Toronto Photography Meetup Group

I have a question for the Hassy folks on the forum.

I am thinking about picking up a Hasselblad body only that would be compatible with my kit - I currently have the Hasselblad 500 EL/M body - but there is an issue with the body, not too mention that the EL/M was a motor drive body with an outdated battery which cannot be purchased anymore, and I am not even sure that I can get it working.

I'd rather find a manual body..... something that will allow me to shoot medium format again with what I have.

My question is .... I was looking at KEH, and they had a 500C body for a really good price - is the 500C compatible with the backs, view finder, and lenses that I have for the EL/M? From what I have read - it seems like they are, but just wanted to confirm with someone that knows more on the topic.

This way, I don't have to spend a lot of money on getting a whole kit, and can just spend the money on the body alone - and interchange all of the parts that I have.

thanks!

I'm just starting my research down this path so I'm not expert but I believe the answer to your question is yes, they are compatible. We'll wait for a smarter person to confirm. You might want to skip the C and go for the CM though. The CM allows you to replace the focus screen much easier than the C. Plus it has a mirror lockup button.

They are compatible as far as I know

Ok... sounds good. CM is the way to go from the sound of it. I will have to keep my eyes open for a CM body at the right price. I only need the body.

I was considering the 500CM for a bit, but then started looking up Hassy lens prices, hence the Bronica.

Honestly, another MF social would be a good idea to share some knowledge.

This! I was originally looking at 500Cs, but the focus screen interchangeability and mirror lockup tipped the scales in favour of the 500 C/M for me. The Acute Matte screens for CM and newer is one of the nicest focus screens I've used, especially with 2.8 lenses (Ok 2.8 lens.... there's only one). Still very nice with F4 lenses, but your eye needs to be in the right spot.

Such a fun system to shoot with

I can join in on the fun now

I haven't found the prices for Hasselblad lenses onerous tbh. They seem to have stabilized from the day when I sold my 50, only to regret it and bought a replacement. The glass is nice and the bodies same. These really are cameras that are a pleasure to use and will usually hold their value, more or less.

Me too.

Wha, no way! Your dream came true at last

Yes, we definitely should plan another Medium format get-together...... but maybe wait until I get a CM body ---- I don't have a working system right now. I sold my Mamiya AFD in favour of the D800

wait for a C/M, they're worth it.

I'm in for a MF day.

I'd be in for a MF day. They are definitely compatible- 500 c/m is nice.

lxdesign, you may know where to look better than I do but from watching the classifieds for a long while for a 500C/M I can say I rarely saw them offered body alone. And, in fact, getting people to break a kit apart can be difficult. This may not be a bad thing altogether as the lenses that often come in the 500C/M kits are excellent. Maybe worth keeping, maybe not hard to sell if you don't need the lens. Just food for thought.

I'm curious about how well the the 500cm deals with weather. I know there are no electronics so it's safe in that sense and I'm sure I shouldn't submerge it but where between those points does the cameras weather performance lie? It'd be helpful, but not necessary, if compared to a Canon 7D. That thing is great in all weather. I understand, different deal altogether, just a baseline for comparison.

Edit: want to add that i know a camera really similar has been to the moon. It's not so much temperature I'm wondering about but precipitation.

it does not take to rain very well but snow has been fine with mine. I took it out on friday in the snowstorm and it survived nicely but I took it out during the rain and it definitely got some water inside. also depends on what type of viewfinder you are using. the 45degree makes it a bit more sealed then a typical waist level.

all this being said it didnt stop working because of the little bit of water that got inside so i just kept shooting and dried it off later when i got home.

Cool, thank you for the info.