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Hasselblad *SWC/M CF T* Medium Format Camera, Chrome with 38mm f/4.5 Biogon Lens (Japanese Market Star Model)

Model #390070
  • $3,473.00

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Our Grading System
New in box complete with manufacturer's USA warranty. Not previously owned or used.
Essentially new with no signs of use. “Open box.” In manufacturer's packaging with original accessories and instructions. 180-day warranty.
Barely used with virtually no traces of wear. Only the closest inspections will reveal slight use. Lens glass could contain light dust or debris. Excellent picture quality. Accessories usually not included, unless noted in listing. 180-day warranty.
Lightly used with limited signs of wear. Exceptionally nice but may have slight wear on finish visible. Lens glass could contain light dust or debris. Excellent picture quality. Accessories usually not included, unless noted in listing. 180-day warranty.
Noticeably used with average signs of wear. Shows moderate wear for the age of the item, with the possibility of blemishes and/or minimal dings. Lens glass may have average dust and zoom/focus ring tension may have slight looseness or tightness overall, but will not affect picture quality. Accessories usually not included, unless noted in listing. 180-day warranty.
Frequently used with above-average wear. May have dents, dings, or finish loss. Lens glass may have small scratches, dust, and blemishes, and zoom/focus ring tension may have moderate looseness or tightness overall, but should not affect picture quality. Accessories usually not included, unless noted in listing. 180-day warranty.
Heavily used with extensive visible wear. Equipment is rough, with multiple impressions in the finish, excessive finish loss and brassing. Glass will have marks, fungus and/or heavy/cloudy haze which could affect picture quality. Accessories usually not included, unless noted in listing. Not covered under KEH warranty.
Non-functional or damaged. Equipment will not work. Usable for parts. Not covered under KEH warranty and non-returnable.
EX Excellent
With Finder, Front Lens Cap
$3,473.00
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Hasselblad SWC/M CF T: medium format wide-angle built around the Biogon.

The SWC/M CF T is one of the more focused tools in medium format film photography. No mirror, no reflex system, no interchangeable lenses, just the 38mm f/4.5 Zeiss Biogon permanently mounted to a body engineered around it. That Biogon design places the rear element close to the film plane, which is exactly how you get a rectilinear wide-angle with minimal distortion across a 6x6 medium format frame. Architecture, landscapes, and interiors demand that kind of geometric accuracy.

The chrome finish on this Japanese market 'Star' designation model points to a collector-grade variant, though the optical and mechanical performance is what pulls serious shooters in. The Biogon at f/4.5 is not a fast lens, but wide-angle medium format work rarely calls for wide-open shooting, stopped down even a stop or two, the coverage across a 6x6 negative is what justifies the system. The fixed-lens body keeps the optical path clean and consistent, with no flange-depth variables introduced by swapping glass.

The SWC line has been a trusted architecture and landscape tool for decades precisely because the Biogon geometry solves problems that retrofocus designs cannot. Acquiring this camera means buying into a proven optical formula with a distinctly rare Japanese market specification.

Who It's For

Architectural photographers working on film get a camera built entirely around one of the best-corrected rectilinear wide-angle designs in medium format history, the 38mm Biogon minimizes keystoning and barrel distortion across the full 6x6 frame. Landscape shooters who want medium format negative size without a bulky reflex system will appreciate the compact mirrorless body. Collectors drawn to Japanese market variants and chrome Hasselblad bodies will find the Star designation a genuine rarity. Street photographers working with film who want a wide, distortion-free perspective on medium format can shoot with a body that packs smaller than any V-system SLR.

Key Features

  • Fixed 38mm f/4.5 Zeiss Biogon with rear-element wide-angle optics
  • Rectilinear geometry optimized for architecture and landscape coverage
  • Medium format 6x6 film capture
  • Chrome finish Japanese market Star designation
  • Hasselblad V mount body with no mirror or reflex system
  • Mechanical shutter with no electronic dependencies

FAQ

Why is the 38mm Biogon locked to this body instead of interchangeable?
The Biogon's optical design - rear element positioned close to the film plane - requires a specific flange distance to deliver rectilinear wide-angle coverage without distortion across 6x6. Fixing it eliminates variables and keeps the optical path consistent.
Is f/4.5 fast enough for handheld wide-angle work?
Wide-angle medium format rarely demands fast apertures. You're working with inherent depth-of-field advantage at 38mm, and stopped down even one stop, the Biogon's sharpness and geometry justify the setup for architecture and landscape work.
What does the Japanese market 'Star' designation indicate?
It's a collector-grade variant specification unique to the Japanese market. The optical and mechanical performance mirrors standard SWC/M CF T bodies, but the chrome finish and designation carry different regional market positioning.
How does this compare to retrofocus wide-angle designs?
Retrofocus lenses bend the optical path to shorten the flange distance, introducing geometric compromises. The Biogon solves the wide-angle problem through rear-element placement, delivering superior rectilinear correction across the frame.
Can you swap lenses on the SWC/M CF T?
No. The body is engineered entirely around the 38mm Biogon as a fixed-lens system. If you need focal length flexibility, you're looking at different Hasselblad medium format bodies.
What film formats does this shoot?
6x6 medium format only. The frame gate and viewfinder are calibrated for square negatives.
Why would a serious landscape photographer choose this over interchangeable-lens systems?
The Biogon geometry delivers geometric accuracy that retrofocus designs cannot match. For architecture and wide-angle landscape work, the optical consistency and proven 38mm coverage justify the fixed-lens approach.
SpecificationValue
ResolutionNone
MountHasselblad V
ColorChrome
Lens IncludedZeiss Biogon 38mm f/4.5
FormatMedium Format
MarketJapanese Market

This description was generated using AI based on KEH's internal product standards, product expertise, and knowing what customers care about most. While we strive for accuracy, details may vary by individual item.

Brand Name Hasselblad