Is there an interchangeable back camera that isn't such of a hassle?

Grim Tuesday · Dec 31, 2019

I've had a Hasselblad for around two years now. I've taken some great pictures with it. But it seems like I've also ruined more rolls with it than I've taken with all my other cameras combined! First was a delayed shutter (so the barn doors closed before the shutter opened). I returned that lens. Then was the light leak in the back that I had tested to be leak free. Turns out it was a slow leak, only noticeable after about an hour between shots. Then was the back where the dark slide interlock failed, so I shot a roll with the slide in. These are not poorly maintained gear - I tested them all before I used them and they failed unexpectedly.

Anyways I'm nearing the end of my rope with this system. The lenses are great and so is the form factor. But I don't know how much I can deal with the unreliability. I've never had any issues like this with rolls through my rolleiflex, mamiya c330 or Pentax 67. But none of them have interchangeable backs. If I sold my 'blad system and picked up one of the other medium format slr players like a bronica sq/gs-1/etra, or a mamiya rz67 how likely am I to be disappointed for the same reasons? Are the problems I'm complaining about endemic to medium format interchangeable back cameras or is it just Hasselblad?

MattKing · Dec 31, 2019

Back when film Hasselblads were current and used by many (most?) professional photographers, it was expected that users would need to ensure that regular maintenance was performed on their cameras.
The same probably applied to Mamiya and Bronica interchangeable back cameras - I just saw less evidence of that back then.
The only similar problem I have had with my RB67 Pro-S or my Mamiya 645 Pro was that I have had backs where the interlocks needed adjusting. On the RB67, I have some older Pro backs, so I deal with that by regularly double checking things, no matter which back was being used.
I have had no light leak problems with my Mamiya interchangeable back cameras - that is over several years, 5 different bodies, and many, many different backs.

jeffreyg · Dec 31, 2019

Why not contact Hasselblad in New Jersey. I've had repairs done by them and David Odess. Their service has always yielded good results and my 20+ year old equipment works fine. I'm washing a roll taken this morning as I type this reply.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

http://www.sculptureandphotography.com/

Stephen Prunier · Dec 31, 2019

If you decide to try the RZ67 get the Pro II and you won't need to worry about light leaks. I find the backs are well made and work well and they rotate! However, compared size-wise to the Hasselblad they'll be a huge size and weight difference. I'll be 62 in a few months and I just ordered my 3rd RZ so the size and weight difference is doable.

As for your frustrations with the Hasselblad. I definitely understand. We need to remember how old this camera equipment really is. I just received a like-new Mamiya 645e. I couldn't find a mark on it. Then I realized they stopped making them in 2004! I'm finding it's not for me so it's going up for sale. Maybe just replace the Hasselblad body?

abruzzi · Dec 31, 2019

I think it may be (bad) luck of the draw. In over 100 rolls, I have screwed up exactly 2 frames on my ETRSi, but I have no reason to believe it is more or less reliable than a Hasselblad. The first frame I shot on the camera somehow allowed my to trigger the shutter and advance the film without removing the dark slide. (I’ve never had the failure again). The second screw-up overlapped a pair of frames and followed them with a blank frame. I don’t know how this happened, but I had been regularly swapping backs between color negative (Ektar) and chrome (Velvia 50) and somehow the camera got confused (and probably me too.). Other than that the Bronica has been 100% reliable. But I’m sure that there are plenty of other cameras that are reliable like that.

Paul Ozzello · Dec 31, 2019

Grim Tuesday said:
I've had a Hasselblad for around two years now. I've taken some great pictures with it. But it seems like I've also ruined more rolls with it than I've taken with all my other cameras combined! First was a delayed shutter (so the barn doors closed before the shutter opened). I returned that lens. Then was the light leak in the back that I had tested to be leak free. Turns out it was a slow leak, only noticeable after about an hour between shots. Then was the back where the dark slide interlock failed, so I shot a roll with the slide in. These are not poorly maintained gear - I tested them all before I used them and they failed unexpectedly.

