Topic: Blue Monday: End of the line for Hasselblad V Series

[gothamtomato]

EVen though the Hasselblads I have, if I take care of them and they don't have any accidents, it's still a very sad day: http://www.bjp-online.com/british-journal-of-photography/news/2264875/hasselblad-puts-an-end-to-its-v-line-of-cameras

[Sandeha Lynch]

The 500 C/M I have will probably outlast me.   

[gothamtomato]

The 500 C/M I have will probably outlast me.   

Yeah, but it's just the idea. Another one bites the dust.

And it makes me worry (more!) for 120 film availability.

[LT]

Yes - sad news Deborah.

[Phil Bebbington]

Sad, indeed

My recent call to Hasselblad UK now falls into place. I was considering getting my SWC a nice CLA so phoned the service department only to be told that all work was now being done in Sweden. I have to say, they were making it all very easy to do including collecting the camera if needed. However, it did seem an odd development. Obviously not!

[Sandeha Lynch]

Oh, I did get the point.  And I also have a lot of concern for 120.  But the 'Blad is built to last.

Phil, have you tried Black on White in Bristol?  John did my 'Blad for me recently, including a C lens.

[zapsnaps]

I used my 500CM on Saturday and loved it. I was at a group shoot and all the other participants had huge digital rigs, most costing thousands. My Blad was a (bargain) £500 second hander. But it was the Blad which got all the attention, rather than the D1s. I feel that as the world gets more digital (am I allowed to say that on FW?), the respect that a decent MF camera loaded with film is afforded by other snappers, will only grow.

Mine's a keeper. And no thanks, I don't want a Loony Luna.

[Francois]

Well.......... this feels a bit awkward.

When I was younger (boy does that make me sound old) back in college, I was drooling over the 'Blad. It was the luxury camera to have, on par with the Leica M. For me, they always stood for more than a camera.

I once handled an H1 and apart from being scared silly (I didn't want to drop it), it strangely didn't have the aura of a waist level finder square format machine.

Come to think about it, nobody makes square format cameras anymore!

[Phil Bebbington]

Oh, I did get the point.  And I also have a lot of concern for 120.  But the 'Blad is built to last.

Phil, have you tried Black on White in Bristol?  John did my 'Blad for me recently, including a C lens.

Sandeha, thanks for this. I was aware of them and I think I will use them if I decide on the clean. The thought of needlessly posting my baby to Sweden gives me the willies!

[kenny]

It's a big shame indeed 
The V series cameras are such beautiful things. I remember seeing the new d*gital Hasselblad Lunar in a trade show recently and imho the desgin is really, really ugly...

[Francois]

I remember seeing the new d*gital Hasselblad Lunar in a trade show recently and imho the desgin is really, really ugly...

Well, it is just a Sony NEX that's been re-branded and has a carbon fiber grip added...

[ChristopherCoy]

I bought my 500C/M in February of 2012 I think. It had just undergone a full CLA from Mr. David Odess here in the US. Aside from a few scuff marks on the back of the body (common where the backs are slid into place incorrectly) it was rated as "EX" by KEH representatives.  So I'm quite certain that I have a 1977 model Hasselblad 500C/M that will certainly last for many more decades to come.

However, I wonder what this will do for the used market prices?

I currently own the 500C/M body, a single A12 back (early model), the 80mm 2.8, the early model WLF, and a few accessories like the lens hood, left handed grip, the bellows hood, and the Polaroid back.

I know for certain that I want to add the 150mm f4, and possibly the 40mm or 50mm f4 lenses to my kit, so I hope that prices don't shoot through the roof in the next year or so.

[ChristopherCoy]

And it makes me worry (more!) for 120 film availability.

Do we have that much to worry about if Ilford is posed to remain a strong player in the future?

I don't need a vast selection of film, just one good B&W roll to remain readily available.

[Suzi Livingstone]

I was lucky enough to be given my Hassy 500 by a friend last year, and I love it more than anything and wish I'd had one years ago.... a sad, sad day 

[gothamtomato]

And it makes me worry (more!) for 120 film availability.

Do we have that much to worry about if Ilford is posed to remain a strong player in the future?

I don't need a vast selection of film, just one good B&W roll to remain readily available.

I'd like there to still be a selection of color film as well. If we're lucky, Fuji is buying Kodak (or maybe Ilford has decided to branch out into color).

[Chris A Fraser]

Just the thought of Ilford buying Kodak makes me giddy. With there dedication to film. We can dream.

[zapsnaps]

I want lots of film choice for my Blad! Astia for skin tones, Provia 400 for funky fashion, 3200 for handheld snap & grab shots and a nice slow one for a tripod in the studio (well - I have the tripod, at least)

[Late Developer]

It is definitely news for me as I'd assumed, wrongly as it transpires, V series camera manufacture had ceased donkey's years ago.

It's disappointing but my 500c/m will be working long after I've shuffled off this mortal coil and, if iit breaks down beforehand, it can be fixed pretty readily and for not a lot of money these days.

[ambaker]

Glad I got one before the rush...