Skip to product overview

Hasselblad 501C Medium Format Film Camera

The Hasselblad 501C is a Medium Format medium format camera — known for its 6x6cm Medium Format Film and Hasselblad V-System Mount. Check GearFocus for current availability, with buyer protection on every purchase.

Hasselblad 501C Medium Format Film Camera

Hasselblad 501C Medium Format Film Camera

Get notified when one lists.

We'll text or email you the moment a Hasselblad 501C is listed on GearFocus.

Have a Hasselblad 501C sitting in your bag?

You'd be the first listing for this model.
Serious buyers are already watching — list yours in minutes.

Sell your Hasselblad 501C on GearFocus

Overview — Hasselblad 501C

The Hasselblad 501C is a medium format film camera built around the Hasselblad V-system lens mount, offering a fully modular shooting experience for photographers who work with film. The body is constructed from cast aluminum alloy with a leatherette covering and weighs 1,475g with the 80mm lens and A12 back attached, measuring 180 x 114 x 110mm in that configuration. As a film camera, the 501C works with film stocks spanning ISO 25 through ISO 3200, giving shooters flexibility across a wide range of lighting conditions and creative looks — from fine-grained daylight emulsions to faster stocks suited to lower light.

Color rendering and tonal characteristics are entirely dependent on film stock choice, with options like Kodak Portra, Ilford HP5, and Fujifilm Pro 400H all compatible. Focusing is entirely manual, accomplished via a ground glass screen, and the optical waist-level viewfinder accepts interchangeable alternatives to suit different shooting styles. Flash synchronization is handled through a PC sync port on the lens, with X-sync available at all shutter speeds — a meaningful advantage for photographers working with studio strobes or speedlights.

There is no weather sealing, no image stabilization of any kind, no wireless connectivity, and no video capability, which is entirely consistent with the 501C's identity as a purpose-built, analog medium format tool.

Key Features — Hasselblad 501C

6x6cm Medium Format Film: Shoots square-format 6x6cm frames on 120 or 220 film, delivering significantly more detail and tonal depth than 35mm.

Hasselblad V-System Mount: Compatible with the full range of Hasselblad V-system lenses, including classic Carl Zeiss optics, giving access to one of the most respected medium format lens ecosystems.

Modular Film Back System: Interchangeable film backs, such as the A12, allow mid-roll film stock swaps and the option to add a digital back for hybrid workflows.

Waist-Level Optical Viewfinder: Includes an optical waist-level finder with a ground glass screen, with interchangeable finder options to suit eye-level or alternative shooting positions.

Manual Focus Only: Focusing is performed manually via the ground glass screen, offering precise, deliberate control suited to studio and landscape work.

X-Sync at All Shutter Speeds: The leaf shutter in Hasselblad V-system lenses synchronizes with flash at any shutter speed, making the 501C well-suited to studio strobe and fill-flash photography.

Specifications — Hasselblad 501C

Hasselblad 501C full specifications
SpecDetail
Use CasesStudio
TypeFilm
SensorMedium Format
ISO Range25 – 3200
AF SystemManual Focus Only
AF Points1 (manual focus via ground glass)
Image StabilizationNone
ViewfinderOptical waist-level finder with interchangeable options
Storage MediaOther
Weather SealingNone
Dimensions180 x 114 x 110 mm (with 80mm lens and A12 back)
Weight1475g

Description — Hasselblad 501C

The Hasselblad 501C is a medium format film camera built on the Hasselblad V-system lens mount, offering a modular and fully analog shooting platform for serious film photographers. The body is machined from cast aluminum alloy and finished with a leatherette covering, resulting in a camera that weighs 1,475g and measures 180 x 114 x 110mm when configured with the 80mm lens and A12 back. Focusing is achieved manually via a ground glass screen, with the standard optical waist-level viewfinder being interchangeable with alternative finder types.

The camera supports film stocks from ISO 25 through ISO 3200, with the resulting color and tonal characteristics determined entirely by the chosen emulsion — whether that's Kodak Portra, Ilford HP5, Fujifilm Pro 400H, or other compatible stocks. Flash users will appreciate the PC sync port on the lens, which provides X-sync at all shutter speeds, making the 501C a natural fit for studio environments. There is no image stabilization, no wireless connectivity, and no video function — the 501C is an uncompromising, purpose-built film camera.

Pros — Hasselblad 501C

  • ✓Cast aluminum alloy body construction offers a robust, professional-grade build
  • ✓Hasselblad V-system lens mount enables access to a broad ecosystem of compatible lenses
  • ✓Film stock ISO range spans ISO 25 to ISO 3200, supporting a wide variety of shooting conditions

Cons — Hasselblad 501C

  • ✗No weather sealing of any kind, limiting use in wet or dusty environments
  • ✗Manual focus only via ground glass — no autofocus system available
  • ✗No wireless connectivity (no WiFi or Bluetooth) for tethered or remote workflows

Videos — Hasselblad 501C

Hasselblad 501c (First Impressions) — grainydays

Resources & Downloads — Hasselblad 501C

Manuals & Guides

Frequently Asked Questions — Hasselblad 501C

What lenses are compatible with the Hasselblad 501C?+
The 501C uses the Hasselblad V-system lens mount. Any lens designed for the Hasselblad V-system is compatible with this body.
What film speeds can the 501C work with?+
The 501C supports film stocks ranging from ISO 25 to ISO 3200. This covers a wide range of emulsions, from fine-grained daylight films to faster, higher-sensitivity stocks.
How does flash synchronization work on the 501C?+
Flash sync is handled via a PC sync port located on the lens. The camera achieves X-sync at all shutter speeds, which is a significant advantage when working with studio strobes or other flash systems.
What viewfinder options are available?+
The 501C comes with an optical waist-level finder as standard, but the viewfinder system is interchangeable, allowing photographers to swap in alternative finder configurations to suit their working style.
Is the Hasselblad 501C weather sealed?+
No. The specifications confirm weather sealing is listed as None, so the camera should be protected from moisture and dust during use.
How large is the 501C, and how much does it weigh?+
With the 80mm lens and A12 back attached, the 501C measures 180 x 114 x 110mm and weighs 1,475g. The body itself is constructed from cast aluminum alloy with a leatherette covering.

Similar to Hasselblad 501C

Loading similar products...