If you’ve been hoping to shoot instant film with your Hasselblad V-System camera, there’s finally a camera back that will let you do so with Instax Mini films.
Since it’s been difficult to get hold of pack film for the most common Polaroid back for Hasselblad cameras, there have been many attempts to create hacks to shoot Instax Mini films with it. Now, we finally have a viable option in the aptly named Hasselback Portrait, dubbed as the first fully-compatible Instax film back for the Hasselblad V-System camera. If you’ve ever wanted to turn your Hasselblad into an instant camera, this new contraption looks like your best bet.
Currently being funded on Kickstarter, the Hasselback Portrait is the latest project by CARBON, the Hong Kong-based company that brought us the retro-looking, hand-powered Escura Instant 60s camera in 2018. As with similar products like the Hasselblad Square Instant Film Back, the vision for this new offering is to bring instant photography to a new level by putting together the classic Hasseblad with the modern, cost-effective Instax Mini films.
The Hasselback Portrait allows complete control over the exposure and framing allowed by the Hasselblad V-System. Made it Japan, it’s crafted from lightweight and durable military-grade aluminum then weather-sealed with fine faux leather to match the Hasselblad design and feel like a normal film back. The interior is also painted matte black to keep the film safe.
It only takes one click to mount the Hasselback Portrait to your camera. Next, slide the viewfinder adapter and advance, then set, frame, and focus your camera as usual. Rotate the knob on the Hasselback portrait to eject the film and take your Instax Mini print.
With the Hasselback Portrait, we can take advantage of the high-quality Carl Zeiss optics to create instant photos with incredible image quality — perfect for portrait shots, as its name suggests. This instant film back also comes with a focusing table in case you don’t want to use the viewfinder adapter, and a dark slide for swapping backs anytime.
Wondering if your Hasselblad is compatible with this instant back? Here are some of the models:
- 500 C, 500 C/M, 500 Classic, 501 C, 501 CM, 503 CX, 503 CXi, 503 CW
- SWA, SW, SWC, SWC/M, 903 SWC, 905 SWC
Think this is just what you need for your Hasselblad camera? Head to the Hasselback Portrait Kickstarter page to find out more and make your pledge.
Photos from the Hasselback Portrait Kickstarter page