Hasselblad SWC Jams

I have a new to me 500SWC. I bought it from a reputable seller, so it has a warranty, but today is Friday and I won't be able to do anything about it until Monday. That's a whole weekend going to waste! On the off chance that the issue is something due to my inexperience with Hasselblad cameras or a simple fix, I am posting here.

The shutter/film advance lever won't budge after I trip the shutter. The back shows a white dot, but the body has a red one (albeit, the dot does not fill the entire window). If I replace the dark slide and remove the back, I can wind the shutter, fire it and get a white dot. After replacing the back and removing the dark slide, the film advance/shutter lever works as expected, winding and advancing the film.

There is a little arm on the body that engages with the back that I suspect may be the culprit, but I really don't know enough about the camera. Hoping someone here does.

Thanks.

If I am remembering correctly, the gear in the back that engages with the body is stopped from over-travel by the 'nylon stop' in the back. When this is worn, the gear will travel too far and cause a jam. The solution is to have the back serviced the nylon stop replaced.

The gear looks like it is in the right position to me, from what I have read.

cramej said:

If I am remembering correctly, the gear in the back that engages with the body is stopped from over-travel by the 'nylon stop' in the back. When this is worn, the gear will travel too far and cause a jam. The solution is to have the back serviced the nylon stop replaced.

Click to expand...

That is my recollection too.

Now that you cleared the problem take another photograph to determine if the camera works or not. A CLA would take care of problem.

I had a similar issue with my 500C. The problem was that the shutter release rod didn't slide back into the extended position, so the rear shutter doesn't close. It is fairly easy to access the rod, and clean it with a little naphtha. Search for sticky Hasselblad shutter on YouTube. I'm sure the SW has the same type of release.

To test whether this is the problem, thread a cable release into the standard shutter release button and when the rear shutter curtain fails to fire, try pulling on the cable release. If pulling the cable release frees the shutter, then this is your problem. If it's the problem, but you don't want to get inside, try putting a "soft release" large shutter button on the shutter release - giving it a nudge outward with your index finger after firing should take care of the problem until you can get it serviced.

Andy