Help for a Hasselblad malfunction in the field

[Hal Reiser]

I've just begun a three day trip over the MLK weekend and have suffered a camera malfunction. I'm hoping that some one might have a suggestion on freeing a stuck 80mm from a 501C/M. Before I describe the problem let me say that the body was serviced by David Odess in September of 2012 and the repairs were more extensive than just a CLA. The 80mm began having shutter problems in May 2013 and was sent to David for repairs. The lens came back but continued exhibiting the same problem so I shipped it back to David in September 2013. When it returned I test fired it several times and everything seemed fine. The lens remained attached to the camera and the camera sat unused until today. The first shot of the day was taken with another lens. The 80 was reattached to the camera for the second shot when it malfunctioned.

The shutter button on the body tripped the indicator on the back and continues to fully depress. The mirror did not raise. Pushing the mirror lock up button will not raise the mirror. The diaphragm on the 80 does not appear to have closed and the shutter has only partially closed. I've tried to turn the cocking screw inside the body by itself and while depressing the shutter button to see if that might reset and release the lens but that does not work.
Given the recent history I'm fairly certain that if I can get the lens off the body the body will work with my other lens'

I can't think of anything else that might work so I'm hoping someone might have a suggestion. I also plan to send a copy of this post to David to see if he has any suggestions but this being a holiday weekend I am not sure I will get a reply in time.

Hal

 

[johnielvis]

try pressing the lens release button and rotating the lens while turning the shutter cock with a screwdriver one way and the other way--you may be able to get the lens off and then re-mount after re-cocking everything.

 

[Hal Reiser]

I tried your suggestion but unfortunately it did not work. Thanks anyway

 

[johnielvis]

too bad. it seems like something inside the lens is holding the camera shaft from rotating--or bad allignment of the shaft--or both--perhaps a bit more force is needed along with trying to rotate the lens. it's hard to believe that the shaft mechanism can't be backed up a bit if it's jammed going forward. If the mirror isn't up then the shaft has travelled less than about 90 degrees--all you have to do is back it off that quarter turn--this is turning it a quarter turn clockwise from the BACK of the camera--if you can get that quarter turn, you can get the lens off.

 

[Hal Reiser]

Well after applying a bit more strength to turn the cocking screw I succeeded in removing the lens. The interesting thing was that the mirror did not lift up after pushing the shutter on the body. Looking carefully I discovered a very tiny screw jammed between the mirror and the body wall at one of the mirror rests at the bottom of the body. It appeared to have worked its way loose from inside the body as it was painted flat black. I have no idea where it had come from. Once I popped it loose the mirror released and popped up. The body appears to functioning normally. I've tested all my lens' and fired a few frames with the body and everything appears normal. I just hope that this screw isn't something critical or might cause a light leak but I'll continue using the camera and we'll see what happens

 

[Trask]

Seems to me you'd want to raise the issue of an errant screw with Mr. Odess. I've read this with interest because, despite never having a similar problem with my 500C/M (knock on wood), I want to have an idea of what to do if I get unlucky.

 

[BrianShaw]

My thoughts, exactly.

Hope the screw isn't really critical. It would be a shame to see the OPs photo holiday weekend spoiled.

 

[Douglas Fairbank]

I just hope that this screw isn't something critical or might cause a light leak but I'll continue using the camera and we'll see what happens

Can you post a picture of the screw with something in the frame to give it's scale.

 

[Hal Reiser]

Went out shooting today and the camera performed flawlessly. Of course I won't know for sure until I process the negs. As soon as I get home I will post a picture of the screw. It is very small about only 3mm of shaft length. I have no clue as it's diameter.

 

[declark]

I had a jam recently where I couldn't release the lens after re-cocking the shutter screw like I've done normally in the past. Found this video and it worked like a charm, after I worked up the nerve to try it. Not sure this would have been applicable in your situation.

http://youtu.be/BTGInKJbLAo

 

[Hal Reiser]

Yes the video would have been helpful but I did not have all the proper tools with me. Fortunately with the one screwdriver I had with me I was able to remove the lens.

Thanks for the link.