Camera Dojo

Hasselblad 500C/M: used prices, what to check and how to shoot it

The short answer

The Hasselblad 500C/M is a fully mechanical 6x6 medium format SLR launched in 1970, and the owners and reviewers in our research mostly praise its Zeiss leaf-shutter lenses, swappable film backs, build and compact size.

In October 2026, K&M Camera in New York listed used bodies at $1,099.99 to $1,899.99, and Brooklyn Film Camera said recent serviced kits with the 80mm lens ran $3,450 to $4,200. Budget for a service if you buy one unserviced: Brooklyn Film Camera posts $450 for a 500CM body CLA.

Made
1970 to 1988 (some say 1994)
Film
120, 12 frames of 6x6 cm
Shutter
Leaf, in each lens, 1 s to 1/500 plus B
Battery
None for the body
Check used pricesWhat owners say

Built from 140 opinions from 29 pages and videos. Not yet tested by Camera Dojo. Updated .

Chrome and black Hasselblad 500C/M with folded waist-level finder, film back and square lens hood on a white background
Photo: デニス モジョ, CC BY 2.0

The short version

Owners keep praising the same things. Build quality drew only positive comments (7 of 7), the lenses 9 of 10, and 9 of 15 comments on size are positive: Australian Analog put it at 1.4 kg against 2.8 kg for a Mamiya RB67, and a 35mmc owner takes it instead of his Nikon F2. The shutter sits in each lens and everything is wound by hand, so the body never needs a battery, and Jeremy Mudd says the only seal on the body and back that goes bad is the small one in the dark slide slot.

The complaints are specific. There is no built-in meter, so you need a handheld meter, a phone app or the Sunny 16 rule. Loading the backs and remembering the dark slide trip up new owners, a lens or back out of sync with the body can jam it, and the waist-level image is reversed left to right. Prices have also climbed: a February 2019 review put most eBay kits at $1,000 to $1,500 (lens, body and back), and a commenter who paid $1,600 for a 503CX kit said they were almost double that in 2022.

Good fit if

  • You want a fully mechanical medium format camera that never needs a battery
  • You like to work slowly: landscapes, portraits and tripod work, where the square frame and waist-level finder suit the pace
  • You want Zeiss lenses and the option to swap film backs mid-roll
  • You want a 6x6 system that is small next to a 6x7 SLR: about 1.4 kg against 2.8 kg for a Mamiya RB67, per Australian Analog
  • You can buy serviced with a warranty, or budget for a CLA ($450 at Brooklyn Film Camera's posted rate)

Think twice if

  • You want a built-in meter or any automatic exposure
  • You shoot fast-moving subjects or street photography: Neil Kohl says it is not a great camera for either, and a YouTube owner finds the manual workflow slow
  • You need speeds faster than 1/500 with fast film in bright light: Australian Analog found that limiting outdoors with high ISO film
  • This would be your first film camera: Cultured Kiwi does not recommend it without film experience (see best film cameras for beginners)
  • You want a cheap way into medium format: a 35mmc owner says nothing in the Hasselblad system is cheap, even a metal lens hood

What owners and reviewers say, topic by topic

We sorted 140 opinions about the Hasselblad 500C/M from 29 pages and videos on 24 websites and channels. Each row shows how many people raised a topic and how many of them were positive. Open a row to read short quotes, each linked to its source.

Owner voices come mostly from long-form blogs (Shoot It With Film, Jeremy Mudd, Neil Kohl, Albert Genato, Camera Obscure), EMULSIVE and 35mmc reader reviews, UK and US forum threads and five YouTube reviews. Reddit, Photrio and retailer customer reviews could not be checked, and a few voices describe the closely related 500C or 503CX.

  1. Viewfinder and focusing45% positiveof 20

    Split. Owners love the big, bright waist-level view, but the image is reversed left to right and the stock screen can be dim; brighter Acute-Matte or split-prism screens and a prism finder help, at the cost of weight.

  2. Reliability today39% positiveof 18

    Mixed. Owners call it a reliable workhorse with no body seals to rot, but warn that it jams if a lens or back gets out of sync, that back seals wear, and that copies which sat for years need a CLA.

  3. Price and value50% positiveof 16

    Mostly positive or mixed: owners say it holds its value, but several note prices have climbed sharply since 2020 and that nothing in the system is cheap.

  4. Size and weight60% positiveof 15

    Mostly positive: owners find it small and light for a 6x6 camera. Reported weights run about 1.4 to 1.5 kg for a camera with the 80mm and a waist-level finder, and Photoethnography lists 1,555 g with the 80mm and a 120 back. Some say it gets heavy after a full day.

