Hasselblad back seems somewhat loose?

[blankk]

Hey guys, I just noticed that a used A12 back I bought from KEH in BGN condition seems to be a bit loose when attached to the camera. It's not terribly noticeable, but sometimes when winding the back when it's on the camera I can feel it. Is this going to cause major problems (light leaks or something?) or is it of minor concern?

(By the way, the origin seems like it might be with the hooks on the bottom)

 

[Ian David]

In my experience, it is normal for there to be very slight rotational or side-to-side movement of the A12 backs. I assume that is what you are getting. So, although there may be a slight movement, there is never any gap opening up between the body and the the back. It would not be normal to get any backwards and forwards movement - what I mean is you shouldn't experience any movement or gap if you pull the attached A12 in a direction straight back away from the body.

 

[blankk]

Okay, thank you very much! It's only moving side to side as far as I can tell, not forwards and backwards. I just tried pulling (obviously not very hard, though) the back away from the body to test it and I saw only a verryyy slight difference of space between back and body. This wasn't what I was experiencing though.

 

[mikebarger]

Dave Odess had me "gently" tap the hooks until the back tightened up when I had that problem.

He made me think there shouldn't be any movement between the back and body.

Mike

 

[blankk]

Hey Mike, could you describe what he had you do? I might want to try it to be safe.

 

[mikebarger]

I used a small tack hammer and gently tapped down on each hook while holding the body upside down in my hand. I'd check back fit, then tap a couple more time. Then check it again.

I was probably over cautious checking the fit, but I didn't want to go to far.

It was pretty easy to do, just don't whack it hard!

I guess what causes the hook problem is snapping the backs onto the body briskly.

The force bends the hooks down.

Mike

 

[blankk]

Thanks for the help Mike. I reallly hope this hasn't been causing a problem - I'm going to have 6 rolls of film developed tomorrow! Man, if I find out this back ruined all of that, I'll weep.

 

[Ian David]

Unless the back was very loose, it won't have caused any problems.

 

[Q.G.]

Before starting to bend the (lower) hooks, remember that Ian isright. A bit of movement is not a problem, and does not need fixing.

But should you go ahead and start bending the hooks anyway, try another back first.
It is not necessarily the camera that is to blame, so after 'adjusting' the hooks, other magazines may need the hooks bent back again.

 

[blankk]

Thanks guys. I'm getting some film back today so I'll check it out.