INTRODUCTION

The Hasselblad 500el/m is the motorized model of the well known medium format SLR system used by many photographers around the globe.

A slightly modified version of this camera went on the Moon.

The 500 EL/M was made by Victor Hasselblad in Sweden between 1970 and 1989.

BEST SUITED FOR:

Studio

Weddings

Landscapes

Architecture

Art

PERSONAL NOTES

The Hasselblad 500el/m is close to be the 500c/m. The only two differences are the weight and price. The 500el/m is heavier, but less expensive. If you can afford the 500c/m, buy it, but the 500el/m is a cheaper alternative, less sexy, but as good as the real thing.

Like all 500 models, They all have access to many great Zeiss lenses, delivering sharp and contrasty images on a 6x6cm square frame. They have access to a vast amount of accessories too.

The Hasselblad uses film backs, so you can choose your film while on the field. Compatible with 120 film, 220 film, and even 70mm bulk film. Backs are also available in 6x6cm, 6x4.5cm, superslides...

The mechanics is very durable. The shutter being in the lenses, the camera is less prone to mechanical problems.

The Design is amazing, you cannot do some errors you can do with large format, like having the dark slide gone while replacing a lens, or like removing the back while the dark slide is gone, or like shooting a frame when the dark slide is there... All these are taken care of with the clever Hasselblad body design.

On top of being very useful and well made, the camera is a very beautiful object, especially the chrome version.

I really enjoy my big nikon DSLRs when on assigments, but when I'm going out on a "no-where" for landscape, I usually bring the Blads. It's not the same experience, you can "feel" photography... And image quality is just awesome.

CONCLUSION

If you already tried medium format, you have to try a Hasselblad. It's a must!

PHOTO SAMPLES

VERDICT:

4 FLASHBULBS