  5. Ease of use21% positiveof 14

    Mostly negative: owners say loading film backs, remembering the dark slide and cocking the shutter between shots make it slow and easy to get wrong at first. A few call it simple and engaging once the routine sinks in.

    • “the number of times I’ve forgotten to take it out before pressing the shutter, or misplacing it”

      James Baturin, Shoot It With Film 2019-02Owner

    • “the Hasselblad V-series also has many quirks. Certainly, far more than I'd expect given their reputation.”

      skysh4rk, Talk Photography 2016-08Owner

    • “It is a relatively simple machine, it doesn’t do a lot, but what it does feels great to do.”

      CameraObscure, Camera Obscure 2017-03Owner

    • “I wasted a few rolls figuring out how to load it but eventually, I succeeded and it quickly became intuitive”

      Astrid Robertsson, EMULSIVE 2021-08Owner

  6. Repairs and servicing42% positiveof 12

    Mixed. Owners say a mechanical body can be serviced for decades and back seals are an easy DIY job, but others report hunting for technicians, long waits and repair bills worth half the camera.

  7. Lenses90% positiveof 10

    Nearly all positive: owners rate the Zeiss lenses as sharp and outstanding. The one reservation is that the V system has only fixed focal lengths.

  8. Controls and features60% positiveof 10

    Mostly positive on the modular design, swapping backs mid-roll and the near-silent shutter with the mirror up. Complaints cover the 1/500 top speed, close-focus limits and a confusing self-timer.

    • “the maximum shutter speed is 1/500 sec which wasn’t ideal when shooting outdoors with high ISO film”

      Australian Analog 2021-04Hands-on review

    • “Put it on a tripod, put the mirror up and fire the shutter in the lens it makes no sound at all.”

      David Mitchell, 35mmc 2020-08Owner

    • “Giving you the ability to swap film mid roll and have as many different films ready as you have film backs.”

      Paul Lovell, Broken Camera Club 2024-04Owner

    • “The ground glass on the 500C/M had two tabs you slide back and the glass comes right out.”

      TheNixer, Flickr Hasselblad group

  9. Image results71% positiveof 7

    All positive or mixed: owners praise the detail of the 6x6 negative and the Zeiss rendering. Australian Analog found a Mamiya 645 at a third of the price came close, and Neil Kohl finds the 80mm soft wide open up close.

  10. Build quality100% positiveof 7

    Every comment is positive: owners and reviewers describe the build as impeccable, precise and far from fragile.

  11. Light meter and exposure0% positiveof 5

    There is no meter in the body, so every owner who mentions it uses a handheld meter, a phone app, another camera's meter or the Sunny 16 rule.

    • “there is no built in light meter, so you’ll have to meter externally or use the old “Sunny 16” rule”

      James Baturin, Shoot It With Film 2019-02Owner

    • “I chose to gauge my light reading via my Leica M6.”

      Rick Davy, EMULSIVE 2018-03Owner

    • “Have a light meter handy, or stick to the Sunny 16 rule if you want to nail your exposure.”

      Ben Kepka, Cultured Kiwi 2026

    • “I know that if I want a light meter I have one as an app on my phone and I could use a handheld one.”

      Astrid Robertsson, EMULSIVE 2021-08Owner

  12. Batteries and power100% positiveof 4

    All positive: the body is fully mechanical and the shutter sits in the lens, so nothing needs a battery.

    • “The lens houses the leaf shutter mechanism, which does not require a battery to operate”

      CameraObscure, Camera Obscure 2017-03Owner

    • “It is fully manual and mechanical. There’s no need to use any batteries.”

      Australian Analog 2021-04Hands-on review

    • “Since it's all manual, you don't have to worry about the electronics failing as you do with later models.”

      Tom Hoglund 2017-10

PositiveMixedNegative

Hasselblad 500C/M vs 500C: what changed

The 500C/M is the 1970 update of the 500C, which Hasselblad launched in 1957 and built until 1970, about 76,700 bodies in all. The change that matters is the focusing screen: fixed on the 500C, user-removable on the 500C/M, so you can fit a brighter one. A Flickr Hasselblad group member says it was worth the extra money to change screens easily, and Jeremy Mudd found the stock 500CM screen easier to focus than the 500C's dim fixed one.

