Hasselblad 500 EL Is On It's Way...

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Okay, I admit that I missed the experience with my first Hasselblad so much, that I purchased this camera. In order to do so, I had to sell the pair of Nikon F cameras.


This time I bought a 1969 Hasselblad 500 EL body only, as for the Carl Zeiss S-Planar 120mm f5.6 Macro lens, it too was purchased separately along with the  UV Filter and B-50 lens lens hood, from Ebay. There is a sense of accomplishment and the dread of buying a camera that was bought-sight-unseen, which may or may not function properly - my attitude at this moment, is to cross the bridge when it comes. The EL and EL/M cameras are the most affordable, as they are heavier and bulkier version of their C and CM brethren. Reminding myself to persevere, that within less than a year I was able to own my second Hasselblad! 

[neilt3]

Enjoy your new camera .

I've not used a Hasselblad but I've had a Kiev 88 and full set of lenses from the 30mm fisheye to 300mm for a good number of years .
Nice camera to use and I like the results .

[Deleted]

Thank you, neilt3.

The Kiev 88 uses a metal focal plane shutter and the Kiev 88CM had a cloth shutter, whereas on the Hasselblad is has Leaf-Shutter built into the lens. This allows for higher flash sync speed up to 1/500 second. I have no user experience with the Kiev 88, in my opinion is the least expensive way to get into medium format and happy shooting.

[neilt3]

Aug 15, 2023 7:56:59 GMT @simon1970 said:

Thank you, neilt3.

The Kiev 88 uses a metal focal plane shutter and the Kiev 88CM had a cloth shutter, whereas on the Hasselblad is has Leaf-Shutter built into the lens. This allows for higher flash sync speed up to 1/500 second. I have no user experience with the Kiev 88, in my opinion is the least expensive way to get into medium format and happy shooting.

The Kiev 88 was a copy ( with a few improvements) of the first Hasselblad , the 1000 I think ?
It was the focal plane shutter that gave Hasselblad some issues , which is why they dropped it in favour of the leaf shutter for all subsequent cameras .

I also have Bronica ETRSi and SQ-Ai cameras that use the Leaf-Shutter and it's a much better shutter to have , especially with medium format cameras .
Mirror lock up helps too , if the camera has it at certain shutter speeds .

[Deleted]

Hasselblad 500C and 500EL with removable focusing screen?

Yes, you've read that right...

Sometime between 1971-72 was when the company made the changeover to the 500C/M and 500EL/M model with the removable focus screen, for a short period of time. Hasselblad made the 500C/M and 500EL/M model but kept the name 500C and 500EL on the camera. These camera models are in every way identical to the 500C/M and 500EL/M model, with the shared interior baffling. So make sure when you ever sell it, to advise potential buyers because it is actually a 500C/M and 500EL/M model with 500C and 500EL markings.

I saw one this today at a local camera store, but the salesperson wasn't sure what to make of it. I was able to confirm, that the serial number on this particular camera was an early 1972 500C/M with 500C markings and for the fortunate buyer, she had a chance to own a piece of Hasselblad History.

[Deleted]

With the pair of new Hass-EL-Converter 9 volt adapters installed into the camera, one roll of HP-5 Plus loaded and a second roll of HP-5 Plus inside the camera bag.

The Hasselblad seems to be working fine, I haven't checked the A12 light seals thinking that I should see the test results first that everything is A-Okay. I managed to shoot 9 frames earlier this evening while saving the other three exposures for tomorrow. Overall, this Hasselblad feels more solid than the previous 500EL/M, in terms that the mounted lens doesn't wobble, the battery door doesn't feel loose after tightening the plastic battery door screw, even though the focusing screen is held in by four screws I didn't find it dim. It was extremely dusty when the mirror flipped down, I lucked out on this purchase, this whole kit fits inside my 10.4 x 5.3 x 8.1 inch camera bag with the Planar-S 120mm f5.6 Macro Lens and B50 lens hood attached.

[nickr]

Aug 15, 2023 8:39:11 GMT neilt3 said:

Aug 15, 2023 7:56:59 GMT @simon1970 said:

Thank you, neilt3.

The Kiev 88 uses a metal focal plane shutter and the Kiev 88CM had a cloth shutter, whereas on the Hasselblad is has Leaf-Shutter built into the lens. This allows for higher flash sync speed up to 1/500 second. I have no user experience with the Kiev 88, in my opinion is the least expensive way to get into medium format and happy shooting.

The Kiev 88 was a copy ( with a few improvements) of the first Hasselblad , the 1000 I think ?
It was the focal plane shutter that gave Hasselblad some issues , which is why they dropped it in favour of the leaf shutter for all subsequent cameras .

I also have Bronica ETRSi and SQ-Ai cameras that use the Leaf-Shutter and it's a much better shutter to have , especially with medium format cameras .
Mirror lock up helps too , if the camera has it at certain shutter speeds .

The Kiev 88 was a mildly updated version of the Salyut/Kiev 80/Zenit 80, which was a copy of the 'Blad 1600F.

The 88CM is the one I would want - improved shutter, and Pentacon 6 lens mount - I've a decent set of P6 lenses.

[neilt3]

Aug 24, 2023 9:04:46 GMT nickr said:

Aug 15, 2023 8:39:11 GMT neilt3 said:

The Kiev 88 was a copy ( with a few improvements) of the first Hasselblad , the 1000 I think ?
It was the focal plane shutter that gave Hasselblad some issues , which is why they dropped it in favour of the leaf shutter for all subsequent cameras .

