Hasselblad 503CW not focusing properly?

obviouslygene · Oct 19, 2016

Hi guys, thanks for all the help I get in advance...
Recently got a 503CW and its pretty great.
2 days ago, I realised that I am unable to get a sharp image on the focusing screen.
I have not done anything to it, just left it in the bag and took it out the next day.
The odd thing is, after a few shots, I am able to get a clear image again.
I've developed a reel after this happened and I am able to get sharp images, so I'm guessing its not the lens.
Anyone knows whats wrong with it?

Leigh B · Oct 19, 2016

The focusing mechanism on that camera is extremely simple.

There's a lever that holds the mirror at an accurate 45 degree angle.
Then there are four screws that adjust the position of the focusing screen on top of the camera.

If you can't get a clear focused image at any adjustment of the lens, then the mirror or screen is dirty or damaged.

If the 45 degree lever is out of adjustment, the image on the screen will be shifted relative to the image on the film, but the focus will be accurate.

If the screen adjusting screws are improperly adjusted, the screen may not be perpendicular to the optical axis. This can result in accurate focus in one area but not elsewhere.

- Leigh

jchabalk · Oct 19, 2016

It would be worth removing the focus screen and making sure it's clean and properly seated. It's really easy on that camera. Just remove the back and then slide out your finder (waist level finder (wlf) or prism depending on which you have).

From there you can see two small clips that slide to the sides and let you remove the screen. Like LeighB said, if it's not adjusted properly or not seated it's one of the things that could cause the problem you're experiencing.

Poisson Du Jour · Oct 19, 2016

I thought a collimator was necessary to assist in calibrating the 503cx focusing screen in several (4?) points. I have the 503cxi and no such focusing problems are experienced.

obviouslygene said:
The odd thing is, after a few shots, I am able to get a clear image again.

That's the odd bit. Are you quite sure it's not your viewing eye?

Leigh B · Oct 19, 2016

Poisson Du Jour said:
I thought a collimator was necessary to assist in calibrating the 503cx focusing screen in several (4?) points.

Actually, a special fixture is required since the system is aligned with no lens mounted on the camera.
It's not a collimator.

I have that fixture, along with all the other Hasselblad gauges and fixtures.

- Leigh

Sirius Glass · Oct 19, 2016

The body may be out of alignment out of square] and need a Hasselblad body jig to get it aligned properly.

Poisson Du Jour · Oct 19, 2016

Sirius Glass said:
The body may be out of alignment out of square] and need a Hasselblad body jig to get it aligned properly.

Jesus, that sounds scaaaary!! How would that happen?

obviouslygene · Oct 19, 2016

Hi All! Thanks for the replies.
I have cleaned the focusing screen and reseated it. I have had someone else look at it and its the same.
I guess I might have to send it back to Nagano for a check.

obviouslygene · Oct 19, 2016

Sirius Glass said:
The body may be out of alignment out of square] and need a Hasselblad body jig to get it aligned properly.

Holy crap.
I hope that's not the case!

Leigh B · Oct 19, 2016

Poisson Du Jour said:
Jesus, that sounds scaaaary!! How would that happen?

It can happen rather easily if the body is dropped or banged against something.

The body is pretty thin aluminum, not terribly strong.

The alignment jig is large, heavy, and expensive.
It includes a very precise dial indicator for measuring the height of different points on the body.

The camera sits in the jig with its lens mount up, gage plate B installed in place of the lens.

The full instructions are here:
http://www.atwaterkent.info/Images/Img_Hasselblad body alignment instructs.png

One instruction I find funny is:
"Minor adjustments can be done by striking the front plate tool with a plastic faced hammer."

This same jig is used, with a different accessory, to align the mirror and focusing screen.

- Leigh

Poisson Du Jour · Oct 19, 2016

Leigh B said:
It can happen rather easily if the body is dropped or banged against something.

I can assure you no such shocking trauma has come to my mollycoddled, polished, sparkly, flash and fancy Hassie!!

obviouslygene · Oct 19, 2016

Leigh B said:
It can happen rather easily if the body is dropped or banged against something.

The body is pretty thin aluminum, not terribly strong.

The alignment jig is large, heavy, and expensive.
It includes a very precise dial indicator for measuring the height of different points on the body.

- Leigh

I haven't dropped or banged my hassy!