Sources disagree on when the 500C/M ended. Brooklyn Film Camera and Jeremy Mudd say 1988, the year Hasselblad introduced the 503CX, while Photoethnography says 1994. Photoethnography also called the 500C/M the minimum model to buy used in 2011, since some 500C bodies were in good shape but others needed a CLA.

500C vs 500C/M (Brooklyn Film Camera kit prices checked October 28, 2026)
500C500C/M
Made1957-19701970 to 1988 (1994 per Photoethnography)
Number madeAbout 76,700 (Hasselblad)No figure found
Focusing screenFixedUser-removable
Recent serviced kits at Brooklyn Film Camera$3,150-$3,400 with a 50mm or 80mm$3,450-$4,200 with the 80mm T* f/2.8

Quick check: the 500C/M screen comes out by sliding back two tabs, as a Flickr group member explains; on a 500C it is fixed.

Sources: hasselblad.com, brooklynfilmcamera.com, jeremymuddphoto.com, photoethnography.com, flickr.com

Film for the Hasselblad 500C/M: frames per roll and cost per shot

The 500C/M shoots 6x6 cm square frames: 12 on a roll of 120, or 24 on 220 with a 24-exposure back. Don't plan around 220: a Medium Format Forum member already called it rare in 2009. For how the bigger negative compares with 35mm, see 35mm vs 120 film.

Twelve frames a roll makes each shot count. Developing a 120 roll costs $18 at Brooklyn Film Camera's lab (checked October 28, 2026): $18 for 12 shots, about $1.50 each, before scanning. Compare other labs in our film developing cost table.

The top shutter speed is 1/500, which Australian Analog found limiting outdoors with high ISO film, so slower film leaves more room to open the lens in bright light. Interchangeable backs let you keep two films loaded and swap mid-roll, as long as the dark slide goes in first.

Sources: shootitwithfilm.com, mediumformatforum.com, brooklynfilmcamera.com, australiananalog.com.au, culturedkiwi.com

How to load film and shoot a Hasselblad 500C/M

Everything is manual, so each frame takes a few deliberate steps. Hasselblad's manual breaks loading alone into 12 steps, and Neil Kohl suggests watching a loading video each time until it becomes second nature. Our film loading guide covers the basics for other cameras.

  1. 1

    Load the insert

    Turn the key on the film back and pull the insert out. Put a roll of 120 in it, thread the paper onto the take-up spool and line the start arrow up with the marks. Slide the insert back in and lock it.

  2. 2

    Wind to frame 1

    Turn the crank until the counter shows 1. You can load a back off the camera as long as the dark slide is in; you then cock the shutter by hand at the end.

  3. 3

    Match the indicators

    Before mounting a back or a lens, check that body, lens and back all show the same state: white for cocked, red for fired. A mismatch can jam the camera.

  4. 4

    Set the exposure

    Meter with a handheld meter, a phone app or the Sunny 16 rule, then set speed and aperture on the lens. Older C lenses link the two dials; on CF, CFE and CFi lenses you can switch that lock off.

  5. 5

    Pull the dark slide

    The shutter will not release with the dark slide in. Pull it, focus on the waist-level screen, which shows the scene reversed left to right, and shoot.

  6. 6

    Hold slow exposures

    At 1/4 s and slower, keep the release pressed for the whole exposure, or the rear blind in the body closes early.

  7. 7

    Wind on, or swap backs

    Wind the crank after every frame. To change film mid-roll, slide the dark slide back in and swap the whole back.

Sources: brooklynfilmcamera.com, mikeeckman.com, kohlweb.com, cameraobscure.wordpress.com, culturedkiwi.com

Hasselblad 500C/M batteries: the body needs none

The 500C/M body takes no battery at all: the shutter is in the lens and everything is wound by hand. Only a metered prism finder needs a cell, and which one depends on the finder.

The common PME prism (1981-1988) takes a PX-28, the 6 V stack also sold as 4SR44 (silver oxide), 4LR44 (alkaline) and A544; Duracell also sells a lithium PX28L. On a PME, press the metering button at the front of the finder with your eye at the eyepiece; the same button checks the battery. The original 1971-1982 meter prism (part 52051) takes a 1.5 V PX625A, which Kamerastore lists as LR9 or V625U. Look up other cameras in our film camera battery finder.

Which finder takes which battery
FinderBatteryAlso sold as
Waist-level finder (standard)NoneNot needed
Meter prism 52051 (1971-1982)PX625A, 1.5 VLR9, V625U, 625
PME prism (1981-1988)PX-28, 6 V4SR44, 4LR44, A544, PX28L (lithium)
PME-45 prismCR2, 3 V lithiumCheck the battery door
PME-90 prismCR-123, 3 V lithiumCheck the battery door
Gossen metering knobNone (selenium cell)Some no longer work

The PME-45 and PME-90 cells come from a single table on Photoethnography, so confirm against the battery door before you buy cells.

