First roll of film through my Hasselblad 500C/M - It didn't go well

John Galt · Dec 17, 2019

Cannot understand the hate for KEH . . l have purchased two 500 C/M bodies from them, a Pentax MX, three lenses and several film magazines . . . every one was as new and functioned flawlessly. I checked out National Camera Exchange and it appears they only deal with digital? Not a Hassy to be found.

Pieter12 · Dec 17, 2019

John Galt said:
Cannot understand the hate for KEH . . l have purchased two 500 C/M bodies from them, a Pentax MX, three lenses and several film magazines . . . every one was as new and functioned flawlessly. I checked out National Camera Exchange and it appears they only deal with digital? Not a Hassy to be found.

Search used fror Hasselblad...no bodies right now, but plenty of lenses, prisms and backs. And an SWC.

abruzzi · Dec 17, 2019

This is going far afield, but I'll just state that my main reason for liking KEH over B&H, Adorama, NatCam, and UsedPhotoPro is selection. When I'm looking for something used, there is a far greater chance that they have what I want. I'd give UPP second place, but not too close. I've never found anything used that I want at NatCam or B&H so I've never bought used from them. For a while Adorama was listing Bronica ETRSi 120 film backs for $30, but they'd only list one at a time. So, one after the other, I bought three from them. Other than that I haven't seen them list anything I'm interested in.

I wish KEH had photos, but with a few exceptions, I've always been happy with what they sent, and in those cases, they took care of me. I also like playing KEH roulette--buy a bunch of AS-IS stuff for obscenely cheap to see if you luck out (I did that with a bunch of 35mm bodies I wanted to try out, but didn't want to spend much on. I also did that on some LF lenses. all of the equipment functioned with a few meaningless issues.)

logan2z · Dec 17, 2019

Ok so I've talked to the seller and they will replace the light seals in the back.

It's conceivable that I made an error loading the film that caused the overlap of the first two frames so I'll try again after the seals are replaced and see how that goes.

Sirius Glass · Dec 17, 2019

I have had great experiences at KEH and usually get equipment better than the rating I requested. In over a decade I had three problems and they paid the return postage and fixed the problem. One time I got a scratched polarizer and since I was about to leave to go overseas, the expressed a higher grade replacement and told me to return the scratched filter after I got back.

mshchem · Dec 17, 2019

I've had very good results with KEH, they are very careful, only had a couple issues, was resolved without a problem.

declark · Dec 18, 2019

I had the same light leak problem when I got a 500CM kit from KEH several years ago in truly superb condition (excellent rating) and have run hundreds of rolls thru without ever bothering with a CLA, still winds smooth as silk. The seals are easy to change. But since my seals are getting along in years now I just put a bit of gaffing tape over the slide slot until I get around to getting another seal kit.

logan2z · Dec 24, 2019

Just a quick follow-up:

The seller sent me another film back to try and it looks like it solved all of my problems - no overlapping frames or light leaks on my latest test roll. Now I can get out and shoot some MF film over the holidays!

GLS · Dec 24, 2019

Good news

BrianShaw · Dec 24, 2019

Yay!

Thanks for letting us know the end of the story.

warden · Dec 24, 2019

Outstanding! Glad to hear that the seller worked with you to make it right. Go make art.

logan2z · Dec 24, 2019

jawarden said:
Go make art.

That's the hard part

BrianShaw · Dec 24, 2019

logan2z said:
That's the hard part

... and if you can’t make art... just make pictures that please you!

Arthurwg · Apr 20, 2020

I was watching an Ansel Adams video the other day that showed his proof sheet from the Moon and Half Dome shoot, which was made with a Hasselblad. Much to my surprise all the frames on the left side showed heavy light leaks. Good thing the picture was cropped into a rectangle. Not sure if the leaks were from the dark slide slot or loading in bright sun. You would think that Ansel had perfect backs, but perhaps there is no such thing, or not for long.

I always place a strip of black masking tape over the slot as a preventive measure.

warden · Apr 20, 2020

Arthurwg said:
...... You would think that Ansel had perfect backs, but perhaps there is no such thing, or not for long.
I always place a strip of black masking tape over the slot as a preventive measure.

