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Hasselblad 553ELX

The Hasselblad 553ELX is a medium-format 6x6 SLR with a built-in electric motor drive, part of Hasselblad's V-system and the successor to the 500ELX. It takes the same interchangeable lenses, film backs and viewfinders as the rest of the V-series, and was positioned as the professional studio and NASA-lineage body for photographers who needed motorised advance rather than the manual crank of a 500C/M.

At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the 553ELX body have spanned roughly £280–£850, with a median around £510 — so that is what a clean example is worth at saleroom level in 2026. Condition drives most of the spread: tatty bodies with worn leatherette or battery-compartment corrosion sell for £280–£330, while tested examples with a working back and finder fetch £500–£850 today.

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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: December 2024

Date Price Source
Dec 2024 £325 Flints Auctions
Oct 2024 £280 Harper Field Auctions
Feb 2024 £850 Flints Auctions
Jan 2023 £500 Flints Auctions
Aug 2022 £438 Flints Auctions
Apr 2022 £525 Flints Auctions
May 2020 £637 Flints Auctions
May 2013 EUR 800 Leitz Auction
May 2007 EUR 700 Leitz Auction
Nov 2005 EUR 600 Leitz Auction
Nov -0001 £400 Flints Auctions

Frequently asked questions

What is a Hasselblad 553ELX worth today?

At UK auction in 2026 the 553ELX body typically sells for £280 to £850, with a median hammer price near £510 depending on cosmetic condition and whether a working back is included.

How much does a Hasselblad 553ELX sell for compared with a 500C/M?

The 553ELX tends to trade at similar or slightly lower prices than a clean 500C/M body, because the motorised body is heavier and the AA battery dependence puts off some buyers despite the mechanical advantage.

Is the Hasselblad 553ELX a good value in the V-system?

For studio and tripod use it offers strong value: the price covers a motorised body that accepts every C, CF, CFi and CFE lens, so the lens and back you already own for a 500-series carry straight over.

What affects the price of a 553ELX at auction?

Battery-compartment condition, shutter and motor function across all speeds, leatherette integrity and the presence of a matched A12 back and finder are the main factors that move hammer prices within the £280–£850 band.

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