Hasselblad 501CM? should I just purchase it!

[mob81]

I will buy one of the hasselblad 500 series very soon "I'm just tempted".
However, with so many models I got a little confused!:bang:
Is the 501CM a good choice or should I reconsider? I won't use flash "Safe to say never!!!" is it hand holdable?
It's around $1600 including a12 back and 80mm planar "All Like new condition and fully working condition" is it a fair price....or should I continue the hunt.
the man I want to buy from is trusted "so can't try it.

After seeing photos of medium format I got GAS attack and only RFF is to blame😀😎
any help would be appreciated

Regards,
Mohammed

 

[Jamie123]

I think $1600 for a 501CM with 80mm and A12 back is a bit steep, especially if it's a CF lens. I wouldn't pay much more than $1000-1200 for this.

 

[FrozenInTime]

$1600 does seem around the right price for 501CM outfit ( providing it's not a mix and match kit of items from different eras ).
Even late good condition 500CMs go for >$1200.
The 501C/501CM have the brighter acute-matt screen not standard on the 500CM.

I hand hold 99% of the time - no problems.

 

[mob81]

Thanks Jamie,
That's what I thought!
Which model should I start the hunt for? the 500C/M looks a bit cheaper but what would I lose on if I go with the 500C/M compare to Say 503?

 

[mob81]

$1600 does seem around the right price for 501CM outfit ( providing it's not a mix and match kit of items from different eras ).
Even late good condition 500CMs go for >$1200.
The 501C/501CM have the brighter acute-matt screen not standard on the 500CM.

I hand hold 99% of the time - no problems.

Thanks for the info,
It's not a match! it's different! the Lens is Just C (from what I understood)

 

[FrozenInTime]

There are two types of 80mm lenses with 'C' designation:
The old ones Bayonet 50 - with the moving depth of field pointers and the new Bayonet 60 ones that came with the 501C.
The former is worth considerably less; the latter is a lot easier to get filters and hoods for.

The 80mm CFE is the most desirable followed by the CFi, CF, 'new' C, CB then C.
The 80mm CB has a lesser optical spec. The CB was introduced with the early 501CM outfits.

The CFE/CFi and CB lenses have improved internal reflection coating.
But I've never seen a side by side comparison showing there is an improvement with the 80mm lens.

keh.com/ can serve as a price gauge.

 

[Jamie123]

I had a 501CM until a couple of years ago and maybe the used prices have gone up since then. However, $1600 seems to be too much IMO and a look at the prices on Keh.com confirms this. If it was a CFE or CFi lens maybe the price would be reasonable but if it's only a C lens it's definitely way over the top.

The 501CM aswell as the 503CW have the Gliding Mirror which will not vignette on lenses of 150mm and longer unlike the older 500CM, 501C and 503CX(i) cameras. In addition to the Gliding Mirror the 503CW also has TTL OTF flash metering (only useful if you want to use the Hasselblad flash or certain Metz flashes) and accepts the CW Winder.
As a previous poster said, there's a difference in factory standard screens between the different models. However, you can't really be sure on the used market that a certain camera still has its factory screen. If I were you I'd get either a 501CM with a couple of new style A12 backs and an 80mm CF lens. Look for one with an Acute Matte D screen, preferably with a split screen. There are three basic types of Hasselblad screens. The standard screen, the Acute Matte screen and the Acute Matte D screen. The D screens usually have two D-shaped notches in the metal frame.

 

[mfogiel]

Go for the 501 CM for the gliding mirror, brigter screen and more recent make. The price looks a bit high, but if the condition is optimal, only you can decide.

 

[mob81]

Thanks guys.
The Camera is sold to a guy where he lives "for easier transaction. No Problem I'll continue the Hunt and will apply your suggestion.
Ebay prices seems to be around the asking price (So I guess the prices are going up! on everything)

Regards,
Mohammed

 

[literiter]

I bought a 501CM a few years ago and I really like it. The price was fair particularly considering I could check it out and by the serial number it was made in 1997.

A friend of mine bought a very fine 500CM of a fairly early vintage recently for quite a bit less money and sent the whole shebang to David Odess. He is very happy.

The 501CM has the gliding mirror system (big deal!) and is newer but doesn't have the shutter status indicator of the 500CM.

 

[Jamie123]

Thanks guys.
The Camera is sold to a guy where he lives "for easier transaction. No Problem I'll continue the Hunt and will apply your suggestion.
Ebay prices seems to be around the asking price (So I guess the prices are going up! on everything)

Regards,
Mohammed

Then don't shop on eBay. Keep in mind that if you buy used there's often (especially with Hasselblads) the possibility that the camera or lens needs a repair.
Check out Keh.com. A 501CM and an 80mm CF lens both in EX condition will run you around $1200.

