I have been given a Hasselblad 500 C/M. I have no idea how to use it and am new to medium format. Any tips?

Question

I am looking for a good book that is not too technical or a website just to guide me on film and tips and tricks to get the most out of the camera.
I am particulary interested in black and white film.
Also if someone knows the processing costs for the film and how many shots there are per roll that would be great too.
Thanks

Answer 1

go to a good camera store and find out if you have all the pieces. You should have either a 75 or 80mm lens, at least, a viewfinder, a back and a few other things.

It is a perfectly good camera to start with, albeit somewhat expensive because the cost of processing 6cmx6cm film is quite a bit more expensive than 35mm.

I would read the manual and work myself through the camera first, knowing what it is, how it works, etc.

Next, I would get a good volume that spells out basic photography in terms that you can understand.

I don't know if that camera has a meter on it, but if it does, go ahead and buy an off camera meter and do everything at first as manually as possible.

If it has been sitting, your shutter speeds might have to be adjusted, which will be about 200 Bucks each if they need it. Check the foam the camera and make sure that it is good and not flaking off

Photography is not inexpensive as the further you get away from 35mm and digital (which to me are about the same costs), the more expensive.

There are no one hour shops for the film, you will have to take them to a professional house for developing and printing unless y ou want to try taht yourself.

Answer 2

Indeed the 500c/m is a great camera, I have had one for about 5 years now. You are going to need to get yourself a handheld light meter as I am guessing that your camera has the basic viewfinder hood. Without a light meter you are going to waste your film not knowing exactly what your exposure is. I would suggest you go to KEH.com and purchase a used one, also they have a huge selection of used Hasselblad cameras and accessories.
As far as learning how to use the camera, well that can be done quite easily, as suggested go to a high end professional camera store, they should be able to show you how to use it.
As for black and white film, everyone has their preferences. I dont like very much grain, and I have had good experiences using Ilford PanF. It is a great film if you dont plan to do a lot of action shots, and are mainly doing still lifes since the ISO is rated at 50...i.e, slow shutter speeds so you will most likely need to use a tripod. Fuji also makes some really good black and white film as well that I use on occasion. Also since you are just starting out, you may want to buy a polaroid back for your camera so that you can see instant results of what your final images on film might look like. A polaroid back can be purchased from KEH.com for around $60. Hey and maybe in a couple of years you can buy yourself a used 20 megapixel digital back for you Hasselblad, that is what I am saving up for.

Answer 3

someone gave you that for free? sweet! hasselblad makes the BEST medium format cameras.

one of the cool things about those cameras is that everything is interchangeable. the lens is, of course, but you can also switch the viewfinder from waistlevel (you hold it down by your waist and look at the screen from above) to eyelevel (the more 'normal' way to do it - you hold the camera up to your eye. and probably the coolest thing is that you can carry multiple backs (the part on the end that holds the film) and swap them out whenever you want......so you can take a few shots in color, then switch to black and white, then back to color, then maybe a different speed film.......

hasselblads will make 12 6x6cm images on a roll of 120 film. if you want to get more exposures you can use 220 (same as 120 but longer) film in a different back and get 24. oh, and you can also get another back that will give you rectangular images - 16 images measuring 6x4.5 cm

i know, this is getting kinda complicated...but that's the beauty of it. once you get used to the camera you can do all kinds of cool stuff. and hasselblad is known for the quality of their lenses too.

if you're shooting black and white i'd recommend developing it yourself. you don't need a real darkroom if you're not making prints. a dark closet and a room with a sink will do.

for more info i would try to find a manual online. then just surf around and see what you find

Answer 4

i'd say start with ilford HP5 film, its 400 iso and very versatile. if you're not using flash i wouldnt go any slower (lower number than 400) especially as the days are getting darker...
process it yourself, try www.silverprint.co.uk for good value chemicals, start out with the smallest sizes unless you reckon you'll do a lot of films at once. all you need is a dark cupboard or something (completely dark, mind) and a sink. although you'll have to take them to a photographic printer for them to be enlarged and printed, the beauty of medium format is that you can see so much more in hte negative because they are so much bigger. you could even make contact prints (positive prints from a negative) by buying some photo paper and exposing them under a good lamp...
if it all sounds complicated find yourself a good qualiy manual (there are loads of good ones) but to be honest the best learning is by doing. good luck!

Answer 5

This may come across as rude but you might want to sell it and get something a bit more starter level. I mean I own a couple but that's what I do for a living.
Or put them on the shelf and start with a good 35mm, once you have the basics switch up to a medium format.
Ether way lucky you there not cheep!

Answer 6

ill have it, one of the best cameras i have used.
best if you do all the processing yourself.
go to your local library (remember them) and get a good medium format users book

Answer 7

Man, are you ever lucky!