my hasselblad went swimming

Nijo · Oct 17, 2010

My 500CM, 150mm CF, and A24 back spent almost a minute submerged in fresh water. anything worth saving here or should I just trash it? I have a 501cm that I had plans to sell but I guess the plans have changed. Everything still works but I would think life expectancy just went down significantly. Stupid mistake on my part, just got too wrapped up in the scenery and didn't double check the stability of the tripod on the river bank. Setup is pretty top heavy sitting on a light weight carbon fiber Gitzo. Not that I will carry a heavier tripod, I'll just try to be more careful. I was thinking the back would at least be salvageable? The body looks great. The lens though I am positive will never be trustworthy. Hell, I guess I know the answer.

Sirius Glass · Oct 17, 2010

Air it out and then put in a plastic bag or container with the dehydrating packets. Or run the air conditioner so that the water evaporated faster. I am sure others will jump in with more suggestion. All is not lost. At worst you will have to have a CLA, but if you can dry it out quickly you can avoid that as a necessity.

By the way there are under water cases for scuba diving with a Hasselblad. I thought you would like to know for the future.

Steve

Darkroom317 · Oct 17, 2010

It should be fine. I had the exact same thing happen with my Mamiya RB67. I had a CLA done and it operates just fine.

wclark5179 · Oct 17, 2010

Oops!

Take the lens off the body, the film back and the viewing finder. Let it dry out.

Otherwise send it to:

http://www.david-odess.com/

Toffle · Oct 17, 2010

Wow, this seems to be an almost daily occurance here. For the advice I received yesterday, check (there was a url link here which no longer exists). Fortunately, my story had a happy ending, and judging from the comments in that thread, all may not be lost in your case either.

By the way, welcome to APUG. Sorry your first post is born out of the desperation of possibly ruined gear. Use the search function and you will find a wealth of information from photographers who are knowledgeable in many fields. Let us know something about yourself and the nature of your work.

Cheers,

dehk · Oct 17, 2010

You should trash it. I got a trash can right here for you, mail it to me and I will help you put it in there!

Well i hope everything dry up and works for you.

Sirius Glass · Oct 17, 2010

Nijo,

A belated welcome to APUG.

Steve

guitstik · Oct 17, 2010

Welcome to APUG, sorry about the circumstances but I hope that won't preclude you from posting here with better news.

The best thing to do would be to disassemble the camera to it's component pieces and try to get as much water off of it with a lint free towel. Make sure to take the batteries out. Some may say to put it in the microwave on low for a few seconds at a time but I would not recommend that course of action. After you get all the water you can out of all the little cracks and crevices stuff the body with lint free paper towels and place it, the lens and the back in an air tight box with a de-humidifier and let it run for a day or two checking it every once in a while and changing out the towels.

Let us know how things work out for you and remember to post some of your work.

Nijo · Oct 17, 2010

Thanks gentlemen and Steve (hah!). Do you think it would be okay to take a hair dryer to the lens? The moisture in there is a horrible sight.

Toffle · Oct 17, 2010

Nijo said:
Thanks gentlemen and Steve (hah!). Do you think it would be okay to take a hair dryer to the lens? The moisture in there is a horrible sight.

I don't know about a hair dryer, but your lens could definitely use a good day or two in full sun. A lot of folks use this as a prevention/cure for fungus in older lenses.

In any case, a good CLA is in order. The consensus seems to be that you and your Hassy will have a long future together.

bblhed · Oct 17, 2010

I would do the CLA thing, and DO NOT APPLY HEAT! I have a history of dropping expensive things into the water and now own a lot of even more expensive waterproof things. One lesson I learned is to remove moisture with dry cold, or better yet a vacuum chamber. The faster you can get it into dry cold or a vacuum chamber the better. Heating will actually accelerate rust formation (at least it feels that way) and may damage things that are not broken now. You are going to want to get a CLA to be sure no metal parts have rust on them, and to clean and re-oil the ones that are at risk. Rust never sleeps or stops unless treated, let the shop know your camera went for a swim so they know to disassemble and clean everything. It may cost you, but think of it as an "educational expense".

Good luck.

guitstik · Oct 17, 2010

And next time make sure that a lifeguard is on duty or put a life vest on it.

Brian Legge · Oct 17, 2010

Whatever you do, don't throw it away. Even if things don't work out - and hopefully they will - there are always people around looking for project cameras, learning about repair, needing parts, etc.

M.A.Longmore · Oct 18, 2010

.
Hi Nijo,

Welcome To APUG !

Ron
.

mhcfires · Oct 18, 2010

Sorry about your accident, those things float like rocks.

André E.C. · Oct 18, 2010

guitstik said:
Make sure to take the batteries out.

Batteries? What batteries, it's a 500 CM, there's no batteries, mate!

guitstik · Oct 18, 2010

That was just a catch all comment. There are so many different cameras some use batteries some don't.

bdial · Oct 18, 2010

In a pinch uncooked instant rice can substitute for dehydrating packets. If you're in N.A. you may want to give Mr. Odess a call to get specfic instructions.
The good news is that the camera should get through the ordeal with no problem. Salt water would be a different matter though.

Nijo · Oct 18, 2010

Thank you all for the comments. I am currently on the road so when I get home home I will decide what to do. I have the 501cm sitting at home in a box, that will be my main film camera for now. I may end up putting this up at ebay and see if I can recoup a little of my initial expense.

guitstik · Oct 18, 2010

If you sell it, what would you ask for it?

Sirius Glass · Oct 18, 2010

Nijo said:
I may end up putting this up at ebay and see if I can recoup a little of my initial expense.

Then put the following in the eBay listing: "I do not know much about these things, but it worked the last time I used it.", "rare" and "hard to find in this condition."

Steve

sly · Oct 18, 2010

bdial said:
The good news is that the camera should get through the ordeal with no problem. Salt water would be a different matter though.

I've got a Nikkormat that has gone through 2 salt-water dunkings. Got it in to be CLA'd double-quick each time, and it still lives on. I seldom shoot 35mm these days, but it still worked last time I loaned it out.

Now the digital camera that jumped into the tide pool - complete toast!

Sirius Glass · Oct 18, 2010

sly said:
Now the digital camera that jumped into the tide pool - complete toast!

It committed suicide?!?

Steve

Nijo · Oct 19, 2010

I have decided to part ways with the 500CM. (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Then put the following in the eBay listing: "I do not know much about these things, but it worked the last time I used it.", "rare" and "hard to find in this condition."

"Near Mint, very few signs of use" is what I was thinking!

André E.C. · Oct 19, 2010

Nijo said:
I have decided to part ways with the 500CM. (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

"Near Mint, very few signs of use" is what I was thinking!

...and a diving lesson?:munch:

That would be a rather more accurate description of your Blad.

my hasselblad went swimming

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