Hasselblad, jam?

puketronic · May 12, 2012

OK so I'm interested in getting a Hasselblad, but I'm interested to know what the Hasselblad jamming problem is, and if it is a serious problem?

BrianShaw · May 12, 2012

puketronic said:
OK so I'm interested in getting a Hasselblad, but I'm interested to know what the Hasselblad jamming problem is, and if it is a serious problem?

Suggest you "google it" or search the APUG archive to get the basics... but it never has been a problem for me since it has never happened to me. It seems more of a problem with older well-worn equipment and/or improper lens mounting technique.

BrianShaw · May 12, 2012

p.s. To some it seems to have become more of a neurotic fear than a real problem. That is my personal opinion and other may differ.

Richard S. (rich815) · May 12, 2012

It's mostly due to improper lens mounting. I did it the first week I had my Hassy about 8 years ago and it was because I was being stupid, ignorant, and not careful. I have not done it since. Google it.

Too old to care · May 12, 2012

I never even heard of it until I bought my Hasselblad about a year ago. After I read up on it I got afraid. After a year use of the camera (maybe two dozen or so rolls) I am still waiting for my first jam. I cannot believe that professionals would have put up with such a design if it were serious.

Get the best camera you can find, one with a warranty and enjoy. I sure enjoy mine (501C).

brucemuir · May 12, 2012

rich815 said:
It's mostly due to improper lens mounting. I did it the first week I had my Hassy about 8 years ago and it was because I was being stupid, ignorant, and not careful. I have not done it since. Google it.

My experience exactly almost to the letter.
Everytime I've seen it happen is the shutter button gets depressed when mounting a lens and can cause it.

IMO it's blown out of proportion by people trying to find a reason to diss a 'blad.
There aint any.

Leigh B · May 12, 2012

I've used and repaired Hasselblads for over 40 years, and have never experienced a jam, although other folks certainly have.

The common cause is accidentally pressing the shutter release button while mounting or dis-mounting a lens. This will almost always jam the camera.

Keep your finger away from the shutter release button except when actually taking a shot and you'll never have a problem.

BTW, the Hasselblad bodies and lenses are designed to be cocked at all times.

- Leigh

illumiquest · May 12, 2012

Don't buy one. It could jam.

lxdude · May 12, 2012

Do not eat around a Hasselblad. And for the record, jelly is just as bad.

BrianShaw · May 12, 2012

I really don't want to know how you know that!

jk0592 · May 12, 2012

It happened to me once, about twenty years ago, before the age of internet. I was charged close to $200 to get it back working. Now, I have a special screwdriver/tool just in case, but with care, never happened since then, same camera, same lens.

Kevin Caulfield · May 12, 2012

All you need is a longish, skinnyish screwdriver, not any special tool.

Richard S. (rich815) · May 12, 2012

jk0592 said:
It happened to me once, about twenty years ago, before the age of internet. I was charged close to $200 to get it back working. Now, I have a special screwdriver/tool just in case, but with care, never happened since then, same camera, same lens.

Ha! I got the tool to but have never needed it since!

pgomena · May 13, 2012

Mine jammed repeatedly until I sent it in for a CLA. Now it's working perfectly. Hasselblads need a tuneup on the odd decade.

Peter Gomena

Slixtiesix · May 13, 2012

One question: Is there no shutter button lock on a Hasselblad? That would easily avoid triggering it accidentally.

Leigh B · May 13, 2012

Slixtiesix said:
One question: Is there no shutter button lock on a Hasselblad? That would easily avoid triggering it accidentally.

No, there is no shutter button lock on the Hasselblad, nor on any other camera I've ever owned.

Keeping your finger off the button when changing lenses is cheaper than adding an idiot-resistant feature.

- Leigh

brucemuir · May 13, 2012

Slixtiesix said:
One question: Is there no shutter button lock on a Hasselblad? That would easily avoid triggering it accidentally.

On a 500 c/m (only model I'm intimate with:confused: ) there isn't.
There is a lever/ring around the shutter button that looks just like one, but performs the function of holding the rear auxiliary shutter open during "T" (time) exposures.

If this lever isn't used the rear barndoors shut before the full exposure time. I thought I read it's needed for anything longer than ¼ but cant find that reference atm.

Anyone know???

Leigh, I think the RZ has a shutter button lock but am not 100% sure

Slixtiesix · May 13, 2012

My Rolleiflex T and the SL66 do have these locks. I never use them anyway.

ruilourosa · May 13, 2012

working with hasselblad a long time ago, and sincerely that´s not an issue... by the way is there any advice for shutter check up in years or number of shots? as there is with fuji rangefinder cameras 67 & 69? (they have a number of shots counting device on the bottom)

enjoy the lenses

bdial · May 13, 2012

With all exposures you need to keep the release press long enough for the lens shutter to complete its action. Otherwise, the rear doors will end the exposure early. Unless you're really fast, it only matters on exposures longer than 1/15 or so.
The lock can be used if you'll be too bored in keeping your finger down.

As for jam, I prefer marmalade with mine.

MattKing · May 13, 2012

All my Mamiya medium format cameras have had shutter release locks.

The position of the shutter release on most of the models (front bottom right corner) makes it easy to inadvertently release (a cocked) shutter when one places the camera into a camera bag, so they do make some sense.

film_man · May 13, 2012

My Bronica SQB had a lock. It was essential given that the shutter button is very light touch so you can easily fire the shutter. As for my Hasselblad, never had a jam in 2 years and dozens of rolls though it.

Sirius Glass · May 13, 2012

Slixtiesix said:
One question: Is there no shutter button lock on a Hasselblad? That would easily avoid triggering it accidentally.

Just leave the darkslide in place, that will lock the shutter.

OR do not advance the film until you want to shoot again.

Sirius Glass · May 13, 2012

Jams are rare if one follows the instructions: JRTFM!

Sometimes a lens will uncock while off the camera; just turn the screw to recock it.

Hasselblad, jam?

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