Sources & Pricing For Hasselblad CLA/Repairs In The US

chuckroast · May 6, 2024

A few questions, if I may...

Who is the recommended goto for Hasselblad CLAs and repairs these days?

What can I expect to pay for a general CLA and tuneup?

What is the cost to replace/rehab the back shutter barn doors?

I see a fair number of used 500s in decent conditions but they inevitably have badly deflocked back barn doors. I don't want to get into a camera whose maintenance would exceed its value. This is just so I have a backup body.

shutterboy · May 6, 2024

Call https://www.kiwicameraservice.com/ and ask for Michael. He is an excellent repair person. He has serviced a Hasselblad bellow extension and a couple of lenses for me and it has been flawless.

bags27 · May 6, 2024

Barn Owl. Jim Kilroy was trained by David Odess. He's a great guy, a careful and knowledgeable repairman, and very quick turnaround. In central Massachusetts. Email him for estimates:
barnowlcameras@gmail.com

BrianShaw · May 6, 2024

chuckroast said:
... I don't want to get into a camera whose maintenance would exceed its value. This is just so I have a backup body.

If the "value" is the purchase price, then you'll likely find that maintenance will often exceed. DIY repairs might yield different results, both in terms of the value-cost proposition and possibly repair quality. If "value" refers to having a reliable backup, then the equation is very different.

Not long ago I bought an old camera in fairly good condition and paid more than twice the purchase price to have it professionally overhauled; that amount being both repair fee and shipping. To me that was a good "value" for a backup camera that I know I can count on.

RezaLoghme · May 6, 2024

One of the well-known specialist, David Odess, recently passed, you will have to find a suitable alternative. Maybe also look overseas?

Money should not be a primary concern; if the overhaul makes you camera last another 10 years, you can (mentally) depreciate the cost over said period.

chuckroast · May 6, 2024

RezaLoghme said:
One of the well-known specialist, David Odess, recently passed, you will have to find a suitable alternative. Maybe also look overseas?

I was aware of his passing, hence this thread.

RezaLoghme said:
Money should not be a primary concern; if the overhaul makes you camera last another 10 years, you can (mentally) depreciate the cost over said period.

It's not a matter of money as such. I just don't want to put $600 into a $300 body when I could just spend more on a body that doesn't need maintenance.

But as I look the available bodies, many show significant deterioration of the back shutter "barn doors" and I was just wondering what it costs to fix or replace them (if parts are even available at all).

RezaLoghme · May 6, 2024

Yes you could always go for the youngest body you could find, e.g. 503 series. I am often thinking about that. It would always be their relative freshness, not the extra features (gliding mirror, TTL flash), which are meaningless for me.

About the "value" of a specialist toy that is over 30 old - it has no value unless you are planning to sell it. A Hassellblad will give you years, if not decades of good times. Whether the body has cost you 500 or 1000 US$ does not make any difference at all, given the overall Opex of MF photography. It is just mental accounting.

A 300$ body is cheaper than one which does not need urgent maintenance just because of that. Seeking Alpha does not work on such things. Same goes for vintage cars and getting back into shape.

bags27 · May 6, 2024

Do I have it completely wrong, but weren't later HB models using a material or a glue or a paint that resulted in the problems with the back shutter barn doors, a material not used by the 500 c/m (my own, FWIW, is perfect)?

RezaLoghme · May 6, 2024

Yes it is called Palpas. Maybe the OP means that, it was not clear from the post.

BrianShaw · May 6, 2024

From what I've heard/read, cracked palpas/palapas isn't really a problem. If it's flaking off, that's a different story...

Sirius Glass · May 6, 2024

I have used Samy's Camera on Fairfax in Los Angeles California since 2007. I used KEH once for a CLA and stuck shutter under warranty for a 500 mm C lens which required a complete disassembly and re-collimation. That would have been on $750 at Hasselblad NJ back then for a $550 lens purchase.

Sources & Pricing For Hasselblad CLA/Repairs In The US

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