Hasselblad 500 EL
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| Hasselblad 500 EL image by Lary Leal (Image rights) |
The 500 EL was introduced by Hasselblad in 1965—essentially a 500 C with a permanently-integrated motor drive in the baseplate of the camera. Because the 500 C lacks an instant-return mirror, this automated winding was a helpful feature in quick-moving shooting situations.
The side of the camera body contains the motor drive / mirror settings. It replaces the manual winder. The settings include O for normal operation, A for automatic continuous mode, holding the shutter release will result in 1 fps exposure. AS automatic speed for continuous mirror up mode. The S is for speed, the mirror is up for the duration of the exposure and SR is for speed repeat prerelease with the mirror remaining up on every exposure. Typically the best way to use the S modes is to compose in normal mode with the mirror down, then switching to the S modes.
The 500 EL was famously adapted by NASA for the Apollo moon program (although the moonwalk cameras omitted the reflex viewing of the stock model). A number of 500 EL's remain abandoned on the lunar surface.
The EL was succeeded in 1971 by the 500 EL/M.
Links
- Hasselblad 500 EL manual at Mike Butkus' OrphanCameras.com
- 500EL advertisement in November, 1966, Popular Photography (Vol. 59, No. 5; page 87)
- Hasselblad 500 EL profiled at Karen Nakamura's Photoethnography.com
- Hasselblad Space Cameras (archived) at Hasselblad.com
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| Modified 500 EL used on Apollo 14 moonwalk image by GregF422 (Image rights) |
