Hasselblad do's-n-don'ts

fhovie · Jul 18, 2005

Greetings:

My 45 year old Rollei SL66 died yesterday and will be getting rebuilt over the next 6 weeks. I had a backup SLR - a Bronica - but the lenses did not give Zeiss like results so I sold it off. So I just ordered a USED 500CM and a few lenses.

I understand that (like the Rollei) there are certain things you must do in order and the consequenses of doing them wrong can damage the unit. What are the 500 series do's and don'ts - I would like these tips before I get it and have to send IT in for repairs - Thanks!

jjstafford · Jul 18, 2005

fhovie said:
Greetings:
understand that (like the Rollei) there are certain things you must do in order and the consequenses of doing them wrong can damage the unit. What are the 500 series do's and don'ts - I would like these tips before I get it and have to send IT in for repairs - Thanks!

Two quick nuisances: 1) mounting the lens when the lens and body are not in the same cocked state and 2) the T/O positions on the shutter release. Messing up #1 jams up the lens very nicely, but can usually be undone and #2 done wrong can close the rear shutter too soon on a long exposure.

HERE's the manual page.
http://elearning.winona.edu/jjs/h/

Ed Sukach · Jul 18, 2005

Interesting - the link is to the lenses with the Synchro Compur shutters ... and other than that, not much has changed over the years. The later Prontor shutters do not have "M" synchronization for flash bulbs or "V" - the self timer.

jjstafford has it right ... ALWAYS be sure the film has been advanced and the shutter cocked (mirror returned to "viewing" position, etc.) before removing the lens. Always be *sure* the body is "cocked" before re-installing a lens... and be sure the lens - shutter is cocked as well. Whatever you do ... DON'T FORCE ANYTHING!!!

He is also right about the "slow" shutter speeds - If you "jab" the shutter release button - releasing it quickly, the internal "body blinds" can close before the shutter does at the slower speeds .. Release the shutter button SLOWLY - allowing it to have been depressed for more than one second, at least.

jjstafford · Jul 18, 2005

Ed Sukach said:
Interesting - the link is to the lenses with the Synchro Compur shutters ... and other than that, not much has changed over the years. The later Prontor shutters do not have "M" synchronization for flash bulbs or "V" - the self timer.

Yes, and that's an important distinction.

When you break or lose a cable release in the field, that self-timer comes in real handy. Too bad it's missing on later lenses. (But I sure wouldn't mind being rid of the coupled speed/aperture.)

eric · Jul 18, 2005

DO -- get an acutte-matte screen or you'll be sorry. I think the 500cm is good for the 2.8 80mm lens but anything else, wow, its darker than my Minolta SRT 101 screen.

MikeK · Jul 19, 2005

eric said:
DO -- get an acutte-matte screen or you'll be sorry. I think the 500cm is good for the 2.8 80mm lens but anything else, wow, its darker than my Minolta SRT 101 screen.

As Eric points out, get an acutte-matte screen, the original screen is quite dim in comparison. The other no no, is dropping the camera from a great height

Mike

janvanhove · Jul 19, 2005

Yup, dropping it is not good...
and I'll just stress once more the cocking of the body and the lens before mointing and un-mounting lens...
And if you use extension rings, always mount the ring on the body first, and then mount the lens, and remove the lens first before removing the ring...

Otherwise, swedish cubes are great !

PJ

TerryThomasAtlanta · Sep 6, 2005

I saw somewhere (eBay?) where a fellow sells a small tool for Hassy users in case they have the lens & body in different cocked/uncocked states.

Wish I could remember who/where I saw it but someone else might know.

Should be an important tool to carry. Not that you'd ever need one...

Terry Thomas
Photographer
Atlanta, Georgia USA

See some current stills from the set of a forthcoming film here: www.psychopathia.com

Dan Henderson · Sep 6, 2005

That tool is also useful in case the Hasselblad suddenly trips and cannot be reset by recocking the shutter. I got one at, I believe B&H Photo, and it saved my bacon a couple of times. A couple of other times it tripped, jammed, and could not be recocked, in which case it needed a trip to my friendly old camera repair man. Other than that, my old 500CM has worked great for me, despite once falling into the mud at the edge of a lake. Do you have any idea what it feels like to be looking through your spot meter and watch your camera fall through the field of view?!?!

bjorke · Sep 6, 2005

Warning: Pregnant women, the elderly and children under 10 should avoid prolonged exposure to Hasselblad.
Caution: Hasselblad may suddenly accelerate to dangerous speeds.
Hasselblad Contains a liquid core, which, if exposed due to rupture, should not be touched, inhaled, or looked at.
Do not use Hasselblad on concrete.

Discontinue use of Hasselblad if any of the following occurs:

Itching
Vertigo
Dizziness
Tingling in extremities
Loss of balance or coordination
Slurred speech
Temporary blindness
Profuse sweating
Heart palpitations

If Hasselblad begins to smoke, get away immediately. Seek shelter and cover head.

Hasselblad may stick to certain types of skin.

When not in use, Hasselblad should be returned to its special container and kept under refrigeration.

Ingredients of Hasselblad include an unknown glowing substance which fell to Earth, presumably from outer space.

Hasselblad has been shipped to our troops in Saudi Arabia and is also being dropped by our warplanes on Iraq.

Do not taunt Hasselblad.

caravelle · Oct 19, 2005

Useful information, except for the advice on the unblocking tool I think. If lens or body not in cooked position you can turn the button with a simple door key (admitdly a modern security one with broad and fat point). I know because I use an old 500c with a Vivitar teleconverter and on ocasions forget to remove lens first so it uncoks automatically!

bogeyes · Oct 20, 2005

box for wlf

Do buy your loved one a small box of 4 Fererro Rocher chocolates for 99p sterling. The plastic case is just the right size for keeping your waist level finder in, it just needs an elastic band around it to hold it shut and a bit of foam inside it so the finder does not rattle. The missus will be well pleased with your latest photo accessory and will not even moan about the expense or even ask, do you really need it?

Magnus W · Oct 20, 2005

If you use extension tubes, mount the tube to the body, then the lens to the tube. Dismount lens from tube, then tube from body. Don't dismount lens+tube as a unit, nor try to mount a lens+tube package on a body.

-- MW

Magnus W · Oct 20, 2005

... and if you have several film backs, remember that the innards are built to fit their shell. Don't mix them up.

-- MW

Donald Miller · Oct 20, 2005

bjorke said:
Warning: Pregnant women, the elderly and children under 10 should avoid prolonged exposure to Hasselblad.

Caution: Hasselblad may suddenly accelerate to dangerous speeds.

Hasselblad Contains a liquid core, which, if exposed due to rupture, should not be touched, inhaled, or looked at.

Do not use Hasselblad on concrete.

Discontinue use of Hasselblad if any of the following occurs:

Itching

Vertigo

Dizziness

Tingling in extremities

Loss of balance or coordination

Slurred speech

Temporary blindness

Profuse sweating

Heart palpitations

If Hasselblad begins to smoke, get away immediately. Seek shelter and cover head.

Hasselblad may stick to certain types of skin.

When not in use, Hasselblad should be returned to its special container and kept under refrigeration.

Ingredients of Hasselblad include an unknown glowing substance which fell to Earth, presumably from outer space.

Hasselblad has been shipped to our troops in Saudi Arabia and is also being dropped by our warplanes on Iraq.

Do not taunt Hasselblad.

LOL

Hasselblad do's-n-don'ts

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