How timely! I recently purchased a 500c and once I received it in hand, I was surprised to find the screen to be interchangeable. Got me really curious 🧐
From what I remember reading online, there are 2 possibilities. First being that these "500C/M" were made after the launch of the real 500C/M. Around 1971~1973 Hasselblad took some extra 500 C's that they had, and modified them to have the interchangeable focusing screen. I don't know if these would have been sold at a reduced price. This doesn't seem as likely as the second possibility. Because as you said in the video, Hasselblad could just have changed the nameplate. The second possibility would be that owners of the original 500C would send their cameras into Hasselblad to be “upgraded” to a 500C/M. Similar to how Nikon upgraded their pre-Ai lenses to Ai with a fee. I did check with my Swedish photography magazines from 1969 to 1973. No mention of these “500C/M” or an upgrade service.
Thanks for commenting - really appreciated. I’ve heard the upgrade theory too but I’ve never seen an upgraded early 500C. All the 500C cameras with interchangeable screen date from the same period. As you, I’ve also never seen any Hasselblad documentation offering the upgrade or Hasselblad paperwork confirming it has been done (Hasselblad users are a fastidious bunch and often keep all servicing paperwork!)
How timely! I recently purchased a 500c and once I received it in hand, I was surprised to find the screen to be interchangeable. Got me really curious 🧐
Always a nice bonus!
When did thid 500C be made according to serial number?
@yjwu5676 the late 1960s. Just as the Hasselblad 500CM was introduced.
From what I remember reading online, there are 2 possibilities. First being that these "500C/M" were made after the launch of the real 500C/M. Around 1971~1973 Hasselblad took some extra 500 C's that they had, and modified them to have the interchangeable focusing screen. I don't know if these would have been sold at a reduced price. This doesn't seem as likely as the second possibility. Because as you said in the video, Hasselblad could just have changed the nameplate.
The second possibility would be that owners of the original 500C would send their cameras into Hasselblad to be “upgraded” to a 500C/M. Similar to how Nikon upgraded their pre-Ai lenses to Ai with a fee. I did check with my Swedish photography magazines from 1969 to 1973. No mention of these “500C/M” or an upgrade service.
Thanks for commenting - really appreciated. I’ve heard the upgrade theory too but I’ve never seen an upgraded early 500C. All the 500C cameras with interchangeable screen date from the same period. As you, I’ve also never seen any Hasselblad documentation offering the upgrade or Hasselblad paperwork confirming it has been done (Hasselblad users are a fastidious bunch and often keep all servicing paperwork!)
Thanks for this. It helps to explain why my 500C is really a C/M! I was so confused
Happy to help!
What’s that black rectangle under the 500C name? Because my 500vm has it and the one of my friend not
I think what you mean is the sync socket and fitting for the cable hook?
@@WorldwideCameraExchange on the body under the hasseblad 500cm name there is a small black rectangle with a hole. Don’t find anything in the manual
@@davide88rn it’s for a Hasselblad cable hook. Some cameras have a sync socket too.