My Hasselblad V-system Maintenance

[RalphLambrecht]

I just finished my quarterly maintenance—all cameras, all lenses, five (5) actions each—and will do it again in three months to keep the oldies running smoothly and the grease from seizing up.

 

[RudyMerz]

Yeah, that was the main reason why I sold my Hasselblad gear like 15 years ago. Don’t ask me if I regret it. Hindsight is a terrible thing. lol

 

[RezaLoghme]

Exercising one's equipment is important. While "Maintenance" would be a step above (cleaning, de-/re-greasing, replacing seals), using cameras and lenses prevents them from getting stuck. That is why I downsized my collection. If you do the math as an amateur - how many bodies and lenses do you own, how much time per week/month do you realistically spend using them, how many actuations does one shutter actually get to do per year....That is why I am down to one V system body, no other analog camera, and 1.5 digital ones. 2.5 lenses for the V, 2 for the SL.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Exercising one's equipment is important. While "Maintenance" would be a step above (cleaning, de-/re-greasing, replacing seals), using cameras and lenses prevents them from getting stuck. That is why I downsized my collection. If you do the math as an amateur - how many bodies and lenses do you own, how much time per week/month do you realistically spend using them, how many actuations does one shutter actually get to do per year....That is why I am down to one V system body, no other analog camera, and 1.5 digital ones. 2.5 lenses for the V, 2 for the SL.

You're smart, but my ownership of Hasselblads is more love for these technical and optical marvels than 'need. That's why I don't mind exercising them at least once a quarter to avoid issues. I'm starting to do the same with my mechanical Nikons from the 1970s now for the same reasons.

 

[RezaLoghme]

"love for these technical and optical marvels" - perfect phrase. Same here. I am an amateur in photography but a pro in GAS. Thats why I am contemplating stuff like a SLX (which noone loves), a R7 (which I really dont need), a TLR (which adds no value to what I am doing).

Still, the question of a scheduled exercise regime is a valid one. Are 5 "actions" enough? What about film transport etc.?

What about a more holistic rule such as "every camera and lens (for leaf shutter systems) has to do through one film every three months"?

(I also need to remember to take out the dark slides when storing the empty film backs...)

 

[BrianShaw]

"love for these technical and optical marvels" - perfect phrase. Same here. I am an amateur in photography but a pro in GAS. Thats why I am contemplating stuff like a SLX (which noone loves), a R7 (which I really dont need), a TLR (which adds no value to what I am doing).

Still, the question of a scheduled exercise regime is a valid one. Are 5 "actions" enough? What about film transport etc.?

What about a more holistic rule such as "every camera and lens (for leaf shutter systems) has to do through one film every three months"?

(I also need to remember to take out the dark slides when storing the empty film backs...)

Bravo. I've thought this also but never dared utter it in this forum, either verbally or in writing. And not just leaf shutters. I ask myself the same and keep coming back to the same answer: easier said than done.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I just finished my quarterly maintenance—all cameras, all lenses, five (5) actions each—and will do it again in three months to keep the oldies running smoothly and the grease from seizing up.

I have been passing this information on Photrio and previously on APUG. I do 15 firings at 1 second and the smallest f/stop for each lens. That has saved me much grief.

 

[RezaLoghme]

Just communicate that to your stakeholders (at home): "It's Opex, not Capex!"

 

[MattKing]

"love for these technical and optical marvels" - perfect phrase. Same here. I am an amateur in photography but a pro in GAS.

Ralph isn't an amateur:

That being the first edition, of course.
I'd be prepared to bet that cover photo was taken with a Hasselbad, although not necessarily by Ralph.
It is one of my most used references.

 

[RezaLoghme]

I have been passing this information on Photrio and previously on APUG. I do 15 firings at 1 second and the smallest f/stop for each lens. That has saved me much grief.

Good approach!

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Ralph isn't an amateur:
View attachment 374718




That being the first edition, of course.
I'd be prepared to bet that cover photo was taken with a Hasselbad, although not necessarily by Ralph.
It is one of my most used references.

Ed.2 is the more up-to-date version (also to be found on Amazon) The cover photo was taken by Chris with a Mamiya 7, I believe.

 

[MattKing]

Ed.2 is the more up-to-date version (also to be found on Amazon) The cover photo was taken by Chris with a Mamiya 7, I believe.

Yes - and I'd really like one . I certainly recommend both editions.
The problem with all the listings for the current edition, for my purpose in that post in this thread, is that the attached summaries only really reference all the new digital and hybrid material. So I linked to the older edition, because on their face those summaries seem to be more relevant to this thread, and its concentration on film cameras.
But for those who don't know:
1) the second edition is full of useful stuff for us film and darkroom users;
2) there are lots of photographs in both editions - many of which are Ralph's.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Yes - and I'd really like one . I certainly recommend both editions.
The problem with all the listings for the current edition, for my purpose in that post in this thread, is that the attached summaries only really reference all the new digital and hybrid material. So I linked to the older edition, because on their face those summaries seem to be more relevant to this thread, and its concentration on film cameras.
But for those who don't know:
1) the second edition is full of useful stuff for us film and darkroom users;
2) there are lots of photographs in both editions - many of which are Ralph's.

thanks for pointing that out

 

[Slixtiesix]

I have been passing this information on Photrio and previously on APUG. I do 15 firings at 1 second and the smallest f/stop for each lens. That has saved me much grief.

