The Hasselblad 500 C/M is a legendary medium format camera renowned for its exceptional build quality, mechanical precision, and modular design. Here are some key features and details about this classic camera:

Key Features

1. Medium Format: Uses 120/220 roll film, producing 6×6 cm (2.25×2.25 inch) square negatives.
2. Modular System: The camera body, film back, viewfinder, and lens are all interchangeable, allowing for great flexibility and customization.
3. Lens System: Uses Carl Zeiss lenses, known for their outstanding sharpness and optical quality.
4. Mechanical Operation: Fully mechanical operation, requiring no batteries for basic functionality.
5. Interchangeable Backs: Film backs can be changed mid-roll, allowing for different film types to be used without finishing a roll.
6. Focusing Screen: Equipped with a focusing screen that can be replaced, often used with a waist-level finder or prism finder.
7. Build Quality: Extremely durable and reliable, with a robust metal construction.

Historical Context

The Hasselblad 500 C/M was introduced in 1970 as an improvement over the earlier 500 C model, with the “M” standing for “modified” or “modernized.” It quickly became a favorite among professional photographers for studio work, portraiture, and even in some cases, landscape photography.

Usage Tips

• Careful Handling: While rugged, the precise mechanical parts require careful handling and maintenance.
• Regular Maintenance: Periodic servicing by a professional is recommended to keep the shutter and film transport mechanisms in optimal condition.
• Film Loading: Loading film backs can be tricky at first; practice to ensure smooth operation.
• Focusing: Use the magnifying glass in the waist-level finder for critical focusing, especially when using wide apertures.

Collectibility and Legacy

The Hasselblad 500 C/M is highly regarded among collectors and photographers alike, often considered a work of art both in terms of its photographic results and its physical design. It holds a significant place in photographic history, and its images have been used in numerous iconic works, including NASA’s documentation of the moon landings.

Whether you’re a professional photographer, a serious enthusiast, or a collector, the Hasselblad 500 C/M offers a unique and rewarding experience that few cameras can match.

The Hasselblad 50mm f/4 lens is a medium-format wide-angle lens, primarily used with Hasselblad’s medium format cameras. This lens is particularly notable for its high optical quality, sharpness, and durable construction, making it a popular choice among professional photographers, especially for landscape, architectural, and interior photography.

Here’s a breakdown of its key features and specs:

Key Features:

1. Wide-Angle View: On Hasselblad’s medium format system, the 50mm focal length offers a wide-angle perspective that’s ideal for capturing expansive landscapes or architectural shots.
2. Optical Quality: Known for its superb sharpness and color fidelity, this lens delivers high-quality images with minimal distortion, even for a wide-angle lens.
3. Build Quality: As with most Hasselblad products, the 50mm f/4 lens is designed to be highly durable, with a robust all-metal construction that’s weather-sealed to withstand professional use in challenging environments.
4. Manual Focus: Like many medium format lenses, this lens features precise manual focus, which is preferred for critical focusing in many professional settings.
5. Medium Format: Designed for the larger medium format sensors, this lens provides a wider field of view compared to 35mm format lenses with the same focal length.
6. Compact Design: Relative to its class, the 50mm f/4 lens is compact, making it portable for field work, despite being a medium format lens.

Technical Specifications (Hasselblad HCD 50mm f/4 lens for H system):

• Focal Length: 50mm (wide-angle)
• Maximum Aperture: f/4
• Minimum Aperture: f/32
• Optical Construction: Often consists of complex multi-element designs to minimize aberrations.
• Minimum Focus Distance: ~0.6 meters (depending on version)
• Filter Size: 77mm
• Weight: Around 800-900 grams depending on the specific model

Application:

• Landscape Photography: Its wide field of view allows photographers to capture expansive scenes with exceptional detail and clarity.
• Architecture and Interiors: Minimal distortion and high sharpness make it ideal for shooting buildings and interiors where maintaining straight lines is crucial.
• Environmental Portraiture: Though wide-angle, it can be creatively used for environmental portraits, adding context and a sense of space to subjects.

Hasselblad’s reputation for high-end optics is well-known, and the 50mm f/4 lens is one of their key wide-angle lenses, delivering superior performance for professional photographers working in demanding environments.