Hasselblad 500C Medium Format Film Camera
The Hasselblad 500C is a Medium Format medium format camera — known for its Fully Mechanical Operation and Hasselblad V Mount. Used copies start from $448.16 on GearFocus, with buyer protection on every purchase.
Hasselblad 500C Medium Format Film Camera
Used Hasselblad 500C Listings on GearFocus
Overview — Hasselblad 500C
Key Features — Hasselblad 500C
Fully Mechanical Operation: Requires no battery to function, making it completely reliable regardless of battery availability or temperature conditions.
Hasselblad V Mount: Compatible with a wide range of Hasselblad V-system lenses, including the renowned Carl Zeiss optics designed for this platform.
In-Lens Leaf Shutter: Shutter is built into compatible lenses rather than the body, enabling flash synchronization at every shutter speed via PC sync port.
Medium Format Film: Shoots 6x6cm square frames on 120 or 220 roll film, delivering significantly more detail and tonal range than 35mm.
Modular System Design: Lenses, viewfinders, and film magazines are all interchangeable, allowing the camera to be configured for different shooting needs.
Waist-Level Reflex Viewfinder: Interchangeable ground glass viewing system allows for low-angle or studio composition with a large, bright focusing image.
Specifications — Hasselblad 500C
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use Cases | Studio, Documentary |
| Type | Film |
| Sensor | Medium Format |
| AF System | Manual Focus Only |
| AF Points | Manual focus only |
| Image Stabilization | None |
| Viewfinder | Interchangeable waist-level reflex viewfinder (ground glass focusing screen) |
| Storage Media | Other |
| Battery | None (fully mechanical operation) |
| Battery Life | Not applicable |
| Weather Sealing | None |
| Dimensions | 170 x 109 x 104 mm (body only) |
Description — Hasselblad 500C
The Hasselblad 500C is a medium format film camera built entirely around mechanical principles — it operates with no battery and requires no electronics to function. It is designed around the Hasselblad V mount, giving access to a range of compatible lenses, and uses a leaf shutter system housed in the lens rather than the body. This design allows flash synchronization at all shutter speeds through a PC sync port, with no hot shoe present on the body itself.
The viewfinder is an interchangeable waist-level reflex design using a ground glass focusing screen, and all focusing is performed manually. The body is constructed from metal (primarily aluminum alloy) and is available in chrome or black finish, measuring 170 x 109 x 104 mm and weighing 600 g. There is no weather sealing, no image stabilization, and no connectivity of any kind.
Storage is via film, listed as 'Other' in the storage media specification.
Pros — Hasselblad 500C
- ✓Fully mechanical operation requires no battery, as confirmed by the battery specification 'None (fully mechanical operation)'
- ✓In-lens leaf shutter enables flash sync at all shutter speeds via PC sync port
- ✓Interchangeable waist-level reflex viewfinder with ground glass focusing screen
Cons — Hasselblad 500C
- ✗No autofocus — manual focus only, which may slow down shooting in fast-moving situations
- ✗No weather sealing, limiting use in wet or dusty conditions
- ✗No connectivity of any kind (no WiFi, Bluetooth, USB, or HDMI)
Reviews — Hasselblad 500C
Videos — Hasselblad 500C
Hasselblad 501c (First Impressions) — grainydays
Frequently Asked Questions — Hasselblad 500C
Does the Hasselblad 500C need batteries to operate?+
No. The 500C is fully mechanical and requires no battery whatsoever. The battery specification explicitly states 'None (fully mechanical operation),' meaning the camera will function without any power source.
What lenses are compatible with the Hasselblad 500C?+
The 500C uses the Hasselblad V mount. Any lens made for the Hasselblad V system is compatible with this camera body.
Can I use flash with the Hasselblad 500C?+
Yes. The camera has a PC sync port for electronic flash connection. Because the shutter is a leaf shutter built into the lens rather than a focal plane shutter, it supports flash synchronization at all shutter speeds. There is no hot shoe on this camera.
What type of viewfinder does the 500C use?+
The 500C features an interchangeable waist-level reflex viewfinder with a ground glass focusing screen. The viewfinder is interchangeable, allowing different finder configurations to be used on the same body.
Is the Hasselblad 500C weather sealed?+
No. The bodyDesign specification explicitly lists weather sealing as 'None,' so the camera should be protected from moisture and heavy dust during use.
What are the dimensions and weight of the 500C body?+
The body measures 170 x 109 x 104 mm and weighs 600 g. These figures refer to the body only, without lens or film magazine attached.