Hello, and shutter will not fire question

[kanenas]

Hello all, glad to find this forum dedicated to H. equipment.

I have a 503CXi. When I depress the shutter release all the way in, nothing happens. The mirror is down, the curtains are shut. The crank won't turn, so obviously the camera is cocked, yet it does not fire. There is no lens or back. There is no shutter release lock. Any pointers appreciated...

 

[Victorh]

If the release button goes in all the way there could be a broken mainspring.
If the release button does not go in all the way the camera mechanism is blocked.
That can have several causes.

Time to see a repair man!


Vic.

 

[kanenas]

Thanks, Victor. The release button goes all the way in, without resistance.

Trouble is, this problem developed while the camera was in storage, not during actual use. Does this mean that the camera should better be stored uncocked?

 

[Victorh]

Cocked versus uncocked is a continuing discussion.

Hasselblad recommends to store bodies and lenses cocked.
There are two reasons for that.

1. Cocked lenses and bodies are ready for immediate use.

2. Trying to mount an uncocked lens to a cocked body will result in a jammed body and lens.

Unless you are considering storing equipment for long periods it is best to follow this advice.
There is no real advantage in keeping lenses and bodies uncocked.


Vic.

 

[kanenas]

There is no real advantage in keeping lenses and bodies uncocked.

I always store my Hasselblads cocked. Yet, the damage to my camera happened while in storage. Of course, mine is a sample of only one, therefore I cannot draw any useful conclusion.

 

[stever]

It could be as simple as having the oil gummed up. But it still needs to go to a repairman.

Steve