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Hasselblad 500CM Medium Format Camera Body, Chrome

Model #225400
**Lens not included
  • $1,034.00

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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 Waist level Finder
$1,034.00
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Hasselblad 500CM: the 6x6 modular standard for medium format film.

The 500CM is built around a fully modular architecture that photographers have relied on for decades. Swap film backs mid-roll between A12 (120 film), A16, A24, or A70 magazines without wasting a frame. Change viewfinders from the included waist-level finder to a prism. Swap focusing screens for different subjects. The body itself is a platform, not a fixed tool.

The leaf shutter sits in the lens than the body, which has two practical consequences worth understanding. First, flash sync works at every shutter speed up to 1/500s, a ceiling no focal-plane shutter can touch. Second, the shutter is whisper-quiet and generates almost no vibration, which matters when your negative is 6x6cm and any blur is visible. Mirror lock-up takes that further for tripod work. The entire system runs mechanically with no battery required, nothing to fail, nothing to charge.

The 6x6cm square format changes how you compose. No rotating the camera between horizontal and vertical. The image circle from V-system lenses covers enough area that cropping to any ratio in the darkroom or in post remains an option. At this film size, even a modest scan resolves detail that rivals digital files many times the price of entry into this system.

Who It's For

Portrait photographers working in the studio get full flash sync at 1/500s, meaning small strobes at full power without sync constraints. Landscape shooters on a tripod benefit from mirror lock-up and leaf shutter vibration reduction at slow speeds, where the 6x6cm negative rewards fine-grained film choices. Street and documentary photographers drawn to a waist-level finder will find the square format reframes their approach to framing instinctively. Darkroom printers who want a negative large enough to contact-print or enlarge without grain interference have a direct reason to shoot 120 film on this platform.

Key Features

  • 6x6cm square format on 120/220 film
  • Fully modular system: swap film backs, viewfinders, focusing screens mid-roll
  • Leaf shutter in lens syncs flash at all speeds to 1/500s
  • Mirror lock-up for tripod vibration control
  • Mechanical operation requires no battery
  • Chrome finish, manual focus, self-timer included

FAQ

What's the advantage of a leaf shutter over a focal-plane shutter for medium format?
Leaf shutters sync flash at every speed up to 1/500s, while focal-plane shutters top out around 1/125s or 1/200s. You also get near-silent operation and minimal vibration, which matters when shooting 6x6cm negatives where any blur is visible at the scan.
Can I shoot different film stocks without finishing a roll?
Yes. Swap film backs between exposures - the 500CM accepts A12 (12-exposure 120 film), A16 (16-exposure), A24 (24-exposure), and A70 (70-exposure back) magazines. Load Tri-X in one, switch to Portra for the next shot, no frames wasted.
Do I need a battery to operate the 500CM?
No. The shutter and all mechanical functions run without power. If you're using a metered prism or later electronic accessories, those require batteries, but the camera body itself operates entirely mechanically.
What viewfinders are available for the 500CM?
It ships with a waist-level finder. You can swap in prism viewfinders (metered or unmetered) depending on your shooting style. Different working distances and magnifications let you adapt the camera to handheld or tripod work.
How does 6x6 format affect composition compared to 35mm?
You compose in a square frame without rotating the camera. The V-system lens image circle gives you enough coverage to crop to any ratio later in the darkroom or post-production. The larger negative holds detail that stands up to high-resolution scanning.
Can I use mirror lock-up for tripod shooting?
Yes. Mirror lock-up is built in for vibration-free work on a tripod, letting the mirror rise before you release the shutter. Combined with the quiet leaf shutter, you eliminate nearly all sources of vibration.
What film formats does the 500CM shoot?
120 and 220 film, both producing 6x6cm negatives. The different film backs determine how many frames you get per roll - A12 gives 12 frames on 120, A24 gives 24 frames on 120 or 48 on 220.
SpecificationValue
SensorMedium Format (6x6cm)
ResolutionNone
MountHasselblad V
Shutter TypeLens-based leaf shutter (Synchro-Compur)
Film Format120 / 220
Image Format6x6cm
Shutter Speeds1 - 1/500s + B (lens dependent)
Flash Sync1/500s (all speeds, leaf shutter)
FinishChrome

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
Focus Type Manual focus (only)
Lens Mount Hasselblad V, Hasselblad C, Hasselblad CB, Hasselblad CF, Hasselblad CFE, Hasselblad Cfi