Hasselblad 500 EL (1965–1971)

A medium format camera used during NASA’s Apollo XI mission, part of Hasselblad’s V-system with leaf shutter compatibility.

Overview

The Hasselblad 500 EL is a medium format camera produced from 1965 to 1971 as part of the V-system lineup, specifically categorized among leaf shutter only models. It gained historical significance through its use in space, notably during the Apollo XI mission in 1969. One documented photograph taken with the 500 EL shows astronaut Buzz Aldrin inside the Lunar Excursion Module during lunar descent on July 20, 1969, captured by mission commander Neil Armstrong.

Specifications

Production years

1965 - 1971

Context

The 500 EL was used in one of the most iconic moments of space exploration—Apollo XI—where it documented key interior scenes of the Lunar Excursion Module. Its inclusion in NASA’s mission highlights its reliability and optical precision under extreme conditions. As part of the post-1957 Hasselblad V-system, it belongs to a line designed for modular use with leaf shutter lenses, distinguishing it within the broader V-series family.