Hasselblad 500 C Prototype
The Hasselblad 500 C Prototype is a pre-production example of the medium format 6x6 single-lens reflex system that became the brand's V-series, dating from the late 1950s. As a prototype rather than a production camera, it sits outside the regular 500-series lineage and is of interest primarily to collectors of Hasselblad development history.
Auction data for this prototype is extremely thin: only one UK saleroom hammer result is on file, at £300 in 2009, and no recent sales have surfaced to establish what the camera is worth today. Because hammer prices reflect wholesale levels rather than dealer retail, a single decade-old data point gives only a rough floor for value, and any current price would need to be tested at sale.
Sales History
Prices shown are UK auction hammer results — the wholesale level achieved in the saleroom. Neither buyer’s nor seller’s commission is included. Dealer and retail asking prices are typically higher.
Prices updated: May 2009
| Date | Price | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2009 | EUR 300 | Leitz Auction | |
|
Auction: Leitz Auction 15 (Lot AI_15_19033) Title: Hasselblad 500C Prototype
Description:
black painted body (like first NASA 500C) without shutter mechanism, on bottom a handwritten label: "Experiment med slät Käpa. Troligen införer. Diupdrasen plätkäpa", matching black painted magazine no.30EV26560, with handwritten label: "EXP. Utan spolkällarrullar Början 90-talet", both serial numbers are scratched out - a very rare and historic piece Estimate: EUR 500 - EUR 600 |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Nov 2007 | EUR 460 | Leitz Auction | |
|
Auction: Leitz Auction 12 (Lot AI_12_20244) Title: Hasselblad 500C Prototype
Description:
black painted body (like first NASA 500C) without shutter mechanism, on bottom a handwritten label: "Experiment med slät Käpa. Troligen införer. Diupdrasen plätkäpa", matching black painted magazine no.30EV26560, with handwritten label: "EXP. Utan spolkällarrullar Början 90-talet", both serial numbers are scratched out - a very rare and historic piece Estimate: EUR 600 - EUR 800 |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
Frequently asked questions
What is a Hasselblad 500 C Prototype worth?
The only recorded UK auction hammer price in our data is £300 from 2009; with no recent comparables, current value is uncertain and would depend heavily on provenance.
How much does a Hasselblad 500 C Prototype sell for at auction?
On the single sale we have on record it sold for £300 hammer, but one data point more than fifteen years old is not a reliable guide to what the camera sells for today.
Is the 500 C Prototype the same as a production 500C?
No — a prototype is a pre-production development example and is not interchangeable with the regular Hasselblad 500C, which has its own separate price history.