There are few camera series more iconic and recognizable than the Hasselblad 500 series, which has become a popular collector's camera that still commands a high price on the used market today. This great video review takes a look at a camera from the series and what it is like to shoot with seven decades after they first hit the market.
Coming to you from Jonathan Notley, this fantastic video review takes a look at the Hasselblad 503 CX camera. A 6x6 medium format camera, the 503CX produces negatives far bigger than even the biggest digital medium format sensors. Perhaps even more intriguing is that negatives are in the 1:1 square format. The first 500 series camera, the 500C, was introduced in 1957 after four years of prototypes and would go on to evolve into decades' worth of new models and updates. That first model was notable for features like a leaf shutter that allowed for flash synchronization at all shutter speeds and the ability to focus at maximum aperture due to its automatic aperture stop-down. The series would go on to become a staple in many studios throughout the rest of the film era and is still in use today. Check out the video above for Notley's full thoughts.
The pentagon OOF highlights never bothered me. I even found non-photographer artsy people who liked them.
Excellent review of an amazing camera! I always wanted a Hasselblad. I agree with the difficulty of composing images in the 1:1 format. Your images are stunning nonetheless.
Most photographers did crop either vertical or horizontal. Many used a pencil on focusing plate to mark lines:) Better was the RB/RZ 67 that had a movable film holder (back)