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Hasselblad 1000f SLR Camera
Hasselblad Related Notes
History of the Medium Format SLR

The Hasselblad 1600f started a revolution when it was introduced in 1948. The Hasselblad 1600f was a system camera, meaning that it was a modular design which could be customized to meet various photographic needs. You could swap out different backs, interchangeable lenses, and viewfinders to configure the camera into the precise photographic instrument you needed for the task at hand.

The Hasselblad 1600f gets its name from its top shutter speed of 1/1,600th of a second, and the fact that this is achieved with a vertically traveling focal plane shutter (hence, 1600f). Reportedly, this top shutter speed was quite optimistic, and a more realistic top speed of 1/1,000th second (or even 1/850th) was probably more typical in actual practice. The followup Hasselblad 1000f model was a refinement of the original 1600f model. Both of these models experienced problems with shutters over time, with the result that the following Hasselblad 500c and 500c/m models used leaf shutters instead. Sadly, it is rare to find one with a fully working shutter nowadays, and spare parts are no longer available for repairs.

These cameras were somewhat primitive in operation by today's standard, lacking even auto-diaphragm operation. You had to stop down manually after focusing.

The Hasselblad 1600f and 1000f share a screw thread lens mount design. Unlike today's cameras, you did not have a quick action lens bayonet mount, but rather had to screw and unscrew the lens carefully to swap out lenses. The screw thread mount was later copied in part for the Kiev-88 system cameras. Some additional machinist work may be required to remount lenses between these camera models. Because the lens registration distances (i.e., lens mount to the film plane) are similar, some Hasselblad focal plane body (200/x series) owners have these lenses converted to mount on their Hasselblad cameras too.

The classic Bronica 6x6cm cameras were another camera design cloned or inspired by these early focal plane Hasselblad cameras. The Bronica added an instant return mirror to the Hasselblad design. Here again, the Hasselblad models (up through the 500c) had a "mirror blackout" following the exposure until you cranked the knob which advanced the film and shutter and raised the mirror into viewing position.

While we tend to associate Zeiss lenses with Hasselblads, these early Hasselblad optics were more eclectic. The very sharp Kodak Ektar 80mm f/2.8 was chosen as the normal lens. Unlike most TLRs of the day, the Kodak 80mm f/2.8 lens was relatively fast and focused an amazingly close 20 inches (versus 3.5 feet typical for most TLR and SLR competitors).

There was also a 135mm f/3.5 Kodak Ektar and a 250mm f/4 Zeiss Opton Sonnar lens in the initial offering, and more variants added later during the production of the compatible 1000f series too. Lots of longer telephoto lenses by Kilfitt, Leitz, and others were frequently modified for use with these Hasselblad 1600f SLRs. Unlike the Leica rangefinders, the Hasselblad 1600f SLR design provided precise framing and focusing without the need for cumbersome and slow reflex housings (as on rangefinders).

On the wide angle end, the later 60mm f/5.6 Distagon was available, but there was no offering at the 50mm or wider range. This restriction was the result of the swinging mirror design of these cameras making wider angle lenses harder to design and build. Even the later Bronica clones had to use a cumbersome falling mirror design to provide clearance for the ground-breaking 50mm Nikkor wide angle for 6x6cm.

One way around this limitation was to adapt lenses from other makers to the Hasselblad 1600/1000f mount. The focal plane shutter made such lens adaptations relatively easy. The low cost Fujita 66 SLR 52mm f/3.5 screw-thread wide angle lens was often adapted for use on the Hasselblad 1000/1600f cameras.

As with most focal plane 6x6cm SLRs, flash synchronization is provided at the body, but is a rather slow 1/25th second for X-synch. You could use either 12 exposures of 6x6cm backs, or 16 exposures of 6x4.5cm backs interchangeably on the 1600f/1000f. However, these early backs will not fit the later 500c series cameras according to some sources.

The Hasselblad 1600f are mostly relegated to the shelves of camera collectors nowadays, with only 3,627 cameras being made and sold.

One of the things I find most interesting about the above Willoughby's ad is the emphasis on features and photography. I believe that this tradition of positive advertising was a major factor in the long-term success of the relatively expensive Hasselblad cameras against their competitors (including Bronica's awful ads by comparison). So it wasn't just the camera and its features, or even its lenses, which made the Hasselblad 1600f the progenitor of a great line of cameras. It was also a tradition of marketing and professional support which has helped tie customers to Hasselblad through decades of marketing efforts.

