Hasselblad Repairs?

[calico]

They sent everything back to me in about two weeks, the damaged body and the serviced lens. I immediately noticed two things about the lens: one, there was a prominent hair-like object stuck to one of the internal elements which was not there before I sent the camera off--pretty hard to see how they could have missed it (if I could attach a photo directly to this post, I'd show you).

I don't understand how how Hasselblad/Bron could let something like that happen or not notice that it had happened before they sent the lens back to you. It's like when the inside of my camera and my focussing screen came back dirty. It's so basic.....keep everything clean. Or if something happens, deal with it before it's sent back to the customer.

Maybe their focus is on the digital equipment now. I suspect the good repair people for the film cameras are retired or dying out.

I also had some weird experiences with the woman who was giving me estimates. She was really inconsistent about prices. Then when I'd point them out, she'd come up with a lame explanation, clearly covering her tracks. She's no longer working there, though, so that's a plus.

 

[ParkerSmithPhoto]

Mr. Park in Atlanta at CameraServicePro has been great for me and my Hasselblad gear.

A guy gifted me an inoperative 120mm Makro, which I sent off to Mr. Odess. The quote was around $1,000(!) to fix it, which I declined. Between the sky high return shipping charge and the estimate fee, I was out around $100 after this episode.

Mr. Park fixed it for under $200 and has since CLAed three of my lenses. Also refurbed a beautiful old Dagor for a good friend. Highly recommended.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I bought the 500mm C lens from KEH. I make sure it was cocked, then I mounted it on my 503 CX. The lens jammed on firing and I could not remove it. Mike at Samys got the lens off. He said that all the optics needed to be removed to CLA the lens and that it would be expensive. So I sent to lens back to KEH without a charge and waited a month or two. KEH removed the optics, CLA'd the shutter, reinstalled the optics, aligned the optics and shipped it back. All at no charge. So KEH can do some serious work on Hasselblads.

 

[Camera-man]

Thanks for all your replies on repairing Hasselblads. There's a lot of good information on camera repair shops across the country.

The reason I was asking I'm thinking about getting back into the Hasselblad system again since I'm retired photographer and want a system that will cover most of my needs. When I was working I had a
full Hasselblad system using the EL/M, the motor sure made it easier to shoot fast repeatedly plus the people I shot loved having the square Polaroid proofs which I gave to them.
I alway shot Polaroids to check the lighting and to make sure everything works correctly because you just never know.

Anyway thanks!

 

[toyoboyo]

Another option is the Hasselblad-Bron check to spec program:

https://587696.extforms.netsuite.com/app/site/crm/externalcasepage.nl/compid.587696/.f?formid=118&h=AACffht_Qj2aKPlsIUBgqJkgoDCC4hRNmys=&redirect_count=1&did_javascript_redirect=T

According to the link, they will inspect/maintain the EL series. I used this check for my 501CM. About 2 weeks there total.

Was this recently? I contact them about a month ago asking if the check to spec service was still available, and they replied that it's not.
Did they do any maintenance service during the check to spec, or was it purely a check?

 

[Kodachromeguy]

Was this recently? I contact them about a month ago asking if the check to spec service was still available, and they replied that it's not.
Did they do any maintenance service during the check to spec, or was it purely a check?

I used the check to spec in 2019. If they no longer offer it, they need to update their web page.

During the (former?) check, their web page said the technician will do minor adjustments, but repairs or overhauls would be billed separately. But then the fee for the check was removed from your bill.

 

[btaylor]

Good god, that cigarette smoke smell!

 

[btaylor]

A minuscule price to pay for a great service. The smell will go away but I now have what essentially feels like a brand new Hasselblad.

True!

 

[logan2z]

A minuscule price to pay for a great service..

Probably true, but that would annoy me nonetheless.

I guess he's changed his philosophy on smoking in his shop since posting this way back in 2006:

"Not to worry, as I don't smoke in my shop anymore."

https://www.photo.net/discuss/threads/hasselblad-repair.189371/

 

[Notafan]

I had exactly the same experience. When I opened the box I felt someone had been smoking right inside the box. It was so intense and it took some time to dissipate. I'm also not happy with the service he did on my SWC lens. The lens came back with weird springy noise when I change the shutter speed. It didn't have any mechanical problem and I only sent it to him for cleaning dusts inside the elements. I'm not sure if he still does all the services himself or some other people are doing things for him. Maybe that's why he's not aware of the smoke smell...