Sources: shootitwithfilm.com, photoethnography.com, kamerastore.com, en.wikipedia.org

Lenses for the Hasselblad 500C/M: what to buy first

The standard lens is the Carl Zeiss Planar 80mm f/2.8 T*, which frames like a 50mm on 35mm film. Neil Kohl finds it a little soft wide open and up close, and best from f/5.6 on. Its minimum focus is about 3 feet, so Kohl carries an 8mm extension tube for head-and-shoulders portraits and a 21mm tube for full-face portraits.

The most common lenses are the 40, 50, 80, 150 and 250mm, and they came in generations: C, then CF and CFE/CFi. Each lens carries its own leaf shutter, so each one needs its own service, not just the body. An owner on The Photo Forum points out that Hasselblad never made a zoom for the V system, and calls the 500mm poorly regarded and the 350mm mediocre at best.

Used V-system lens prices at US dealers (checked October 28, 2026)
LensSellerConditionPrice
80mm f/2.8 Planar C T*K&M CameraRating 9$1,099.99
C 80mm f/2.8 T* PlanarCamera WestGrade 8+, moderate haze on rear elements$595
150mm f/4 Sonnar CK&M CameraRating 8$449.99
CF 250mm f/5.6 Sonnar T*Camera WestGrade 9, slight haze on central element$295

Haze shows up in the price, with a caveat: Camera West's hazy C 80mm (grade 8+) was $595 against $1,099.99 for a rating 9 copy at K&M Camera, but those are different dealers with different grading scales.

Sources: culturedkiwi.com, kohlweb.com, photoethnography.com, thephotoforum.com, mikeeckman.com, kmcamera.com, camerawest.com, kmcamera.com, camerawest.com

What to check before buying a used Hasselblad 500C/M

Brooklyn Film Camera warns that most problems on old medium format cameras hide inside: sticky leaf shutters, slow speeds, worn light seals and backs that space frames unevenly. These checks come from owners and repair shops; our guide to where to buy used film cameras covers sellers and returns.

  1. 1

    Date it from the serial

    The first two letters of the body and back serial numbers spell the year with the word VHPICTURES (V=1 through S=0), so RI is 1984 and UC is 1975.

  2. 2

    Check the switch and indicators

    Make sure the T/O switch around the release sits on O and that body, lens and back show the same cocked indicator. On T, the release sticks and a good camera looks jammed.

  3. 3

    Look at the dark slide seals

    Check the seal in the dark slide slot of every back. Jeremy Mudd says it is the one seal on the body and back that goes bad, and calls it a $20 part and 15 minutes of work if you are handy.

  4. 4

    Ask about the glass

    Ask for haze, dust and fungus notes on every lens. Camera West's $595 C 80mm lists moderate haze on the rear elements and internal dust.

  5. 5

    Check the focusing screen

    Try to buy one with an Acute-Matte screen already fitted; Photoethnography priced one at $100-$300 separately in 2011. A Talk Photography member found an older screen with a circle of prisms (42250) much easier to focus.

  6. 6

    Avoid both extremes

    Photoethnography warns against ex-studio cameras and shrink-wrapped ones that sat unused for decades. A Talk Photography member adds that a rough-looking body used and serviced regularly can be a better buy than a smart one that needs an overhaul.

  7. 7

    Buy serviced or budget a CLA

    Brooklyn Film Camera sells its medium format cameras serviced with a six-month warranty, and Camera West gives 90 days on used gear. If you buy untested, shoot a test roll first and plan for a service.

  8. 8

    Leave the self-timer alone

    Mike Eckman warns that using the self-timer on an unserviced lens can jam the shutter.

Sources: brooklynfilmcamera.com, photoethnography.com, kohlweb.com, jeremymuddphoto.com, camerawest.com, talkphotography.co.uk, talkphotography.co.uk, brooklynfilmcamera.com, mikeeckman.com

Known problems and what fixing them costs

The 500C/M is simple and fully mechanical, so most faults come from age and handling rather than design; these are the ones owners and US repair shops mention most, with posted prices where we found them.

