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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, but some additional machinist work is required to remount lenses between these camera models.

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 [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]
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" [email protected]
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 [email protected]
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" [email protected]
To: "'[email protected]'" [email protected]
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: [email protected]

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