Hasselblad A12--Removing dark slide holder

brent8927 · Nov 10, 2015

I've acquired an A12 back (new style, with the darkslide holder). I'm not a big fan of the darkslide holder--I don't like the look and it takes up a bit more space in my bag, which is already a small bag for a Hasselblad kit (Hadley Pro).

Does anyone know of any way to remove the darkslide holder without ruining the back? (And is there actually leatherette behind the holder?). I obviously don't want to do trial and error here--I'd appreciate knowing if anyone has firsthand knowledge of this.

I realize the other option is to sell the back and buy another. But I've been having a really tough time finding a nice A12 back in black. I really like the look of the "black dot release" backs without the holder, and I have one of those (I also have a slightly more beat up "12 release" back I wouldn't mind upgrading...).

I'd like to find more of the "black dot release" backs, but I just don't see them in nice shape too often anymore. And if the dark slide holder comes off easily then that solves that problem!

Sirius Glass · Nov 10, 2015

The back will peel off, but before you take that step you need to think this out. All the Hasselblad backs I have came without dark slide holders. Many times I misplaced, lost or bent dark slides when I took them out and put them or thought I put them in a safe place in the camera bag. As a result I purchased and installed dark slide holders on every one of the backs that I have. If a dark slide holder attached to the film back is such a bad idea, why did Hasselblad eventually start building the film backs with dark side holders? You should really think about obtaining a larger camera bag before you risk damaging the film back and wasting someone else's well thought out effort.

I use a Tamrac 752 Photo Backpack which along with the slightly smaller 750 are no longer made but can be found occasionally on Amazon via the APUG link http://www.amazon.com//ref=as_sl_pd...p://www.apug.org/forums/misc.php?do=supportus [APUG gets a commission if you shop through this link]. I carry the Hasselblad 503 CX camera, the 50mm lens and hood, the 80mm lens and hood, the 150mm lens and hood, and the 250mm lens and hood, a 2X extender, close up extension tubes, B60 filters, film backs and extra film. The Hsselblad 903 SWC, its view finder, its viewing back, and the Hasselblad C 500mm lens and hood have had to make other arrangements. Carrying all that equipment is also part of my physical fitness program.

brent8927 · Nov 10, 2015

Thanks for your reply. Have you successfully peeled of the holder before (or seen someone do it) without any damage to the back? Did you/your friend just use blunt force and pull it off with your hands?

Please remember, this is the newer back with the darkslide holder built in--not one that had it added on. Do you know if the film slot holder remains behind or is that part of the holder as well (I can't quite tell when I examine it)

I'm not worried about losing or damaging my darkslides--I have small thin rigid pouches to store them (adapted from the old Lowepro film back cases). I get that as a professional there's a big advantage to having a darkslide holder attached to the back--it speeds things up and lessens the chance of losing a slide. But, as someone who's just pursing one of the things they love, I'm in no hurry and don't see any advantage at all to the holder, and aside from personally finding it rather ugly, it does take up a bit more space in my bag and makes it harder to fit (whereas the Lowepro holder just slide right in the space between the liner and the canvas). I'm quite happy with my bag as it's compact enough to take anywhere I need to and carries everything I need at the moment.

I like to take a more minimalist approach to things. For the last 10+ years, I've used just one back, and 80mm lens, and a close-up tube to do all of my work. I'm just doing this for the love of it, and getting another film back (and a 120mm lens) was a big change in the way I do things.

Sirius Glass · Nov 10, 2015

I have never removed a dark slide holder for either an old or new back. Do you want to swap film backs?

bdial · Nov 11, 2015

I more or less agree with Sirius on this, my backs don't have the holder either and I generally wish they did. I've not bent any slides, but I've occasionally had to take one out of another back so that I could take the back off the camera and couldn't find the slide for the "in use" back. Keeping track of the loose slide can be a PITA.

Yes, the holder is a bit clunky, though the built-in ones are a lot less clunky than the aftermarket ones (IMHO).
If you're concerned about cosmetics, the back won't look better after it's off and probably will look a great deal worse, I doubt that it will peel off cleanly.

If I had a black back I'd swap you for one with the holder in a heartbeat.

I certainly get it about the desire to have a compact bag and kit. My holy grail is to find a bag which is bigger on the inside than it is on the outside. A nice plus would be one that's lighter packed than it is empty.

brent8927 · Nov 11, 2015

Thanks for your advice. It sounds like I'm in the minority in not wanting the darkslide holder.

I sent Hasselbald a quick e-mail asking the same question, but I also asked on photo.net and from the couple people I've heard back from here and there, it sounds like it's not worth risking trying to peel off the back.