I like my Hassy but I've found I either have light leaks or I'm about to have light leaks.

Ditto with the gaffer tape.

logan2z · Apr 20, 2020

Arthurwg said:
I was watching an Ansel Adams video the other day that showed his proof sheet from the Moon and Half Dome shoot, which was made with a Hasselblad. Much to my surprise all the frames on the left side showed heavy light leaks. Good thing the picture was cropped into a rectangle. Not sure if the leaks were from the dark slide slot or loading in bright sun. You would think that Ansel had perfect backs, but perhaps there is no such thing, or not for long.

I always place a strip of black masking tape over the slot as a preventive measure.

Thanks. The light leak in the camera back was resolved and all is well now.

Just out of curiosity, do you have a link to that video?

logan2z · Apr 20, 2020

jawarden said:
I like my Hassy but I've found I either have light leaks or I'm about to have light leaks.

Ditto with the gaffer tape.

I currently don't have light leaks which probably means I'm in the 'about to have light leaks' category. I may start to use gaffer's tape just to be on the safe side.

Jeremy Mudd · Apr 20, 2020

logan2z said:
I currently don't have light leaks which probably means I'm in the 'about to have light leaks' category. I may start to use gaffer's tape just to be on the safe side.

I always keep a nicely-cut strip attached to the side of the camera, even when using backs that I know have a good light seal because I recently replaced it. I usually put the tape on the slot right after pulling the dark slide and then take it back off when done shooting. I know the trick is to not store the back with the darkslide in for long periods of time, but I never do well at adhering to that.

I recently picked up a back that stated clearly in the ad that the darkslide seal had been replaced, but I went ahead and took it apart to check. Sure enough, the foam was completely deteriorated and the flexible seal was completely flat on itself - worn out. Glad that I've become really quick at replacing them.

Jeremy

Jeremy Mudd · Apr 20, 2020

jawarden said:
I like my Hassy but I've found I either have light leaks or I'm about to have light leaks.

That's funny! I used to work in the bike industry and one of the companies I worked for had a frame that was problematic and prone to cracking on the right chainstay near the drop-outs.

We had a saying about that frame that "There are two kinds - those that are broken and those that are going to break soon."

AndyH · Apr 20, 2020

Jeremy Mudd said:
I recently picked up a back that stated clearly in the ad that the darkslide seal had been replaced, but I went ahead and took it apart to check. Sure enough, the foam was completely deteriorated and the flexible seal was completely flat on itself - worn out. Glad that I've become really quick at replacing them.

Jeremy

It is a good thing indeed that this is such an easy procedure for any owner with average DIY skills. Repair shops tend to be pricey for the replacements.

Andy

GLS · Apr 20, 2020

jawarden said:
I like my Hassy but I've found I either have light leaks or I'm about to have light leaks.

Ditto with the gaffer tape.

I have yet to experience a light leak on any of my three A12N backs.

I guess at some point they will develop them, but it's a very easy fix if so.

warden · Apr 20, 2020

GLS said:
I have yet to experience a light leak on any of my three A12N backs.

I guess at some point they will develop them, but it's a very easy fix if so.

They are easy to fix, assuming the heads of the screws haven't been damaged, and assuming the screws aren't glued in place with sweat or whatever.

Sirius Glass · Apr 20, 2020

Rather than crapping up the camera with tape, just check and replace the light seals when needed on any camera.

Arthurwg · Apr 20, 2020

logan2z said:
I currently don't have light leaks which probably means I'm in the 'about to have light leaks' category. I may start to use gaffer's tape just to be on the safe side.

Not gaffer's tape. That's much too strong. Just black masking tpe, easy on, easy off.

Arthurwg · Apr 20, 2020

logan2z said:
Thanks. The light leak in the camera back was resolved and all is well now.

Just out of curiosity, do you have a link to that video?

This was a Youtube video, "Making Moon and Half Dome."

First roll of film through my Hasselblad 500C/M - It didn't go well

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