Anyways I'm nearing the end of my rope with this system. The lenses are great and so is the form factor. But I don't know how much I can deal with the unreliability. I've never had any issues like this with rolls through my rolleiflex, mamiya c330 or Pentax 67. But none of them have interchangeable backs. If I sold my 'blad system and picked up one of the other medium format slr players like a bronica sq/gs-1/etra, or a mamiya rz67 how likely am I to be disappointed for the same reasons? Are the problems I'm complaining about endemic to medium format interchangeable back cameras or is it just Hasselblad?

I think you've just had a streak of bad luck. I've been using the same 500 and SWC/M since the mid 90's without any light leaks. I don't know the condition of your back but you may want to get a full CLA.

Unless you want a larger rectangular negative stick with the Hasselblad. Nothing else comes close.

Pieter12 · Dec 31, 2019

The Rollei 6008 is a very sophisticated system, built like a tank with an integral dark slide in the interchangeable back. Never had a problem with light leaks. But since they went out of business, repairs can be hard to come by. The Zeiss and Schneider lenses are really wonderful, too.

AndyH · Dec 31, 2019

Yeah. They’re pretty much junk. I’ll be very, very happy to take that outfit off your hands. At a good discount.

But seriously, the light seals are easy to replace DIY or at most any camera repair tech. The rest is just getting used to the workflow.
Andy

removed account4 · Dec 31, 2019

they don't call it a hassle blad for nothing !
get rid of the hassy and get an arax60mlu
theyare glorious kiev60s rebuilt/refurbished/retooled by a master
no interchangable backs, and absolutely beautiful lenses.
i mean i purchased something similar to a 5,000$ zeiss for like $150shipped
good luck !
john

macfred · Dec 31, 2019

jnantz said:
... i mean i purchased something similar to a 5,000$ zeiss for like $150shipped
john

Does it came with the 'Schmutzfilter' ?

removed account4 · Dec 31, 2019

macfred said:
Does it came with the 'Schmutzfilter' ?

naaaah i paid extra for the schmutz

guangong · Dec 31, 2019

I have been using Hasselblad cameras for many decades, beginning with 1000F, then 2000FCM, then CM. Until a few years back I was using the same four backs originally used with the 1000F. Never had a leak, although a couple years ago one back wouldn’t advance film properly so I upgraded to more recent models of backs. Once or twice had C lens and body not in sync, easily fixed and my fault. My biggest problem is remembering where I put the dark slide.
I never experienced the tribulations of the OP. Reading a Hasselblads manual is absolutely necessary in order to avoid disaster. This was especially true of the 1000F, but good advice for any Hassy.
Keep in mind that a great many, if not most, Hasselblads were used full time almost every day of their life shooting rolls and rolls of film, so that most on the used market are well worn and beyond their useful life. Caution mandatory when buying a used Hasselblad now.

Arklatexian · Dec 31, 2019

guangong said:
I have been using Hasselblad cameras for many decades, beginning with 1000F, then 2000FCM, then CM. Until a few years back I was using the same four backs originally used with the 1000F. Never had a leak, although a couple years ago one back wouldn’t advance film properly so I upgraded to more recent models of backs. Once or twice had C lens and body not in sync, easily fixed and my fault. My biggest problem is remembering where I put the dark slide.
I never experienced the tribulations of the OP. Reading a Hasselblads manual is absolutely necessary in order to avoid disaster. This was especially true of the 1000F, but good advice for any Hassy.
Keep in mind that a great many, if not most, Hasselblads were used full time almost every day of their life shooting rolls and rolls of film, so that most on the used market are well worn and beyond their useful life. Caution mandatory when buying a used Hasselblad now.

