Hasselblad EL

[pamphoto]

Hello all,
I have a Hasselblad EL and use it occasionally. Last weekend, I took it out and it was fine. I recently bought a new lens for it (Sonnar 1:5.6 f=250mm Synchro-compur). I took my Rokunar 2x auto tele converter and my new lens out to shoot yesterday evening. I had everything mounted and ready to go, and went to take a picture, and nothing. Yes, dark slide was out, film loaded.

Today, I switched film backs to an empty one and tried my other lens with the teleconverter. Same thing. It didn't fire. This time when I took it off the camera, it did fire and the motor reset the camera after I took it off the body. It was very weird.

Any tips or how tos to use this camera better? Am I doing something wrong? Or is it something with the teleconverter itself?

I am really excited about using this camera, but it hasn't been the best experience I was expecting.

Thank you.

 

[John Salim]

Try a process of elimination ( the battery must be charged ! )
Remove lens and mag - just the camera body: does it fire ?
If yes, add an empty magazine ( already wound on to frame 1 ) - pull out darkslide: does it fire ?
If no, the magazine or camera is faulty.
If yes, mount a lens: does it now fire ?
If no, try another lens.
If still no, camera may be faulty.

John S

 

[pamphoto]

I tried it without the teleconverter and the new lens worked. So I think it might be the teleconverter.

 

[Don_ih]

I would be careful using a teleconverter or an extension tube with the EL or EL/M. The 9v battery adapter lacks oomph, it seems to me, and the added strain of driving the extra component can cause the camera to jam. I've had it happen with a lens on an extension tube and had to dismantle the camera to reset it.

When you press the shutter button, it sets a series of gears in motion in the body - but the shutter is still operating via spring power. The motor is supposed to be just winding film and resetting the shutter. The more resistance added, the harder it becomes for the motor to do anything. Maybe the spring in your lens is too weak to work with the teleconverter, which may be adding a bit of resistance.

You can test if the lens will operate with the teleconverter attached not mounted on the camera, if you're comfortable resetting the lens with a coin. Just push the trip pin.

 

[pamphoto]

Thank you @Don_ih
This is good information. The tele converter came with the camera when I bought it. I guess I'll have to store it away until I can get a different body.

 

[Don_ih]

Have you taken photos with the camera, yet? There's a common problem where the top rear shutter droops into the film area. If you experience loss of exposure on the bottom of your frame, that's the culprit.

Other than that, those cameras are pretty smooth sailing.

 

[pamphoto]

Yes, I have run a few rolls. Other than the first two frames overlapping, the images are fine.
I'll keep this in mind incase I start to see it. Thank you!