 

[Nokton48]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with older classic Hasselblad equipment, any more than there is anything wrong with classic Leica equipment. It's available for considerably less than you were going to spend, send it to David Odess if it needs servicing.

I have a classic 70s vintage blad system and I'm extremely happy with it.

 

[nakedcellist]

I bought a 500CM with lens and back for 500 euro last summer, in perfect condition, so the price seems steep. But I can recommend the camera, it is a lovely camera.

 

[menos]

German Hasselblad photographers site with buyers guide

German Hasselblad photographers site with buyers guide

I will buy one of the hasselblad 500 series very soon "I'm just tempted".
However, with so many models I got a little confused!:bang:
Is the 501CM a good choice or should I reconsider? I won't use flash "Safe to say never!!!" is it hand holdable?
It's around $1600 including a12 back and 80mm planar "All Like new condition and fully working condition" is it a fair price....or should I continue the hunt.
the man I want to buy from is trusted "so can't try it.

After seeing photos of medium format I got GAS attack and only RFF is to blame😀😎
any help would be appreciated

Regards,
Mohammed

Mohammed, I know, this might be not very helpful now, but I have a similar pondering about a Hasselblad (for trying out MF) in regular occurence.

I once stumbled over an absolutely excellent website, dedicated to just Hasselblad knowledge by a German photographer.
This site was the best, I ever found including a very extensive collection of knowledge for second hand buyers with detailed instructions on how to check each and every important detail about the camera written for Hasselblad illiterates.

The bad thing is: I can't find the site anymore! :bang:

Anybody knows, which site is it?
It has lot's of images, showing details about the cameras, a perfect second hand buyers guide and a history of all different Hasselblad models and many accessories (finders, …).

Any idea?

 

[Mephiloco]

I was offered a hassy 500cm kit with a 80mm, a 150 and a 250, 6 a12 backs, the big grip thing, 2 220 backs, a polaroid back, and a lot of rolls of film for about $1500. Included the hip finder, and then the eyepiece thing and some other things to go with it. All the glass was flawless etc.

Still wondering if I turned down a good deal, think it's still available.

 

[Film dino]

Thanks guys.
....
Ebay prices seems to be around the asking price (So I guess the prices are going up! on everything)

Regards,
Mohammed

Mohammed, eBay prices (at least on desirable gear) tend to rise at this time of year. As for choice of bodies I'd echo what Marek has said.

David

 

[Jamie123]

Mohammed, I know, this might be not very helpful now, but I have a similar pondering about a Hasselblad (for trying out MF) in regular occurence.

I once stumbled over an absolutely excellent website, dedicated to just Hasselblad knowledge by a German photographer.
This site was the best, I ever found including a very extensive collection of knowledge for second hand buyers with detailed instructions on how to check each and every important detail about the camera written for Hasselblad illiterates.

The bad thing is: I can't find the site anymore! :bang:

Anybody knows, which site is it?
It has lot's of images, showing details about the cameras, a perfect second hand buyers guide and a history of all different Hasselblad models and many accessories (finders, …).

Any idea?

This one maybe?: http://www.stefanheymann.de/501cm/index.htm

 

[Jamie123]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with older classic Hasselblad equipment, any more than there is anything wrong with classic Leica equipment. It's available for considerably less than you were going to spend, send it to David Odess if it needs servicing.

I have a classic 70s vintage blad system and I'm extremely happy with it.

The older Hasselblads are nice, too, but since the OP seems to have around $1500 to spend I'd still recommend going for one of the newer models. And I'd definitely recommend avoiding the older C lenses as some parts for their compur shutters are no longer made so if they need a repair you're out of luck.

 

[Jamie123]

I was offered a hassy 500cm kit with a 80mm, a 150 and a 250, 6 a12 backs, the big grip thing, 2 220 backs, a polaroid back, and a lot of rolls of film for about $1500. Included the hip finder, and then the eyepiece thing and some other things to go with it. All the glass was flawless etc.

Still wondering if I turned down a good deal, think it's still available.

I suppose the lenses are all C type? I'd probably pass on this one just because you're paying for too many things that you probably won't use. Also, the 250mm in this kit is only really useful for landscape as you already have a 150mm. The minimum focusing distance of the 250mm is so large that, at its closest focus, the magnification is pretty much the same as that of the 150mm.

In the long term there are several lens combinations that you should consider. The 'classic' set up is probably a 50-80-150 combo. That's the one I had and it's arguably the cheapest one. Another one would be 60-100-180 which incorporates most of the best lenses in the Hasselblad line-up. A two lens option would be 60-120.

 

[menos]

This one maybe?: http://www.stefanheymann.de/501cm/index.htm

Jamie, thank you so much!
That is exactly the site, I meant - a great site for Hasselblad newbies like me ;-)