Hasselblad 500c problem

[OldBodyOldSoul]

The camera was stored for at least 16 years and possibly longer than that. When I picked it up, it seemed to work well but after maybe 15-20 clicks it started acting up. I am new to MF and especially Hasselblad, but had read about do's and don'ts before I played with it. Still, being new to this camera it's not impossible that I am at fault for its current state.
I will be taking it to a (now retired) man who was trained by Hasselblad and worked in repairs for many years, but would like to know what I could expect to hear, if possible.

In arbitrary order, since I don't know which is more important/more telling than others
1. The lens (80/2.8) works well. No problems with it whatsoever.
2. The shutter button can't be depressed when cassette/back is attached to the body. I have two backs and there is no difference in behavior.
3. Shutter button works without the back.
4. Turning the knob/lever does not close the flaps, with or without the back attached.
5. If I turn the knob while the back is almost attached, the flaps will spring up and close almost every time. It's got something to do with the little pin at the bottom right of the body, I think, and how strongly the back pushes it. I have a feeling that if I were capable of always holding the back in the same "almost attached" position, the flaps would close every time (instead of almost every time). This is only a feeling though, and I know nothing about Hasselblads so I could be talking nonsense.
6. This is probably an entirely different matter, but the upper flap does not fully open - it hangs a bit, obstructing the view.

Any ideas? Does it sound bad?

Thanks.

 

[cjbecker]

1. Does the preview function snap right to the correct aperture. TEST- set the f-stop to like f16 then press the preview lever, does it snap directly to the desired f-stop or is it slow?

2. You have to remove the darkslide to depress the shutter button.

4. 5. 6. It needs a CLA (clean lube adjust) ,Grease get hard after so many years.

 

[sdotkling]

Sorry if this seems obvious, but did you remove the steel dark slide from the back before pressing the shutter?

 

[brucemuir]

Indeed that pin that signals to the body if a back is attached can become worn, bent etc.

There is another lock that wont allow the camera to fire with the darkslide left in and it also will not allow you to remove the back if the darkslide is NOT inserted.

It's hard to say without handeling the camera but according to your provided info it sounds as if it's ready for a CLA.

It's well worth getting one of these setup correctly.
Only thing about a straight "c" body is that it requires a tech (or the knowhow & tools) to switch out the focussing screen

 

[brucemuir]

Indeed that pin that signals to the body if a back is attached can become worn, bent etc.

There is another lock that wont allow the camera to fire with the darkslide left in and it also will not allow you to remove the back if the darkslide is NOT inserted.

It's hard to say without handeling the camera but according to your provided info it sounds as if it's ready for a CLA.

It's well worth getting one of these setup correctly.
Only thing about a straight "c" body is that it requires a tech (or the knowhow & tools) to switch out the focussing screen.

You may want to consider a newer screen as the stock 500c screens are a bit rough to use.

 

[OldBodyOldSoul]

Thanks everyone. I do sometimes forget to remove the darkslide, but that is not the problem here as the shutter button doesn't seem to care - it just doesn't like when the back is attached.

cjbecker, I will get the camera now and see to check what you ask in 1.

 

[cjbecker]

on the c/m there is a lever on the shutter button it says T on one side and O on the other. For normal operation you want to have it on O.

 

[OldBodyOldSoul]

1. Does the preview function snap right to the correct aperture. TEST- set the f-stop to like f16 then press the preview lever, does it snap directly to the desired f-stop or is it slow?

It's quick. I don't think the lens has any problems. Works great and apart from little brassing around the cap thread it looks like new.

 

[OldBodyOldSoul]

on the c/m there is a lever on the shutter button it says T on one side and O on the other. For normal operation you want to have it on O.

Yup, it's on O.

 

[OldBodyOldSoul]

So what I get from your responses is that this problem could/should go away after a CLA? That doesn't sound half as bad as I had hoped.

 

[Smudger]

Sticky flaps are a weak point on Hasselblads -the CLA should fix it, but they need regular maintenance.

 

[labcoat]

As for not being able to push the shutter button when the backs are attached: The backs will prevent the button from being pressed after 12 exposures (i.e. at the end of the roll). Have you tried taking out the insert and putting it back in to reset the film counter?

Sorry if this was obvious.

 

[OldBodyOldSoul]

labcoat, there are no obvious things when you are new to the camera. But no, that is not the problem.
Today I should see a man that worked in repairs his whole life, so I will see what he thinks. One thing I know is that now I can make the flaps spring back to closed position, all I have to do is pay attention to the little pin while attaching the back.

 

[maarten m]

my guess is that the counter on both backs is on 12, so it signals not to fire anymore.
take out the inserts, re-attach them and it should work again.

mm

 

[OldBodyOldSoul]

Nope, I reset both backs. No difference.
Nothing like experienced hands and I don't want to risk doing more damage by working something that needs to be replaced, so I will wait for this guy and come back with his verdict.

 

[Leigh B]

The Hasselblad is a "wet" camera, in that it has significant internal lubrication.

Over time that may dry out or become gummy, and cause operating problems. A good CLA will cure that.

I used to repair Hasselblads, and have corrected such problems on a number of them with a simple CLA.

- Leigh

 

[OldBodyOldSoul]

I just came back from the man who knows Hasselblads and verdict is just as simple as CLA. Should be done by Wednesday and should work like new. He didn't tell me what the problem is, but I will try to squeeze it out of him when I get the camera.

 

[maarten m]

good luck and keep us updated!

 

[OldBodyOldSoul]

Thanks and will do.

 

[OldBodyOldSoul]

Well, work on my Hasselblad is done and the price is 60% of the estimate. Me happy.
Again, I will come back to say what the problem was, if I get to hear that info.

 

[OldBodyOldSoul]

My 500c has come back from spa and facelift, it looks gorgeous and works like charm.
Old grease + something was a bit bent from trying to make it work after it jammed is what was wrong with it.

A roll of Portra 400 NC is out of freezer, tomorrow I am taking this baby for a spin.

Thanks everyone!

 

[maarten m]

that's good news!
enjoy the camera.

mm

 

[mikebarger]

Great news, these are tough old birds.

 

[Leigh B]

That's great news. Congratulations.

Enjoy.

- Leigh