How to cock a Hasselblad lens properly

RalphLambrecht

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Sep 19, 2003
Messages
14,809
Location
K,Germany
Format
Medium Format
as all Hasselblad users know, to safely mount or unmount a Hasselblad lens, both, camera body and the lens have to be cocked or uncocked, both cocked being preferred. This sometimes requires an uncocked lens to be manually cocked. Most literature states that this is easily achieved by using a coin, screwdriver, or a special Hasselblad tool to turn the crankshaft at the back of the lens in the direction of the arrow until the slot in the drive shaft aligns with the red dot. This isn't always simple, because the spring-loaded crankshaft tends to return to its previous position as soon as the tool is removed from the slot. The solution to this, however, is simple. One must turn the crankshaft more than a full turn until a soft click is heard, which is the acoustic verification that the lens shutter is fully cocked. At this point, the slot also aligns with the red dot, providing an additional optical verification. Having just finished my yearly maintenance cycle, I thought I'd share this tidbit of valuable information.
 

jeffreyg

Subscriber
Allowing Ads
Joined
Jun 12, 2008
Messages
2,750
Location
florida
Format
Medium Format
Good advice and I will add that the special tool is worth while because it not only fits in the slot but also surrounds the screw and is just the right size. It is less likely to damage the screw slot or slip out.
 

tcolgate

Subscriber
Allowing Ads
Joined
Aug 28, 2025
Messages
49
Location
London
Format
Medium Format
I've never attempted to attack a lens when the lens and body are both uncocked. That's feels risky. When cocked they slot and "pin" are both exactly concentric with the lens mount. When fired they are a bit off. Maybe it works, but I wouldn't risk it myself.
 

djdister

Subscriber
Joined
Oct 6, 2012
Messages
212
Location
Maryland USA
Format
Multi Format
There was one time my body and lens got out of sync and I had to manually cock the lens, which I did very carefully. That never happened again...