Hasselblad lens help/advice, please

greyred · Nov 15, 2024

I have a Hasselblad 80mm f/2.8 cfe lens, unmounted which I would like to attach to my 503cw body. However it is in the uncocked state.

Using the appropriate lens cocking tool I have attempted to cock the lens with the following result - turn the tool clockwise, the mechanism appears to move into position, aperture blades open and I hear a small click but when I lift off the tool the shutter immediately returns to it's uncocked state - have I missed something!

The lens itself is in mint condition, I purchased it new back in the day, it has had very limited use and has always worked flawlessly.

Can anyone offer any suggestions?

Thanks in advance, Ben

etn · Nov 15, 2024

Do you turn the cocking "screw" until you feel a stop? (i.e. not just until you hear the click, but going until the stop.)

mpirie · Nov 15, 2024

Check the small shielded release pin is moving freely. It may be stuck in the "trigger" position, stopping the cocking mechanism locking.

Mike

greyred · Nov 15, 2024

etn said:
Do you turn the cocking "screw" until you feel a stop? (i.e. not just until you hear the click, but going until the stop.)

Yes, it turns to a hard stop and will not rotate any further.
Thanks, B

greyred · Nov 15, 2024

mpirie said:
Check the small shielded release pin is moving freely. It may be stuck in the "trigger" position, stopping the cocking mechanism locking.

Mike

I did wonder about that pin, it seems to be fully raised and cannot be pushed down.

Thanks, Ben

Sirius Glass · Nov 15, 2024

I would venture the the lens has not been used for a while and the lubrication has hardened. Send it in for an inspection with either any quick adjustments can be made by the repairman or a CLA [Clean, Lubricate, and Adjust].

To avoid this happening in the future, my Hasselblad repairman recommends: Every three months remove the film back off the Hasselblad and set the f/stop to the highest number, the shutter speed to 1 second and fire every lens between ten and fifteen times.

itsdoable · Nov 15, 2024

When you cock the key, at the end of the wind when it aligns with red dot (after almost a full turn) you should see the pin that is protected by the 1/2 circle pop up. If it does not pop up, then the internal latch does not hold the shutter open.

The pin at the arrow is up, if you push it down the lens will release.

If this latch is sticky or bent, then you may get what you are experiencing.

greyred · Nov 15, 2024

Thanks for all of the responses.

Looking at that pin again it is clearly "loose", it freely moves side to side so I assume that the internal mechanical linkage between this pin and the cocking key is disengaged.

As there are no visible screws to remove the rear plate on this CFE it's going to be a professional repair job. Next problem - finding a suitable repairer in Aus!

Alternatively, seeing that it rarely gets used I might put it up for sale as is.

Tx, Ben

RalphLambrecht · Nov 15, 2024

greyred said:
I have a Hasselblad 80mm f/2.8 cfe lens, unmounted which I would like to attach to my 503cw body. However it is in the uncocked state.

Using the appropriate lens cocking tool I have attempted to cock the lens with the following result - turn the tool clockwise, the mechanism appears to move into position, aperture blades open and I hear a small click but when I lift off the tool the shutter immediately returns to it's uncocked state - have I missed something!

The lens itself is in mint condition, I purchased it new back in the day, it has had very limited use and has always worked flawlessly.

Can anyone offer any suggestions?

Thanks in advance, Ben

As you probably know, the lens and body MUST be cocked when taking off or putting on the lens. the lens is only cocked when the slot aligns perfectly with the red dot (close enough doesn't count). The Hasselblad lens and body cocking tool works well, but I had more success cocking the lens with a dime-sized coin. Turn the shaft in the direction of the arrow for about a 1/4 turn until you hear a soft click. Do it firmly but without brutal force until the slot aligns perfectly in line with the red dot.

Alex Varas · Nov 16, 2024

greyred said:
Thanks for all of the responses.

Looking at that pin again it is clearly "loose", it freely moves side to side so I assume that the internal mechanical linkage between this pin and the cocking key is disengaged.

As there are no visible screws to remove the rear plate on this CFE it's going to be a professional repair job. Next problem - finding a suitable repairer in Aus!

Alternatively, seeing that it rarely gets used I might put it up for sale as is.

Tx, Ben

If that pin is loose, means the spring inside got loose or the piece is broken. Last summer one C version came in such state, any camera repairman with Hasselblad experience should be able to fix it.

Sirius Glass · Nov 16, 2024

RalphLambrecht said:
As you probably know, the lens and body MUST be cocked when taking off or putting on the lens. the lens is only cocked when the slot aligns perfectly with the red dot (close enough doesn't count). The Hasselblad lens and body cocking tool works well, but I had more success cocking the lens with a dime-sized coin. Turn the shaft in the direction of the arrow for about a 1/4 turn until you hear a soft click. Do it firmly but without brutal force until the slot aligns perfectly in line with the red dot.

The first time I needed to do that, I was surprised by the amount of torque needed to get the shaft to snap in place.

itsdoable · Nov 16, 2024

Alex Varas said:
If that pin is loose, means the spring inside got loose or the piece is broken. Last summer one C version came in such state, any camera repairman with Hasselblad experience should be able to fix it.

The mount plate is held on by radial screws, on the side of the mount.

if the spring is broken or has come off, you should be able to cock the lens by rotating the key, and holding it at its stop while pulling the pin away from the semi-circle. Don't mount the lens like this though, as it'll mount fine, but if the spring is off, it may jam trying to remove it. (And if it jams, this will be a "bad" jam!)

If it won't latch, the latching arm is broken or bent (I've seen a few of those).

Relatively easy to fix, but the parts of the CFE lens are hard to get (but easy to fabricate).

BrianShaw · Nov 17, 2024

Sirius Glass said:
The first time I needed to do that, I was surprised by the amount of torque needed to get the shaft to snap in place.

This ^^^^^^^^

Hasselblad lens help/advice, please

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