Opening up a Hasselblad Zeiss Distagon 40mm C T*

Grim Tuesday · Apr 23, 2019

I recently got this lens in working condition with decent shape glass for the great price for $300. The only problem is, the UPS people must have been jealous of the deal I got so they stomped on the box and played ping pong with it or something. The end result is a testament to the build quality of the lens and the shutter, both of which still work, but now when I shake the lens I hear a rattling sound. I cant see a screw in between the elements and the shutter is working great so I am led to conclude it is somewhere in the barrel. Ideally I'd like to get that screw back to where it belongs but I'd settle with just getting it out so it doesn't cause any damage. Most advice on this type of lens suggests using a friction wrench (i.e. rubbed stoppers) to open the front, but this lens has a massive front element, the ring is in excess of 100mm which is bigger than any rubber stopper I can find. How can I open this lens?

jerrybro · Apr 23, 2019

Rubber strap wrench?

Sgore · Apr 23, 2019

Try a sheet of that rubberized carpet underlayment on your work surface

John Koehrer · Apr 23, 2019

If the rattling is inside, It may be a loose element or group they're usually held in place by a retaining ring.
Getting to it is something I wouldn't have done.
Shutterfinger's worked on Hasselblads and may have the information you need.

KN4SMF · Apr 23, 2019

Opening up Hasselblad lenses by the inexperienced is not smart. Please heed what i say.

Grim Tuesday · Apr 23, 2019

Thank you all for the suggestions. I strongly believe it is one of the barrel screws not an element because I can hear it rolling around when I turn the lens. It is not a clunking sound that I would expect from a broken or loose element. I'm following the guidance of David Odess in this old thread that it could be an easy repair, assuming the construction of the 40 and the 50 distagons are the same or similar: https://www.photo.net/discuss/threads/rattling-distagon-50mm-t.238655/

I don't plan on disassembling any further than the front element, even if it doesn't fix my problem. I especially don't want to mess with the helical, though that's on the other side. I am well aware of how messy lens repair can get.

mshchem · Apr 23, 2019

Grim Tuesday said:
Thank you all for the suggestions. I strongly believe it is one of the barrel screws not an element because I can hear it rolling around when I turn the lens. It is not a clunking sound that I would expect from a broken or loose element. I'm following the guidance of David Odess in this old thread that it could be an easy repair, assuming the construction of the 40 and the 50 distagons are the same or similar: https://www.photo.net/discuss/threads/rattling-distagon-50mm-t.238655/

I don't plan on disassembling any further than the front element, even if it doesn't fix my problem. I especially don't want to mess with the helical, though that's on the other side. I am well aware of how messy lens repair can get.

Use the Force!

Grim Tuesday · Apr 23, 2019

Sgore said:
Try a sheet of that rubberized carpet underlayment on your work surface

Thanks! Inspired by this suggestion I tried the opposite side of my mousepad (the desk side) and it worked famously. I got it open, took out the front element and located the screw and it was indeed in the barrel. Some of ye had little faith! Unfortunately there was another retaining ring I couldn't get the screw past, but in the course of messing with it I caused the screw to become jammed in there. So now it doesn't rattle. Not a perfect fix and maybe worse than before, but oh well. Interestingly when I got to it myself that retaining ring was only finger tight and had some wear marks (deeper retaining rings had no marks) so I think someone else had tried this fix before. I am going to shoot a roll with it and if I've cocked something up send it over to David Odess.

One nice surprise was that in taking out the front element some little things that looked like separation turned out to be flaking paint. And I discovered all the elements inside the lens are in pristine condition, so that's pretty cool.

randyB · Apr 23, 2019

The fact that you can hear something moving around means that something is not where it is supposed to be, so even if you do get the thing out, how are you going to put it back where it actually goes. Chances are the lens will need a total tear down to not only find where the part goes but to check if anything else is screwed up. Best to send it to a highly qualified Blad tech for repair. You didn't spend a lot for the lens so a few hundred to put it in top shape would be a good investment.

RalphLambrecht · Apr 24, 2019

Grim Tuesday said:
I recently got this lens in working condition with decent shape glass for the great price for $300. The only problem is, the UPS people must have been jealous of the deal I got so they stomped on the box and played ping pong with it or something. The end result is a testament to the build quality of the lens and the shutter, both of which still work, but now when I shake the lens I hear a rattling sound. I cant see a screw in between the elements and the shutter is working great so I am led to conclude it is somewhere in the barrel. Ideally I'd like to get that screw back to where it belongs but I'd settle with just getting it out so it doesn't cause any damage. Most advice on this type of lens suggests using a friction wrench (i.e. rubbed stoppers) to open the front, but this lens has a massive front element, the ring is in excess of 100mm which is bigger than any rubber stopper I can find. How can I open this lens?

