Hasselblad 500c medium

The Hasselblad 500c is a legendary medium format camera, renowned for its image quality and use in Apollo missions.

About this subject

Introduced in 1957 by Swedish manufacturer Victor Hasselblad AB, the 500c revolutionized medium format photography. Its modular design allowed interchangeable lenses, film backs, and viewfinders, offering unprecedented flexibility. A leaf shutter synchronized with flash at all speeds and a waist-level finder made it a favorite among photojournalists and studio photographers.

The camera produced 6x6 cm negatives on 120 film, yielding extremely high-resolution images. Its interchangeable magazines enabled shooting different film stocks or developing partially. The optical quality of Zeiss lenses, especially the Planar 80mm f/2.8, set new standards for sharpness and contrast.

Culturally, the 500c gained worldwide fame after NASA selected it for the Apollo missions. Modified versions (Hasselblad 500EL) were used on the lunar surface, capturing iconic images such as Buzz Aldrin's footprint. To this day, the 500c remains a symbol of Swedish engineering and photographic excellence, collected and used by enthusiasts who value its mechanical construction and timeless results.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the Hasselblad 500c and 500cm?

The 500cm (introduced in 1970) has a more robust film back locking system and a focusing screen with microprism. Mechanically, lenses and backs are interchangeable between models.

Why did NASA choose the Hasselblad for the Apollo missions?

NASA needed a reliable, modular camera that could operate in vacuum. The Hasselblad 500c was already known for its quality and robustness. Modified versions had the mirror removed and used special films to withstand lunar conditions.

Which lenses are compatible with the Hasselblad 500c?

The 500c accepts V-system lenses with leaf shutters, such as C, CF, CFi, and CFE series. Common focal lengths include 50mm, 80mm, 150mm, and 250mm. Lenses without shutters, like the F series, require adaptation.