Cannot attach Hasselblad magazine... help?

[Michel Hardy-Vallée]

*%@&!@)#@&*$$!*@#) !!!!

I just rented a Hassie from the photo store, and I am meticulously following the manual. I understand all the interlocks (darkslide, lens, shutters cocking, etc.) but now I'm stuck. And I'm going to get angry either at the store or at myself, but I'd like some help to decide which one will get it...

I have a camera body with a lens that is cocked. The indicator on the side is white. I can depress the shutter release, cock it again, etc. That works. So my body is white.

My A12 magazine has film in it. It's advanced to frame 1 (I see the little "1"). I folded the magazine crank back into its seating. My darkslide is in. The curl of the darkslide handle faces towards the insert lock.

Now I'm trying to attach the damn thing to the body. I seat the magazine in the bottom pins, push to the right the locking pin, bring the magazine closer to the body, closer, closer.... Then nothing. I can't mate the body hooks into the magazine. The most infuriating thing is that this magazine was mating an hour when it was empty of film.

Is there yet another interlock I have missed? Is this a case of broken magazine? Arrrgh!

 

[Michel Hardy-Vallée]

Oh for Pete's sake... Now that I've posted my request, I have managed to attach the magazine. Blimey!

Nevertheless, if anyone finds a right answer to my problem, he or she gets a free 8x10 print! (provided if I manage to make a decent photo with that camera...)

 

[MikeK]

Oh for Pete's sake... Now that I've posted my request, I have managed to attach the magazine. Blimey!

QUOTE]

Have not heard that expression in a dogs age

Mike

 

[bdial]

The darkslide was probably pulled out slightly, 2 or 3 mm on mine will keep it from mating.
Barry

 

[mikebarger]

Only time I get to there is the little dark slide handle folds down and comes between the body and back. Generally this happens when my fingers are near the freezing state.

Mike

 

[Michel Hardy-Vallée]

And now it's back! AAAARGH!

 

[Neanderman]

Nevertheless, if anyone finds a right answer to my problem, he or she gets a free 8x10 print!

Is it an A magazine? Was the indicator on it white as well? Those need to match to mount a magazine.

Ed

 

[Michel Hardy-Vallée]

Is it an A magazine? Was the indicator on it white as well? Those need to match to mount a magazine.

Ed

Please kindly read my first post where I mention that all of that is the case...

 

[Neanderman]

Please kindly read my first post where I mention that all of that is the case...

I saw and see where you mentioned that the BODY was white. But I don't see where you indicated that the film magazine is also white. This must match the body color.

I'm only trying to be helpful...

Ed

 

[Michel Hardy-Vallée]

I saw and see where you mentioned that the BODY was white. But I don't see where you indicated that the film magazine is also white. This must match the body color.

I'm only trying to be helpful...

Ed

Sorry, just a bit upset here by the fiddling. The body and the magazine match, and are white.

 

[BWGirl]

Michel, would you like me to email you some pages from the manual? I have a copy on the computer & would be more than happy to send them off to you! If so, just pm me with your email!

 

[mikebarger]

I don't think there is a bit of problem putting a red back on a white body, how else are you going to double expose? I really think you can mount any combination of red and white you want, just some combo's don't make much sense.

I know this is true for the 12 back as I've just done it with three backs on two different two bodies to make sure.

Mike

 

[bdial]

My vote is still for the darkslide interlock, though the handle does get in the way occasionally, it's pretty obvious though. When I had one of my backs open to replace the light seal, I noticed that the lever that operates the interlock is a bit wimpy, it might be hanging up. Does anything change if you push the darkslide in (edgewise), while mounting the back?

 

[mikebarger]

I've seen David Odess advise turning the slide upside down and inserting it for that problem. One end of the slide could be bent just enough to miss the interlock tab.

Mike

 

[Michel Hardy-Vallée]

Jeanette: thanks, I have the scans of the manual I got off the 'net.

I managed once again to mount the A12, and here's what I noticed so far:

* The darkslide, whether up, down, left, right, actuates the shutter interlock as far as I can see. There's a little tab that moves up and down in the lower left corner of the magazine, and that's the one just in front of the shutter coupling.
* However, I think my problem is really related to the seating of the magazine's bottom. I think the pins or the holes could be slightly bent, so that I would be off a few fractions of a mm to couple properly.

So what I'm going to do right now is just leave the back, and change film by reloading the insert only. It's a safe solution so far (I rented only one back, so I don't need to take it away), but I'll mention it to the rental place when I bring the camera in on Monday. Obviously, that camera is a beater, having been rented for so many years.

I must say that this is a little off-putting. If I ever buy a Hassie, you can be sure I will buy it from a dealer that accepts returns. I can't imagine having to deal with that kind of trouble when you are working on a contract, or whatnot.

 

[mikebarger]

Another David Odess advise piece, although I wouldn't necessarily do it on a rental , turn the body upside down and GENTLY tap the bottom pins to realign them ( I used a small hammer), this will tighten the fit between the body and back, you can over do it

Mike

 

[bdial]

David Odess has a warning in his website about the tabs on the body. I've owned two Hasselblads, and haven't had problems, FWIW.
The interlock also blocks the catch at the top.

Barry

 

[Michel Hardy-Vallée]

Well, today is the day, and I'm off with camera and tripod to spend some film! That's going to be more fun than fiddling with mechanics.

Thanks for all the replies, and sorry again for the occasional grumpiness...