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 lens designed for the Hasselblad 500 Series V System, branded under Hasselblad but manufactured by Carl Zeiss as part of their Tele-Tessar T* line. It is a manual focus lens with a fixed maximum aperture of f/8. Despite its long focal length, the lens is noted for being relatively compact in physical length compared to other telephotos of similar reach. The CF version included a ⌀93mm lens shade that also functioned as a screw-type filter holder, though this 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

Compared to its focal length, the lens is quite short. The later Hasselblad 500mm Tele-Apotessar uses a completely different optical design, indicating this Tele-Tessar version is distinct in construction.

Reception & Use

The 500mm Tele-Tessar has a poor reputation among some Hasselblad users, though this may be undeserved. Due to its size and weight, it is best used on a tripod, ideally with mirror prefire enabled and vibration minimized through techniques like using a soft weight.

Market

Used prices have ranged from under $620 to over $890. One listing noted a price of $763.86 for a Hasselblad Carl Zeiss Tele Tessar 500mm F/8 C MF Lens, while another recorded £729 in 2010. Common condition issues include inaccurate shutter speeds and stiff focus mechanisms. Some units appear on the market without lens caps.