I, too, started with the 1000F which had "user problems", except for the magazines, so I sold it. Should have kept the magazines but the 1000F was hard to sell without one. A few years later, the 500c came out followed by the 500cm. I bought a new/used 500cm from a friend, who needed the money, and know about almost every roll shot with it. I still own that camera. I got married about the same time and the marriage and the 500cm are about the same age, 54 years. I sincerely hope the marriage outlasts me and I know the 500cm will. Like well maintained guns of an earlier time, which easily outlived their owners, so will "well maintained" all mechanical Hasselblads as well as other "well maintained", all mechanical cameras. ......Regards!

Paul Howell · Dec 31, 2019

To answer OP question, several including Bronica, Mamiya RB 66, and Kowa Super 66. I have a Super 66 and standard 6 which does not have interchangeable backs. Like all pro level gear Kowa does need regular maintenance and some reports issues with the film advance. One reason to get your Hasselblad working is that of the MF systems Hasselblad is likely to repairable for the longer term. I only know of one camera repair tech who works on Kowa and he must in his 70s by now.

Sirius Glass · Dec 31, 2019

As noted above, MattKing as an example, you need to get all of you equipment CLA'd and the problems will go away. Doing piece part repairs without systematically getting your equipment into proper working order will be a problem for ANY camera you use.

BrianShaw · Dec 31, 2019

Sirius Glass said:
As noted above, MattKing as an example, you need to get all of you equipment CLA'd and the problems will go away. Doing piece part repairs without systematically getting you equipment into proper working order will be a problem for ANY camera you use.

+1

rubbernglue · Jan 1, 2020

I cannot tell for sure since I never really longed for a H-Blad, but the earlier C, C/M does for sure not seem very reliable really... and even the 503 and on will need service once in a while.

Personally I use the older generation Bronica EC-TL (pre 1980) which until then I think has fantastic Nikkor lenses, and the bodies uses focal plane shutters which I think is very reliable. Today I'd buy the regular 'EC' without metering though. Have had mine since 2012 and the only problem so far has been drained batteries, and that mostly since my EC-TL has built-in metering which is activated when dof-button is pressed. This is for sure one of my most reliable medium format cameras!

freecitizen · Jan 1, 2020

Mamiya Press …. 6x6, 6x7 or 6x9. Easy, quick to change backs. GG back or use the rangefinder. These cameras are cheap now. Optics excellent.

Alentejo · Jan 1, 2020

Arklatexian said:
I, too, started with the 1000F which had "user problems", except for the magazines, so I sold it. Should have kept the magazines but the 1000F was hard to sell without one. A few years later, the 500c came out followed by the 500cm. I bought a new/used 500cm from a friend, who needed the money, and know about almost every roll shot with it. I still own that camera. I got married about the same time and the marriage and the 500cm are about the same age, 54 years. I sincerely hope the marriage outlasts me and I know the 500cm will. Like well maintained guns of an earlier time, which easily outlived their owners, so will "well maintained" all mechanical Hasselblads as well as other "well maintained", all mechanical cameras. ......Regards!

Very nice and honest description of Your last 54 years. Love it.

John Galt · Jan 1, 2020

fatso said:
I think you've just had a streak of bad luck. I've been using the same 500 and SWC/M since the mid 90's without any light leaks. I don't know the condition of your back but you may want to get a full CLA.

Unless you want a larger rectangular negative stick with the Hasselblad. Nothing else comes close.

What fatso said . . I have two C/Ms and a C, all over 40 years old. All work flawlessly. Nothing comes close to the Hasselblad V system. Nothing.

tezzasmall · Jan 1, 2020

As said, I think you have probably just been unlucky.

Personally, I would vouch for the Bronica SQB, for which I have both the 6x6 and 6x4.5 backs and have NEVER had a problem with any of it at all (and hopefully continue to do so...)

