Hasselblad film backs & matching inserts

Theo43 · Nov 23, 2009

Hasselblad film backs and inserts with matching serial numbers go for more $$ than those with non-matching serial numbers. My understanding is that matched sets provide a more perfect film plane across the pressure plate, but is there any objective evidence that matched sets produce better (in any way) images than mismatched sets? I note that other systems, e.g. RB67, use backs and inserts, but, for a given back, regard all inserts as equal and interchangeable. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated. Thanks,
Ted

mikebarger · Nov 24, 2009

I have matched and mismatched backs (C12, A12, A16, and A24), no difference in prints. None.

Mike

Theo43 · Nov 24, 2009

Thanks Mike, my intuition was that the general condition of the back/insert would be a more important consideration.
Ted

sandholm · Nov 24, 2009

I have four backs, and i had always heard this so i stuck to it, same serie...

One day i cleaned them, and realized that non of the magazines had the "correct" insert, i had mixed them up, so I changed so correct insert in the correct back..

any difference, none..

scinysnaps · Nov 24, 2009

It's just another way for dealers,auctioneers and ebay to make you feel better when paying more for something utterly meaningless and inconsequential ( except for your bragging rights )

mikebarger · Nov 24, 2009

Ted,

This has worked for me. I generally like the manual C12's better than A12's (who knows, I'm old) and when I was buying backs I'd buy ones that looked OK but were really cheap. I got two for as little as $13 each. I send them straight to Dave Odess and have a CLA done on them. It generally has run $80 to $110 (majority were $80 only one was $110) depending on how many parts had to be replaced.

Now I know I've got good backs, no guess work. I started doing this after buying a really nice looking A12 that needed service about 6 months after I bought it.

I decided why pay top dollar for something that might need service in a couple months if I could buy cheap and get it serviced before I even use it. I've ended up with less invested in the CLA'd backs than many used backs sell for on Ebay.

Has worked well for me! I do this for lens and bodies too.

Good luck

Mike

Q.G. · Nov 24, 2009

The idea behind it is sound.
It concernes the interaction between rollers in the shell and on the insert and how it helps keep the film flat.

It was patented (not that that is a guarantee that it amounts to much) in 1963.
The basic construction of the magazines hasn't changed since much earlier, the late 1940s, when they started building these thingies.
I don't know now (have to look into it), but it coud be that the matching of pairs started in the early 1960s.

With the idea itself being sound, they just build the thingies accordingly.
But that of course does not mean that it makes a huge difference. There is not much room for fine adjustment, meaning that even a non-adjusted pair is very close to an adjusted pair.
And i think it would be fair to say that in the grand scheme of things, it doesn't matter, no matter how good an idea it might be.

wfe · Nov 24, 2009

My understanding is that they are machined to match providing the best possible performance. Given the quality of them I'm not sure it would make a noticible difference. I've always kept mine matched.

mikebarger · Nov 24, 2009

I don't doubt in theory it's true, but I've made several shots where I've taken #1 on a tripod with a matched back removed it and switched out a non matching back for #2.

No one has been able to tell any difference in 8X10's.

Mike

Dr David Hall · Nov 25, 2009

created darkslide

Okay, lost a darkslide on a trip, brought only two backs. so cut up a coke can, adn studying the one slide I had left, made the size and notches, etc. Used it for a week and there seemed to be no difference in the matched slide with the one and the aluminum created one from Coke. I later bought another slide as I was concerned the aluminum might damage the light seals. After this event, quit caring about matched and unmatched dark slides. If yoiu lose one, and everyone does, you will have an unmatched slide unless you sell them on ebay without a slide..... David

Dark Slide · Nov 26, 2009

Dr David Hall said:
Okay, lost a darkslide on a trip, brought only two backs. so cut up a coke can, adn studying the one slide I had left, made the size and notches, etc. Used it for a week and there seemed to be no difference in the matched slide with the one and the aluminum created one from Coke. I later bought another slide as I was concerned the aluminum might damage the light seals. After this event, quit caring about matched and unmatched dark slides. If yoiu lose one, and everyone does, you will have an unmatched slide unless you sell them on ebay without a slide..... David

Dark slides are a controversial subject. Some people claim that Pepsi cans work better, but I choose not to take sides.

RalphLambrecht · Nov 26, 2009

Dr David Hall said:
Okay, lost a darkslide on a trip, brought only two backs. so cut up a coke can, adn studying the one slide I had left, made the size and notches, etc. Used it for a week and there seemed to be no difference in the matched slide with the one and the aluminum created one from Coke. I later bought another slide as I was concerned the aluminum might damage the light seals. After this event, quit caring about matched and unmatched dark slides. If yoiu lose one, and everyone does, you will have an unmatched slide unless you sell them on ebay without a slide..... David

David

I think they are talking about matched inserts not darkslides. How are darkslides matched?

Hasselblad film backs & matching inserts

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