Hasselblad 500c Repairs 2026. Need Repair/Service KEH ? Someone who is ready and willing.

[mshchem]

I was gifted a nice late (1970) Hasselblad 500c, it was used by an enthusiast, it's been setting for at least 30 years. Camera is cocked but won't fire. I don't think it's broken, maybe just really gummed up.

Who can repair this, don't need the best person in the world, just a fully functioning repair shop who is used to working on this sort of thing.

Ideas?

 

[koraks]

Repair shops in and out of business

This is where we can maintain a list of camera repair shops. The idea behind this is that it's an ever-updated list of repair shops where anyone can post the name and public contact information of camera repair shops. Relevant information to post includes, for instance: * Name of the shop and...

www.photrio.com

Anything of interest here perhaps?

 

[AnselMortensen]

I was gifted a nice late (1970) Hasselblad 500c, it was used by an enthusiast, it's been setting for at least 30 years. Camera is cocked but won't fire. I don't think it's broken, maybe just really gummed up.

Who can repair this, don't need the best person in the world, just a fully functioning repair shop who is used to working on this sort of thing.

Ideas?

If it is cocked, try removing the lens and back, and see if the body fires without the lens....that should tell you which piece of the puzzle isn't working...that way you don't have more repairs done than you want.

Also, check to make sure the shutter button lock isn't on, or the dark slide isn't in...(ask me how I know )

A nice gift, lucky you!

 

[mshchem]

If it is cocked, try removing the lens and back, and see if the body fires without the lens....that should tell you which piece of the puzzle isn't working...that way you don't have more repairs done than you want.

Also, check to make sure the shutter button lock isn't on, or the dark slide isn't in...(ask me how I know )

A nice gift, lucky you!

Yep, I've tried all this. I have other Hasselblads, everything works except this body. The 3 lenses work fine which is surprising considering.
I'm thinking about contacting KEH. They are used to seeing this. I had a guy but he closed up. If I was in the EU it would be easier.

 

[Don_ih]

I had mine fixed by @Light Capture - he did a great job. You may not want to send your camera out of the country, though.

 

[Alexander6x6]

I was told by Hasselblad service in Germany that the 500 series is the only camera that can be repaired nowadays.

 

[mshchem]

I sent it FedEx to KEH. It is probably an easy fix for someone who knows what they are doing. I kinda feel that I owe it to the camera. It's been through some interesting times. Not sure it's ever been more "interesting" than today . War and moonshots

 

[Pieter12]

I was told by Hasselblad service in Germany that the 500 series is the only camera that can be repaired nowadays.

Hasselblad USA no longer services the 500 or any of its lenses due to parts availability.

 

[mshchem]

Hasselblad USA no longer services the 500 or any of its lenses due to parts availability.

Yeah they are taking care of professionals. They are really pushing the digital camera right now

 

[RalphLambrecht]

I was gifted a nice late (1970) Hasselblad 500c, it was used by an enthusiast, it's been setting for at least 30 years. Camera is cocked but won't fire. I don't think it's broken, maybe just really gummed up.

Who can repair this, don't need the best person in the world, just a fully functioning repair shop who is used to working on this sort of thing.

Ideas?

You can likely fix it yourself. This frequently happens when an uncocked lens is mounted to a cocked camera body or visa versa. Both have to be in the same state when trying to mount the lens. Anyway. you can purchase a so-called Hasselblad tool, take the back off, reach into the body from the back and fix the situation; it has nothing to do with gummed-up shutters, and no CLA is required. You'll find several instructions on the web about this procedure. I have done it several times on my own. Good luck to you

 

[mshchem]

You can likely fix it yourself. This frequently happens when an uncocked lens is mounted to a cocked camera body or visa versa. Both have to be in the same state when trying to mount the lens. Anyway. you can purchase a so-called Hasselblad tool, take the back off, reach into the body from the back and fix the situation; it has nothing to do with gummed-up shutters, and no CLA is required. You'll find several instructions on the web about this procedure. I have done it several times on my own. Good luck to you

I know all about the tool. I even opened up the camera, tried a bit of solvent. This is beyond the common.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Yeah they are taking care of professionals. They are really pushing the digital camera right now

You'll have more luck contacting Carl Zeiss directly. They even worked on an unfortunate ebay urchase for me(fastened lose glas elements and aligned it all on an optical bench for mere $50) But that was Zeiss in Germany!

 

[mshchem]

You'll have more luck contacting Carl Zeiss directly. They even worked on an unfortunate ebay urchase for me(fastened lose glas elements and aligned it all on an optical bench for mere $50) But that was Zeiss in Germany!

Zeiss is still in Germany. The real Zeiss

 

[mshchem]

Not that there's anything wrong with Cosina made glass.

