De-Smoking My New Hasselblad

ReginaldSMith · May 21, 2018

My new to me 500C/M just arrived. First thing I noticed when I unpacked it was "cigarette smoke" smell. The camera is pristine on the outside, but YIKES, that smell is pretty noxious.

Any silver bullet solutions to removing this smell?

BrianShaw · May 21, 2018

Congratulations on getting a Hassy. I hate that smoke smell. Makes my allergies go crazy. Never found a cure except plenty of air for the camera (and antihistamines for me).

ReginaldSMith · May 21, 2018

Yeah, air it will get. I might try some little alcohol wipes just on the outside skins. It's a shame because the camera looks brand new and never used. I can't find a scratch or mark or ding or ANYTHING on it.

I've just downloaded two manuals from Butkus - the 500 and the 500C/M. The latter had practically no information in it. The former looks useful. I must say, I am a bit intimidated by all the "DO NOTs" etc. I'll have to go slow with this baby!

GLS · May 21, 2018

You could try sealing it in a plastic bag with some packets of activated charcoal for a few days.

GLS · May 21, 2018

ReginaldSMith said:
I must say, I am a bit intimidated by all the "DO NOTs" etc. I'll have to go slow with this baby!

The most important rule is never to try and attach a lens to the body when the two are not cocked. This can cause the camera to jam.

A very good resource of info is "The Hasselblad Manual" by Ernst Wildi; the 5th edition is best for the pre-digital models.

ReginaldSMith · May 21, 2018

GLS,
Yes, ordered the Wildt manual (5th ed) the day I purchased the camera. It should be here Wednesday! Since I only have one lens, and since my budget was already blown to hell buying the camera, I won't be taking that lens off for a looooong while!

BrianShaw · May 21, 2018

ReginaldSMith said:
GLS,
Yes, ordered the Wildt manual (5th ed) the day I purchased the camera. It should be here Wednesday! Since I only have one lens, and since my budget was already blown to hell buying the camera, I won't be taking that lens off for a looooong while!

Yes you will. You’ll take it off just to see how to do it. I know you will. I know human nature. We all did it even when we had just one lens. You may have already done it!

ReginaldSMith · May 21, 2018

HA HA HA! Maybe tonight?

AgX · May 21, 2018

ReginaldSMith said:
The camera is pristine on the outside,..

If you'd clean it, you should see that you wipe off brown stuff...

John Koehrer · May 21, 2018

The charcoal may do fine, I would try Baking soda if no joy with it..A plastic container with something to separate
camera & powders obviously.

Theo Sulphate · May 21, 2018

If it smells, there is probably a coating of nicotine inside - maybe on the mirror. Better remove the lens to check.

Maybe also on groundglass. Remove that, too.

ReginaldSMith · May 21, 2018

I'm going breakdown all the removable parts and put it all in a deep alcohol bath for about 24 hours. Some mild scrubbing while in the bath should get all the nicotine off.

Theo Sulphate · May 21, 2018

ReginaldSMith said:
I'm going breakdown all the removable parts and put it all in a deep alcohol bath for about 24 hours. Some mild scrubbing while in the bath should get all the nicotine off.

Be careful - alcohol may affect plastic or rubber bits.

ReginaldSMith · May 21, 2018

Sorry, I was actually joking about emersing it! Bad joke. I will try wiping and I like the baking soda idea. I have that on hand.

MattKing · May 21, 2018

Every time I see this thread's title I can't help it, I think of Cheech and Chong!

BrianShaw · May 21, 2018

ReginaldSMith said:
Sorry, I was actually joking about emersing it! Bad joke. I will try wiping and I like the baking soda idea. I have that on hand.

Glad to hear that. My first reaction was to suggest a very good bourbon. But since you’re not serious i suggest a cheap vodka.

Arklatexian · May 21, 2018

GLS said:
The most important rule is never to try and attach a lens to the body when the two are not cocked. This can cause the camera to jam.

A very good resource of info is "The Hasselblad Manual" by Ernst Wildi; the 5th edition is best for the pre-digital models.

+1

mgb74 · May 21, 2018

Check with an auto detailer. They often have a device to removing the odor from inside vehicles.

ruilourosa · May 22, 2018

Start smoking

Theo Sulphate · May 22, 2018

Moral of the story: don't smoke your Hasselblad.

FerruB · May 22, 2018

I think that To remove odors from car dealers use an ozone generator, it may well work for your camera as well!
Cheers

film_man · May 22, 2018

Try some baby wipes. Then let it air or try the soda trick as mentioned.

macfred · May 22, 2018

The 'never-ready' leather case for my Rolleiflex 3.5F smelled of cigarette smoke - I put it in a closed box together with freshly ground coffee for a couple of days.
First the case smelled of coffee for the first two days (not of smoke !) - later it smells 'neutral'.

guangong · May 22, 2018

A couple very fine Churchill length cigars should remove the disgusting cigarette smell.

tezzasmall · May 22, 2018

I could be the bearer of bad news I'm afraid...

I've never had a Hasselblad, but I have a computer chair, with a faux leather covering, so probably like your cameras covers. It came from a relative who was a smoker and did the chair let me know it!!!

I hate to say, but despite spraying with all sorts of cleaners and Neutradol type air freshener aerosols, the smell lingered on for about six months or so. Even after putting it outside to get some fresh air around it, when the weather was good, was to no avail. It even got put out of the living room on occasion as the smell was so bad at times and definitely more noticeable to a non-smoker like myself.

The end conclusion is that one just has to accept that the smell will go away VERY gradually and in it's own time.

Terry S

De-Smoking My New Hasselblad

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