Weird Hasselblad lens issue

[Fatih Ayoglu]

Hi all,
I have a weird issue with my Hasselblad 150/4 lens

When I crack the arm and cock the shutter, it doesn't open up the blades, so I cannot see anything through the viewfinder. However after that, if I want to release the shutter, I can do it without an issue. I have checked if the blades open properly by setting the shutter to 1s and B modes and when I want to release, it opens the blades and let the light in.

However, then I cock it again, it doesn't open up at standby so I can not compose anything. I have other lenses and don't have a problem with them and I can disconnect the lens from the camera without any issue.

Have you come across this issue at all or know how I can fix it?

Many thanks,
Fatih

 

[BrianShaw]

Which 150/4 lens?

Which Hasselblad body?

Did it ever work correctly?

 

[Fatih Ayoglu]

CF one, sorry forgot to mention that. And the camera is 500 C/M

 

[BrianShaw]

Is the stop-down lever (DOF preview) on the lens inadvertently locked?

 

[Fatih Ayoglu]

As far as I can see it is not. When I check from back, mirror up, it engages and disengages as it should

 

[bdial]

Learncamerarepair.com has a lens service manual that includes the 150 CFi https://learncamerarepair.com/product.php?product=94&category=2&secondary=5

It sounds like the cocking mechanism on the lens is working normally, otherwise you likely wouldn't be able to mount and dismount the lens. So the problem seems likely to be in the shutter, it might not be a good DIY project though. But the good news is that parts should be available since it is a relatively current lens.

Is it possible you have the depth of field preview engaged and the lens is stopped down all the way? You probably covered that already, but if the lens is stopped down fully, it would be pretty dark trying to look through it. You should be so lucky if that's the cause.

 

[Fatih Ayoglu]

Thank you for your reply. My lens is the CF model but I have checked the document as it is fairly similar, way above my expertise to repair.

The lever is not locked, and can be engaged and disengaged easily, which I can verify by looking through the film back.

On interesting thing is, when the DOF lever is engaged (f/8 and below), 5 out 10 times, the diaphragm does not open when I cock the shutter. If the DOF lever is not engaged, every time the diaphragm does not open. Weird as well. I think the spring which opens the diaphragm gave up or something has happened and this will require a service https://share.icloud.com/photos/059Me7OQMmfgzM8j0fCaMT7vw is the video of it

 

[Fatih Ayoglu]

Also, if I engage DOF lever, set the aperture to f/32, the diaphragm opens every time. If I try the same for f/4, it doesn't. Weird as hell

 

[Arthurwg]

Time to have the lens serviced.

 

[BrianShaw]

Did the lens ever work correctly?

 

[Fatih Ayoglu]

Did the lens ever work correctly?

Yes, I was shooting today and then took it off and attached 50/4. Then, I wanted to swap again and realized the issue.

 

[BrianShaw]

Chances are that the shutter is gummed up and a servicing is needed.

Do you have a reputable Hasselblad repair shop near you? Which “Birmingham”… England or Alabama?

 

[Sirius Glass]

Time for a CLA. There are a number of possibilities include the shutter shaft worn or needing adjustment.

 

[itsdoable]

As usual, Sirius is correct, the lens needs an adjustment. The Compur and Pronto shutters have a lever that opens the shutter independent of the main spring, it is the same system as on the large format lenses, where you open the shutter to focus. A cam pushes this lever open when you wind the lens. I've seem this cam get worn and slip and not catch the lever, which required a simple adjustment to correct. The problem is, this is a fair ways inside the lens, and the clam shell that holds the shutter has to be opened.

The iris has a plastic cam that pushed it open during winding, and wear on this is usually the reason the iris does not open fully, but you can usually open it maually and it will stay open until you shoot.

 

[Fatih Ayoglu]

Chances are that the shutter is gummed up and a servicing is needed.

Do you have a reputable Hasselblad repair shop near you? Which “Birmingham”… England or Alabama?

England. I’ll send over ClassicV, which is £160 for servicing, plus £40 if the blade opening ring is faulty.

Do you know any other one I can check?

 

[Fatih Ayoglu]

As usual, Sirius is correct, the lens needs an adjustment. The Compur and Pronto shutters have a lever that opens the shutter independent of the main spring, it is the same system as on the large format lenses, where you open the shutter to focus. A cam pushes this lever open when you wind the lens. I've seem this cam get worn and slip and not catch the lever, which required a simple adjustment to correct. The problem is, this is a fair ways inside the lens, and the clam shell that holds the shutter has to be opened.

The iris has a plastic cam that pushed it open during winding, and wear on this is usually the reason the iris does not open fully, but you can usually open it maually and it will stay open until you shoot.

How do you open the iris manually?

 

[Sirius Glass]

How do you open the iris manually?

Take a look at this:

 

[Fatih Ayoglu]

Take a look at this:

Oh I know this but the issue is not that. It cocks the shutter but the iris does not stay open. Midway through while opening the iris, iris closes again but the shutter is cocked

 

[Sirius Glass]

Oh I know this but the issue is not that. It cocks the shutter but the iris does not stay open. Midway through while opening the iris, iris closes again but the shutter is cocked

That is a sign that the shutter shaft is worn out or need adjustment. I had that happen to my 50mm lens which was I purchased in good condition and well worn. Many years later it would sound like it cocked and fired correctly by in fact the lens was not opening for the exposure. Time for a CLA.

 

[itsdoable]

How do you open the iris manually?

Perhaps we are not on the same page.

The "iris" is the aperture (like the iris in your eye), and you should be able to open the aperture to full open with the aperture ring. If the lens is cocked, it should stay there when you move the aperture ring to a smaller setting. If it does not stay open, then something is worn and the shaft is not synced with the rest of the lens. or the stop down mechanism is jammed.

The shutter mechanism is different, and similar to Large Format camera lenses, there is a lever to open it the shutter when it is cocked, and that lever inside the lens, or the cam that pushes it, is worn and not engaging.

Or the shaft is not synced properly.

As Sirius says, time for a CLA.

 

[polka]

I love all these threads about Hassle-Blades

Polka (Bronica fan)

 

[Edgy01]

Unfortunately, the mechanism that handles the synching up of a Zeiss lens and a Hassy body is not without an occasional issue. Sometimes a particular lens is problematic. I have several bodies so I can troubleshoot to see if it one particular body that is the problem. Ultimately, you will find the lens is most likely the problem.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Unfortunately, the mechanism that handles the synching up of a Zeiss lens and a Hassy body is not without an occasional issue. Sometimes a particular lens is problematic. I have several bodies so I can troubleshoot to see if it one particular body that is the problem. Ultimately, you will find the lens is most likely the problem.

Then take that lens to a Hasselblad repair person and have it adjusted. It only takes a few minutes unless the shutter shaft has to be replaced, That eliminates the shutter from prematurely firing which causes the problem.