Medium Format Majesty — Hasselblad 500 C/M and Phase One XF
Some tools are designed to last. Others push the boundaries of what’s possible. Though they belong to different centuries, they share a commitment to medium format excellence.
Medium format photography is a realm where detail, tonality, and resolution reach their zenith. In this post, we explore two titans from different eras: the Hasselblad 500 C/M and the Phase One XF.
Technical Breakdown 📷
| Camera | Format | Sensor/Film Size | Era | Key Traits |
| Hasselblad 500 C/M | 6×6 Film | 56x56mm (film) | 1957–1990s | Modular, mechanical, iconic |
| Phase One XF | Digital MF | 53.4×40.0mm (IQ4 150MP) | 2015+ | Autofocus, tethering, hyper detail |
Hasselblad 500 C/M: The Astronaut’s Camera 👩🚀
The 500 C/M isn’t just a camera — it’s a piece of history. Used by NASA during the Apollo missions (with custom mods), this camera set the standard for modular design and Zeiss optics in professional studios and beyond.
Introduced in 1957, the 500 C/M is perhaps the most iconic medium format camera ever made. Built in Sweden, its modularity — with interchangeable backs, viewfinders, and lenses — made it a favorite among studio and landscape photographers. It famously went to the moon with NASA astronauts, cementing its legacy beyond Earth.
The version here sports a classic Carl Zeiss Planar 80mm f/2.8, a lens renowned for its sharpness and creamy bokeh. The waist-level viewfinder slows you down, encouraging a methodical, almost meditative style of shooting.
✨ What Makes It Special:
- Interchangeable viewfinders, film backs, and lenses
- Zeiss T* coated lenses for stunning sharpness
- All-mechanical operation
Phase One XF: Future-Proofed Photography 🥇
The Phase One XF is a digital juggernaut. With IQ4 backs offering up to 150MP resolution and a dynamic range that rivals large format film, it’s the choice for commercial photographers working in fashion, architecture, and fine art.
Every control is customizable, the autofocus is razor-sharp, and the dynamic range allows for post-processing flexibility unimaginable in the film era. The ergonomics, while modern, pay homage to the classical form.
🌟 Power Features:
- Focus stacking
- Capture One integration
- Modular ecosystem
Bridging the Gap 🙌
Owning or using both cameras allows you to appreciate just how far we’ve come — and what we’ve lost along the way. The precision of film and the freedom of digital are not mutually exclusive. They’re different tools for different visions.
It’s not about which one is better. It’s about what they allow you to express. The 500 C/M demands patience and planning, while the XF invites you to experiment endlessly in post. Both are masters in their domain.
💎 Owning or even just shooting with either of these cameras is a privilege. The Hasselblad 500 C/M connects you to a lineage of analog craftsmanship. The Phase One XF represents the cutting edge of digital possibility. Together, they remind us that photography is as much about the journey as it is the image.
Which one would you pick up first: the whisper-click of a Hasselblad shutter, or the silent might of a Phase One XF? Let me know in the comments. 💬
Stay tuned for more gear deep dives and analog love here. 💟