Sirius--yes, I will probably try to swap backs at some point. Fortunately the backs with the darkslide holder sell for a higher value, so I might even come out ahead a bit. I just have to find someone with one of the black-dot release backs in really nice shape (do you have one in black?).

There was a time back in college when I had two backs, and I sold it because I needed money. The back I ended up selling was one of the 12 release backs, but it was also in really nice shape. I've learned you just have to hold onto your nice gear--especially now that the V-system gear is just aging and not being made new, it's harder and harder to find gear in really nice shape.

Tools and camera gear--two things you shouldn't sell unless you've upgraded and have redundant equipment...

Xmas · Nov 11, 2015

GRS- Gear Retention Syndrome

Sirius Glass · Nov 11, 2015

Xmas said:
GRS - Gear Retention Syndrome

GAS - Gear Acquisition Syndrome
BASS - Buy And Sell Syndrome

Ai Print · Nov 11, 2015

I'd just sell it and get a black dot A12 back.

I have 12 backs ( 10x A12, 1x 24, 1x CFV50c ) and only one of them has the dark slide holder and I really don't care for it.

Not everyone is in love with the dark slide holder version ( pro by the way ).

John Koehrer · Nov 11, 2015

Look for a shell on ebay.
sometimes you'll find them listed in Hasselblad as-is or repair parts.

RalphLambrecht · Nov 11, 2015

Ai Print said:
I'd just sell it and get a black dot A12 back.

I have 12 backs ( 10x A12, 1x 24, 1x CFV50c ) and only one of them has the dark slide holder and I really don't care for it.

Not everyone is in love with the dark slide holder version ( pro by the way ).

darkslide?oh that's what my shirt pocket is for

canuhead · Nov 11, 2015

If the slide holder looks like the Chinese knock offs, then the tape is probably a 3M product. Meaning it will be a beeotch to remove, not impossible but...

I bought a few of the knock offs (well made and look identical to the real McCoy) and they make life easier for me so I'm in the sell or trade camp

Sirius Glass · Nov 11, 2015

I cannot find the Lindhal Dark Slide Holders for sale on the internet today.

cowanw · Nov 11, 2015

No more Lindahl but here they are
http://www.ebay.com/itm/For-Hasselb...669684?hash=item1ea618eab4:g:VbEAAOxyHt9R1mev

Sirius Glass · Nov 11, 2015

cowanw said:
No more Lindahl but here they are
http://www.ebay.com/itm/For-Hasselb...669684?hash=item1ea618eab4:g:VbEAAOxyHt9R1mev

Thank you

canuhead · Nov 12, 2015

have an A12 back with the Lindahl holder and absolutely hate that holder. ugly as sin. one thing about the knock offs is that the film reminder pocket tends to catch the edge of the cardboard when trying to change it but not hair pulling frustration. hope that makes sense.

brent8927 · Nov 13, 2015

Just in case anyone is interested, here is Hasselblad's response to my question:

"Early models had the Dark slide holder attached with a strong tape only
and the Leather was intact under
Later the Slide holder was screwed on to the back from the inside
You can check this by removing the Film holder and the Dark slide
If you can see 4 screw heads on the inside of the Shell, It is a later
model
In that case, removing the Slide holder will mean that the screw holes
will be visible

Best Regards

The Hasselblad Reception"

Sirius Glass · Nov 13, 2015

Please send your removed Hasselblad dark slide backs to me.

brent8927 · Nov 14, 2015

Sirius Glass said:
Please send your removed Hasselblad dark slide backs to me.

Unfortunately I won't be taking the holder off--I don't want a film back with the screws visible. If it was held on with just tape I'd consider removing the holder. I'm going to see if I can just find a nice black dot back and sell the one I have.

guangong · Nov 14, 2015

Ralph beat me to it

Never had a problem with a misplaced or bent darkslide in 40 years. That is the reason breast pockets are provided on jackets and shirts. I have one back with a dark slide holder but never use the holder.

Sirius Glass · Nov 14, 2015

guangong said:
Never had a problem with a misplaced or bent darkslide in 40 years. That is the reason breast pockets are provided on jackets and shirts. I have one back with a dark slide holder but never use the holder.

But sometimes I wear turtle neck shirts or t-shirts and neither have pockets.

Jager · Nov 15, 2015

Can't say as I've ever worn a turtle-neck. But I do frequently wear one of my Harley t-shirts when out shooting (sans cigarette pack rolled in the sleeve). On those occasions I simply drop the dark slide (and lens cap) in the bottom of the bag, in the truck. And walk around with a naked Hasselblad.

Naked things are good. :w00t:

dorigatti · Nov 16, 2015

The slide holder is screwed on!! Four small screws on the inside of the magazine. Two on the top and two on the bottom.

Hasselblad A12--Removing dark slide holder

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