Hasselblad 500EL/M Cutaway
The Hasselblad 500EL/M Cutaway is a factory-prepared demonstration version of the 500EL/M motorised 6x6 medium format camera, with sections of the body, magazine and mechanism cut away to reveal the internal components. It was produced for dealer displays, training rooms and trade-show use rather than as a working photographic tool, which makes it a specialist collector item rather than a user camera.
At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the 500EL/M Cutaway have spanned roughly £1,600 to £6,000, with a median around £2,900 — these are saleroom wholesale results and exclude buyer's and seller's commission. Condition, completeness of the exposed internals and presentation (original display base or signage) heavily influence what each example sells for, and as of 2026 well-preserved specimens continue to command the upper end of that range while scruffier examples drag the bottom down. Because so few Cutaways were made, single strong results can move the perceived value noticeably.
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: June 2020
| Date | Price | Source | |
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| Jun 2020 | EUR 3,400 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 36 (Lot AI_36_38075) Title: Hasselblad 500 EL/M 'Cut-Away'
Description:
very rare chrome Hasselblad 500 EL/M cut-away with chrome cut-away 70mm magazine no.UC 311659, only approx. 25 of these demonstration cameras were produced, in excellent condition Estimate: EUR 2,800 - EUR 3,000 |
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| Mar 2018 | EUR 6,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 32 (Lot AI_32_36186) Title: Hasselblad 500 EL/M 'Cut-Away'
Description:
very rare chrome Hasselblad 500 EL/M cut-away with chrome cut-away 70mm magazine no.UC 311667, only approx. 25 of these demonstration cameras were produced, Planar 2.8/80mm no.4489803, in excellent condition Estimate: EUR 2,400 - EUR 2,800 |
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| Nov 2014 | EUR 1,600 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 26 (Lot AI_26_30714) Title: Hasselblad 500 EL/M 'Cut-Away'
Description:
very rare original black Hasselblad 500 EL/M cut-away with chrome cut-away 70mm magazine no.UC 311664, only approx. 25 of these demonstration cameras were produced, Planar 2.8/80mm T* no.B10317 with auto diaphragm control, in very fine condition Estimate: EUR 3,000 - EUR 3,500 |
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| Nov 2011 | EUR 4,200 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 20 (Lot AI_20_13572) Title: Hasselblad 500 EL/M 'Cut-Away'
Description:
very rare original black Hasselblad 500 EL/M cut-away with chrome cut-away 70mm magazine no.UC 311668, only approx. 25 of these demonstration cameras were produced Estimate: EUR 2,000 - EUR 2,500 |
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| May 2010 | EUR 2,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 17 (Lot AI_17_11372) Title: Hasselblad 500 EL/M Schnittmodell
Description:
very rare original cut-away model made by Hasselblad with cut-away 70mm magazine no.UC 311657 Estimate: EUR 3,000 - EUR 3,500 |
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| May 2009 | EUR 1,900 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 15 (Lot AI_15_19035) Title: Hasselblad 500 EL/M 'Cut-Away'
Description:
very rare original black Hasselblad 500 EL/M cut-away with chrome cut-away 70mm magazine no.UC 311668, only approx. 25 of these demonstration cameras were produced Estimate: EUR 3,000 - EUR 3,500 |
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| Jun 2008 | EUR 2,800 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 13 (Lot AI_13_17022) Title: Hasselblad 500 EL/M 'Cut-Away'
Description:
very rare original black Hasselblad 500 EL/M cut-away with chrome cut-away 70mm magazine no.UC 311664, only approx. 25 of these demonstration cameras were produced, Planar 2.8/80mm T* no.B10317 with auto diaphragm control, in very fine condition Estimate: EUR 3,000 - EUR 3,500 |
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| May 2004 | EUR 2,917 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 5 (Lot AI_5_23769) Title: Hasselblad 500 EL/M Cutaway black
Description:
very rare original cutaway model made by Hasselblad with cutaway 70mm magazine no.UC 311657 Estimate: EUR 26,972 - EUR 4 |
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| Nov 2003 | EUR 3,125 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 4 (Lot AI_4_23009) Title: Hasselblad 500 EL/M Cutaway
Description:
Extrem seltenes, original Schnittmodell von Hasselblad mit 70mm Magazin (ebenfalls Schnittmodell) Nr. UC 311659 Estimate: EUR 26,949 - EUR 4 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Hasselblad 500EL/M Cutaway worth today?
Recent UK auction hammer prices sit roughly between £1,600 and £6,000, with a median near £2,900, so most clean examples land in the £2,000–£3,500 bracket.
How much does a 500EL/M Cutaway sell for compared to a standard 500EL/M?
The Cutaway typically sells for a substantial premium over a working 500EL/M because it was produced in far smaller numbers as a dealer display piece, and its value is driven by rarity rather than photographic utility.
Can a Hasselblad Cutaway be used to take pictures?
No — the body, magazine and lens are deliberately sectioned, so the camera cannot hold film or form a light-tight chamber; its price reflects collector and display value only.
Why is there such a wide price range for this model?
Cutaways appear at auction infrequently and condition varies sharply, so a single well-presented example with its original display base can fetch several times the price of a tired, incomplete one.