Camera jammed because lens, body and back are out of sync

Raised in 3 opinions

How you notice
The release or crank locks up. It happens when a fired (red) back goes on a cocked (white) body, or the reverse, and the same goes for lenses; lenses can also uncock from jostling. A T/O switch left on T makes the release stick and look like a jam.
Fix
Check the white and red indicators before mounting anything, return the switch to O and re-cock with the winding crank. A Fotodiox repair tool re-cocks a jammed body or lens.
Typical cost
$0 for the switch and indicator fixes; $24.95 for the Fotodiox tool at Pro Photo Supply (checked October 2026), whose listing says a jam can otherwise cost over $50 in repair bills.

Sources: kohlweb.com, mikeeckman.com, prophotosupply.com

Worn light seal in the film back's dark slide slot

Raised in 6 opinions

How you notice
Light leaks show up as orange or red streaks on the film (see [light leaks](/techniques/light-leaks/)). Jeremy Mudd says the small seal at the dark slide slot is the one seal on the body and back that goes bad. A former Hasselblad repairer on The Photo Forum names another wear point: the raised ridge on the camera back plate, worn down by repeated magazine changes, which he says can only be fixed by replacing the plate.
Fix
Replace the seal in the dark slide slot on each back. Mudd calls it a $20 part and 15 minutes of work, and a 500 C/M owner commenting on Mike Eckman's site calls it an easy, inexpensive DIY project. A worn ridge on the back plate is a shop job.
Typical cost
Neil Kohl's 2016 essay reports about $15 per back at a shop, and Mudd (2022) puts the part at about $20 if you do it yourself. Brooklyn Film Camera's CLA guide lists light seal replacement at $80-$120 for cameras in general, and its price list has $200 for a Hasselblad magazine.

Sources: jeremymuddphoto.com, kohlweb.com, mikeeckman.com, brooklynfilmcamera.com, brooklynfilmcamera.com, thephotoforum.com

Dry, out-of-adjustment body that needs a full CLA

Raised in 5 opinions

How you notice
Brooklyn Film Camera says old lubricant thickens and parts drift out of adjustment on unserviced cameras. Neil Kohl's body needed aligning, which was done as part of a CLA, and a Photo Forum owner whose camera had sat for years knew it would need a CLA no matter what.
Fix
Full body CLA by a Hasselblad-experienced technician. Photoethnography says a well-maintained body needs one every 10-15 years or so.
Typical cost
Brooklyn Film Camera: $450 for a 500CM or 503CX body on its pricing page, or $300-$600 with a 3-month warranty in its CLA guide, plus a $50 non-refundable diagnostic fee and 2-4 weeks turnaround. Neil Kohl's 2016 essay reports about $170 for a CLA with body alignment.

Sources: brooklynfilmcamera.com, brooklynfilmcamera.com, kohlweb.com, thephotoforum.com, photoethnography.com

Sticky or slow leaf shutter in a lens

How you notice
Brooklyn Film Camera says slow speeds overexpose and wash out color, while fast or uneven speeds leave thin, muddy shadows. Every lens has its own shutter, so each lens can have its own problem.
Fix
A lens CLA by a shop that works on Zeiss V-system lenses.
Typical cost
Brooklyn Film Camera's CLA guide gives $165-$275 for a medium format lens, though its pricing page says Zeiss glass is priced separately. Neil Kohl's 2016 essay reports about $300 for a sticky shutter plus a new iris.

Sources: brooklynfilmcamera.com, brooklynfilmcamera.com, kohlweb.com, mikeeckman.com

Rear shutter blind not opening fully, or closing early

Raised in 1 opinion

How you notice
One Photo Forum owner's 500C/M had a rear curtain that was not opening fully. Separately, at 1/4 s and slower the blind closes early if you let go of the release before the exposure ends, which is technique, not a fault.
Fix
Hold the release down for the whole exposure at slow speeds. If the blind itself sticks, it needs a technician; that owner got a full CLA and repair.
Typical cost
No itemized price found; the owner called the total for CLA plus repair very reasonable without giving a figure. Budget the body CLA range above.

Sources: thephotoforum.com, mikeeckman.com

Film back that spaces frames unevenly

Raised in 1 opinion

How you notice
Frames overlap or leave wide gaps, and you may get fewer shots per roll. Wedding photographer Joe Tobiason describes film back gearing issues causing irregular spacing in his YouTube review.
Fix
Buy backs that have been tested and are covered by the seller's warranty, or have the back serviced.
Typical cost
Brooklyn Film Camera lists $200 for a Hasselblad magazine on its CLA price list; a used A12 V1 back was $499.99 at K&M Camera (checked October 28, 2026).

