprising the 500, SWC, 2000 and 200 range of cameras, was received with scepticism. Both the lens shutter concept associated with less advanced 35mm SLR cameras, and the moderate top speed of 1/500th of a second worried the critics. However, the decision was proven a sound one. Very short exposure time is easily and more accurately obtained using strobe light, in the studio anyway. The original model stayed in production until 1970. It was replaced by the 500C/M (M for modified according to the factory), featuring an interchangeable focusing screen and an improved automatic back, the A-series film magazines.

The new Hasselblad camera gained a reputation over the years for its robustness, mechanical accuracy and for having a wide range of high-quality lenses, making it the medium-format camera of choice for generations of professional photographers. Victor Hasselblad AB reinforced this reputation by making the most of the fact that their camera had been chosen by NASA for use in space, although not without modifications.

A modular system camera

Following the design principle of the previous models, the Victor Hasselblad AB made the V-series completely modular: Not only the lenses, but also the winding crank, the viewfinder and the film magazine are exchangeable during normal operation of the camera. With the introduction of the 500C/M, also the focussing screen became easily exchangeable. The 500C/M was also sold as the Hasselblad 500 Classic bundle that included a 80mm lens and A12 film back.

Victor Hasselblad AB put great effort to assist correct magazine handling: the presence of a dark slide in the film magazine prevents the shutter from being fired, but allows the removal of the back, whereas the back is locked to the body without the dark slide in place. Further: two small indicator windows opposite one another - one on the back and the other on the body - show the state of the film (exposed vs. unexposed) and shutter (cocked vs. released).

The above described effort is in strong contrast to the ease with which the shutter and body state dissociate upon removal of the lens. This can result in either (i) a released shutter and a body already in a mirror-down position or (ii) a cocked shutter and the mirror up. In either situation, re-inserting the lens can easily lead to irreversible damage. Over the years, this has led to the introduction of a great variety of tools from many vendors addressing these issues. It is recommended to always keep the camera wound before making any exchanges.

Magazines and film

273279541_ec2e9e382a_m.jpg
a new A12 magazine and an older 12-shot magazine
with a hole to check the frame number

image by Dries van den Elzen
(Image rights)

Upon introduction in 1957, the Hasselblad came with a 12-shot magazine for 120 film. A 16-shot magazine for 6×4.5 was also available. When loading the film, the photographer had to find the first frame by winding until the number "1" was visible through a hole in the back. Unlike many manufacturers, Hasselblad deemed it unnecessary to obscure this with a ruby window.

The introduction of "automatic" magazines (1970) meant the end of all this: when film is loaded, winding the camera will transport automatically to frame 1. Hence the name Automatic: A12. Other available magazines include a Polaroid back, a magazine for 220 and another for 70mm bulk film.

A 12-shot magazine with dark slide (1) and the back of the 500C/M showing secondary shutter and mounting for film back (2). The magazine's inner life (3).


Finders

The camera can be fitted with a waist level finder, plain prism or a metered prism finder.

Links

Images

271569042_fa8b9d5435_m.jpg 271569044_b690aff96f_m.jpg


271569052_7e996d11d7_m.jpg 271569050_fc35c0d5e9_m.jpg
images by Dries van den Elzen (Image rights)