New Hasselblad Worries

yeknom02 · Jul 26, 2010

OK, I just picked up a Bargain-grade Hasselblad 500C/M outfit from KEH.com (JOY!) But I have two concerns:

1) When I look through the waistlevel viewfinder, there are numerous black dots everywhere, and a wispy, hair-like scuff in the upper corner. Is there any way to get rid of these with a clean, or is this irreparable damage?

2) After I shot frame 12 of my first test roll, I think neither the main winding crank nor the one on the film back would wind. Confused, I popped out the film holder and found out I wiped out frame 12 and part of frame 11. Did I do something wrong? I have since put color film in there and shot a few exposures just fine (though not to 12 again yet)

Thanks for any suggestions. I'm asking you guys since I'm operating this camera on pure intuition, and these might be common problems that Hasselblad owners know about.

Thomas Bertilsson · Jul 26, 2010

When you buy cameras used, it's always a good idea to have them serviced.

There are still many reputable service repair people out there. I'm sure you can get recommendations here.

- Thomas

Q.G. · Jul 26, 2010

1) Probably dust on the focussing screen.
Take it out, and wipe it clean. (Dry. If must be, breath on it, then wipe).

2) After frame 12, the camera should wind and transport the film using the wind knob/crank on the camera.
After that, the crank on the magazine is used to wind the film entirely on the take up spool.

If neither works, there is a problem that needs to be solved. Ask KEH about footing the bill, or return the camera for a better one.

wclark5179 · Jul 26, 2010

Here is a gent that does good work on Hasselblad cameras:

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

Give him a call.

Are your black dots and scuff on the viewing/focusing screen?

This also could be a solution for you: "If neither works, there is a problem that needs to be solved. Ask KEH about footing the bill, or return the camera for a better one."

Jesper · Jul 26, 2010

1. Cleaning screen and mirror is usually not a problem. Remove the lens and the screen for easy cleaning.

2. You should not be able to remove the mag without the darkslide in place. If you can, that is an error (or maybe this was not the question)

lns · Jul 26, 2010

1. Don't try to wipe these off yourself without some tutoring, or you could damage the very expensive screen.

2. After you finish a roll, you wind the crank on the film back to roll up the film.

Pure intuition probably isn't enough. You should be able to find manuals for the camera and back here: http://www.butkus.org/chinon/hasselblad.htm

I can recommend David Odess if your camera needs servicing. KEH surely would fix it, or replace it, if defective.

-Laura

yeknom02 · Jul 26, 2010

Re: 1) So... how do you take out the focusing screen? And what should I use to wipe it down?

Re: 2) Ok, I'll finish this roll and see if the film back's crank will wind. If not, I'll be on the phone to KEH about it.

yeknom02 · Jul 26, 2010

Note: Jesper, I did not remove the magazine, but rather the magazine insert (the bit with the two spools and the film plate). I've been able to figure out that the darkslide is needed to remove the whole back.

John Koehrer · Jul 26, 2010

WL finder slides straight off to the rear. Remove the back first.
The screen has two small latches that are visible, push them aside & the screen lifts out, or turn the camera over & it falls out.

Q.G. · Jul 26, 2010

A thing you also should really do, is read a manual.
Theye are thin, so no excuses!

bmasonoh · Jul 26, 2010

wclark5179 said:
Here is a gent that does good work on Hasselblad cameras:

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

Give him a call.

Are your black dots and scuff on the viewing/focusing screen?

This also could be a solution for you: "If neither works, there is a problem that needs to be solved. Ask KEH about footing the bill, or return the camera for a better one."

I'll second David Odess. I just got my 500 c/m back from him after a CLA. Aside from the general CLA he also fixed a rather unusual problem with the film back. Just be advised that the cost of a thorough CLA may be half or more of what you paid for your kit!

The silver lining is that his work is 1st rate and I expect the camera to operate well for years to come (I hope).

yeknom02 · Jul 26, 2010

OK, I found out the focusing screen is definitely scratched up a bit, though I may try a blower brush if I can pick one up at the local camera shop. A bit of an internet search reveals that you should never use any fluid to clean the focusing screen, since it can get sandwiched between the two plates of the screen. I may try buying another, but that looks like an expensive replacement. Not to mention that there are tons of model numbers and I can't seem to find an index of all of them.

I'm off to try to complete my second roll to double-check that my film back indeed works.

Sirius Glass · Jul 26, 2010

As QC said, read the manual. Contact KEH if there is still a problem.

Steve

jbbooks · Jul 26, 2010

Q.G. said:
A thing you also should really do, is read a manual.
Theye are thin, so no excuses!

Look here:

http://www.hasselbladhistorical.eu/HW/HWVSys.aspx

fschifano · Jul 26, 2010

A few scratches on the screen or some dust on the mirror doesn't mean a thing. Neither condition will affect the image quality, so I suggest leaving well enough alone if all else is working properly. The mirror is a first surface mirror, meaning that the reflective surface is on top of the glass support as opposed to most common mirror which have the reflective surface below the glass. These surfaces are VERY delicate and scratch very easily. They can be cleaned, but the procedure is risky if you don't know what you're doing. I wouldn't do any more than blow any loose dust off with a blower. Don't even use canned air.

New Hasselblad Worries

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