Issue with hasselblad 500cm

ColdEye

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so I have not used this camera in a while. I was testing it with a new lens I got, back and body indicator were matching, mounted the cocked lens and the body was cocked too, then I shoot a couple of frames. Now it won't wind, I can't remove the lens, mirror is up and the back curtain is closed. And it seems that tab in the picture is stuck. Any tips to fix this, or is this a trip to the camera doctor? Thank you.

 

sissysphoto

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Having extensive (but untrained) repair experience with this model, I can tell you that you have a problem related to old/poor lubrication. Even it you do manage to get the camera unjammed without damage, the problem will soon return. I've seen this exact problem repeatedly. My advice would be to resign yourself to the idea that you have no camera until you send it out for service.This is not something you can remedy. Trust me on that.
 

Theo Sulphate

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My quick opinion is that the camera will need servicing. I don't think there's anything you can do, though I hope I'm wrong.

My understanding of the sequence of events in a Hasselblad is:

1. pressing the release causes the lens shutter to close; aperture stops down
2. mirror raises
3. rear baffles open
4. lens shutter opens and closes
5. rear baffles close
6. mirror comes down
7. lens shutter and aperture open

I suspect your camera failed between steps 2 and 3 or between 5 and 6.

When viewed from the front, is the lens shutter open or closed? I suspect it would be, which confirms the two possible places of failure.
 

sissysphoto

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The serial number was not given. This is an important thing to know before any further diagnosis can be done without opening the body. There were 3 different designs of the baffle dampening system. The one from 1958 to about 1970 was particularly troublesome, due to a rubber part that decomposes. This is directly linked to the lubrication in the hub of the half gear that winds the film. In essence, the camera has "jumped timing". Any tinkering, particularly any tinkering that allows the mechanism to cycle backwards to unjam the works can and probably will cause a very tiny spring deep within the works to become damaged. At this point you will have a very bad problem requiring replacement of said spring in an era where parts are not available. Don't fool with this camera another minute. Send it out. As it is, your camera has not suffered any problem that cannot be repaired without needing new parts. But if you fool with it any more, it will.
 
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ColdEye

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Oh trust me I am not tinkering with anything. Once it jammed I just set it down. From checking the serial number it states it is at about 1978.
 

sissysphoto

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1978. This is good. Should be a simple matter of a CLA. You're fine.CLA is an overused all-inclusive term. It will be more C and L. It's actually a simple but ingenious mechanism. Not a lot of the "A" part to it. I was very adamant about any DIY, as the camera is so easy to take apart and I didn't want you to yield to the temptation. Only disastrous results would have come of it.
 
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ColdEye

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Yeah, seemed like a CLA is imminent. Now to find a repair person in San Diego or SoCal.
 
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ColdEye

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This is so weird. I was going to put the camera back on the shelf, but u decided to just remove the back and the prism. As I removed the back I tried to wiggle the knob (it has a meter on it) and what do you know, it cranked. It cranked all the way and I can now remove the lens. I fired it and it would crank again but only if I manually depress that tab at the back. Needless to say this is going for a CLA.
 

BrianShaw

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There’s a really good Hassy repair guy in Culver City. Google Steve Choi.
 

Sirius Glass

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There’s a really good Hassy repair guy in Culver City. Google Steve Choi.

I have used them, but for Hasselblads I like Samy's Camera on Fairfax. You can talk to Mike directly.

Los Angeles Store & Rentals
431 S. Fairfax Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90036

Telephone: 323-938-2420
Fax: 323-937-2919 | E-Mail: lacamera@samys.com

Hours:
Mon-Fri: 9:30am-6:30pm; Sat: 10:00am-6:00pm; Sun: 11:00am-5:00pm
(Film & Rental Departments) Mon-Fri: 8:00am-6:30pm; Sat: 9:00am-6:00pm; Sun: 11:00am-5:00pm.




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