Hasselblad 500c/m Unboxing, Why a Hassy, & a little backstory [Instant Lounge] 

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It's really moving for me to see you open this box. Having in mind the story about this grandfather you never met who were using this camera. I also have in my family history this legendary grandfather I never met who used an Hasselblad 500 C. Exept I'm luckier than you. The camera is still there with a full set of lenses. We're a middle class family with not that much education, culture or money. But this grandfather stood out. He left a big library of precious books, boxes and boxes of pictures took in the different countries he worked in... and some old cameras. But today this heritage is just rotting on dusty shelves. Most members of that middle class family have forgotten about the legendary grandfather and his will to do and know more. I went into film photography few years ago restoring my grandfather's SX-70. And just last week I was thinking about finish scanning all the pictures that are currently rotting and look for the Hasselblad 500C to give it a second life. I feel that if I don't do this job now my grandfather will be forgotten by the generation after me. Just like he never existed. Enjoy your Hasselblad and all the emotions and memory behind it. (Pardon my English. It is not my mother tongue)

Enjoy the Hasselblad Ben - you are a highly underrated creator and deserve it! I just got my white whale - a lovely Nikon F3 and it's a joy. I look forward to seeing lots of Hasselblad content here soon!

Congratulations! I bought my Hasselblad a couple of years ago and still can’t get over it that I own one. It’s a piece of history and also a techincal masterpiece!

Congrats Ben! I got my hassy during the pandemic from a friend who had an extra one if you can believe it. I got the 500 C/M black edition, 80mm and a 150mm for $1700! My friend REALLY hooked me up. I’m right there with you because I’ll never be without this camera either. So glad you’re enjoying it 😊

Bro I honestly felt you on that last part of treating yourself, you only got this one life and you may as well fulfill it to the fullest even if it’s above your means. I just picked up my Hasselblad as an early 30th bday gift for myself.

To see you basically get emotional when you saw it for the first time was amazing. Could see how much you love it. Enjoy it!

Once you start using it and realize how much easier and portable it is than the Mamiya, you’ll sell the Mamiya. I bought a hasselblad just because of the hype surrounded by it and it sat for like almost a year not used. Then I took it on vacation with me and shot 24 rolls in a week and it made sense. This is the perfect medium format film camera.

"My dream camera has arrived, the Hasselblad 500C/M" RB67: Crying in the corner of the pool Graflex TLR: Underwater skeleton

Congrats! Well earned and deserved!! I can’t wait to see the analog magic that flows from that fine piece when connected to your amazing brain!!!

I got my about four years ago. It is my go to camera and it has been everywhere with me. It’s been to England, Norway, Switzerland and Germany. I’ve had it all over the USA. It is a great travel camera. It speaks to my inner artist. I hope you have the same relationship with yours. Yes, it is not perfect for everything. Photojournalism and sports have me pulling out the Canon F-1, but for everything else it is my hasselblad. I leave for Ireland next week and the 500 C/M will be with me. I also went out and purchased a 150mm and 50mm lenses for this camera, but I shoot over 95% of my photos with the 80mm lens. Your mileage may vary but I would recommend that you save your money on additional lenses and if you do have cash to spend buy more film backs. I use three in the field and it really helps having the right emulsion always at hand. Enjoy. Charlie in Virginia

This video was more for Ben geeking out over his new purchase. And I'm all for it. Congrats!

Congratulations. Looks like a beautifully cared for camera & lens. I bought an identical 500CM + chrome 80/2.8 lens brand new in 1972 for the sum of $625. It's long gone, but I've been shooting Hasselblads ever since!! Today I own the X2D digital, but I still have, and enjoy shooting with a vintage 501CM plus 7 newer CF lenses. FYI - Base on the serial number, your chrome lens was manufactured in 1969.

That camera is so beautiful, my heart aches knowing i'll never have something like that in my hand. Im so so happy for you! enjoy it~

The expression "the cat that got the cream" springs to mind! Glad you caught your whale - it looks divine. Fun fact: moon landings arose out of WW2 German rocketry technology, Hassies arose from a hand held reconnaissance camera the Swedes recovered from a crashed Luftwaffe bomber. Search for Handkammer HK 12.5 cm / 7x9 to see the Hassie's Grand-daddy!

