Hasselblad 500c medium

The Hasselblad 500c is a legendary medium format camera, launched in 1957 and renowned for its optical quality and use in NASA space missions.

About this subject

The Hasselblad 500c is a medium format single-lens reflex (SLR) camera produced by the Swedish company Victor Hasselblad AB. Launched in 1957, it marked a revolution in professional photography by combining an innovative modular system with Carl Zeiss lenses of exceptional quality. The 500c replaced the earlier 1000f and introduced a more reliable focal-plane shutter with flash synchronization.

The camera became an icon not only among studio photographers but also in space exploration. NASA chose Hasselblad for its Apollo missions, and the 500c was widely used, including for the famous photo of Neil Armstrong on the Moon. Its robust construction and interchangeable backs, lenses, and viewfinders made it extremely versatile.

The medium format system produces 6x6 cm negatives, offering much more detail and finer grain than 35mm. This made it the preferred choice for fashion, portrait, and landscape photography. To this day, the 500c is prized by collectors and analog photographers, regarded as one of the best-built cameras ever. Despite its weight and size, the image quality and tactile feel of its mechanism continue to captivate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What film does the Hasselblad 500c use?

The Hasselblad 500c uses 120 medium format roll film, producing 12 frames of 6x6 cm per roll. There are also backs for 220 film (24 frames) and adapters for 70mm or Polaroid film.

Is the Hasselblad 500c still in production?

No. Original production of the 500c ended in the 1970s, evolving into models like the 500c/m (with interchangeable back) and later the 503 and 501 series. Today, Hasselblad manufactures digital cameras, such as the X and H series.

Is the Hasselblad 500c difficult to use?

Compared to modern cameras, yes. It is fully manual: you need to set shutter speed, aperture, and focus manually. The viewfinder is somewhat dim and the camera is heavy. However, many photographers enjoy the slow and rewarding process.