Hasselblad 500C/M issue with rear doors

JohnMeadows · Apr 25, 2016

I quite recently got my first Hasselblad and have run into a jamming issue. Not the cocking issue that I foind a lot of online discussion about, but an issue with the rear barn doors. I was out shooting on a coolish (high 40's / c. 8 C) and the camera jammed. I put the darkslide back in and was able to remove the back. The barn doors were jammed open. I used one of those repair tools to see if that made a difference, but the barn doors remained open until I repeated the the process a few times then they closed. With no back attached I cocked a fired repeatedly and the issue happened again may 1/10 times one day, and now is not happening again. Has anyone seen this issue before? Debating whether to invest in a repair (maybe it's just a lube issue) or buy a KEH EX grade replacement body...

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

Kevin Caulfield · Apr 25, 2016

It probably just needs some exercise, to stretch its legs. Cycle it through a lot of times and you'll find it works better.

JohnMeadows · Apr 25, 2016

APUGuser19 said:
Model and serial number please.

IT's a 500 C/M RU 1405140

JohnMeadows · Apr 25, 2016

APUGuser19 said:
A 1987 CM. By then the earlier rubber dampening had since been a thing of the past. Here's what's going to happen soon without CLA: The doors are going to go up and possibly hang up, or they will only partially close. You will be tempted to wind the camera, at which time you will force the upper door to get turned on its axle with the result it will fail to go back up enough to clear the light path. Further, there is the risk that a tiny hair-sized spring will get mangled, in the cogs under the main wind gear. From that point, the mirror will not come down and lock. From that point, body can literally tear itself up with further winding.
CLA--absolutely now. What I've said is not a scare tactic, just a reporting of the chain of events in the self destruction process. Easily preventable. CLA. You've just witnessed the first event. You are lucky.

Thanks - sounds like the plan.

JohnMeadows · Apr 25, 2016

APUGuser19 said:
Thank you for your trust. I man not a trained pro, BTW. But within the bounds of the Hasselblad models I do know, I know them extensively, I'll say. Regards.

It was going to go in for a CLA anyway ...

JohnMeadows · Apr 26, 2016

Will do, although it will be a while (Out of town for work, likely a week Friday before I can take it in :-(

APUGuser19 said:
OK--if you're still reading, mark this thread and report back. These repair threads tend to become gospel truth to those of little knowledge who need help quick. That's why they come here. If my own credibility is in question, or if it is sound should be exposed either way for the good of all.

HiHoSilver · Apr 26, 2016

User19 - just a grateful tip o' the hat for excellent help.

JohnMeadows · May 21, 2016

Got the camera back from Roger at Camtech in Hamilton yesterday; a loose screw was found inside the body, as well as an issue with a governor in the lens. Everything fixed, took it out today and shot four rolls, everything seems fine

HiHoSilver · May 21, 2016

Now this is a happy man. Both blads I bought had unknown issues. I was trying everything to avoid blaming the gear for my errors. When they were fixed, I was on top of the world. All I had to do then was learn how to take a picture.
'Happy for you, John.

Hasselblad 500C/M issue with rear doors

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