I had a very similar event with a 250mm Carl Zeiss and sent it to Zeiss for a repair and alignment.$50 later I had a cleaned and aligned practically mint 250 mm Carl Zeiss CF lens for the Hasselblad. If no out-of production parts are needed,Zeiss will do the repair for very little $.

RalphLambrecht · Apr 24, 2019

Grim Tuesday said:
Thank you all for the suggestions. I strongly believe it is one of the barrel screws not an element because I can hear it rolling around when I turn the lens. It is not a clunking sound that I would expect from a broken or loose element. I'm following the guidance of David Odess in this old thread that it could be an easy repair, assuming the construction of the 40 and the 50 distagons are the same or similar: https://www.photo.net/discuss/threads/rattling-distagon-50mm-t.238655/

I don't plan on disassembling any further than the front element, even if it doesn't fix my problem. I especially don't want to mess with the helical, though that's on the other side. I am well aware of how messy lens repair can get.

good;I highly recommend to let Zeiss do it or a cheap fix can quickly get very expensive and frustrating.Do yourself the favor and resist a self-repair. They don't call it penny-wise and pound-foolish for nothing.

Grim Tuesday · Apr 24, 2019

RalphLambrecht said:
I had a very similar event with a 250mm Carl Zeiss and sent it to Zeiss for a repair and alignment.$50 later I had a cleaned and aligned practically mint 250 mm Carl Zeiss CF lens for the Hasselblad. If no out-of production parts are needed,Zeiss will do the repair for very little $.

That is very interesting, thank you Ralph!

RalphLambrecht said:
good;I highly recommend to let Zeiss do it or a cheap fix can quickly get very expensive and frustrating.Do yourself the favor and resist a self-repair. They don't call it penny-wise and pound-foolish for nothing.

Yep, you are right. Unfortunately it looks like Zeiss does not do repairs on Hassy lenses anymore. I re-thought my strategy of keeping it wedged in -- if an impact hit the lens it would transfer it right to the center column and possibly affect alignment or break an element. I dislodged it and let the screw float around back where I started. Now that I know the origin of the sound, I don't think there's any problems it could cause and if I test the lens and I like it I may just keep it as it is and sell off my 50mm instead or if I'm feeling like selling this one off (my original plan was to flip it right from adorama to ebay...) I'll send it to Mr. Odess and have him do the work first.

dave olson · Apr 24, 2019

Since you're in the US, don't mess around with amateur repair. Hasselblad USA is in NJ. I recommend you first look to the people that made the lens. They have a list of cameras and lenses they can repair will not repair due to parts. They also post the estimated costs. They also warranty the work.

Sirius Glass · Apr 24, 2019

Just get the CLA done. That will correct the problems that you do not yet know about.

RalphLambrecht · Apr 24, 2019

Grim Tuesday said:
That is very interesting, thank you Ralph!

Yep, you are right. Unfortunately it looks like Zeiss does not do repairs on Hassy lenses anymore. I re-thought my strategy of keeping it wedged in -- if an impact hit the lens it would transfer it right to the center column and possibly affect alignment or break an element. I dislodged it and let the screw float around back where I started. Now that I know the origin of the sound, I don't think there's any problems it could cause and if I test the lens and I like it I may just keep it as it is and sell off my 50mm instead or if I'm feeling like selling this one off (my original plan was to flip it right from adorama to ebay...) I'll send it to Mr. Odess and have him do the work first.

having Odess have a first look is probably the best approach;as to a swap between the 50 and the 40mm, be aware that there is a big difference in viewing angle between yhose two lenses. I was very surprised to see the increase when I took a first look through the 40mm Distagon; bought mine for $1k from Ffords in the UK 2nd hand; very happy with it.

Grim Tuesday · Apr 24, 2019

RalphLambrecht said:
having Odess have a first look is probably the best approach;as to a swap between the 50 and the 40mm, be aware that there is a big difference in viewing angle between yhose two lenses. I was very surprised to see the increase when I took a first look through the 40mm Distagon; bought mine for $1k from Ffords in the UK 2nd hand; very happy with it.