This is the most wholesome unboxing I’ve ever seen. My white whale was a Leica M3 w/ 50mm f2.8 Elmar, which I never thought I’d be able to afford. I had a Nikon FM + 50mm f1.8 with light leaks and even buying that was a bit much. But after maybe two or three years with it, within the space of a week I sold my car to move to a way cheaper place (without a parking space), I got a massive tax return due to working exhaustive overnights for the past year, and then gained a huge lump sum as back payment for six months where they accidentally didn’t give me the raise the union fought for. It was more money than I’d ever had in my life and so I decided to take the plunge, I found the cheapest CLA’d M3 I could find on Facebook nearby, went and checked it out, and it immediately just felt like mine. Was too dazed that I was buying something so expensive I didn’t even haggle the price 😂 I got home and just stared at it for hours, working the shutter, messing with all the levers and stuff. I picked up the Elmar later from a camera collector, and have since added the Leica grip (best thing I ever bought) and the Soomuu fast winder. It’s a silver camera, but is so dented and scratched it’s actually brassing lmao, and for some reason it has a second flash port added to the front, but it’s mine and no other camera feels as good in my hands. I’ve sold off other belongings occasionally to pay rent or bills, but I’ve just never even considered the M3. It means too much Congrats on finally getting the Hasselblad, I hope we get to see more of it on the channel!

I got mine in 1976 and only had one major overhaul four years ago, I love it.

Im glad for you getting your dream camera where you plan to use it for a long time. I recently did the same with the Fuji TX1 (Xpan) so I definitely get what you mean.

I have enjoyed my Hasselblad cameras over the years.

Kudos on another fun video and a great camera! Don't get rid of your rb-67- it is good for upper body strength! I am going to make some backs for the Hassy this spring and summer. I have some commissions to complete and my camera is the same as yours(albeit not perfectly mint, like yours!), a CM with 80mm. Please keep making vids on it, as I will be living vicariously through your shooting( as I am a workshop troll, only leaving the house for package deliveries!). Thanks again- love your content! Aaron

Loved this - I have had a Hassy for over 40 years now and getting back into it. Totally understand your reaction - especially that "clunk" of the shutter - divine!

I bought a Hasselblad when you could pick up a whole kit for way less than $1,000 - I think I paid closer to $800 - and it's been my favorite medium format camera since. I've taken it on the road, despite it's weight, and always love both the process of making images and the results. Enjoy.

I have a 500C and is almost identical to yours, same crank lever, same wlvf, same chrome 80mm f2.8, my reaction on the first time i pressed the shutter, exactly the same! This is an AMAZING camera. Period.

Congratulations! One of the best cameras for sure. I have 3 501c

I unboxed my new 500 C/M over four decades ago. I also had a meter prism, Polaroid back, quick focusing handle, Bayonet filter adapter, extra backs, etc. To assist cropping V/H, I used narrow artist transparent tape to create a grid on the focusing screen.

This is hilariously just as exciting sitting here watching you unbox a Hassy, as it probably was unboxing it yourself

Dude I love seeing you this happy. This is such a relatable video- this is what representation looks like. If I wasn’t still reeling from the Cameradactyl purchase I would be questionably close to spending it all on my white whale.

Can’t wait for NASA/moon episodes featuring the Hasselblad!

Felt the same way you did when I got a Bronica. Shooting medium format is so fun

Congrats on getting the 500, good choice, it is more durable than the later cameras such as 503, the internal anti reflection layer is not form plastic based that cracks more easily and agree silver lens go well with the body

So happy you were able to get your dream Moon camera! The lunar connection is the same reason that I used my first-ever holiday bonus from my first-ever space job (working on cameras on Mars missions) to purchase a 500c that I found in spectacular condition at a camera store in So Cal. Stumbling across it felt like fate. ❤ Maybe someday we can get a future astronaut to take a Hassy to Mars to continue the tradition, for nostalgia’s sake…

Various Plastics is my new band. (and thank you for sharing your WOW! moment. It looks so clean and I know you will do great things with it. You're a pro, and top tier gear is expensive. Worth it, no doubt).

That one is CLEAN! Even the leatherette is shiny. I got like 3 of them in the low point of film, but wound up having to sell them to survive pandemic unemployment. I didn't think I'd regret it until I came across a new kit a few months ago for a deal I couldn't pass up. Since I got that set up, I've been using it for every shoot and I'm remembering exactly why I love these cameras so much. I think it's definitely my main camera from here on. Enjoy that beauty!

