Hasselblad Distagon 50mm firing problem.

removedacct1 · Mar 4, 2020

Calling all Hasselblad users.

I have been offered a 50mm Distagon lens - probably late 1970s vintage, T* type - and I've discovered that when used on the owner's 1972 500C/M body, it works just fine. But when I attach it to my 1984 500C/M body, the firing sequence does not complete properly and the lens becomes locked on the body, forcing me to cock the shutter from inside the body to release it. (standard lens jam) The body fires properly, but the lens does not, suggesting there's a problem with the lens-to-body linkage. Perhaps the lens needs servicing to correct the problem (contacting a local repair shop, of course that was their immediate response: bring it in and we'll look at it).

Any idea why this Distagon would function properly on the older 500C/M and yet fail to complete the firing sequence on my 1984 500C/M? This is puzzling behavior. What do you seasoned Hasselblad users say?

Thanks
Paul

Sirius Glass · Mar 4, 2020

I had this problem about a year ago. Intermittently the 50mm lens would sound like it fired, but did not. The Samys' Hasselblad repairman instead of doing the CLA himself sent it off for a full overhaul. It seems that my lens had heavy use and wear from the previous owner and Hasselblad rebuilt my lens. I hope that yours does not need the work mine does, but I recommend that rather than lose more photographs you should have the lens checked out and serviced.

removedacct1 · Mar 4, 2020

Sirius Glass said:
I had this problem about a year ago. Intermittently the 50mm lens would sound like it fired, but did not. The Samys' Hasselblad repairman instead of doing the CLA himself sent it off for a full overhaul. It seems that my lens had heavy use and wear from the previous owner and Hasselblad rebuilt my lens. I hope that yours does not need the work mine does, but I recommend that rather than lose more photographs you should have the lens checked out and serviced.

Thanks for that info. I do anticipate having to get it serviced, but I was curious why the lens would work on one 500C/M and not another.

Dan Daniel · Mar 4, 2020

paulbarden said:
Thanks for that info. I do anticipate having to get it serviced, but I was curious why the lens would work on one 500C/M and not another.

Tolerances and wear variations.

If the lens was always used on one body, the two can have changes match each other nicely over time. But put the lens on an other body and the wear on the lens is out of tolerance for the second body.

removedacct1 · Mar 4, 2020

Dan Daniel said:
Tolerances and wear variations.

If the lens was always used on one body, the two can have changes match each other nicely over time. But put the lens on an other body and the wear on the lens is out of tolerance for the second body.

I didn't say anything in my first post, but I too suspect this is what is happening. Do you think this is something that can be fixed to work on my 500C/M?

Dan Daniel · Mar 4, 2020

paulbarden said:
I didn't say anything in my first post, but I too suspect this is what is happening. Do you think this is something that can be fixed to work on my 500C/M?

I don't know the specifics of what would need to be changed on a Hasselblad lens to bring it back into spec to match your 1984 camera. You'd have to take it to a Hassy repair shop. Off the top of my head I'd expect that the rear mounting flange on the lens is what would need to be replaced, but I may actually be pulling that idea from someplace other than the top of my head

In the meantime, you might try putting the pressure on the lens when mounted to your camera and see if that corrects the problem. Let's say the flange is worn. Is there a little slop when mounted, allowing the lens to rotate a bit? Apply some rotational pressure and fire the shutter, see if it works. Maybe there is some front/back slop? Again, maybe pressing the lens lightly to one end or the other of its slop will get it to work.

removedacct1 · Mar 4, 2020

Dan Daniel said:
In the meantime, you might try putting the pressure on the lens when mounted to your camera and see if that corrects the problem. Let's say the flange is worn. Is there a little slop when mounted, allowing the lens to rotate a bit? Apply some rotational pressure and fire the shutter, see if it works. Maybe there is some front/back slop? Again, maybe pressing the lens lightly to one end or the other of its slop will get it to work.

Good ideas! I'll do some experiments. Thanks for the suggestions, Dan!

Sirius Glass · Mar 4, 2020

Sirius Glass said:
I had this problem about a year ago. Intermittently the 50mm lens would sound like it fired, but did not. The Samys' Hasselblad repairman instead of doing the CLA himself sent it off for a full overhaul. It seems that my lens had heavy use and wear from the previous owner and Hasselblad rebuilt my lens. I hope that yours does not need the work mine does, but I recommend that rather than lose more photographs you should have the lens checked out and serviced.

Something about a shaft that was worn out.

eli griggs · Mar 4, 2020

You might try searching out a 50 that had a misadventure of the dropped lens kind, as a parts lens, one that was still in good shape before being trashed, even if you eventually send it off, so at the least, you have a replacement part.

You would also have a lens, hopefully, with a clean mount side that you could practice disassembly on, recovering the link needed, and re installing the piece, if you want to try your own hand at fixing your lens.

I know the lens us is only half the potential of the error, but, what does it hurt to get to know these systems better.

IMO.

itsdoable · Mar 4, 2020

When you un-jam it with the tool, instead of re-cocking the shutter, try completing the sequence by turning the key the other way (gently). It may be that the lens is a bit sticky, and the spring driving the key in the "c" is a bit stronger than the one in your "c/m". May not fix your problem, but it'll tell you what needs fixed.

Dan Daniel · Mar 5, 2020

Sirius Glass said:
Something about a shaft that was worn out.

Yeah, I spoke about the mount and slop in that part. But there's a good chance that the wear is in another part.

removedacct1 · Mar 5, 2020

Thank you all. I think I’m just going to decline to buy it, considering the likelihood that this is a wear issue, and not likely to be resolved without considerable expense.

Sirius Glass · Mar 5, 2020

Sirius Glass said:
I had this problem about a year ago. Intermittently the 50mm lens would sound like it fired, but did not. The Samys' Hasselblad repairman instead of doing the CLA himself sent it off for a full overhaul. It seems that my lens had heavy use and wear from the previous owner and Hasselblad rebuilt my lens. I hope that yours does not need the work mine does, but I recommend that rather than lose more photographs you should have the lens checked out and serviced.

Sirius Glass said:
Something about a shaft that was worn out.

paulbarden said:
Thank you all. I think I’m just going to decline to buy it, considering the likelihood that this is a wear issue, and not likely to be resolved without considerable expense.

The repair cost almost as much as getting a new used lens, with unknown condition. Now I have a lens which was rebuilt by Hasselblad and warranty.

Hasselblad Distagon 50mm firing problem.

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency