Problem with Hasselblad film advancing

It may well be that some repair places charge $200 or more to put in new seals, as I happened upon a receipt for repairs to Hasselblad kit including a number of A12 and A24 backs repaired 3-4 years ago and IIRC they charged $250 a back for CLA. on 'excellent' condition backs that likely needed only new seals.

The receipt was detailed for each repair made, also noted one spring was changed among five backs or so.

I won't name the Company that did this, but I found it outrageous that they did this, and will no trust them with my kit, ever.

Grim Tuesday said:

Edit: Sirius pointed out some of my information about the price to pay for a back CLA was incorrect. Kudos to him, it probably is just worth paying for to know you have something that is working perfectly and reliably.

I still think the going rate for backs is crazy.

The market for hasselblad backs is insane for 4 reasons:

1. In my opinion, there is no point to having an A12 back instead of a C12 back. They are functionally identical, and honestly I prefer loading C12 backs and you can check that everything is working if you take a look in the window.

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We are all different. I have been using Hasselblad in my career since 1989 starting with version-2 A12 backs. I then upgraded to version-3 backs for the much improved film reminder slot and have been using them ever since.

The way pros work best is by standardizing on equipment that works the best, the fastest and most reliably so that they can concentrate on what matters and that is the content and talent level as applied to the actual image. I never took to the version-4 backs because I don’t like the extra room they take up in my packs with the dark slide holder and I really don’t like the way that exposes the dark slide to the elements when working afield, thus I have 12 version-3 A12 backs, one A24 for use with that film and an old A16 to use as a back to train on for repairs.

By the way, while Odess does charge $90 for labor on a back, that does not include the fee for parts. I suspect that soon we will hear that parts are drying up just like they did for the older C lenses that pre-date the much better CF designs, hence me having so many backs and looking for more for parts supply. I have done my own light seals for years now so that’s money saved.

And I won’t be using an A24 for 120 film by the way, I would find that incredibly distracting while in the heat of nailing a great image.

I am just lucky to have the number of backs I have, in A12, A24 and the one A16, so I can preload several backs, and even different films for situations to image, plus, if and when I am able to find and able to find an affordable A70 back or two, I can start using the old 70mm Tri-X I have as well as FRESH, HP5+ when it's put out there again.

Because I worked as a freelancer, and an assistant for some time, I was able to cope with reloading/unloading different Medium format cameras under situations that many would find quite stressful and still be able to manage several important tasks at the same time. This and my previous Hasselblad kit gave me the tools I need to consider all my options in a moment and more importantly, the ability to slow down the processes in large to small formats to do the job properly.

If any of you younger shooters, has the chance to assist and work for a professional that still uses film, you can learn a lot by doing so, which can really sharpen and temper your situation awareness when rushed, stressed and confronted with choices of how to plan and pack for a longer shooting, on the road, for your boss and yourself. You will also learn how to handle models, stylists, hair, clothing, makeup and product etc and correct myriad misadventures in seconds, so the best possible image made.

IMO.

Kodachromeguy said:

What decade are you in? A12 backs now cost a bundle. In USA, the type 4 backs are approaching $400 and $500.

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In Germany, A12N backs go for around 300€ in good condition. Supply and demand!
Maybe only very, very old backs (from the 50's or so) might not be worth the price to repair but anything newer than that is definitely worth the money.
Particularly if the only repair needed is replacing the light seals...

Ai Print said:

Seriously. It makes me wonder why someone has not figured out a way to 3D print the components to convert A24 backs to A12. 220 film is not coming back and there are thousands of those backs out there. I keep an eye out for cheap versions of them for parts.

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No need to 3D print anything. The only change needed are a few gears and the frame number indicator, which are available as spare parts. I knew a guy who used to buy A24 backs and had them modified by a Hasselblad tech. in the days when they were available for "cheap" - unfortunately those times seem over and paying over $100 to the repairman doesn't make it a very valuable business anymore (unless you can do the mod yourself obviously)
Sometimes I'm thinking Hassy equipment is a better investment than the stock market...

Grim Tuesday said:

Sirius, I checked David Odess's going rate and it's $90 for a back. For some reason I thought it was $200, I must have mixed it up with the price for a shutter repair. My apologies, I actually do retract my opinion on if it's worth it. $90 is fair, and I would rather have a back I know to be 100% CLA'd for $90 than the stuff I get on eBay for $50.

But I do think you overestimate the skill of the graders at Adorama, KEH and Roberts... Maybe B&H still knows their stuff. But I have literally seen stuff listed at the other three in the lowest grade, exclusively for light seal problems.

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I sent a back to Dave Odess a couple of years back, based upon the $90 service charge listed on his website. He quoted me $280 to repair it. I bought a service guide through Ebay and serviced the back myself in about 40 minutes. Total cost $40

Sgore said:

I sent a back to Dave Odess a couple of years back, based upon the $90 service charge listed on his website. He quoted me $280 to repair it. I bought a service guide through Ebay and serviced the back myself in about 40 minutes. Total cost $40

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That is exactly what I am running to price wise on the back I sent him two months ago. I really like his work and want to support him but I get the feeling he is getting hammered with work and is turning into the “Fleenor” of Hasselblad service people.

I figure I will pay for this one and then that is it, I do all my own maintenance and repair from now on. Not only can I not afford to pay him this kind of coin to service my 14 backs over the coming years I will use them, I sure as hell can not afford to wait freaking 12-14 weeks for the hour worth of work to be done.

Ai Print said:

And I won’t be using an A24 for 120 film by the way, I would find that incredibly distracting while in the heat of nailing a great image.

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Just curious, what part of using them do you find distracting? The loading by lining up differently or the remembering not to shoot past 12 frames? Like you say, we are all different so what is not a problem for me may well be a very serious problem for your you and that's OK. It's fun to discuss and learn about other people's opinions and uses on this forum. Some of us are hobbyists, and collectors. Others are professionals, and it's always good to be reminded not everyone uses cameras the same way I do.


On the subject of the cost to repair backs, my original contention was only that it is not worth paying $200+ to repair a back, when you can get a working one for well under $100. Especially if you can sell the non-working back on eBay for $40-50... It seems like simple arithmetic. But if If the cost to repair is $90 and you end up with a perfectly lubricated, calibrated back for the price...well then that seems just fine. So the trick seems to be to get a realistic quote for repair and make a decision based on that, do the math yourself and choose from there, and don't listen to anyone (like me) on a forum who tells you to always do one thing or another without knowing your local situation!