 

[Ozark Wolverine]

You can likely fix it yourself. This frequently happens when an uncocked lens is mounted to a cocked camera body or visa versa. Both have to be in the same state when trying to mount the lens. Anyway. you can purchase a so-called Hasselblad tool, take the back off, reach into the body from the back and fix the situation; it has nothing to do with gummed-up shutters, and no CLA is required. You'll find several instructions on the web about this procedure. I have done it several times on my own. Good luck to you

I keep a small screwdriver in my kit for just such an occasion . . only did it once though . . .

 

[yongfei]

I know all about the tool. I even opened up the camera, tried a bit of solvent. This is beyond the common.

I had the same issue and Precision Camera fixed it for me within a few weeks. Their service is very nice and prompt, and the technician even gave me an used waist level finder (parts) for free.

You may pay around $400 if the internal gear is broken.


Noel Rankin
Service Manager
nrankin@precision-camera.com
Days Off: Saturdays and Sundays
Direct: (512)-467-7754 x 363
2438 West Anderson Lane, Suite B-4
Austin, TX 78757

 

[mshchem]

I keep a small screwdriver in my kit for just such an occasion . . only did it once though . . .

Yes, I have done this. The Foghorn Leghorn is a classic, one of my favorites! The little resets on Hasselblads I have tried. This is something that needs more than gentle persuasion. I've got a hunch it's solidified grease and a spring that needs attention. I have other newer blads I somehow feel I owe it to the old beast to try and spruce it up. Nothing is so pretty as Victor Hasselblad era machine

I had the same issue and Precision Camera fixed it for me within a few weeks. Their service is very nice and prompt, and the technician even gave me an used waist level finder (parts) for free.

You may pay around $400 if the internal gear is broken.


Noel Rankin
Service Manager
nrankin@precision-camera.com
Days Off: Saturdays and Sundays
Direct: (512)-467-7754 x 363
2438 West Anderson Lane, Suite B-4
Austin, TX 78757

Ell the camera is currently on it's way to KEH. If they can't fix it I'll try your suggestion. Thanks, Mike

 

[Don_ih]

This is something that needs more than gentle persuasion.

I have one sitting in a partially-disassembled state that has the same problem yours does. I think I could remedy it if I could get the inside panel off - but I can't lift the mirror to do that (it's stuck). So I'm looking at a more involved dismantling .... or get someone else to fix it. However, I did buy it to fix it, so...

 

[mshchem]

I have one sitting in a partially-disassembled state that has the same problem yours does. I think I could remedy it if I could get the inside panel off - but I can't lift the mirror to do that (it's stuck). So I'm looking at a more involved dismantling .... or get someone else to fix it. However, I did buy it to fix it, so...

I know I would just mess it up worse if I tried to get further into it. I don't need another camera, I just feel like it's the right thing to do. It's not worn out, needs a bit of TLC.

 

[Howie1922]

Hi OP. I'm currently servicing a Hasselblad 500c and a 80mm f2.8 for the first time in my shop. I'm a one man shop in Minnesota, currently learning camera repair as a hobby. Engineering is my day job, and I like figuring out complicated problems. I know I don't necessarily have all the Hasselblad credentials, but I'd be willing to look at it for you if you want. I have serviced Nikon F's, Nikon S, Pentax k1000's, Bronica S2A's, Bronica GS-1, Yashica 124's, large format shutters, Konica I and IIIa's in the past if that helps. Feel free to DM if interested.

 

[retina_restoration]

I think Precision Camera is just about the last place to send your Hasselblad to for repair/service, now that Jim Kilroy is gone (RIP)

 

[BrianShaw]

There may be other options too: Steve's and Samy's in Los Angeles, for instance. ITC in San Diego area.

 

[BrianShaw]

Hasselblad USA no longer services the 500 or any of its lenses due to parts availability.

HASSELBLAD USA WARRANTY AND SERVICE TERMS

www.hasselblad.com

 

[mshchem]

Hi OP. I'm currently servicing a Hasselblad 500c and a 80mm f2.8 for the first time in my shop. I'm a one man shop in Minnesota, currently learning camera repair as a hobby. Engineering is my day job, and I like figuring out complicated problems. I know I don't necessarily have all the Hasselblad credentials, but I'd be willing to look at it for you if you want. I have serviced Nikon F's, Nikon S, Pentax k1000's, Bronica S2A's, Bronica GS-1, Yashica 124's, large format shutters, Konica I and IIIa's in the past if that helps. Feel free to DM if interested.

Well, the camera was delivered today to KEH, I will see how this works out first. Thanks!

 

[Kodachromeguy]

Hasselblad USA no longer services the 500 or any of its lenses due to parts availability.

Based on what? Did you check with Hasselblad USA before you wrote this?