Hasselblad 503CX Medium Format Film Camera
The Hasselblad 503CX is a film camera from Hasselblad — known for its Medium Format 6×6 Square Frame and Hasselblad V-System Mount. Used copies start from $1,792.35 on GearFocus, with buyer protection on every purchase.
Hasselblad 503CX Medium Format Film Camera
Used Hasselblad 503CX Listings on GearFocus
Camera Overview — Hasselblad 503CX
Key Features — Hasselblad 503CX
Medium Format 6×6 Square Frame: Shoots a 6×6cm square negative on 120 or 220 film, delivering significantly more detail and tonal range than 35mm.
Hasselblad V-System Mount: Compatible with the full range of interchangeable Hasselblad V-System lenses, including Carl Zeiss optics widely used in professional and studio photography.
120 and 220 Film Support: Accepts both 120 and 220 roll film, allowing photographers to choose between shorter rolls or extended shooting sessions without changing cameras.
Modular Camera System: Viewfinder, film back, and lens are each independently removable and interchangeable, enabling a highly customizable shooting setup.
Interchangeable Film Backs: Film magazines can be swapped mid-roll, making it practical to switch between film stocks or formats on a single shoot.
Focal Plane Shutter: Shutter is housed in the camera body rather than the lens, allowing use of V-System lenses without built-in shutters.
Camera Specifications — Hasselblad 503CX
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use Cases | Portrait, Studio, Fashion |
| Lens Mount | Hasselblad V |
Description — Hasselblad 503CX
The Hasselblad 503CX is a medium format SLR film camera produced during the 1980s, built around the Hasselblad V lens mount and designed for use with interchangeable Hasselblad V-System lenses. It accepts both 120 and 220 film, providing flexibility depending on the number of exposures required per session. The camera operates with manual focus and is equipped with a focal plane shutter.
For flash work, the 503CX offers both a hot shoe and a PC sync port, making it straightforward to connect external flash units whether shooting on location or in a studio environment. The body weighs between 1,400g and 1,500g, reflecting its robust, modular medium format construction. For photographers committed to medium format film and the V-System lens ecosystem, the 503CX delivers a well-specified, manually driven shooting experience with solid compatibility across both film types and flash accessories.
Pros — Hasselblad 503CX
- ✓Compatible with both 120 and 220 film formats, offering flexibility in roll length and exposure count
- ✓Hasselblad V lens mount enables use of interchangeable Hasselblad V-System lenses
- ✓Dual flash connectivity via both hot shoe and PC sync port supports a wide range of flash setups
Cons — Hasselblad 503CX
- ✗Weighs between 1,400g and 1,500g, making it notably heavy for handheld shooting
- ✗Manual focus only — no autofocus capability for faster or spontaneous shooting situations
- ✗Lens ecosystem is locked to the Hasselblad V mount, limiting third-party lens options
Videos — Hasselblad 503CX
Using Hasselblad 500-series cameras; 500C, 500CM, 501C, 501CM, 503CX, 503CXi, 503CW — Jonathan Harris at Worldwide Camera Exchange










