C41
Kodak Portra 400
Kodak Portra 400 is a professional C-41 color negative film known for flexible exposure latitude, natural skin tones, and fine grain.
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The Hasselblad 500ELX (1984) is the third generation of Hasselblad's electric 6×6 medium-format SLR, sitting between the 500EL/M (1970) and the 553ELX (1988). Its primary innovation over the 500EL/M was the addition of TTL (through-the-lens) flash metering via an OTF (off-the-film) sensor — allowing compatible dedicated flash units to automatically set exposure by reading light reflected from the film surface during the exposure itself. This made the 500ELX a more capable studio tool for flash-heavy commercial photography.
Reference
Recommended film stocks for the — format your camera takes.
C41
Kodak Portra 400 is a professional C-41 color negative film known for flexible exposure latitude, natural skin tones, and fine grain.
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Kodak Portra 160 is a professional C-41 color negative film with fine grain, soft contrast, and natural color.
View profile →C41
Kodak Ektar 100 is a fine-grain C-41 color negative film with saturated color and high sharpness.
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Before you buy used
About this camera
The transitional electric V-system body — the 500ELX bridged the 500EL/M and 553ELX, adding TTL flash metering to the motor-drive formula while retaining the original NiCd battery system.
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Format | 120 / 220 film (6×6 cm, 12/24 frames) |
| Mount | Hasselblad V bayonet |
| Years | 1984–1988 |
| Shutter | Leaf shutter in lens: 1s – 1/500s + B |
| Flash sync | All speeds (leaf shutter) |
| Meter | None built-in; TTL OTF flash metering |
| Modes | Manual |
| Motor | Built-in electric; ~1.3 fps |
| Finder | Waist-level (standard); prism optional |
| Battery | 12V NiCd rechargeable (proprietary) |
| Weight | ~2,200 g (body only, without back) |
Hasselblad's electric series had been growing in capability since the 500EL's introduction in 1965 with motor drive for NASA. By 1984 the company had developed TTL flash metering technology — already deployed in the non-electric 500C/M via external metered prism finders — and integrated it directly into the 500ELX body. This gave the flash control circuitry the ability to read exposure from the film plane rather than relying on a separate incident or reflected meter reading.
The 500ELX occupied a short four-year production window (1984–1988) before the 553ELX superseded it with the more practical AA battery system and updated electronics. The 500ELX is thus the rarest of the electric V-system bodies and is less commonly encountered on the used market than either the 500EL/M or the 553ELX.
The 500ELX is primarily of interest to collectors completing the electric V-system lineage, or to photographers who already own and maintain NiCd battery infrastructure. For practical shooting, the 553ELX (AA batteries) or the 500EL/M (sometimes cheaper for the body alone) represent more convenient choices.
However, the 500ELX does offer TTL OTF flash metering that the 500EL/M lacks — a meaningful capability for studio photographers who work with compatible Metz or Hasselblad flash units and prefer automatic flash rather than manual power setting. If the NiCd battery system is operational or has been professionally rebuilt, the 500ELX is a capable studio tool.
Hasselblad V bayonet mount. Full V-system compatibility: CF, C-series, and early CT* lenses. Key lenses: Zeiss Planar CF 80/2.8 T*, Distagon CF 40/4, Distagon CF 50/4, Sonnar CF 150/4, Sonnar CF 180/4. Accessories: A12, A16, A24, A220 film backs; 12V NiCd battery pack and charger; waist-level finder; 45° prism; PME metered prism; compatible TTL flash (Metz 45 CL-4 with SCA adapter).
BW
Ilford HP5 Plus is a flexible ISO 400 black-and-white film with classic grain and strong push-processing tolerance.
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Kodak Tri-X 400 is a classic black-and-white film known for strong tonality, visible grain, and documentary character.
View profile →Hasselblad 500ELX
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