Seeing your reaction to the camera was a joy to watch, thank you for sharing the moment with us

Congrats Ben, have one also and love it so much. 🎉

Congratulations! Gorgeous camera! Enjoy sir!

That is a dream camera!!! I bought a Salyut in the 90s to get close to it!!! One day, I will get the real deal!!!

Congrats on your first Hassy. I have a 500c/m and a 501EL/M.

I took one photo of you on my hassy and here we are. ;-) happy for you!

Congrats Ben on getting your hands on your white whale. I must admit i was worried as hell when you unboxed the lens and it looked scratched a f. but then you took off the TRANSPARENT lens cap and that boy was smooth and shiny WOWEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Gonna hassle you for another hassie vid, here haha. But man congrats on the find! Nothing quite like getting your hands on that one precious thing you've held so high for so long. I got mine recently too, the Great Wall DF-4

This is so awesome to see someone get a piece that they are passionate about. Super excited for you!

Congratulations on your Hasselblad….as a fellow Hassy owner I know the feeling. I have a past history with the brand also….so know where you are coming from. I also don’t like unboxing videos….but I loved this one….it gave me excitement to see you excited. I’m lucky to have gotten into them pre the price rises….but will agree that they were under valued u til recently…..unliked over valued L brand….or even the overpriced Mamiya 7 cameras….or worse the Contax T2 crap boxes….. honestly why people pay the prices for these other cameras. The V series can be fixed easily…only a few parts are an issue….it is basically a clock box….and if anything goes wrong you can just change out the trouble item….I have never actually had an issue except for 1 jamming film back. Don’t make excuses for getting your white whale camera…..go and enjoy it.

Nice to see you that happy! Hope you have a great time with this pretty thing :)

Congrats on your purchase, Ben ✌ You deserve it! So much history and joy makes it totally worth it. Lots of versatility with Polaroid and digital backs, I'm definitely curious to see more of this beautiful camera 😊

Yes, yes, more vids with images on the Hassy. That same camera & lens combo was the last film camera that I bought (used). Sold it five or six years ago and I have regularly regretted the sale. It was/is the perfection of art and function. My only consolation these days is that I still have my dad's 1960's Rolleiflex TLR which with a CLA works as if new.

I’m so happy for you! I’ve just recently started getting into analog formats, and your channel has been a huge part of that. I’ve got a Nikon F4 currently on its way from Japan that I’m super excited about!I’m gonna need a bigger camera shelf lol. I haven’t dipped my toe into medium format yet, but I’ve got an old box camera that I plan on testing out soon. Maybe someday I’ll work my way up to a Hassy! Keep up the amazing work, you never cease to inspire.

Wow, now I want one of those! So good!

🥲👌🏽✨ great choice!

The Hassy is my White Whale dream camera too! Also don’t forget that for your digital work you can always rent the 50c digital back to use on your 500C. Congrats once again!

I'm tremendously happy for you. That really is a beautiful camera, what a momentous occasion. I'm glad that you could get something nice for yourself, and your words hit hard. I was moved to tears because I was a little caught off guard, but you're right, there may not really be a reason or a good time for something like this, but it is well earned. Keep up the good work.

Great video. Great camera. RS. Canada.

Took me over 20 years to afford my 500 C/M.and now 30 years later still very much treasured.

Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday, Ben! You deserve it 🥳

Congratulations. The 500cm is also my white wale when it comes to analoge cameras. So beautiful and the shutter sound is amazing. 😍

Ooh! That’s a camera if I’ve ever seen one. Great video 🔥

What a beauty, and the holy grail! Happy you got it Ben, have fun with it.

LET'S GOOOOO!!!!!

Crikey.! That is a very nice camera Ben.

Please more content about hasselblad 😍

New subscriber, I don't have much context for this video. But I am fairly certain that the only problem with this is you feeling you have to opologize for buying this camera. If it were $500, you wouldn't "feel terrible" for what you paid. In my opinion, you shouldn't feel bad if you paid $10k for it. Value is subjective, what you say it's worth is what it is worth. And for me, I too own one of these btw, it's a very rare...VERY rare piece of equipment. Rare because it is literally limited in quantity, but also rare in it's combination of beauty, design, and quality. It's an industrial design masterpiece. And masterpieces typically sell for much, much more than what we are paying for these cameras.

