Hasselblad 500mm f/8 Tele-Tessar C Lens (Unknown Years)
A fixed-aperture telephoto lens made by Carl Zeiss for the Hasselblad 500 Series V System, weighing approximately 2150 g.
Overview
This is a 500mm f/8 telephoto for the Hasselblad 500 Series V System. It carries the Hasselblad name, but Carl Zeiss made it as part of the Tele-Tessar T* line. Focus is manual and the maximum aperture is fixed at f/8. The focal length is long, yet the lens is fairly compact in physical length next to other telephotos of similar reach. The CF version came with a ⌀93mm lens shade that doubled as a screw-type filter holder. That detail may not apply to all variants.
Specifications
| Focal length | 500mm |
| Aperture | f/8 |
| Lens type | Tele-Tessar C |
| Mount/System | for Hasselblad 500 Series V System |
| Finish | Black |
| Weight | ca 2150 g |
Design
For a 500mm, the lens is quite short. The later Hasselblad 500mm Tele-Apotessar uses a completely different optical design, so this Tele-Tessar is a distinct build.
Reception & Use
The 500mm Tele-Tessar has a poor reputation among some Hasselblad users, though it may be undeserved. It is big and heavy, so it works best on a tripod, ideally with mirror prefire enabled and vibration kept down with something like a soft weight.
Market
Used prices have ranged from under $620 to over $890. One listing showed $763.86 for a Hasselblad Carl Zeiss Tele Tessar 500mm F/8 C MF Lens, and another recorded £729 in 2010. Common condition problems are inaccurate shutter speeds and stiff focus mechanisms. Some units turn up for sale without lens caps.
eBay Listings
As an eBay Partner, we earn from qualifying purchases. This helps support our independent vintage technology research.