 

[calico]

A minuscule price to pay for a great service. The smell will go away but I now have what essentially feels like a brand new Hasselblad.

My friend had to go to great lengths to get the cigarette smell out of her camera after coming back from Odess. Royal hassle.

 

[mshchem]

My friend had to go to great lengths to get the cigarette smell out of her camera after coming back from Odess. Royal hassle.

Good to know. That's ridiculous. Major problem.

 

[logan2z]

Really disappointing to hear. I wouldn't use him based on this, despite his reputation as an excellent Hasselblad repairer.

 

[ScreaminBejesus]

Hasselblad Bron no longer offer the "Check to Spec" service, but they do still run a similar program. I received this reply to my query today (11 January 2022):

Thank you for reaching out.

We no longer have Check to Spec service, your items can be sent in for a regular service.

Please fill out our service request form here: https://tinyurl.com/y5jm8xnb

Once the form is completed you will receive an email with a PDF file attached, please print this PDF file out and place it into the box with your equipment.​

 

[BrianShaw]

Good information. Thanks.

 

[mrosenlof]

I think I'm the first one that mentioned the smoke smell from Mr. Odess, and I'm kind of sorry I did. I just kept the camera out in normal room air for a while and it was fine. I was happy with the work he did, and would recommend him.

That said, the hasselblad was a popular professional camera system for several decades. Most camera repair shops from that era worked on them routinely and can do so today, if they're still in business. You just need a competent camera repair person, not necessarily a Hasselblad specialist.

 

[logan2z]

I think I'm the first one that mentioned the smoke smell from Mr. Odess, and I'm kind of sorry I did. I just kept the camera out in normal room air for a while and it was fine. I was happy with the work he did, and would recommend him.

I detest the smell of cigarette smoke and would be really annoyed if my camera came back from a service smelling like it. He should really make an effort to keep the cameras in a smoke-free environment while working on them.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I detest the smell of cigarette smoke and would be really annoyed if my camera came back from a service smelling like it. He should really make an effort to keep the cameras in a smoke-free environment while working on them.

I am in total agreement.

 

[Jeremy Mudd]

I've been shooting my Hasselblads a lot more lately, and decided today that I should get a misbehaving A12 back serviced that's just been collecting dust on the shelf.

I was going to send it to Mr. Odess based on info I've read in the past, but happening upon this thread today has changed my mind. Thanks for all of the info - I think I'm going to give Camera Service Pro a try.

Jeremy

 

[Pieter12]

I am in total agreement.

I would posit if there's smoke, there must be ashes. And I wouldn't want them getting in my camera or lens.

 

[John Riney III]

As of Feb. 15, 2022, Lauren at Hasselblad NJ told me they can no longer service 553ELX or 500EL bodies, old-style Magazine 12 magazines, or Distagon 4/40 CF lenses, owing to a lack of parts. She sent me this list of what they will and won't service. https://www.hasselblad.com/support/hasselblad-usa-warranty-and-service-terms/

--John Riney

 

[Sirius Glass]

As of Feb. 15, 2022, Lauren at Hasselblad NJ told me they can no longer service 553ELX or 500EL bodies, old-style Magazine 12 magazines, or Distagon 4/40 CF lenses, owing to a lack of parts. She sent me this list of what they will and won't service. https://www.hasselblad.com/support/hasselblad-usa-warranty-and-service-terms/

--John Riney

That you for supplying that very useful and specific information. And ...

Welcome to APUG Photrio!!​

 

[warden]

As of Feb. 15, 2022, Lauren at Hasselblad NJ told me they can no longer service 553ELX or 500EL bodies, old-style Magazine 12 magazines, or Distagon 4/40 CF lenses, owing to a lack of parts. She sent me this list of what they will and won't service. https://www.hasselblad.com/support/hasselblad-usa-warranty-and-service-terms/

--John Riney

Wow. Looks like they won't service much of anything if you have a film camera. Disappointing.

 

[logan2z]

Wow. Looks like they won't service much of anything if you have a film camera. Disappointing.

So where do guys like David Odess get parts, donor bodies?

 

[John Riney III]

That you for supplying that very useful and specific information.

No problem - I made an account to share what I found out, for other people that end up on this thread for repair info like I did! I guess I'll write to Samy's in LA next...