I realise the obvious answer to this is "yes, of course" but I'd like to get a better understanding of the process.
I've owned my Hasselblad 501CM for about 4 years - if I recall it's a late 1990's model (1999 or maybe 2000).
When I first got it, it jammed two or three times but it always unjammed or, on one occasion, I used one of the special screwdriver 'thingies' that I bought to uncock it. But since then, I don't think it has jammed.
I'm using it this coming May for an important occasion and am considering sending it to the UK hasselblad service centre at Dead Link Removed in advance of that. I spoke to them and they seem to know their onions for sure. But the cost of £250 for JUST the body (no lens, no film back) seems like quite a lot, and whilst I don't dispute that it's a cost that is merited for fine skills, I'm trying to weigh up what exactly one gets for £250 in terms of overall improvement to the body. For example, a car has lots of things that are put under enormous pressure and heat, with lots of things going on, so I understand why it needs good oil, new spark plugs and so on. A 501CM body has a winder, a mirror, a cock to wind the lens, and some curtains. Is there really that much going on that could go wrong and get stuck that merits a £250 service?
I know I do sound naive and I don't mean to. I'm just trying to figure out whether the jamming I suffered when I first got it was more down to me getting used to the camera and perhaps not using it right, or whether it's likely to jam again. Obviously the replies will say "if it's an important event, weight up the cost of the £250 over failure" and I already know that, and I appreciate it's a sound investment and will help prolong the life of the camera. But I'm trying to ascertain whether it's a necessary expense, or more of a pricey privilege that comes with Hasselblad ownership that doesn't actually get you much back. Especially as this doesn't include a check of the film backs or lenses.
I've owned my Hasselblad 501CM for about 4 years - if I recall it's a late 1990's model (1999 or maybe 2000).
When I first got it, it jammed two or three times but it always unjammed or, on one occasion, I used one of the special screwdriver 'thingies' that I bought to uncock it. But since then, I don't think it has jammed.
I'm using it this coming May for an important occasion and am considering sending it to the UK hasselblad service centre at Dead Link Removed in advance of that. I spoke to them and they seem to know their onions for sure. But the cost of £250 for JUST the body (no lens, no film back) seems like quite a lot, and whilst I don't dispute that it's a cost that is merited for fine skills, I'm trying to weigh up what exactly one gets for £250 in terms of overall improvement to the body. For example, a car has lots of things that are put under enormous pressure and heat, with lots of things going on, so I understand why it needs good oil, new spark plugs and so on. A 501CM body has a winder, a mirror, a cock to wind the lens, and some curtains. Is there really that much going on that could go wrong and get stuck that merits a £250 service?
I know I do sound naive and I don't mean to. I'm just trying to figure out whether the jamming I suffered when I first got it was more down to me getting used to the camera and perhaps not using it right, or whether it's likely to jam again. Obviously the replies will say "if it's an important event, weight up the cost of the £250 over failure" and I already know that, and I appreciate it's a sound investment and will help prolong the life of the camera. But I'm trying to ascertain whether it's a necessary expense, or more of a pricey privilege that comes with Hasselblad ownership that doesn't actually get you much back. Especially as this doesn't include a check of the film backs or lenses.