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Hasselblad 500 EL

The Hasselblad 500 EL is a medium-format 6x6 single-lens reflex camera with a motorised film advance, powered by a rechargeable battery in the base. Introduced in the mid-1960s, it used the same V-system lens mount and interchangeable film backs as the manual 500C, and was positioned for studio, scientific and remote-triggered work where motorised operation was useful.

Sales history for the 500 EL is thin, so today's value guidance is tentative: the two recorded UK auction hammer results sit at £240 and £570, giving a wholesale saleroom range of roughly £240–£570. What a 500 EL body is worth at auction depends heavily on the condition of the battery compartment, the working state of the motor, and whether a lens, back and finder are included in the lot.

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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: March 2023

Date Price Source
Mar 2023 £475 Flints Auctions
May 2013 EUR 28,000 Leitz Auction
May 2004 £239 Christie's
Feb 2004 £573 Christie's

Frequently asked questions

What is a Hasselblad 500 EL worth today?

Based on the limited UK auction record available, a 500 EL body has sold for between about £240 and £570 at hammer, with the price driven mainly by cosmetic condition and whether a working battery and lens are included.

How much does a Hasselblad 500 EL sell for at auction?

Recent UK hammer prices sit in the £240–£570 range, but with only a small number of recorded sales this figure should be treated as indicative rather than a firm market value.

Is the 500 EL the same camera as the 500 EL/M or 500 ELX?

No — the 500 EL, 500 EL/M and 500 ELX are separate motorised V-system models, so sales data and prices for one do not directly transfer to the others.

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