Hasselblad cameras continue to sell well today, despite competitors such as Rollei with more advanced electronic camera designs (e.g., Rollei 6008i) and similar Zeiss lenses that cost less. Many photographers feel they are buying more than a camera, they are buying into a tradition - one started by the Hasselblad 1600f camera.

Related Postings

[Ed. note: thanks to Paul Shinkawa for sharing these pointers!...]
Date: Fri, 22 Jun 2001
From: Paul Shinkawa paul.shinkawa@lcra.org
To: rmonagha@post.cis.smu.edu
Cc: pshinkaw@wordlnet.att.net
Subject: Hasselblad 1600F

With respect to your article on the Hasselblad 1600F. I have my father's 1600F with an 80/2.8 Kodak Ektar. It has a bayonet mount lens. The lens mount release looks exactly like the shutter release, only it is on the opposite side of the lower front.

-Paul

From hasselblad mailing list:
Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2002 
From: "Mose, J P" j.p.mose@lmco.com
Subject: [HUG] Use of Early Hasselblads and Loving It!

Q.G. de Bakker wrote:

"Look all!
Our Forening has been highjacked even before it got off the ground!

Just kidding! ;-)))"

OK...educate me...what's a Forening!


Rei Shinozuka wrote:


"1) does anyone still use 1000 and 1600's?"

Absolutely!  However, I compare these cameras to "Sunday cars" that are used occasionally.
My 1600F was purchased in early 1985, in need of restoration.  Cosmetically, it was mint minus.
Mechanically, it need to be overhauled (what a surprise!).  I sent it to Neils Peterson in
Sweden.  He restored it.  My total cost into the camera was now $500...I could triple that
today.  He sent it back to me....I was very excited about owning a near mint first model
Hasselblad!!!  The camera never showed up!  Neils and I investigated for months in frustration!
After 9 months we gave up.  Neils was in the process of filing the insurance claim.  I was
saddened.  Remember, in 1985 there wasn't websites, Ebay, Rick Nordin's reference books, etc.

Early Hasselblad's were more of mystery because there wasn't anyone to share information
with.  I think the camera was that much more precious to me because of this. Two weeks before
Christmas, I received a call from US Customs in NY.  They found a box sitting on a shelf that
had erroneously been placed there.    I don't know who was more excited...Neils or me.  I received
the camera within days.  From that point on, I always had a "soft spot" for early Hasselblads.
Unfortunately, the slow speed mechanism was frozen from sitting for several months.  Until this
day, I still haven't returned it to Sweden for this repair.  Neils eventually retired and David
Knapman took over the repair business.  I kept say "soon, I'll send it", but  there's a side of me
that was afraid of loosing it.


17 years later....I still haven't sent in that 1600F!  But, I do use it on occasion (at speeds or 1/25
or greater!).  Although, the optics don't match my newer Zeiss optics, I still marvel at the images
created.  Thanks to websites, Ebay, Rick Nordin's books and friendship, along with sharing information
with other early Hasselblad users such as Austin Franklin, David Stedman, etc., early Hasselblad's became
alive for me again.  I have also purchased two 1000F's and an early Superwide from 1956.  All are in pristine
condition.  That's not to brag but simply state it's an enjoyment I get
which parallels that guy with his '57 Chevy!

I don't think there is any question that a 500C and later systems are more reliable.  For that
reason alone, I always turn to the modern Hasselblad for everyday picture taking.  But, like that Sunday
car, nothing excites me more than shooting some rolls with one of the early models, reading early literature,
using one of the strange accessories such as the remote cable for the 1600f/1000f.  I don't make a living
in photography (although I do have a degree in it), so I just do it when I want the pleasure.  I get a lot
of pleasure out of developing photos and comparing the early optics such as the Ektars versus Tessars versus
the early 250mm f/4 Sonnar.  Last fall, shortly after 9/11, I shot photos of my niece's wedding in NYC with
my 1000F and three lenses.  You should have seen the airport security agents marveling over the "retro" camera.
They were very respectful of it.  The photos turned out great...and I had fun using it.  The pro photographer
and his assistants looked down their noses at me shooting with that "dated" camera until....five blondes were
surrounding me at the bar, asking questions like: "Was the 1000F really more reliable than the 1600F?"  "When
is Rick Nordin coming out with his next edition?"  "What turns you on the most....Ektars or Tessars?"

