Hasselblad 500EL NASA
The Hasselblad 500EL NASA is a motorised 6x6 medium-format film camera, a specially prepared variant of the electric 500EL series supplied to NASA for space-programme use from the 1960s onward. Because surviving ground-use and flight-programme examples rarely reach the open market, it is treated as a collector's piece rather than a working tool, and its value today is set almost entirely by provenance.
At recent UK auction, hammer results for the 500EL NASA have spanned roughly £1,800 to £45,000, with a median around £19,000 reflecting how heavily provenance and documentation drive what a given example is worth. The strongest prices — including a £45,000 result in 2023 — have been paid for cameras with clear NASA-contract documentation, while undocumented or incomplete bodies have sold for low four figures. In today's market a well-attributed example sells for substantially more than a standard 500EL, and buyers should expect price to track paperwork as much as cosmetic condition.
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 2023
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| Jun 2023 | EUR 45,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 42 (Lot AI_20220121_1128_41262) Title: Hasselblad Electric Camera (HEC) NASA
Description:
very rare, early authentic for NASA modified 500 EL/M with black anodised finish (original camera, not a replica), pre-runner of the later produced HEC (Hasselblad Electric Camera) for the Apollo Lunar missions. It is from the first generation NASA motor-driven cameras which were also taken on the manned voyage which passed close to the moon on December 21st to 27th,1968. During this voyage 10 orbits of the moon were made, the purpose being to survey future landing sites. Along with other modifications the camera mirror was removed to reduce weight. A special large locking mechanism was added in order to change film magazines with bulky space gloves on. Similarly a larger, sturdier shutter release plate was added to the camera. It comes with a special NASA Planar 2.8/80mm no.4594723 with matching black anodised finish with large control tabs, also designed for use with space gloves, a black 70mm magazine no.TR400106 S/N 175, engraved: P/N SEB 33100082-201 S/N 175 SUPER WIDE CAMERA Estimate: EUR 40,000 - EUR 45,000 |
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| Nov 2011 | EUR 18,200 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 20 (Lot AI_20_13568) Title: Hasselblad 500 EL NASA 'ELECTRONIC CAMERA'
Description:
Early modified 500 EL/M with black anodised finish, produced for the Apollo Lunar missions. It is from the first generation NASA motor driven cameras that shot the first images on the surface of the moon. With some other modifications the camera mirror was removed to reduce the camera weight. A special large locking mechanism was added in order to change film magazines with bulky space gloves on. Similarly a larger sturdier shutter release plate has been added to the camera. It comes with a special NASA Planar 2.8/80mm no.4865144 with matching black anodised finish with control tabs, also designed for use with space gloves, a 70mm 200-exposure magazine no.TR400073 engraved: LUNAR SURFACE.P/N SEB 33100082-201 S/N 109, with the special NASA dark slide, in total only 29 cameras of this type were produced for NASA, camera and lens in beautiful, original condition, also included is a brass medal: 1969-1979 TEN YEARS ON THE MOON July 20th, 1969 'WE CAME IN PEACE FOR ALL MANKIND', in blue box with velvet inlet Estimate: EUR 20,000 - EUR 25,000 |
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| May 2011 | EUR 20,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 19 (Lot AI_19_12495) Title: Hasselblad 'NASA' 500 EL DATA
Description:
extremely rare camera developed for NASA Lunar missions, grey paint EL DATA with reseau-plate in front of the film, with matching NASA Planar 2.8/80mm no. 4867375, magazine 70mm (NASA number: P/N SEF 33100082-S/N 475), special finder, a total of only 50 of these camera were produced for space conditions, in fine original condition Estimate: EUR 25,000 - EUR 30,000 |
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| Dec 2010 | EUR 20,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 18 (Lot AI_18_12195) Title: Hasselblad 500C NASA
Description:
very rare and early NASA modified Hasselblad in black anodised finish. 500C cameras were the first Hasselblad cameras purchased by the NASA between 1958-1962 for the Mercury-program. The camera has no waist-level finder, no accessory rail, etc. It comes with a special finder, NASA Planar 2.8/80mm no.1595478 in matching black anodised finish and some modifications, a black anodised A12 magazine no.TS53070. Estimate: EUR 25,000 - EUR 30,000 |
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| Dec 2010 | EUR 26,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 18 (Lot AI_18_12196) Title: Hasselblad NASA 500 EL Electric Camera (HEC)
Description:
early modified 500 EL/M in black anodised finish, produced for the Apollo Lunar missions, from the first generation NASA motor-driven cameras, which were also taken on the manned voyage which passed close to the moon on December 21-27, 1968. During this voyage ten orbits of the moon were made, the purpose being to survey future landing sites. Along with other modifications the camera mirror was removed to reduce weight. A special large locking mechanism was added in order to change film magazines with bulky space gloves. Similarly a larger shutter release plate was added to the camera. It comes with a special NASA Planar 2.8/80mm no.4594713 in matching black anodised finish with control tabs, also designed for use with space gloves, a 70mm 160-exposure magazine no.TR400076, engraved: P/N SEB 33100082-201 S/N 115 LUNAR SURFACE HASSELBLAD SUPER WIDE CAMERA 70-mm MAGAZINE, the body engraved: HASSELBLAD ELECTRIC CAMERA -500 EL-. Estimate: EUR 30,000 - EUR 35,000 |
