Hasselblad Light Leak

Ariston · May 9, 2020

I am going on vacation and want to take my 500cm, but I have a leak in one of my backs. Does it help to simply not pull the dark slide out all the way? I don't have time to test it, and don't want to miss shots due to the leak.

Thanks for the input.

jeffreyg · May 9, 2020

Put a new seal. They are not expensive and fasy and easy to do. Why take a chance of messing up good images and wasting film, chemistry and time.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

http://www.sculptureandphotography.com/

Sirius Glass · May 9, 2020

+1

Do not mess around with half way measure if you take worthwhile photographs.

Ariston · May 9, 2020

jeffreyg said:
Put a new seal. They are not expensive and fasy and easy to do. Why take a chance of messing up good images and wasting film, chemistry and time.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

http://www.sculptureandphotography.com/

I have already ordered a new light trap, but it won't be here in time. If you don't think this will work, then I need to take my RB instead.

Sirius Glass · May 9, 2020

Take your RB with you. Or use electrical tape over when you remove the dark slide.

Grim Tuesday · May 9, 2020

No, taking the dark slide out partially will not necessarily work. I've had leaks that - by location of the leak on the film - must have been caused by light reflecting on a partially removed darkslide. What will work, though, is electrical or gaffer's tape over the slit where the darkslide would be. Of course, you can't put in the dark slide without risking a frame, but burning a frame is not the worst price to pay or you could just take a whole back worth of pictures at once.

MattKing · May 9, 2020

Put a dark sock or bag over the back of the camera - awkward but probably functional.
You will look also look really nerdy, but after all you will be on vacation.

GLS · May 10, 2020

You say it's in one of your backs. How many others do you have? Will being down one back for the trip be so crucial that you couldn't take the Hassy?

Arthurwg · May 10, 2020

Grim Tuesday said:
No, taking the dark slide out partially will not necessarily work. I've had leaks that - by location of the leak on the film - must have been caused by light reflecting on a partially removed darkslide. What will work, though, is electrical or gaffer's tape over the slit where the darkslide would be. Of course, you can't put in the dark slide without risking a frame, but burning a frame is not the worst price to pay or you could just take a whole back worth of pictures at once.

Don't use gaffer's tape or electrical tape. I use black masking tape. Works a charm and not too sticky.

Ariston · May 10, 2020

GLS said:
You say it's in one of your backs. How many others do you have? Will being down one back for the trip be so crucial that you couldn't take the Hassy?

I have three backs. I thought only one had a leak, but I tested them for this trip in bright sunlight, turning the slide side up to the sun, and TWO of them failed. One of the two worked fine for most frames, but I am going to be out in the sun at the beach.

It's my fault for waiting so late. I thought I had two backs that I could rely on, which is all I really need.

etn · May 11, 2020

Time to buy a couple more backs

And in any case: Enjoy the vacation!!! Not sure how the lockdown measures were in your region but I, for one, am impatiently waiting for the possibility to travel again, or just get out of town.

Ai Print · May 11, 2020

Speaking of backs, I can’t believe how much A12’s have gone up in price. I prefer the ones I learned with as a young photog, the 90’s version with the square film reminder slot and they are about $300 in good condition.

I ordered about a dozen light trap kits years ago so I already know what it is like to have leaks.

Grim Tuesday · May 11, 2020

Ai Print said:
Speaking of backs, I can’t believe how much A12’s have gone up in price. I prefer the ones I learned with as a young photog, the 90’s version with the square film reminder slot and they are about $300 in good condition.

I ordered about a dozen light trap kits years ago so I already know what it is like to have leaks.

Yes it is truly insane how much they are selling for. You could get an entire Mamiya C330 system for the price of a nice A12! I've decided to sell off all my A12s and move entirely to A24s. Despite some people thinking that you can't use 120 film in them and get 12 shots in perfect focus, you in fact can. And you can save $100 per back...

Ai Print · May 11, 2020

Grim Tuesday said:
Yes it is truly insane how much they are selling for. You could get an entire Mamiya C330 system for the price of a nice A12! I've decided to sell off all my A12s and move entirely to A24s. Despite some people thinking that you can't use 120 film in them and get 12 shots in perfect focus, you in fact can. And you can save $100 per back...

Good to know, I have one A24 to be used with remaining 220 film. Thankfully I am set on A12’s with 12 of them in the version I like (VIII).

Hopefully the OP can get a working kit together for his vacation...

eli griggs · May 12, 2020

MattKing said:
Put a dark sock or bag over the back of the camera - awkward but probably functional.
You will look also look really nerdy, but after all you will be on vacation.

That sounds like a good idea.

Check out some pawn shops for loose leather headphone bags, and see if you can get one (I have one from Sony) to keep the back in if you've more than one back, as well as for shooting.

Best of Luck and Godspeed to all.

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