Sources: brooklynfilmcamera.com, brooklynfilmcamera.com, kmcamera.com

Lens haze, internal dust or fungus

How you notice
Brooklyn Film Camera says haze lowers contrast, adds glow and flare, and flattens color. A Camera West C 80mm Planar listing notes moderate haze on the rear elements and internal dust.
Fix
Ask the seller for haze, dust and fungus notes and shoot a test roll. Kamerastore's restored kit notes list the inner lens elements as cleaned, so a lens service can include cleaning.
Typical cost
Lens service at $165-$275 (Brooklyn Film Camera guide). Hazy lenses can sell for less, though dealers and grades differ: $595 for the hazy C 80mm at Camera West against $1,099.99 for a rating 9 C 80mm at K&M Camera.

Sources: camerawest.com, kmcamera.com, brooklynfilmcamera.com, kamerastore.com

Light meter in a prism finder reads wrong

How you notice
Exposures come out a stop or more off. Photoethnography says the original 52051 prism is an analog needle meter, and Brooklyn Film Camera says light meters drift with age. One Photo Forum owner's light meter was off by at least a stop, which he confirmed against a Nikon D3300 and a Gossen Sixtomat; the thread does not say whether it was a prism or a handheld.
Fix
Check any built-in meter against a handheld meter or a phone app before you trust it. On a PME, try a fresh PX-28 first. If it is still off, meter externally and use the prism only as a viewfinder.
Typical cost
Battery cost only, or a handheld meter as a workaround; we found no US shop price for repairing a metered prism.

Sources: thephotoforum.com, photoethnography.com

Photos taken with a Hasselblad 500C/M

Photos taken with Hasselblad 500C/M bodies by Wikimedia Commons contributors, two on black and white film and two with a Hasselblad digital back.

What a Hasselblad 500C/M costs today

In late October 2026, K&M Camera in New York listed used 500C/M bodies at $1,099.99 to $1,899.99, and Brooklyn Film Camera said recent serviced kits with the 80mm lens ran $3,450 to $4,200. Brooklyn Film Camera's own price table puts medium format SLRs such as the 500CM at $800-$3,000 untested and $1,200-$4,200 tested and serviced. Buying a rating 8 body, a rating 9 C 80mm and a rating 8 A12 back separately at K&M ($1,099.99 + $1,099.99 + $499.99) comes to $2,699.97 for the three pieces, before any service.

  • K&M Camera (New York)

    Used, rating 8 (light wear, fully functional), in stock, 500 C/M body, black

    $1,099.99

    See listing

  • K&M Camera (New York)

    Used, like new; out of stock, 500 C/M body

    $1,299.95

    See listing

  • K&M Camera (New York)

    Used, rating 9+ (completely flawless); out of stock, 500C/M body, black

    $1,899.99

    See listing

  • Kamerastore (ships to the US)

    Certified condition, store average, 500C/M body, silver

    $1,404

    See listing

  • Brooklyn Film Camera

    Serviced (CLA), 6-month warranty, in stock, 500CM black and silver with Zeiss Planar 80mm f/2.8 and prism finder

    $4,200

    See listing

  • Brooklyn Film Camera

    Serviced kits, recent range per the seller, 500CM with the 80mm T* f/2.8

    $3,450-$4,200

    See listing

  • Kamerastore (ships to the US)

    Restored (serviced, new light seals), 12-month warranty, 500C/M silver kit: waist-level finder, 80mm Planar T* CF, screen, A12 back

    $3,634

    See listing

  • Pro Photo Supply

    Used, excellent per seller (no service mentioned); sold out, 500C/M with 50mm Distagon T*, film back, hood and strap

    $3,895

    See listing

  • K&M Camera (New York)

    Used, rating 8, in stock, A12 V1 film back (120), black

    $499.99

    See listing

Prices checked on October 28, 2026. They move every week, so treat them as a range, not a quote. KEH, MPB, B&H, Adorama and eBay blocked our price checks, so they are not listed. Listings marked out of stock or sold out show the last asking price. Kamerastore is not a US store: it ships to the US, with duties and taxes extra.

Video reviews worth your time

  • HASSELBLAD 500CM | Review & Sample Photos

    Benj Haisch, 2020

    The Hasselblad 500C/M is a classic modular medium-format film camera that slows down the shooting process while offering exceptional image quality and a unique shooting experience through its Zeiss lens and waist-level viewfinder.

