Hasselblad A12 back problem

[drmoss_ca]

One of my film backs has just started to malfunction. It will not permit the body to release the shutter (yes, the dark slide is out!), but the body works fine with another back or with no back on at all. The issue seems to be with the small oblong metal probe that protrudes from the rear of the body as the shutter is depressed. This goes into a matching oblong hole in the front face of the back, below the winder cog. This hole has two parts inside it, one being the metal obstruction that slides halfway up it as the dark slide is inserted, and this prevents shutter release with the dark slide in place. It moves out of the way as it should when the dark slide is inserted. The upper portion of the oblong hole has a second visible part, which is pushed in by the little tongue that protrudes from the body as the shutter is depressed. I believe it resets the flag from white to red on the back as it is pushed in. Well on the failing back it will not let itself be pushed in, as ascertained with a gentle probing with a paperclip. This prevents the shutter button from being pressed in far enough to release the shutter.
Is it worth my while to take the back apart and see if this is fixable, or does this require a trip to a proper repair shop? Next question: I'm in eastern Canada, so I could send it to NJ if Hasselblad Bron still does these things, but maybe someone knows of a good repair person in Canada?

 

[Pieter12]

It might not be the back. I had a similar problem with and SWC, it turned out to be a shutter release spring. So whoever you send it to (I'm sure there are Hasselblad technicians in Canada) describe the problem--they might want you to send the body, too.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Do you have a second back that you can try?

 

[drmoss_ca]

As I said above, the body works fine with a different back, or no back on at all. That leads me to think it's not an issue with the body. I haven't found any references online to this particular problem, so I'm hoping someone here will recognise the issue.

 

[BrianShaw]

Not sure if this will help you with diagnosis or not.

https://galerie-photo.com/manuels/hasselblad-magasins.pdf

 

[drmoss_ca]

And now I feel foolish. I had been testing the shutter speeds on a spare 80/2.8, and presumably had tripped the shutter 12 times. After removing the film insert and putting it back in it works again! I guess that's how you learn...

 

[BrianShaw]

I’m going to have to laugh with you. I did the same just yesterday. Had to think about it for a few terror-fillled minutes. Almost asked but didn’t want to insult your intelligence.

 

[mitrajoon]

A great reminder. Glad you had the courtesy to let us know what happened.

 

[Pitotshock]

For the next time you need a technician, there is a shop in Quebec City and the owner is Hasselblad factory trained. I have not yet used them, but others have recommended him. Have a look at his website here, Service Camera Pro in Quebec City, 30 years experience. http://servicecamerapro.com/

 

[drmoss_ca]

Thank you for the recommendation!

 

[bdial]

The lever in the back that operates the stop is a pretty simple affair. Being simple, it doesn't often cause problems unless it perhaps breaks. Interestingly, that PDF doesn't show the operation in much detail, it's part #29 in the A12 drawing near the front.