The Hasselblad 500 Series: A System Overview

This video is loooonnngggg so please jump around with the chapter markers. I've included links to resources mentioned within the video below.

I've omitted the motor-drive bodies to manage video length but also because in the current era they fall well behind their manually advanced kin when it comes to portability and weight. The motor 'foot' makes them far less convenient and a lot of the time you're stuck using outdated battery standards. Because they are technically 500 series I'll list them here and tell you how they compare into the manual range:

500EL: Basically a 500C with a motor drive. ('64-'69)
500EL/M: This is to the 500 EL what the 500C/M was to the 500C. ('71-'84)
500ELX: Introduces the CX-type ttl OTF meter and gliding mirror system. ('84-'88)
553ELX:This is the one you want because it uses AA batteries. ('88-'99)
555ELD: This is the most advanced in the lineup. It has separate contacts for digital backs and had an even glidier mirror. ('98-'06)

If you're set on a motor-driven 500 then I'll also give you a workaround for the pre 553 battery issue:    • Resurrecting the Hasselblad 500ELX - Batte...  

More about the Hasselblad and the moon: https://www.npr.org/2019/07/13/735314...

Astronaut training manual: https://ia802801.us.archive.org/8/ite...

Extension Ring compatibility chart: https://kenrockwell.com/hasselblad/ex...

Crop Factor for 6x6: http://www.hasselbladhistorical.eu/HW...

Want to know when a piece of Hasselblad kit was produced? You can get information on Date Codes and serial numbers here: http://www.hasselbladhistorical.eu/HT...

All the space image imagery is from NASA, used here under the media guidelines https://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/guide...


Index:

0:00 Intro
1:20 The History
15:03 The Bodies
19:39 The Viewfinder
21:07 The Lenses
24:17 Crop factors and focal lengths
27:27 Loading Film
33:15 The Focusing Screens
34:59 The Accessories
50:04 The Backs
52:11 Conclusions