How to cock a Hasselblad lens properly

[RalphLambrecht]

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]

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.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Is this the tool you speak of? It's a FotodioX CameraKey.

 

[tcolgate]

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]

There was one time my 500 c/m body and lens got out of sync and I had to manually cock the lens, which I did very carefully. That never happened again...

 

[jeffreyg]

Andrew. Yes that looks like it