Hasselblad · Medium-format SLR · 1957–1970
The 500C is where the classic Hasselblad begins. The earlier 1000F used a focal-plane shutter that could give trouble, so in 1957 the 500C moved the shutter into each Zeiss lens as a Compur leaf shutter. That let flash work at every speed and set up the V system, which Hasselblad kept in much the same form until the 503CW around 2006. It's fully mechanical, with no meter and no battery, and the film magazines come off mid-roll. NASA took it to space. Simplified 500Cs flew on the last two Mercury missions in 1962 and 1963, and a variation of the 500C went on every Gemini and Apollo mission. It was made until 1970, when the 500C/M replaced it. The big difference is the focusing screen, which on a 500C only a technician can change. The youngest 500C is now well over 50 years old, so service history counts for more than looks.
The variants
The 500C was replaced in 1970 by the 500C/M, which adds a focusing screen you can change yourself and improved A-series magazines. Lenses and most accessories fit both.
The same body-and-lens jam applies as on later 500s, so refitting a lens when it and the body aren't both cocked can do lasting damage. The focusing screen can only be changed by a technician, so a dim or scratched one costs more to fix than on a 500C/M.
Buying guide
We'd buy the US kit with a Planar 80mm f/2.8, A12 back and waist-level finder at $1,910 delivered, ready to shoot, or the US body with an A12 back and prism at $689 if you already have a lens. There are about 40 for sale, and most ask $1,025–1,950 delivered, with bodies alone or with a back at $620–1,500 and most kits with an 80mm at $1,840–3,300. It's fully mechanical with the shutter in each lens and needs no battery, but the youngest 500C is well over 50 years old, so ask when it was last serviced and by whom. Ask for a video winding and firing it several times with the lens on, at 1 s and 1/500 with the sound on, and a photo down the finder, since only a technician can change a 500C's focusing screen. Skip the two zero-feedback sellers, one using the same title as another seller, and the $5,600 NOS outfit, about 3.9 times the median.
$624.00est. delivered
The lowest delivered 500C here, a body only for $624 from a US seller. It has no back, finder or lens and no test claim, so ask for a video winding and firing it with a lens on.
Hasselblad 500C Medium Format Body Only 38742
$1,909.62est. delivered
Ready to shoot, with a Planar 80mm f/2.8, an A12 back and a waist-level finder, for $1,910 delivered from a US seller, just inside the band. It isn't titled tested, so ask for the wind-and-fire video and when it was last serviced.
Hasselblad 500C Camera with Planar 80mm f/2.8 Lens, 120 A12 Film Back, Waist Lev
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 11, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 11, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$624.00est. delivered
$599.00 + $25.00 shipping
Buy It Now$599.00
Good buy
Body only, no back, finder or lens. US seller.
Seller: concourse
99.3% positive
Used$1,909.62est. delivered
$1,899.99 + $9.63 shipping
Buy It Now$1,899.99
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Planar 80mm f/2.8, A12 back and waist-level finder. US seller.
Seller: cameraexchange
99.9% positive
Used$688.70est. delivered
$677.00 + $11.70 shipping
Buy It Now$677.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Body with an A12 back and prism. No lens.
Seller: a134-28
100% positive
![Late Model [ MINT ] Hasselblad 500C 500 C Film Camera A12 Magazine From JAPAN](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/XtcAAeSw-4dqxjTh/s-l500.jpg)
Used$1,439.90est. delivered
$1,199.90 + $240.00 shipping
Buy It Now$1,199.90
Our take
Late body with an A12 back, graded MINT. $240 of it is shipping.
Seller: mitsig-10
100% positive
Used$2,015.00est. delivered
$2,000.00 + $15.00 shipping
Buy It Now$2,000.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
With a 150mm f/4, titled tested working. US seller.
Seller: the_collectors_shop_co
100% positive
Used$1,410.84est. delivered
$1,399.00 + $11.84 shipping
Buy It Now$1,399.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Check the seller
With an 80mm f/2.8. Zero-feedback seller, and another seller uses the same title.
Seller: stu6711
No feedback yet
Used$1,455.00est. delivered
$1,400.00 + $55.00 shipping
Buy It Now$1,400.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Check the seller
Kit with body, 80mm lens, finder and back. The seller has zero feedback.
Seller: sd9857
No feedback yet
Used$5,600.00est. delivered
$5,550.00 + $50.00 shipping
Buy It Now$5,550.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Priced high
Titled NOS, boxed, with a leather case. About 3.9 times the median ask.
Seller: leitzusa
100% positive
Prices change daily. The live eBay search shows everything listed now, including anything new since Oct 11, 2026.
See every listing on eBay ↗eBay search
Hasselblad · Medium-format SLR
No batteryHasselblad V mount · 1970–1994
$1,575–$3,075 typical ask
Rolleiflex · Medium-format TLR
No batteryFixed 80 mm f/2.8 Carl Zeiss Planar or Schneider Xenotar · 1960–1981
$2,900–$3,900 typical ask
Mamiya · Medium-format SLR
No batteryMamiya RB67 mount · 1970–2010
$525–$725 typical ask