    • 0:09 Introduction to the Hasselblad 500C/M medium format camera
    • 1:53 Demonstrating the modular camera system and interchangeable parts
    • 2:34 Showing various 120 medium format film rolls
    • 4:31 Explaining the dark slide removal and leaf shutter mechanism

  • Is The Hasselblad 500cm ACTUALLY Worth $2,500? (HONEST REVIEW)

    DistPhoto, 2024

    The Hasselblad 500C/M is a timeless, fully mechanical medium-format camera offering outstanding build quality, excellent Zeiss lenses, and modular flexibility that justify its price tag.

    • 0:22 Discussion of camera drawbacks and focusing screen limitations
    • 2:56 Overview of key strengths and lens performance
    • 4:54 Demonstration of the camera's modular design
    • 8:18 Cost breakdown for camera body and accessories

  • 🟡 My Hasselblad Portraits | Hasselblad 500cm Review (+ 501c) | Hasselblad vs Mamiya RZ67

    Matt Osborne, 2020

    The Hasselblad 500C/M is a fully mechanical, beautifully crafted medium format camera that offers outstanding Zeiss optics and reliable modular design in a relatively compact body.

    • 0:52 Comparing 501c and 500C/M camera setups side by side
    • 3:38 Size and weight comparison against Mamiya RZ67
    • 5:32 Demonstrating modular removal of film back, viewfinder, and lens
    • 8:18 Showing camera handling when taking vertical portraits with a 6x4.5 back

  • The Hasselblad 500 CM: Is it worth the Hype?

    Joe Tobiason (Wedding photographer), 2023

    The reviewer appreciates the Hasselblad 500 C/M for its durable mechanical build, compact form factor, and excellent lens quality, despite minor film-spacing quirks.

    • 0:18 Unboxing and displaying the Hasselblad 500 C/M camera.
    • 2:02 Comparing focusing screen usability against other medium format systems.
    • 4:23 Showcasing sample photos captured at the harbor.
    • 5:28 Demonstrating proper camera winding and film loading protocol.

  • Hasselblad 500cm Going Digital! For Cheap?!

    Mark Fore, 2020

    The Hasselblad 500C/M combined with a vintage digital back delivers excellent image quality and dynamic range, though its slow workflow and limited ISO range require careful studio setup.

    • 1:05 Introduction to the Hasselblad 500C/M camera
    • 2:05 Overview and specs of Phase One H20 digital back
    • 3:20 Behind-the-scenes product photography studio shoot
    • 5:03 Editing and evaluating 16-megapixel image files in Photoshop

Specifications

Camera and history

Type
6x6 medium format SLR with interchangeable lenses, backs and finders
Launched
1970, replacing the 500C (1957-1970)
Main change from the 500C
User-removable focusing screen
Production end
1988 per Brooklyn Film Camera and Jeremy Mudd; 1994 per Photoethnography
Successor
Hasselblad 503CX, introduced 1988
Serial date code
First two letters spell the year with VHPICTURES (V=1 through S=0)

Shutter and exposure

Shutter
Leaf shutter in each lens, 1 s to 1/500 s plus B; none in the body
Flash sync
Leaf shutter syncs with electronic flash at all speeds
Sync setting
X and M sync selectable on the lens
Light meter
None built in
Battery
None for the body; fully mechanical

Film and viewing

Film
120 (12 frames of 6x6 cm) or 220 (24 frames with a 24-exposure back)
Film backs
A12 backs for 120 load more simply than the older 12 backs
Standard finder
Waist-level finder

Lens, size and weight

Lens mount
Hasselblad bayonet (V system)
Standard lens
Carl Zeiss Planar 80mm f/2.8 T*, about a 50mm equivalent on 35mm
Minimum focus (80mm)
0.90 m (3 ft)
Lens generations
C, CF, CFE/CFi
Body size
170 x 109 x 104 mm
Weight
600 g body; 1,555 g (about 3.4 lb) with 80mm Planar T* and 120 back

Questions people ask about the Hasselblad 500C/M

Is the Hasselblad 500C/M a good camera?

Owners say yes. In our research, build quality drew 7 positive comments out of 7 and the lenses 9 of 10, and Shoot It With Film called it reliable, precise and of the highest quality after seven months with it. The usual complaints are no built-in meter, a slow manual workflow and prices that have climbed since 2020.

Sources: shootitwithfilm.com, jeremymuddphoto.com

How much is a Hasselblad 500C/M worth?

