Hasselblad SWC/M

c41 · Aug 27, 2019

I've been considering letting my Hasselblad SWC/M go - 1980s model with Prontor CF and bubble level on top.
In taking some product shots for it I noticed some marks right in the middle of the optical path, right in the middle of the lens. Like a little wolverine scrape of three little marks across the lens.

They really don't look like fungus or anything organic, they're very straight but damn. Does anyone know if it's possible for a professional repair person to get into the middle of the 38mm Biogon? Could they be scratch marks from the shutter blades? This is the more modern CF type lens, not the 1960s one so I didn't think this was possible.

Maybe it's a sign to keep the camera, I haven't had any issues with negatives/prints from it but it'll be harder to sell now and I can't leave it as it might be something degenerative. Any tips?

I tried capturing the marks with phone but it's a three handed job with tripping the shutter and holding it all.

Ariston · Aug 27, 2019

It could be what some call "cleaning marks," but are scratches, just the same. Only you know if that's a possibility. Hopefully it's something that can be corrected, though. Sorry to hear it. Maybe it's a sign to keep it and enjoy it.

bdial · Aug 27, 2019

Scratches created by the shutter blades are really unlikely, and if the shutter deformed enough to contact the lens element, I'd expect that it wouldn't continue working. It could be some loose lubricant. Opening it up enough to get to where the marks are probably is feasible for a repair person. But, depending on what the marks are, they may or may not be able to do anything about it.

c41 · Aug 27, 2019

Thanks. The marks are definitely inside of the lens, whether that's between elements and or around the shutter I can't tell.
I never noticed the marks before and I've had the camera some years but then I never went looking for trouble.
I just don't understand how a lens can be scratched on the inside - unless by a repair before I owned it and I never noticed. Perhaps it is lubricant or some gunk. I think rather than buy a magnifying glass I will send it for immediate examination.

Like a lot (all?) older lenses, it's always a mistake to start looking inside with a torch! It's a problem I didn't have yesterday when I had an amazing 38mm Biogon, ignorance really was bliss!

It probably is a sign to keep it. I will just have to wear a CLA as I'd hate to let it become a serious problem. But damn!!

Kino · Aug 28, 2019

Could be the beginnings of separation between the elements, but I wouldn't worry about it unless you are trying to sell it.

c41 · Aug 28, 2019

I had another journey into inner space last night armed with torch and 50mm lens as my microscope. The marks are located just in front of the aperture blades.I still can't determine what they are.
I've now boxed it ready to ship and have a service that it probably needs anyway. Will see what the professional diagnosis is. Thanks for the ideas.

c41 · Sep 12, 2019

In case anyone with an SWC/M (mine is with CF Prontor lens) was wondering. It was the shutter blades, as diagnosed by David Odess.
One of the bent tips of the blades (designed this way to stop them hitting each other when the shutter fires) has contacted a lens element causing a "small abrasion in the lens coating."
The shutter blades are very close to the glass as part of the design and it's a fairly common issue and not a major problem which is good to know at least.

I'm taking the hint, getting the camera fully serviced whilst it's with David and keeping it.
I certainly never noticed anything on the negatives, prints or scans so it's a non-issue in practical use.

Might have to pull a bit of overtime at work and some ramen dinners to offset not selling it, plus the cost of the CLA !

Kino · Sep 12, 2019

c41 said:
In case anyone with an SWC/M (mine is with CF Prontor lens) was wondering. It was the shutter blades, as diagnosed by David Odess.
One of the bent tips of the blades (designed this way to stop them hitting each other when the shutter fires) has contacted a lens element causing a "small abrasion in the lens coating."
The shutter blades are very close to the glass as part of the design and it's a fairly common issue and not a major problem which is good to know at least.

I'm taking the hint, getting the camera fully serviced whilst it's with David and keeping it.
I certainly never noticed anything on the negatives, prints or scans so it's a non-issue in practical use.

Might have to pull a bit of overtime at work and some ramen dinners to offset not selling it, plus the cost of the CLA !

It's a good investment, considering what a replacement would cost AND you'll know it's in good shape!

Sirius Glass · Sep 12, 2019

There was a problem in the past with some SWCs having the shutter scratch the inside of the lenses. If those cameras had been regularly serviced the problem could have been prevented. I learned about this many years ago when I first was looking to by a SWC. Since I was looking for newer models, I never recorded or stored the information.

c41 · Sep 12, 2019

Yes, when I was looking into Superwides when I bought this camera 5-10 years ago, the only info I ever saw suggested it was a C - 60s style SWC only issue.
But 2 minutes on Google now and I can see it's possible right up to the 903 models.
https://www.photo.net/discuss/threads/hasselblad-swc-m-scratched-inside-lens.240705/

I've seen no information to support (or deny) that a regular service could have prevented the problem since it sounds like a bit of a design fault/compromise.
I like my bubble level on top. It keeps me level. I will just have to work on unseeing what lies within my SWC/M.

Sirius Glass · Sep 13, 2019

c41 said:
Yes, when I was looking into Superwides when I bought this camera 5-10 years ago, the only info I ever saw suggested it was a C - 60s style SWC only issue.
But 2 minutes on Google now and I can see it's possible right up to the 903 models.
https://www.photo.net/discuss/threads/hasselblad-swc-m-scratched-inside-lens.240705/

I've seen no information to support (or deny) that a regular service could have prevented the problem since it sounds like a bit of a design fault/compromise.
I like my bubble level on top. It keeps me level. I will just have to work on unseeing what lies within my SWC/M.

I have a 903 and I regularly take all my cameras into Samys repair department to check over all of them. Any camera or lens that they recommend getting serviced, get serviced. Some are sent out, some are serviced there. Almost always my Hasselblads and lenses are serviced there.

Richard Man · Sep 13, 2019

It's still one of the greatest cameras ever and can take spectacular images, so there's that.

c41 · Sep 13, 2019

It sure is, no intention on my part to denigrate it at all, quite the opposite.

A couple of random images from mine.

My daughter, Provia 400

An assortment of straight lines and angles, Tri-X

Hasselblad SWC/M

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