Hey, you should do a little update on this camera and how it's been these past two years? :)

I just had a look at Hasselblad prices; bought my user kit on eBay ten years ago for less than US$500. This must be what it feels like to be a boomer who was able to afford to buy a house.

Super condition for this older 500 CM coming from Japan (star before the name label), and this Planar C built in 1969 according to serial number 👍

So glad u got one really looking forward to the content...... hopefully with some interesting instant film

Daaaaang Ben! Congratulations on your new acquisition! Did you name her (or him) already? Gotta have a name for that special cherry on top!

loved this

The beauty of this particular investment is it has the potential to outlive film, the modern digital backs fit so well on this kit if the day comes.

More stuff on the Hassy please!

That Hasselblad agreed to be bought by' DJI is a crime of epic proportions :(

heart-warming

Awesome congrats Ben! definitely a huge milestone :D Would you ever consider the digital Hassy?

you look so happy with your hasselblad :)

you can even use Instax mini with Hasselblad V system cameras, you should do a video about that Instax back, it is certainly really cool

Man, what a beautiful camera! Congrats my dude. I got to use a hassy in my darkroom photography class a few years back and I've wanted one ever since. Though I'm far too poor to make that happen anytime soon unfortunately.

Congrats, man! 🌗📸

Congrats on the purchase! I felt the same way as you re/ the Hassy experience. I lucked out and purchased the exact same setup as you did back in spring 2019 for $950 from an ebay seller. I also had an RB67 at the time before that purchase and ended up selling the RB. Enjoy!

You deserve good things, congrats dude

Treat Yo Self! Congrats, sweet kit.

Congrats :) I didn't fall in love with square format (had Yashica 124g Mat before). But I get really cheap RB67 and we're breaking the ice together now :P What's cool about this camera is that 25+ yrs ago I won some book in the competition... and the book was about cameras (I wasn't intrested in photography at that time)... Guess what camera is on the book's cover :D Yup Mamma Mia RB67 :D

Big Daddy Hassey!

Absolutely feel the same way about the Hassey - it’s my white whale that one day, when I do buy it, will be because it’s something I’ve always wanted and god damn, I deserve to have. Cheers to you and you’re new Hassey!!! 🍻

Awesome.

Congrats on the Hasselblad 500CM! They are great cameras. I have a Polaroid pack-film back for mine, and some "One Instant" film packs to use in it now that FP3000b and FP100c are gone. I'd love to see an Instax SQ back ...

Love this for you Ben! Buying your dream anything needs no justification but thank you for the explanation regardless!

Ethan will likely kill me for making this comment but it must be a shock to get that camera after the Rex 😆

Congrats! Now if the Hasselback by Escura ever releases, you can feature some Hassie Instax shots. I've been waiting on that back for years now.

when dreams come true :)

Looks sick! Grata on the new camera! :D

From experience, I would recommend a monopod/tripod for sharper results.

So...I just got mine from ebay...paid a small fortune for it but... as you say I deserve it :) , not sure how much was it a year ago... but I feel prices went up again.

Congrats! 🙌 Any chance you know of an Instax back that is available for the Hassies?

What a beautiful camera! Congrats Ben! I especially love how you justified spending thousands on it lol I’ll send my partner to this time code 10:40 when she gets on me for buying yet another expensive camera 🤣🤣🤣🙏🏾

one reason for this purchase is, that this is a 'budget' way of owning Carl Zeiss glass, as the sony or plain zeiss for Leica, or other cameras is soo expensive, but NOT the hasselblad C series, or the CF's (slightly more, but not as $$ as the 35 mm sony glass). but in all seriousness it has to be that shutter and baffel sound, KA-thumb! the only one like it :-)) classic.

10:04 is what my wife hears at least once a month, lol

I'm waiting for golden limited version of 500cm which I bought in eBay.

The 500cm is an amazing camera, I was given one for free along with 2 Nikon F3s. I was literally blessed with these cameras. It boggles my mind

I would love a Hassie one day. Inshallah!

Enjoy that beautiful camera. Now I too have a white whale I need to search for.

Aaah..hasselblad. Everybody's dream camera. I'd like to shoot local bus terminal with packfilm back. If someone reproduces type 80 packfilm, it will be perfect combination.