You are right, it is an incredibly wide optic. I think it is wider than a small format's 24mm, especially considering the ridiculous vertical increase in image area. The 50 is a practical lens, this is an shock-and-awe effect optic. That said, nowadays a Hasselblad 500C is not a practical camera so I think a non-practical lens fits it well.

jeffreyg · Apr 25, 2019

If you didn't document the problem with the packaging with UPS upon delivery you may have no recourse with them. If you did it's possible the lens was insured and they might foot the bill for repair. I've had repairs and service by both Odess and Hasselblad N.J. and both were done well. Hasselblad N.J. was much faster.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

http://www.sculptureandphotography.com/

Grim Tuesday · Apr 27, 2019

jeffreyg said:
If you didn't document the problem with the packaging with UPS upon delivery you may have no recourse with them. If you did it's possible the lens was insured and they might foot the bill for repair. I've had repairs and service by both Odess and Hasselblad N.J. and both were done well. Hasselblad N.J. was much faster.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

http://www.sculptureandphotography.com/

Thanks Jeff. I actually did take a picture of the box when it was at the UPS store because it was in such bad shape. Thanks for the advice, I filed a claim with them for the cost of repair with David Odess. I'll see what they say, worst they can say is "no."

Hazza · Mar 24, 2020

Hello everyone
I don’t recommend anyone disassemble
The front ring is glued very very very hard to get off
If you past that point
Then the ring that holds the front element is glued
Rubber wrench does not work
Only small chance is using a knife and lightly force into the edge of ring ( in between the chrome and front ring )
Knife must have a very fine edge
This is to free the grip on the chrome
You need go all round the ring
*Important only lightly to not damage*
You will get a opening less than 1 mm
You then apply CRC
This helps open the ring and if you are lucky
It will break open the glue
Then use high quality lens rubber tool
Option 2 is to heat the ring but this can damage the paint and leather
This lens is made to be not touched
I have seen people using chisel with hammer
This will destroy the ring and lens

RalphLambrecht · Mar 24, 2020

Grim Tuesday said:
I recently got this lens in working condition with decent shape glass for the great price for $300. The only problem is, the UPS people must have been jealous of the deal I got so they stomped on the box and played ping pong with it or something. The end result is a testament to the build quality of the lens and the shutter, both of which still work, but now when I shake the lens I hear a rattling sound. I cant see a screw in between the elements and the shutter is working great so I am led to conclude it is somewhere in the barrel. Ideally I'd like to get that screw back to where it belongs but I'd settle with just getting it out so it doesn't cause any damage. Most advice on this type of lens suggests using a friction wrench (i.e. rubbed stoppers) to open the front, but this lens has a massive front element, the ring is in excess of 100mm which is bigger than any rubber stopper I can find. How can I open this lens?

This happened to me with a 250mm/f5.6. I sent it to Zeiss and 4 weeks an only $50 later, I got a repaired and fully adjusted lens in perfect condition back. Call them before you send it because, they won't fix some older lenses due to the lack of spare parts.

3DJack · Feb 6, 2021

Hazza said:
Hello everyone
I don’t recommend anyone disassemble
The front ring is glued very very very hard to get off
If you past that point
Then the ring that holds the front element is glued
Rubber wrench does not work
Only small chance is using a knife and lightly force into the edge of ring ( in between the chrome and front ring )
Knife must have a very fine edge
This is to free the grip on the chrome
You need go all round the ring
*Important only lightly to not damage*
You will get a opening less than 1 mm
You then apply CRC
This helps open the ring and if you are lucky
It will break open the glue
Then use high quality lens rubber tool
Option 2 is to heat the ring but this can damage the paint and leather
This lens is made to be not touched
I have seen people using chisel with hammer
This will destroy the ring and lens

What's CRC stand for? (I've got the same rattley 40mm Distagon C problem)

tokam · Feb 6, 2021

CRC make a spray lubricant / solvent, (amongst other products), and I think the product referred to is similar to WD-40.
DANGER, Will Robinson, DANGER!!!!!

Grim Tuesday · Feb 6, 2021

My best guess is it refers to close range correction, which is what Nikon called the thing Hasselblad calls Floating Lens Element. It is in some 40mm Hasselblad lenses but not the "C"

doctorpepe · Oct 30, 2022

3DJack said:
What's CRC stand for? (I've got the same rattley 40mm Distagon C problem)

CRC is brake cleaner perchloro- or tetrachloroethylene. No lubricants. It does work to loosen stuck lenses. Also methylene chloride does the same but is less environmentally friendly.

Opening up a Hasselblad Zeiss Distagon 40mm C T*

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