Poisson Du Jour · Oct 19, 2016

obviouslygene said:
I haven't dropped or banged my hassy!

Not you, but what about the previous owner(s)??

obviouslygene · Oct 19, 2016

Strangely, I just wiped my lens and the issue went away.
It did not happen before...
I'll report back if it comes back again?

I'm pretty much confused right now.

Poisson Du Jour · Oct 19, 2016

obviouslygene said:
I'm pretty much confused right now.

Well, imagine how the Hassie feels with all this undignified finger-poking at it when the problem was a booger clinging to the lens...

obviouslygene · Oct 19, 2016

Poisson Du Jour said:
Well, imagine how the Hassie feels with all this undignified finger-poking at it when the problem was a booger clinging to the lens...

I hope not! That would mean I have booger shadows somewhere in all my negs!

Sirius Glass · Oct 19, 2016

Poisson Du Jour said:
Jesus, that sounds scaaaary!! How would that happen?

Leigh B said:
It can happen rather easily if the body is dropped or banged against something.

The body is pretty thin aluminum, not terribly strong.

The alignment jig is large, heavy, and expensive.
It includes a very precise dial indicator for measuring the height of different points on the body.

The camera sits in the jig with its lens mount up, gage plate B installed in place of the lens.

The full instructions are here:
http://www.atwaterkent.info/Images/Img_Hasselblad body alignment instructs.png

One instruction I find funny is:
"Minor adjustments can be done by striking the front plate tool with a plastic faced hammer."

This same jig is used, with a different accessory, to align the mirror and focusing screen.

- Leigh

Any camera can be knocked out of alignment, not just Hasselblad.

Leigh B · Oct 19, 2016

Sirius Glass said:
Any camera can be knocked out of alignment, not just Hasselblad.

Of course that's true, but the Hasselblad is somewhat less robust in the critical axes.

It's a simple box with both the front and back open, having little mechanical strength.

A sharp rap on a corner will likely do more damage than a similar strike on a 35mm SLR body due to the construction.
The SLR body has many more cross-members and internal supporting structures.

For example, compare the Hassy with the Nikon F3T 35mm camera.
The F3T has a heavy aluminum casting for the body.
The top and bottom covers, the pentaprism cover, and the entire back are made of titanium.
That's a camera made to take a licking and keep on clicking.

- Leigh

AgX · Oct 20, 2016

Leigh B said:
If the 45 degree lever is out of adjustment, the image on the screen will be shifted relative to the image on the film, but the focus will be accurate.

If a mirror is no longer at 45° as the arrest is not correct anymore the finder image will have a defocusing that varies over the image vertical.
Details of varying depend on the design of the mirror box, more precisely on the position of the swing axis.

obviouslygene · Oct 20, 2016

I have found the issue!
It seems like the lens is not cocking fully.
I have recocked it fully manually, not sure if this is a permanent problem or will this go away after this.
Hope the shutter mechanism isn't broken!!!

AgX · Oct 20, 2016

What is the connection betweeen not cocking and being out of focus?

obviouslygene · Oct 20, 2016

AgX said:
What is the connection betweeen not cocking and being out of focus?

Honestly? I have no idea, I'm figuring this out as I go.
It seems like the issue is still there, but when I remount the lens it goes away.

Still pretty much baffled.

Leigh B · Oct 20, 2016

AgX said:
What is the connection betweeen not cocking and being out of focus?

Cocking the body moves the mirror from its full-up shooting position to its 45deg viewing position.

Any movement or mis-positioning of the mirror can affect the focus as viewed on the ground glass.
It will not affect the focus of the image on the film.

- Leigh

jchabalk · Oct 20, 2016

It sounds to me like something's fouled up.
Do you have another lens you can mount and see if the problem follows your lens or stays with the body? Or if not is there a shop or a friend nearby with a lens you can use to troubleshoot?

Short of that it seems like you need to get it looked at. If you're in the US i've sent my Hasselblad gear to David Odess, he does a great job with repairs and CLAs.

http://www.david-odess.com/

No affiliation - just a satisfied customer over the last 10 years or so.

mike c · Oct 20, 2016

The last CLA my Hasselblad had the Tech replace a piece of foam that acts as a shock absorber , which could cause focus being of. My camera is the older 500cm.

Hasselblad 503CW not focusing properly?

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency