The Square Perspective: Exploring the Hasselblad 500C and 6x6 Film

The Hasselblad 500C has long been celebrated for its craftsmanship and image quality, making it a favorite among medium format photographers. Since picking one up from Jack's Camera in Philadelphia this past April, it has become my primary creative tool. Most of the images I’ve shot this year were captured with this camera and developed by The Darkroom in San Clemente, CA. Using the 500C has been an inspiring experience, blending nostalgia with creative exploration, and reaffirming why I fell in love with film photography in the first place.

Bridging Past and Present

Image from the Phase One H5 back circa 2015.

My journey with Hasselblad began in college, though not in the way you might expect. Around 2013–2014, my school transitioned its studio photography class from film to digital, convinced at the time that film was fading. While that belief turned out to be wrong, digital was a cost-effective move for the program. In that class, we used a Hasselblad paired with a Phase One digital back, possibly an H5 or H10. These backs typically featured CCD sensors with dimensions around 36.9 x 36.9 mm (H10) or slightly larger. While their sensor sizes were smaller than traditional 6x6 film but larger than 35mm film, they most closely aligned with the 645 (6 x 4.5 cm) film format in terms of proportions and aspect ratio (approximately 4:3).

Returning to film with the Hasselblad 500C has marked my first foray into 6x6 format photography, and the difference has been striking. Shooting square compositions and working with a larger image area has opened up new creative possibilities and challenges.

The Hasselblad Experience: Lens and Accessories

The camera came with a classic 80mm f/2.8 Carl Zeiss Planar lens, a staple for Hasselblad systems. This lens offers a 35mm equivalent focal length of approximately 50mm, making it an ideal all-purpose lens. Its sharpness, creamy bokeh, and natural perspective are perfect for everything from portraits to landscapes.

In addition, the kit included a 0 Hz haze filter and two Proxar close-up rings (.5 and 2). The 0 Hz haze filter is designed to reduce the effects of atmospheric haze in outdoor scenes, helping to maintain clarity and contrast, especially in landscapes. It also doubles as a protective filter for the lens front element. The Proxar rings, on the other hand, are close-up accessories that allow the lens to focus on subjects closer than its default minimum focusing distance. The .5 Proxar is ideal for subtle magnification, while the 2 Proxar achieves more dramatic close-up effects. These accessories make the 500C a versatile tool for macro photography, allowing for creative experimentation with details and textures.

Waist-Level Viewfinder: A Different Perspective

One of the most defining features of the Hasselblad 500C is its waist-level viewfinder. Unlike traditional eye-level viewfinders, this system requires you to look down at the ground glass to compose your shot. While it might feel unconventional at first, the waist-level viewfinder offers unique benefits. It encourages slower, more deliberate framing and can make shooting less intrusive when photographing people. The reversed image on the ground glass adds an additional challenge, but once mastered, it becomes an intuitive and rewarding way to work.

Labrador Hollow - 10.06.2024

Why Hasselblad? A Brief History and Comparison

Hasselblad has a storied history that dates back to 1941 when the company began producing cameras for military reconnaissance during World War II. After the war, they introduced their first consumer camera, the Hasselblad 1600F, in 1948. By the 1950s, Hasselblad was setting the gold standard for medium format photography, and the 500 series cemented their reputation with its modular design, legendary Carl Zeiss lenses, and reliability.

So, why Hasselblad over other medium format systems?
Compared to brands like Mamiya, Bronica, or Pentax, Hasselblad cameras are known for their build quality, modularity, and optical performance. The 500 series’ ability to interchange lenses, film backs, and viewfinders makes it exceptionally versatile, while the Carl Zeiss lenses deliver unparalleled image quality. Other systems like the Mamiya RB67 or Pentax 67 offer larger negatives or integrated light meters, but they lack the sleek, portable design and timeless aesthetic of the Hasselblad.

Exploring the 6x6 Format: Pros and Cons

Sandy Creek - 11.17.2024

Using a larger format like 6x6 brings tangible benefits to image quality and composition. The increased negative size captures finer details, richer tonal transitions, and more nuanced depth than smaller formats like 645 or 35mm. This makes 6x6 an excellent choice for prints or projects where detail and texture are paramount. The square aspect ratio also encourages creative experimentation, pushing me to think differently about balance and framing since there’s no dominant horizontal or vertical axis.

That said, working in 6x6 isn’t without its challenges. Composing within a square format requires a shift in mindset, especially if you’re used to rectangular ratios. It’s easy to fall into predictable, centered compositions, so intentionality becomes even more critical. Additionally, the larger negatives demand more precision in shooting and development, as minor errors can be amplified at this scale.

For me, the rewards far outweigh the challenges. The square format offers a timeless aesthetic that’s both versatile and visually striking. Combined with the rich detail captured on 6x6 negatives, it feels like I’ve unlocked a new level of creative expression.

Looking Toward the Future

While I’ve embraced the analog experience with the 500C, I haven’t ruled out integrating digital into my workflow. Modern solutions like the CFV 100C Digital Back allow photographers to adapt Hasselblad V-mount cameras for digital capture. These backs offer the convenience of modern technology while preserving the legacy design of the 500 series. While it’s a significant investment, it’s an option I’m keeping in mind for the future.

The 500C, while remarkable, reminds me of the small refinements I loved about the Hasselblad 500CM, which I used extensively in college. Features like the 500CM’s removable focusing screen make it more customizable and user-friendly—one of the reasons I plan to upgrade eventually.

A Timeless Companion

Last year, I added a Mamiya 645 to my collection, and while I have no plans to part with that camera, the Hasselblad 500C has undeniably taken center stage in my creative journey. Its ability to bridge my past and present has made it my primary focus, capturing images that feel timeless while reconnecting me with the tactile joys of analog photography. Whether through film, digital adaptations, or a combination of the two, my time with the 500C has reminded me why Hasselblad continues to be synonymous with excellence in photography.

Until Next Time.