I don't mean to sound so zealous, but the question was asked about using early Hasselblads.  Rarely, do I see many 
postings on HUG about the early models.  Graflex, Leica, etc. have sites with daily quesitons and answers on their
vintage models. I love these cameras too!  But the idea of a Hasselblad Historical Society will be great step forward!

Once again, something I already take so much pleasure in is being enhanced further. For that, I owe Rick Nordin
and all you other Hasselblad collectors a special debt of gratitude!  Thanks for listening!

Best regards,

J. P. Mose


From hasselblad mailing list:
Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2002
From: Mark Kronquist mak@teleport.com
Subject: Re: [HUG] Re: hasselblad V1 #1622

HCP Historical Camera Press from Spokane Washington had a softcover book on
collecting and using Hasselblad 1000F 1600F and SWA Cameras and some bits
about the Ross stuff as well.

I thumbed through a copy (not for sale) at Blue Moon s Library

Anyone know of a source for more copies of the book?

Mark

> With reference to MF SLRs pre-Hasselblad, take a look at Ivor Matanle's
> "Collecting and Using Classic SLRs," published by Thames and Hudson, 1996.




[Ed. note: many thanks to Peter Hjortzberg for providing this info on 
Hasselblad 1000f/1600f repairs!]
Date: Tue, 20 Aug 2002 
From: "Hjortzberg-Nordlund, Peter" peter.hjortzberg-nordlund@cgey.com
To: "'rmonagha@mail.smu.edu'" rmonagha@post.cis.smu.edu
Subject: Hasselblad 1600f "spare parts are no longer available for repairs !!"

Greetings from Sweden!

When I was reading your interesting article concerning the old Hasselblad
models 1600f and 1000f you did mention, "spare parts are no longer available
for repairs". For your information did a former Hasselblad employee did buy
all the remaining spare parts to 1600f and 1000f from Hasselblad. He is a
well-known and respected technician in Sweden with. He is doing a lot of
work for Hasselblad collectors in Japan principally 1600f and 1000f.

Pro-Camerara Service
Box 115
S-438 23 Landvetter
SWEDEN
Phone: +46-31-919403


Best regards

Peter Hjortzberg
Peter Hjortzberg-Nordlund
Anders Lundstr"ms g 4
S-16973 Solna
SWEDEN
Phone: +46-8-7665876
E-mail: peter.hjortzberg@chello.se



Date: Sun, 27 Oct 2002
From: Andrew Myers andy@dcjob.com
To: rmonagha@mail.smu.edu, peter.hjortzberg@chello.se, j.p.mose@lmco.com
Subject: Hasselblad 1600f

Gentlemen,

I came across Mr. Monaghan's comments and your emails about the 1600f on
a webpage recently and was quite excited to read the comments about the
1600f. I was certain I was the only person on earth who had a working
version of this camera. I'd be interested in contacting any others who
use the 1600f.

I was really excited to hear about the possibility that there were still
parts left (as of August 2002, anyway) and that there are people with
the expertise to repair/tune this camera. I don't use mine often but I
do display it proudly in my home. If I could get it tuned (it does work,
though it's a bit erratic) I might use it more often.

Any help/information you might be able to supply would be greatly
appreciated. Are there email lists? Webpages? etc.

Thanks so much. I look forward to hearing from you.

Best,
Andy Myers
1829 Vermont Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20001
andy@dcjob.com



From: J. Benedict [raoul@olympus.net] 
Sent: Mon 11/24/2003 
To: hasselblad@kelvin.net 
Subject: [HUG] Hassy as industrial icon/collector's item

Group:

Saw that people were contemplating the classic design of the
Hasselblad camera. Also, the wondering about the collector's value.

I have to chime in with something I saw a few years ago. Up through
about 1997-8, my source for all things camera was Ed Olson at The
Camera Show on Aurora Ave. No. in Seattle. Ed was a real character
and, on more than one occasion, when he wrote a factory looking for
collector information, he was referred back to himself! Anyhow, he
had everything and he had it at a good price.

