The Hasselblad That Went to the Moon (And Never Came Back)

Picture this: It's 1969, and Buzz Aldrin is doing his iconic strut on the Moon. Who captured that moment? None other than Neil Armstrong, holding a modified Hasselblad camera, specially designed for the mission. Now, you'd think that after taking some of the most famous photos in history, that camera would have made its way back to Earth as a prized souvenir. But, here's where things get interesting.

NASA had one problem: *luggage space.* That's right. The same folks who engineered a trip to the Moon couldn’t spare an extra few pounds on the return flight. So, when it came time to pack up, Neil had to make a tough call. That Hasselblad had to stay behind, just like that promise you make to "only have one bite" of chocolate but end up devouring the whole square. *Poof*—the camera was gone, left behind on the Moon, probably next to a few footprints and maybe a few other discarded bits and bobs. Somewhere, you can imagine Neil giving it one last glance and sighing, “It’s not you, it's the luggage limit.”

Classic, Versatile, Timeless: The Hasselblad 500 Series

If Hasselblad needed its own slogan, it could go something like: "Classic, Versatile, Timeless." The 500 C/M, introduced in 1972, was exactly that – a sturdy block of photographic brilliance. It dominated medium format photography from 1957 to 1994, thanks to its modular parts and those razor-sharp Zeiss lenses. With this camera, photographers could capture anything from stunning landscapes to, yes, a dude named Buzz hopping around the Sea of Tranquility.

Victor Hasselblad wasn't just some tinkering genius. He came from a long line of entrepreneurs. His great-grandfather, Fritz Victor, started the family business importing Kodak films into Sweden. Victor, however, was sent off to Europe and the U.S. to learn all there was about cameras. An avid birdwatcher, he even built the first motorized Hasselblad in 1964 just to capture birds in action. NASA caught wind of this clever gadgetry and thought, “Hey, if it’s good enough for birds, it’s good enough for the Moon.” Thus, the camera made its historic journey, though, as we now know, it wasn’t destined to return.

Famous Photographers

Let’s name-drop for a second. Ansel Adams, Robert Mapplethorpe, Karl Lagerfeld, and Anton Corbijn – all of them loved the Hasselblad. It was the go-to for capturing iconic images, from the Beatles crossing Abbey Road to portraits of Mick Jagger. This camera was basically saying, "I'm here to take photos, and I'm going to look fabulous while doing it." Like a piece of that chocolate square, once photographers had a taste, they couldn’t resist coming back for more.

The Accidental NASA Collaboration

Hasselblad became NASA’s camera of choice, turning astronauts into makeshift photographers. Imagine those space-suited astronauts clumsily holding the camera, trying to get that perfect shot of Earth rising over the Moon’s horizon. Somehow, they managed to pull it off. The photos turned out stunningly beautiful and iconic, making the camera a silent star in the history of space exploration.

Back on Earth, the 500 series was the studio’s workhorse. Its modular design allowed photographers to swap lenses and film cassettes faster than you could break off another piece of that square chocolate. In the 1980s, Hasselblad was *the* choice for everything, from fashion shoots to kung-fu posters. A photographer would blast through four rolls of film to nail one shot, knowing that with the Hasselblad, every frame had the potential to be pure gold.

The Digital Comeback with the CFV II 100C

Just when you thought the classic Hasselblad might be relegated to the past, it made a comeback. Enter the **CFV II 100C** digital back, which turns the vintage 500 series into a modern digital powerhouse. With its incredible 100-megapixel resolution, this new attachment brings the Hasselblad into the digital age while keeping that old-school charm intact.

For many photographers, this is a dream come true. Now they can enjoy the tactile feel of a Hasselblad 500, but with benefits of digital photography. No more film costs, no more waiting for development; just the pure joy of shooting – *again and again,* just like when you say you’ll have "one last" piece of chocolate, only to keep reaching for more.

With the CFV II 100C, photographers are experiencing a renewed enthusiasm. It’s like restoring that vintage sports car and giving it a new engine. The classic Hasselblad is no longer just a collector’s item; it’s back on the scene, ready to capture stunning digital images.

A Piece of History in Your Hands

Today, you can still find a 500 C/M on the second-hand market for around 2,500 to 3,000 euros. And with the CFV II 100C, you’re not just buying a piece of history; you’re investing in a camera that’s fully equipped for modern-day photography. Sure, these cameras are half a century old and might need some TLC, much like a treasured chocolate stash you keep tucked away. But for photographers, owning a Hasselblad is like holding onto a piece of the Moon landing... or savoring that last bite of your favorite chocolate square – and with the new digital back, the fun has only just begun.

**Classic, Versatile, Timeless** – that's the Hasselblad 500 for you, in every era, analog or digital. *(By the way, Ritter Sport’s slogan “Square, Practical, Good” fits just as well... except you don’t have to worry about this camera disappearing the moment you indulge.)*