203FE display doesn't show aperture value, only 0 and L

[philipus]

I used my 203FE this evening with the 80 Planar FE and the 40 Distagon CFE (in F mode). As far as I recall, provided the light meter is active, the aperture value will then show and also change if I turn the aperture ring.

At some point this stopped happening and the display instead shows 0 (zero) and the letter L. The shutter speed updates as normal if I move the camera around.

I've tried various things, like cleaning the electronic contacts, pulling out and reinserting the battery, firing the camera without magazine, switching between the various shooting modes, deactivating the exposure lock etc. Nothing works.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts on this
Philip

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Have you replaced the battery with a new one?

 

[philipus]

Hi Scott, thank you for replying, It's on my todo list for tomorrow once the shops open. I did however replace the battery not long ago, so the one in the camera is quite new.

Have you replaced the battery with a new one?

 

[mitrajoon]

If replacing the battery doesn't work and you are in the USA you might try calling Hasselblad USA at 1-800-367-6434 ext 2 and ask for Dennis. He is the only certified 203FE technician in the USA. Unfortunately he only works part time. It's likely he can give you some idea of what to do. Regardless, once you've figured out what the problem is, please leave a post explaining the outcome.

 

[cowanw]

I think you are on AE lock. see manual

 

[itsdoable]

Maybe...

This shows up in the Ab (Auto Bracket) mode. "0" is no exposure adjustment (1st shot) and L = locked. After the 1st exposure, the "0" will change to the next exposure adjustment that you set.

 

[philipus]

Thank you all for the suggestions. My apologies it took a while to write back. I couldn't find a new battery where I was in Sweden for holiday, but now I'm back home in the Netherlands and have tried with a new battery. Alas there's no change.

I'm beginning to doubt my recollection of what is normal behaviour for the camera. When the meter is active mine only shows 0 (zero) in all modes (except M which seems normal).

If I half-press the exposure button the zero changes to two dashes - - which, as I recall it, is where the aperture value would normally be displayed, and change if the ring is turned.

I have checked in the manual about the AE lock, but it seems that it will be over-ridden when the shutter button is depressed. I don't find info that it would remain locked 'across modes' for instance. On my camera I can lock exposure in Ab mode and cancel the lock just as said in the manual. And in A mode I can temporarily lock exposure by half-pressing the exposure button.

What is possibly odd, however, is that every time I go into the A mode from Diff (but not from M) the L symbol is displayed immediately, as if the system is automatically locking exposure at whatever the camera is set to. Perhaps this is normal behaviour though.

I've tried all sorts of equipment combinations, with E12 and A12 mags, with the 80 Planar FE, the 40 Distagon CFE and the 350 Tele-Tessar FE, with the 2XE converter and the 2x Mutar, without anything mounted. There's no difference.

I don't exclude that I've missed some point in the manual even though I've looked in it many times now, so if something rings a bell do please let me know. I starting to think that there is something wrong with the electronic contacts because the camera behaves as if there is no lens attached. I guess I'll email Hasselblad Gothenburg and ask what they think.

Cheers and thank you for your assistance
Philip

I think you are on AE lock. see manual

Maybe...

View attachment 281534

This shows up in the Ab (Auto Bracket) mode. "0" is no exposure adjustment (1st shot) and L = locked. After the 1st exposure, the "0" will change to the next exposure adjustment that you set.

If replacing the battery doesn't work and you are in the USA you might try calling Hasselblad USA at 1-800-367-6434 ext 2 and ask for Dennis. He is the only certified 203FE technician in the USA. Unfortunately he only works part time. It's likely he can give you some idea of what to do. Regardless, once you've figured out what the problem is, please leave a post explaining the outcome.

 

[cowanw]

I checked my 203 and the only way I managed to get two dashes in the aperture display was to use a none E lens, so perhaps your contacts are not working or ?. Also when I use the regular 80mm C lens ( no electrical contacts) I get the 0 in the aperture position. So I suspect you have a problem with the electric pins or contacts or circuit.

 

[philipus]

Thank you so much William, I really appreciate that you took the time to check with your camera. I've now emailed Hasselblad Customer Service so hopefully they'll tell me it's fixable. I'll post back when I hear from them.
Cheers
Philip

I checked my 203 and the only way I managed to get two dashes in the aperture display was to use a none E lens, so perhaps your contacts are not working or ?. Also when I use the regular 80mm C lens ( no electrical contacts) I get the 0 in the aperture position. So I suspect you have a problem with the electric pins or contacts or circuit.

 

[philipus]

Hasselblad in Gothenburg replied to my email very quickly and said that the problem is related to an "electrical component" but they can't offer more info without examining the camera. So I'll send it in for a check-up.

 

[kankanch]

Hasselblad in Gothenburg replied to my email very quickly and said that the problem is related to an "electrical component" but they can't offer more info without examining the camera. So I'll send it in for a check-up.

I got the same error now for my 203FE. Pls may I know the root cause? Thanks

 

[philipus]

Hasselblad wrote "Repair of display flex unit". The cost was 222,50 EUR (excl VAT).

I got the same error now for my 203FE. Pls may I know the root cause? Thanks

 

[Sirius Glass]

Hasselblad wrote "Repair of display flex unit". The cost was 222,50 EUR (excl VAT).

Ouch

 

[kankanch]

Hasselblad wrote "Repair of display flex unit". The cost was 222,50 EUR (excl VAT).

I'm quite happy if they still have parts and can fix it. I contacted the support team. Thanks

 

[kankanch]

Here is what I get and I gave my go for repair.

 

[philipus]

I'm sorry to hear that it cost so much. It may well have been a different fault than mine had. Out of curiosity was this quote from the mothership in Gothenburg or somewhere else?

Here is what I get and I gave my go for repair.
View attachment 300186

 

[kankanch]

The camera body is in excellent shape and is the version mentioned on the left side 'Modified for dedicated Hasselblad digital backs'. The only symptom is the same as mentioned on the top of this thread. I deposit it in my local dealer and he is in charge to send it to Hasselblad for an estimate via another agent. The quote is established by my local dealer. I don't think he will charge anything. But I suspect that there are some hidden fees by the intermediate agent.

 

[kankanch]

and there is also the currency conversion between euros and chf I guess. But for the moment it should to my advantage. We have almost the parity between euro and chf.

 

[philipus]

I handed mine in at Calumet and they also didn't charge any middleman fee. They sent it directly to Hasselblad. Still if it is the same fault as mine had then the difference in cost is difficult to understand. It may pay off to call Hasselblad yourself (+46 31 102 460) and ask to speak with one of the repair people to find out if there's a difference between a "display flex unit" and "a display unit". I've done this before and they're always friendly and happy to talk. An alternative is to email Beatrice Dobirta at customersupport@hasselblad.com with the question and she'll pass it on to the right department. It might save you a few CHF.

and there is also the currency conversion between euros and chf I guess. But for the moment it should to my advantage. We have almost the parity between euro and chf.

 

[Sirius Glass]

The camera body is in excellent shape and is the version mentioned on the left side 'Modified for dedicated Hasselblad digital backs'. The only symptom is the same as mentioned on the top of this thread. I deposit it in my local dealer and he is in charge to send it to Hasselblad for an estimate via another agent. The quote is established by my local dealer. I don't think he will charge anything. But I suspect that there are some hidden fees by the intermediate agent.

I look forward to hearing you experiences with your Hasselblad and any other cameras.

Welcome to APUG Photrio!!​