In October 2026, K&M Camera listed used 500C/M bodies at $1,099.99 (rating 8) to $1,899.99 (rating 9+, out of stock), and Brooklyn Film Camera said recent serviced kits with the 80mm lens ran $3,450 to $4,200. For the older 500C, the same shop says recent kits ran $3,150 to $3,400. A February 2019 review put most eBay kits (lens, body and back) at $1,000 to $1,500. A commenter who paid $1,600 for a 503CX kit said they were almost double that in 2022, so older price guides run low.

Sources: kmcamera.com, brooklynfilmcamera.com, shootitwithfilm.com

What is the best Hasselblad 500 camera, the 500C or the 500C/M?

For a first V-system body, owners and guides favor the 500C/M: its focusing screen is user-removable, while the 500C's is fixed. Photoethnography calls the 500C/M the minimum model to buy used, and a Flickr Hasselblad group member recommends spending a little more on a 500CM over a 500C. For comparison, the 1997 501CM averaged $1,872 for a certified-condition body at Kamerastore against $1,404 for a 500C/M in October 2026.

Sources: brooklynfilmcamera.com, photoethnography.com, flickr.com, kamerastore.com

How many Hasselblad 500C were made?

Hasselblad says about 76,700 500C bodies were produced from 1957 to 1970. We found no production figure for the 500C/M, and sources even disagree on when it ended: 1988 according to Brooklyn Film Camera and Jeremy Mudd, 1994 according to Photoethnography.

Sources: hasselblad.com, brooklynfilmcamera.com, photoethnography.com

Does the Hasselblad 500C/M need batteries?

No. The body is fully mechanical and the leaf shutter sits in each lens, so nothing needs power. Only a metered prism finder takes a cell: a PX-28 for the 1981-1988 PME, a CR2 for the PME-45, a CR-123 for the PME-90 and a PX625A (sold as LR9) for the original 52051 meter prism.

Sources: shootitwithfilm.com, photoethnography.com, kamerastore.com

Does the Hasselblad 500C/M have a built-in light meter?

No. Owners use a handheld meter, a phone meter app or the [Sunny 16 rule](/techniques/sunny-16-rule/), and one EMULSIVE reviewer took his readings with a Leica M6. Metered prism finders were made, but Neil Kohl notes a prism adds about a pound to the camera.

Sources: kohlweb.com, brooklynfilmcamera.com

How much does it cost to service a Hasselblad 500C/M?

Brooklyn Film Camera lists $450 for a 500CM body CLA and $200 for a film magazine on its pricing page, while its CLA guide gives $300-$600 for a 500-series body; every job starts with a $50 diagnostic fee. Its guide puts a medium format lens CLA at $165-$275. Neil Kohl's 2016 essay reports about $170 for a body CLA, so older owner figures run lower.

Sources: brooklynfilmcamera.com, brooklynfilmcamera.com, kohlweb.com

Is the Hasselblad 500C/M good for beginners?

Reviewers lean cautious. Cultured Kiwi does not recommend it to people without film experience, and owners say loading backs, the dark slide and matching the cocking indicators take practice: an EMULSIVE reviewer wasted a few rolls learning to load it before it became intuitive. Brooklyn Film Camera suggests a twin-lens reflex such as the Yashica Mat-124 G, with a built-in meter, as a simpler and cheaper way into 6x6.

Sources: culturedkiwi.com, emulsive.org, brooklynfilmcamera.com

What people compare it with

  • Mamiya RB67

    A bigger 6x7 negative and bellows focusing that goes closer than the Hasselblad's helical focus, but a much heavier camera: Australian Analog puts it at 2.8 kg against 1.4 kg for the 500C/M.

  • Mamiya 7

    Albert Genato bought the 500C/M as a change from his Mamiya 7 and liked that the Hasselblad is fully mechanical, since the Mamiya 7's electronics worried him for longevity.

  • Yashica Mat-124 G

    A twin-lens reflex with a built-in meter that Brooklyn Film Camera lists as a lighter, simpler and cheaper way into 6x6; the lens is fixed.

  • Hasselblad 501CM

    A 1997 reimagining of the 500C/M that takes the same V-system lenses. Kamerastore's average certified-condition body price was $1,872 in October 2026, against $1,404 for a 500C/M.

Every source behind this page

Read them yourself. How we pick and count them is in our methodology.

Show all 53 sources

Manuals and references 24

Independent blogs 12

Forums 8

Video reviews 5

Editorial reviews 4

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    35mm vs 120 film: common 120 frames are 2.7 to 5.4 times bigger than 35mm but give 8 to 16 shots a roll. Cost per frame, lab prices and which to pick.

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