Hasselblad Jam- Question

brent8927 · Nov 23, 2019

In 17 years I've only had one jam on my Hasselblad when the lens was mounted, and nothing would turn (ie, had to send it in for service--a shutter collar or something like that had broken).

The camera is now jammed. I hit the shutter release and now the aperture is closed, advance level won't advance beyond just a slight amount. Mirror is up. I have the "hasselblad key" thing, and while it does start opening the aperture of the lens, as it gets progressively harder and near "the end" of the rotation it starts to advance the film advance knob, and then gets much more difficult (as I said, the advance knob doesn't turn).

Is that normal, and do I just need to keep turning the knob, or is this the sign of a bigger issue?

I have a 501c.

brent8927 · Nov 23, 2019

I tried again--I was able to advance the lever enough to reset the lens. I can get that off and trigger the shutter release. But unfortunately the advance lever is still stuck, as is the mirror.

Sounds like I need to set it in again

etn · Nov 23, 2019

Can you remove the lens and back? this could possibly help to locate the jam, either in the lens, the body, or possibly a defective back (someone on the forum had this recently)

brent8927 · Nov 23, 2019

etn said:
Can you remove the lens and back? this could possibly help to locate the jam, either in the lens, the body, or possibly a defective back (someone on the forum had this recently)

Back and lens can both come off-the lens once I turn the screw inside the body with Hasselblad “key” (a fancy screwdriver). I can then trigger the shutter release with lens and back off, but it jams again. The mirror stays locked up the entire time, and I am never able to turn the advance knob.

etn · Nov 23, 2019

Hmmm... time for a CLA I fear... hopefully other forum members can be more helpful than my general statement. Good luck!

AndyH · Nov 23, 2019

Sounds like the mirror might be stuck in the locked up position. Difficult to resolve without removing the mechanism from the box. Fortunately, that’s fairly easy - there are a number of good YouTube videos.
Andy

brent8927 · Nov 23, 2019

AndyH said:
Sounds like the mirror might be stuck in the locked up position. Difficult to resolve without removing the mechanism from the box. Fortunately, that’s fairly easy - there are a number of good YouTube videos.
Andy

I don’t see any videos that demonstrate this problem-can you provide a few links?

AndyH · Nov 24, 2019

This shows how to pull the mechanism from the box. The problem is usually in the linkage between the shutter button and the rear shutter. A bent linkage is the most common.

Andy

John Koehrer · Nov 24, 2019

It's interesting to me how much easier it is to get into a Hasselblad than a lot of 35's. AND the parts are larger and easier to find on the floor.

AndyH · Nov 24, 2019

John Koehrer said:
It's interesting to me how much easier it is to get into a Hasselblad than a lot of 35's. AND the parts are larger and easier to find on the floor.

I never thought of the second point, but it's a good one.

The box and mirror assembly is actually pretty simple to make basic adjustments and cleanups on. Things like a bent shaft or misaligned gears are visible and easily accessed. The backs are even easier to repair. It is such a beautifully designed piece of machinery.

Andy

Pieter12 · Nov 24, 2019

John Koehrer said:
It's interesting to me how much easier it is to get into a Hasselblad than a lot of 35's. AND the parts are larger and easier to find on the floor.

35's used to be called miniature cameras for a reason!

AndyH · Nov 24, 2019

For others who may have experienced the dreaded lens interlock jam, and are fairly handy, here is a video on how to loosen the body cocking gear from inside the box if you can't get the lens off. From what I've read, most of the damage to the shutter release and cocking geartrain happens from forcing the lens off the body and bending the long shutter release shaft or stripping the gears. If you're at all reticent about working on expensive gear, you're better to send it off, but with a little skill and care you can detach the lens without damage.

I just thought it might be helpful to some people. No guarantees, express or implied!

Andy

AndyH · Nov 24, 2019

Pieter12 said:
35's used to be called miniature cameras for a reason!

The original Rolleiflex was described as a minature in early literature, like the earlier editions of "The Rollei Way". I suppose that in comparison to the gear Weston, Steiglitz, and Adams were carrying around, it was...

Andy

Arklatexian · Nov 26, 2019

Pieter12 said:
35's used to be called miniature cameras for a reason!

I can remember when 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 Graphic cameras were called "miniature". i.e. miniature speed graphics, etc. 4x5 was considered more or less "medium format" (1/4 plate) and 8 x 10 (full plate). Anything 2 1/4" x 3 1/4" and smaller was "miniature"............Regards!

Hasselblad Jam- Question

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