Difference between revisions of "Hasselblad 500 C/M"

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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.
 
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.
  
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 500CM. 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 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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Over the years, the Hasseblad cameras, like their 35mm counterpart, the Leica M-series, developed a reputation for their robustness and optical excellence, making it the camera of choice for generations of professional photographers.
  
 
== A modular system camera ==
 
== A modular system camera ==

Revision as of 21:44, 7 December 2006


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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.

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).

Over the years, the Hasseblad cameras, like their 35mm counterpart, the Leica M-series, developed a reputation for their robustness and optical excellence, making it the camera of choice for generations of professional photographers.

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.

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. 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 is 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

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a new A12 magazine and an old style 12 magazine
with a HOLE to check the frame number!

Upon introduction in 1957, the Hasselblad came with a 12 shot magazine for 120 film. 16 shot magazines for 6×4.5 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.

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 magazine with dark slide (1) and Camera showing secondary shutter and mounting for back(2)
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The magazine's inner life

Finders

--> wlf, prism, metered prism


Links


Images

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