Terry S

Deleted member 88956 · Jan 1, 2020

jnantz said:
they don't call it a hassle blad for nothing !
get rid of the hassy and get an arax60mlu
theyare glorious kiev60s rebuilt/refurbished/retooled by a master
no interchangable backs, and absolutely beautiful lenses.
i mean i purchased something similar to a 5,000$ zeiss for like $150shipped
good luck !
john

Starting the year with a joke is always good.

Deleted member 88956 · Jan 1, 2020

John Galt said:
What fatso said . . I have two C/Ms and a C, all over 40 years old. All work flawlessly. Nothing comes close to the Hasselblad V system. Nothing.

You know, this is 1st of January, comments like these are close to offensive in nature and intent. What else are you saying? That all non-Hass owner's are too dumb to understand what they are (supposedly) missing?

I don't doubt quality of Hass or their lenses, never have, and there was a time when I actually wanted one, but let's a draw a line somewhere so it can actually stick to factual evidence.

There is nothing outside of social status and some minor (and in few instances perhaps detectable) quality differences that Hass may have over the rest, few and far between mind you. Problems with V have been reported by numerous owners for long years now. Whether it was all user error (impossible) or mostly design related, makes no difference. The fact is that all other makes combined had been produced in multiple numbers versus Hasselblad and all combined have not produced more issues that Hassy alone, at least not on discussion forums

"Nothing comes close to V system" ... factually, a lot does, and arguably surpasses. although It may not be so shiny, which matters not. V system or not, photographer makes the image.

Be happy with what you have, speak to others in ways they can enjoy theirs.

Deleted member 88956 · Jan 1, 2020

Arklatexian said:
I, too, started with the 1000F which had "user problems", except for the magazines, so I sold it. Should have kept the magazines but the 1000F was hard to sell without one. A few years later, the 500c came out followed by the 500cm. I bought a new/used 500cm from a friend, who needed the money, and know about almost every roll shot with it. I still own that camera. I got married about the same time and the marriage and the 500cm are about the same age, 54 years. I sincerely hope the marriage outlasts me and I know the 500cm will. Like well maintained guns of an earlier time, which easily outlived their owners, so will "well maintained" all mechanical Hasselblads as well as other "well maintained", all mechanical cameras. ......Regards!

To the point and balanced, it helps better understanding where the problems may lie. Applies to all makes and models.

Kino · Jan 1, 2020

Grim Tuesday said:
I've had a Hasselblad for around two years now. I've taken some great pictures with it. But it seems like I've also ruined more rolls with it than I've taken with all my other cameras combined! First was a delayed shutter (so the barn doors closed before the shutter opened). I returned that lens. Then was the light leak in the back that I had tested to be leak free. Turns out it was a slow leak, only noticeable after about an hour between shots. Then was the back where the dark slide interlock failed, so I shot a roll with the slide in. These are not poorly maintained gear - I tested them all before I used them and they failed unexpectedly.

Anyways I'm nearing the end of my rope with this system. The lenses are great and so is the form factor. But I don't know how much I can deal with the unreliability. I've never had any issues like this with rolls through my rolleiflex, mamiya c330 or Pentax 67. But none of them have interchangeable backs. If I sold my 'blad system and picked up one of the other medium format slr players like a bronica sq/gs-1/etra, or a mamiya rz67 how likely am I to be disappointed for the same reasons? Are the problems I'm complaining about endemic to medium format interchangeable back cameras or is it just Hasselblad?

Unless you buy a new, unused system (don't even know if that is possible now) you could be disappointed with another used camera/ system;yes!

Cameras are cameras in that you probably got hold of a used one that really needed a good going over and a shakedown cruise before you started serious work with the system.

"A pretty face, don't mean no pretty heart"...

I think that, unless you have grown to really dislike the camera and it's system, you stick to it and get the bugs worked out as another used system could and would have similar or even worse problems.

But, if you just can't stand it anymore, there are comparable systems out there for about the same cost.

Remember, they will require testing and evaluation prior to serious use as well...

Is there an interchangeable back camera that isn't such of a hassle?

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