He was into Hasselblad and had been for years. He owned what was
supposed to be the oldest 1600F outside of the factory. He also
brokered the sale of a legally acquired NASA Hassy which had never
been in space from a guy in Australia to a guy in Hong Kong for the
price of $50K. He was a diabetic and eventually had to sell out when
he began to go blind as a result of diabetes. A little before this
happened, he had a selection of collector quality Hasselblads in his
shop. There were about 20 1600Fs and 1000Fs in a variety of
conditions and operability. The oldest there was a 1600F of 1950
vintage which actually worked. Seems he had a customer who had been
picking them up cheap for years because, like a hammer with a broken
handle or a knife with a dull blade, a professional camera which is
not reliable is of no value to a professional photographer. As I
remember it, Ed was selling them at about $1500 at the low end to
about $3000 at the high end. Compare that to the price of similar
rarity Leicas and, as collector items, these were really cheap. Go
up in value? I don't know. The collector's market for Hassy that I
predicted at the time hasn't developed. Just as well. I didn't have
any money at the time to invest in things such as collector cameras
and, besides, most didn't work and I couldn't afford to have
something sitting around that couldn't be used.

Ed also frequently had a lot of the neat accessories that we see in
Nordin's latest book. Richard Nordin is in Vancouver, B.C. and knew
Ed well. Ed had a copy of Nordin's first paper bound version of the
Hasselblad Compendium and brought it out frequently.

I really don't know why Hassy isn't collected. It's just good stuff.
It looks and feels right. And, after looking in Nordin's book, it
would actually be possible to collect everything that Hassy ever made
because, compared to Leica, there hasn't been much made. Also, Hassy
hasn't had many 'collector editions' and the ones they have had
haven't been that rare. My father was a stamp collector and the
American Philatelic Society applied what they called the "Black Blot"
to postage issues which were just designed to be sold to collectors
and not actually to be used as postage. Using that as criteria, many
Leicas can be called "Black Blots". Hassy really hasn't done that.
There are two- the maroon and gold one and the blue and gold one and
that is about it. I think most people actually used the grey Moon
camera because I see so many of them coming up on the used market at
reasonable prices- usually not at a premium to regular EL/Ms.

So, it's a mystery to me why collectors haven't mined Hasselblad for
their collections. And, it's surprising to me that the prices of
older Hassy gear is going down on the used market. Good for buyers,
horrible for sellers and, since I usually partially finance my new
purchases by sell the older purchases, I've been on the sidelines in
the marketplace lately. Oh, to be rich.

Jeff
--
Jeffrey E. Benedict raoul@olympus.net


From: "Q.G. de Bakker" qnu@tiscali.nl
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Russian Optics on FP Hasselblad Bodies
Date: Sun, 7 Mar 2004 

steven.sawyer@banet.net wrote:
> What about the opposite conversion. Retro-fitting a Hassy 1600F with a P6
> mount?

Since these cameras already are somewhat of collectable "classics", it
doesn't seem the right thing to do. Keep them "original", i'd say.

By the way, the 1600F's shutter isn't the most reliable one. That's why they
were discontinued after only four years. Four years during which we have
seen two (!) series of 1600 F cameras. These shutters will not have improved
much by aging half a century either.

Remember the Salyut/Kiev? That was a close copy of this particular camera,
including the less reliable shutter... ;-);-)

The "same mount" 1000F, on the other hand, is better. But that one too i
wouln't like to modify.

And not just because it would lessen its value as collectable, but not in
the least because you then wouldn't be able to use those truly excellent
Kodak and Zeiss lenses anymore.



From: "Q.G. de Bakker" qnu@tiscali.nl
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Need Hassy Repair Person!
Date: Sun, 8 Aug 2004 

Ted Azito wrote:

> Hasselblad in my opinion pissed on their own feet with the way they
> dumped 1600/1000 focal plane system owners,

Service for these is still (!!!) available through David Knapman, former
Hasselblad's Repair Instructor.
As far as parts are stil available, or can be reproduced.
Not quite Hasselblad AB itself, but certainly not bad...

> and then again with the
> early electronic focal plane bodies,

They too will be serviced. By Hasselblad.
As long as necessary parts are still available.

> and they are doing it again with
> their Hasselblad USA policies especially on nonwarranty repair.

That i don't know about.

> Many
> Hasselblad products are simply overpriced-but then again is it their
> fault for charging what the market wil pay? Or the fault of
> competitors who won't undercut them with compatible products priced
> lower and of good quality?

Yes. That is an question.
Sadly though, they have always cost what they cost. :-(

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