looking for one of those Babe Magnet thingies

IMNSHO, there is only one Babe Magnet (TM) camera and
here is the methodology to assemble one. I checked eBay.com
for these components in low to high price sequence.
The "B" after the price is a Buy-it-Now;
the "R" stands for a Reserve price ... YMMV.

$700 B Hasselblad 500C 80mm f/2.8 Zeiss Arca Swiss A12 #01

plus at least one lens ...

$750 B Hasselblad 150mm CF f/4 T* lens
$750 B Hasselblad 250mm f/5.6 Zeiss T* Black
$450 R Hasselblad 250mm f/5.6 Sonnar chrome
$439 R Hasselblad 250mm C f/5.6 Zeiss chrome #02

$60 lens hood (aprox) #03

Notes ...
#01 500C listing, the "Arca Swiss" is a Polaroid back.

#02 This is the "owned by a little old lady, driven only
on Sunday" auction entry. I mention this due to the
seller's claim that it was seldom used -- only 5 frames
(about) each wedding. Don't you love auctions?

#03 lens hood -- good to get: functional, needed for sports
view finder; adds 1.5" to length of the lens

Additional considerations ...

1. 500C/M allows interchangeable focus screen but 500C does
   not -- discount has already been applied. LOL

2. Hasselblad 500 series use waist level focusing or you add
   a prism viewfinder

$125 B Hasselblad Meter Prism, 45 degree

3. Film backs ... you could choose A12 (120 film), 24 or A24
   (220 film), 16 exp. 6x4.5 (120 film), Polaroid film back,
   70mm film 70 exposures.

If you get a second film back, it is a good idea to stay
with the same size film (120 or 220).

4. Be sure the body/lens combination will work.

5. Black finish v. Chrome finish -- Black would be 'OK' for
   taking pictures ... but for a Babe Magnet, you might want
   to choose chrome finish to match the camera body
   -- also shiny!.

6. No need to buy a fancy camera bag ... just put it on your
   shoulder and hold it by the lens as you walk along the
   beach, mall, Rodeo Drive, ...

Bzzzzzzt! No, the answer is money. Thank you for playing.

MGD

Message edited on: 11/26/2004 05:24