Interesting method. I usually go through the entire range of speeds and apertures. So you rather recommend to fire the 1s more often? Sounds plausible, since this is often the speed where problems start. Could you elaborate on the mechanical background for this?

 

[eli griggs]

Interesting method. I usually go through the entire range of speeds and apertures. So you rather recommend to fire the 1s more often? Sounds plausible, since this is often the speed where problems start. Could you elaborate on the mechanical background for this?

I also go through the full range of speeds and F-stops (and any fractional notches), usually ten cycles for each setting for my Hasselblad 500c/m and lenses and I'll use the 80mm or 150mm on the flex body for several cycles just to keep it's different winding mech. exercised.

Leaf shutter cameras get some attention too, with batteries, as needed, while the Speed Graphics focal shutter gets a good running up to listen, see any problems, but I've been lucky, with my 4" x 5" beater pre-Aniversary, since '89 and close enough with my still new to me 3.25" x 4.25 pre-Aniversary Speed Graphic.

L.Fs shutters get random attention.

Vertical and Horizontal cameras, like the Canons, Nikon's, Pentax, etc get their running up through the same way the "V" System kit does.

Even toy, or plastic cameras, like the Argus 75, or pre-modern compacts with self-cocking mechanisms need attention, especially because cheap spring metal can have rust in place over the past several decades, etc.

i just recalled, I've forgotten to exercise the Minolta 16's and the old Kodak 110 in it's original box set.

This is the one BIG misadventures of having unexposed film hanging out in cameras, waiting for you to remember them, so running up the shutters and apertures will be a waste of unshot film in the minds of those that keep many cameras that way and another good reason to load/reload 135 cassettes in lesser frames configurations, even original 36 frame cassettes, can be down sized without wasting valuable film.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Interesting method. I usually go through the entire range of speeds and apertures. So you rather recommend to fire the 1s more often? Sounds plausible, since this is often the speed where problems start. Could you elaborate on the mechanical background for this?

1 second according to my Hasselblad repairman causes the escapement to take the most number of counts. That yields the longest activation of the counting mechanism. The smallest f/stop causes the iris to the maximum range of motion.

 

[Slixtiesix]

Many thanks. Will follow that advice when exercising my cameras!

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Many thanks. Will follow that advice when exercising my cameras!

good advice!

 

[BrianShaw]

1 second according to my Hasselblad repairman causes the escapement to take the most number of counts. That yields the longest activation of the counting mechanism. The smallest f/stop causes the iris to the maximum range of motion.

While I don't maintain a rigourous schedule, I take that advise a step further whenever I "exercise" my shutters. 1-second to activate the slow-speed escapement; 1/60 to activate the mid-spead mechanism, and the fastest speed to activate the fastest speeds. On shutters with X-M synch switch, the same on both synchs.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

While I don't maintain a rigourous schedule, I take that advise a step further whenever I "exercise" my shutters. 1-second to activate the slow-speed escapement; 1/60 to activate the mid-spead mechanism, and the fastest speed to activate the fastest speeds. On shutters with X-M synch switch, the same on both synchs.

no,it starts sounding like a lotof work.

 

[BillBaileyImages]

"love for these technical and optical marvels" - perfect phrase. Same here. I am an amateur in photography but a pro in GAS. Thats why I am contemplating stuff like a SLX (which noone loves), a R7 (which I really dont need), a TLR (which adds no value to what I am doing).

Still, the question of a scheduled exercise regime is a valid one. Are 5 "actions" enough? What about film transport etc.?

What about a more holistic rule such as "every camera and lens (for leaf shutter systems) has to do through one film every three months"?

(I also need to remember to take out the dark slides when storing the empty film backs...)

 

[BillBaileyImages]

Taking out the dark slide when the magazine is empty makes so much sense! I go one step further (farther?) and use a rear cover on all my magazines. They keep dust out (living in farming country definitely stirs up the dust), and they protect the dark slide when the back is loaded but not attached. Gotta keep Victor (my 501CM) happy in his old age.

 

[Flashcam]

I have been passing this information on Photrio and previously on APUG. I do 15 firings at 1 second and the smallest f/stop for each lens. That has saved me much grief.

Do I remember correctly that CF lenses have two sets of shutter springs? One works that one second snap up about 1/15th and the other set works from 1/30th on up to 1/500th (give or take). So would you need to fire the shutter some at both ranges to "exercise" the lens shutter completely? I just thought of it as I was in a panic and pulling out bags of camera equip... I'm already charging batteries, which is a whole'nother operation!

 

[Sirius Glass]

Do I remember correctly that CF lenses have two sets of shutter springs? One works that one second snap up about 1/15th and the other set works from 1/30th on up to 1/500th (give or take). So would you need to fire the shutter some at both ranges to "exercise" the lens shutter completely? I just thought of it as I was in a panic and pulling out bags of camera equip... I'm already charging batteries, which is a whole'nother operation!

My Hasselblad repairman at Samy's only said us the 1 second time. He never talked about the two springs that you posted about.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Do I remember correctly that CF lenses have two sets of shutter springs? One works that one second snap up about 1/15th and the other set works from 1/30th on up to 1/500th (give or take). So would you need to fire the shutter some at both ranges to "exercise" the lens shutter completely? I just thought of it as I was in a panic and pulling out bags of camera equip... I'm already charging batteries, which is a whole'nother operation!

If there are different springs, it's sensible to exercise all of them but we need to make sure to spend more time on photographing than on maintenance