Hasselblad 80mm CF stiff focus

campy51 · Jul 31, 2020

How stiff are these lenses usually? I had a C lens that was stiffer than this one but this seems stiff to me. I have read the CB lenses are smoother. Anyone ever re-grease the helical on one?

RalphLambrecht · Jul 31, 2020

campy51 said:
How stiff are these lenses usually? I had a C lens that was stiffer than this one but this seems stiff to me. I have read the CB lenses are smoother. Anyone ever re-grease the helical on one?

I only ever had the CF lenses but, they are very smooth.

eli griggs · Jul 31, 2020

It may just be that your lens is OK, and is in the acceptable range of the natural slow turning focus ring, a bit more strongly, and interpreting it as interference due to drying lube.

I would no be concerned unless that smooth turn starts to have 'jumps' forward in the direction you are rotating to.

IMO.

campy51 · Jul 31, 2020

It's smooth but just takes a firm grip to focus.

eli griggs · Aug 1, 2020

Check to see if exposure outside in the sun, say 15 minutes, will result in a different feel, then check inside at about 75°f and inside a cooled ac room at about 65°f.

Is there a big swing in handling?

Does anyone here know about the range of prices charged for a CLR on this lens, or can point to a good video or downloadable Hasselblad repair manual section this issue and CLR process that we can download?

Be Well, Be Happy and Godspeed to All.

Arthurwg · Aug 1, 2020

CF100 is notoriously stiff and can't be fixed.

Grim Tuesday · Aug 1, 2020

It is probably not advisable to re-lube the helix at home, unless you have an autocollimator or some other way of calibrating infinity focus.

Sirius Glass · Aug 1, 2020

Most of my Hasselblad lenses have a stiffer than normal focus. The Hasselblad repairman at Samys Fairfax has checked out all the lenses and they are normal. Do not worry about it.

GLS · Aug 1, 2020

For the record, none of my five Hassy lenses (2 CF, 2 CFi, 1 CFE) have stiff focus.

Grim Tuesday · Aug 1, 2020

I should also add that I have many Hasselblad lenses (4 CF, 1 C T*) and the only one with a stiff focus ring is the 60mm Distagon C T* Great lens though. But none of my CF lenses are stiff at all.

Ai Print · Aug 1, 2020

Since I often work in pretty cold Winter weather, I have upgraded my 50,60,80,100 and 180mm Hasselblad lenses to CFe and CFi versions and it has made a remarkable difference in focus action. They are smooth, accurate and not stiff at all.

etn · Aug 3, 2020

campy51 said:
It's smooth but just takes a firm grip to focus.

Seems normal. All my CF are all like this (with the exception of my CF 100mm, but they are all stiff as mentioned above).
If it feels "good enough" I'd leave it as it is.

campy51 · Aug 3, 2020

I also have a Bronica EC-TL and I know the focus system is completely different but I almost can use one finger to rotate the ring.

film_man · Aug 7, 2020

It depends on condition really. Overall all Hasselblad lenses are heavy and slow (with the long throw) to focus. From my Hasselblad days I remember a "recent" 80CB was generally the lightest of them all but I owned a 160CB briefly and that was very heavy. Don't know if it was the way it was or if the oil was drying up. In any case you can always get them serviced. One finger to rotate? Well maybe if it is a very strong finger...

cayenne · Aug 7, 2020

I have the CT 80mm f/2.8 Hassy lens...and overall it looks mint, takes amazing images...but out of my 3 lenses it is by far the stiffest.

I had wondered the same thing and thought about finding somewhere to CLA it, but haven't gotten around to it. I figure during all this lock down, maybe I'll just shoot more with it and see if it loosened up.

I recently also acquired a Fuji GFX100 and am using a metabones speed booster to adapt my Hassy lenses, including this one to that camera and figure all my lenses will be getting even more of a workout here with having them used on two camera systems.

HTH,

C

Hasselblad 80mm CF stiff focus

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency