Why are Hasselblad cameras so expensive?
You will find any price up to the moon for collector items. Hasselblad cameras are very reliable workhorses. Look up prices for a C500 with a f2.8 80mm lens with average wear. You can pick up a pretty decent guaranteed outfit for $500-$600 and get yourself into medium format film photography. The great thing about these cameras is that even with medium to heavy cosmetic wear, they can be perfect inside and last several more lifetimes. Of course it all depends on who took care of it, but most parts are made of strong metal and not cheap plastic that deteriorates in indoor light over the years.
From what I have seen, the vast majority of photographers who use the infamous H3DII-50 are fashion photographers. There is of course nothing wrong with using a D3X or a 1Ds MkIII, but in a cut-throat competitive market like this, using the finest camera on the market is a plus. And yes, the quality is amazing, and yes it will live for several lifetimes (as every Hasselblad does) but many photographers who use this camera simply rent it out for the shoot and incorporate the cost into the fee for the client. .