I also have Bronica ETRSi and SQ-Ai cameras that use the Leaf-Shutter and it's a much better shutter to have , especially with medium format cameras .
Mirror lock up helps too , if the camera has it at certain shutter speeds .

The Kiev 88 was a mildly updated version of the Salyut/Kiev 80/Zenit 80, which was a copy of the 'Blad 1600F.

The 88CM is the one I would want - improved shutter, and Pentacon 6 lens mount - I've a decent set of P6 lenses.

Cheers , yes the 1600F , I was only 600 out ! 
I bought the Kiev 88 before I had access to the internet around twenty years ago , so knowledge was limited , largely what was advertised in Amateur Photographer and what was in the local used camera shop .
Having the 88CM would have been preferred now , especially the one with the mirror lock up . Though I'd need to have got some new lenses and/adapters . My Kiev 60 uses these lenses anyway , but I only have a few native lenses , whereas I have from the 30mm fisheye to a 300mm for the 88 .

I was going to get the 88CM MLU from ARAX , but before I did first came Brexit adding extra to the cost , then that bastard Putin started bombing them .
I doubt ARAX will ever offer them again , though they are still trading , just with limitations .

[Deleted]

Hartblei is from the Czech Republic and just like the Arax cameras, Hartblei are also heavily modified versions of the Kiev 88CM.

[neilt3]

Aug 25, 2023 5:18:50 GMT @simon1970 said:

Hartblei is from the Czech Republic and just like the Arax cameras, Hartblei are also heavily modified versions of the Kiev 88CM.

That's true .
I'll have to look on their website to see what they have .
I don't remember them having the MLU version though , in which case there's no reason for me to change .

[Deleted]

Anticipation...

I am still waiting for the photo-lab to scan my negatives as their medium format scanner developed technical issue. Once their done, I will post some photo samples.

[Deleted]

Granville Street Block Party:

Camera: Hasselblad 500 EL
Lens: Carl Zeiss Planar-S 120mm f5.6 Makro
Film: Kodak 400 Gold





Here are some photo samples taken with my Hasselblad 500 EL, I managed to salvage what I could due to the fact that I had suffered light leak on my A12 film back. 

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Overall Impression:

First off the light leak is a minor set-back, I knew before hand may or may not occur.

With that being said and done, I am extremely fortunate that my camera is fully functioning and to keep in mind this Hasselblad was purchased sight unseen on E-bay, which by any means I don't recommend doing for the first time buyer. Always purchase high priced items in-person at your local camera store that sells used high-end equipment, whenever possible to make sure everything is running correctly. Having owned the 500 EL/M on November 28,2022, I remembered how that camera felt and to compare that model to this one, my 500 EL feels more solid, at least in my opinion.

At the time that I was using the Kodak 400 Gold as a test roll, this was the more affordable alternative to the Portra-160 as to how the single-coated Carl Zeiss Planar-S 120mm f5.6 Makro C-lens actually performs. This lens gave the three sample images more of a vintage look and feel, which to some photographers is a love-hate relationship due to the fact when set to infinity the image quality drops off quite a bit, by modern standards. I really love this piece of Carl Zeiss glass, is because you don't come across many Hasselblad owners with a Macro lens.

About the light seals on the A12 film back, that would need to be addressed later on in the month or early October. For the time being, if I can crop out the light leak and to salvage or to save the image the best I can this would allow me to enjoy using this camera, when the time comes to have it serviced.

[Deleted]

                   


I just ordered 2 sets of Hasselblad Light Trap Seal Kits from E-bay, as each of these kits includes one pair of light seals, printed instructions with one screw driver.  If I could change the light seals myself, I am able to save couple hundred dollars than having it done at a camera repair shop. Also I will have a spare light seal kit, in the event of another light leak or purchase another A12 film back down the road, with worn out light seals.

[Deleted]

The 1969 500EL that I bought two months ago, had stopped working, this happened on a photo-walk with a group of photographers on Sept. 4th.

One of the people, opened the side of my camera where the LOT switch is located by removing the two tiny slotted screws that held the black cladded plastic cover that hid the film advance gear, next he removed the aluminum plate under the AS A O S SR dial. Once that was removed, the stench of burnt wires filled the table we were sitting at, inside the coffee shop. "This camera is done", he responded. The DC motor that operates the built-in motor drive had gave up the ghost and there are no parts for this camera. He offered to buy the camera along with the Planar-S 120mm f5.6 that he noticed it had rear element separation. "Whoever, owned this camera before you did not take good care of it, I will salvage whatever parts I can and restore my 1965 500EL sitting at home."


Sunday, afternoon I got hold of another eBay seller from Japan and we've started communicating with one another.

In and around ten days from now, a newer and a much better condition 1972 500 EL/M with interchangeable focusing screen, waist-level finder with matching serial number A12 back in NOS condition, body only, will be purchased. My lens choice I haven't decided yet.


I am not deterred from owning a Hasselblad, as I have previously stated at the beginning of this post:
"The dread of buying a camera that was bought-sight-unseen, which may or may not function properly - my attitude at this moment, is to cross the bridge when it comes".
I didn't have any sort of expectations going into this 1969 500EL therefore, no heartbreak when the camera did die.

Lesson:
Always try to purchase the best camera that money could buy.