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| May 2009 | EUR 15,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 15 (Lot AI_15_19034) Title: Hasselblad Electric Camera (HEC)
Description:
very rare, early NASA modified 500 EL/M with black anodised finish, pre-runner of the later produced HEC (Hasselblad Electric Camera) for the Apollo Lunar missions. It is from the first generation NASA motor-driven cameras which were also taken on the manned voyage which passed close to the moon on December 21st to 27th,1968. During this voyage 10 orbits of the moon were made, the purpose being to survey future landing sites. Along with other modifications the camera mirror was removed to reduce weight. A special large locking mechanism was added in order to change film magazines with bulky space gloves on. Similarly a larger, sturdier shutter release plate was added to the camera. It comes with a special NASA Planar 2.8/80mm no.5050538 with matching black anodised finish with control tabs, also designed for use with space gloves, a silver 70mm magazine no.UI310738, engraved: P/N SEB 33101018-301- S/N 1002 REFLEX CAMERA FILM MAGAZINE, several stickers and NASA inventory stickers, the body engraved: P/N SEB 33100102-201 S/N 1002 HASSELBLAD ELECTRIC CAMERA, on two stickers written: CLASS III NOT FOR FLIGHT Estimate: EUR 20,000 - EUR 24,000 |
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| Nov 2008 | EUR 1,800 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 14 (Lot AI_14_17985) Title: Hasselblad NASA 500 EL Space Electric Camera EC (HEC) Prototype
Description:
very rare, unfinished prototype of the first NASA Space camera, early modified 500 EL/M with black anodised finish, produced for the Apollo Lunar missions. It is from the first generation NASA motor-driven cameras. Along with other modifications the camera mirror was removed to reduce weight. Right protection part and other details missing. Estimate: EUR 3,000 - EUR 4,000 |
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| Jun 2008 | EUR 25,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 13 (Lot AI_13_17016) Title: Hasselblad NASA 500 EL Electric Camera (HEC)
Description:
very rare, early modified 500 EL/M with black anodised finish, produced for the Apollo Lunar missions. It is from the first generation NASA motor-driven cameras which were also taken on the manned voyage which passed close to the moon on 21-27 December 1968. During this voyage 10 orbits of the moon were made, the purpose being to survey future landing sites. Along with other modifications the camera mirror was removed to reduce weight. A special large locking mechanism was added in order to change film magazines with bulky space gloves on. Similarly a larger, sturdier shutter release plate was added to the camera. It comes with a special NASA Planar 2.8/80mm no.4594722 with matching black anodised finish with control tabs, also designed for use with space gloves, a 70mm 160-exposure magazine no.TR400193, engraved: P/N SEB 33100082- S/N349 LUNAR SURFACE HASSELBLAD SUPER WIDE CAMERA 70-mm MAGAZINE, the body engraved: HASSELBLAD ELECTRIC CAMERA -500 EL. Estimate: EUR 24,000 - EUR 30,000 |
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| Jun 2008 | EUR 2,800 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 13 (Lot AI_13_17017) Title: Hasselblad NASA 500 EL Space Electric Camera EC (HEC)
Description:
very rare, early modified 500 EL/M with black anodised finish, produced for the Apollo Lunar missions. It is from the first generation NASA motor-driven cameras. Along with other modifications the camera mirror was removed to reduce weight. A special large locking mechanism was added in order to change film magazines with bulky space gloves on. Right protection part and other details missing. Estimate: EUR 5,000 - EUR 6,000 |
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| Nov 2006 | EUR 18,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 10 (Lot AI_10_15179) Title: Hasselblad 500 EL NASA 'ELECTRONIC CAMERA'
Description:
Very rare early modified 500 EL/M with black anodised finish, produced for the Apollo Lunar missions. It is from the first generation NASA motor-driven cameras that shot the first images on the surface of the moon. With some other modifications the camera mirror was removed to reduce the camera weight. A special large locking mechanism was added in order to change film magazines with bulky space gloves on. Similarly a larger sturdier shutter release plate has been added to the camera. It comes with a special NASA Planar 2.8/80mm no.4489001 with matching black anodised finish with control tabs, also designed for use with space gloves, manually engraved NASA inventory number, a 70mm 200-exposure magazine no.TR400144, the body engraved: NASA no.P/N SEB 33100082-201 S/N 251, one side engraved: NASA no.P/N SEB 33100082-S/N 359, Lunar Surface, Super Wide Camera, a special NASA dark slide, in total only 29 cameras of this type were produced for NASA, to our knowledge only one other camera has been offered for public sale in the past Estimate: EUR 30,000 - EUR 35,000 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Hasselblad 500EL NASA worth today?
At UK auction, hammer prices have ranged from about £1,800 for undocumented bodies to £45,000 for well-provenanced examples, with a median near £19,000.
How much does a Hasselblad 500EL NASA sell for compared to a standard 500EL?
A documented NASA example typically sells for many multiples of a standard 500EL, because the price reflects provenance and collector demand rather than the underlying camera mechanics.
Why is the price range so wide?
The value is driven by documentation and attribution: cameras with verifiable NASA-contract paperwork have reached five figures, while examples without provenance have sold in the low thousands.
Is the 500EL NASA usable as a working camera?
Mechanically it is a 500EL and can be used with standard V-system lenses and backs, but given current auction values most examples are kept as collector items rather than shooters.