Hasselblad 500 C/M
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 500CM. This newer version enabled the switching finder glass and a new series op automatic backs were introduced (eg. the A12 magazine).
Following the design of the previous models, the Hasselblad Corperation designed the V-series to be completely modular: Not only the lenses are exchangeable, but also the viewfinder and the film magazines are exchangeable during normal operation of the camera.
Optics and shutter
--> Zeiss, speeds, e-number
Magazines and film
--> 120, 220, 70mm, polaroid
Finders
--> wlf, prism, metered prism
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