Well I just bought another 'Blad that I probably didn't need. The local Craigslist had one advertised and somehow I just couldn't help myself from calling the seller about it. The seller was making a trip that wasn't too far from where I live and he was generous enough to stop by with the camera. He was actually selling it for the daughter of an elderly gentleman that had passed away. It's a 1977 500CM with an 80mm f/2.8 C lens and included the metered winding knob and flash bracket. The seller had had a technician look at it and found the body was not operating properly as it appeared that it hadn't been used for a long time or it may never have shot a roll of film at all and the lube had stiffened up. The mirror was up and the winding knob couldn't be turned. The lens and back appeared to function OK.
The camera does look as if it had never been used, both inside and out and the lens and back were in them same condition. I asked the seller what was the best he could do for price considering the body problem and he stated $700(US). I had looked at prices online, so even with the problem this seemed not too bad even if I had to send it out for a repair. The wife wasn't too impressed that I bought a camera for $700 that didn't work.
Having disassembled a few 35mm cameras over the years for repairs I thought I'd see if I could get the Hasselblad apart and get it back working. I found several documents online that aided in removing the main assembly from the case, which was surprisingly easy. From there looking at linkages and pivot points using a service guide I found online, I applied a very small drop of oil to those points and gently moved things a bit to loosen things up. It evidently was enough as the camera now could be consistently cocked and fired as it should. Putting it all back together went well after I figured out that the lever that operates the mirror pre-release needed to be lifted to allow its button to be positioned beneath it.
I've noticed after removal of the darkslide several times, there's some black residue coming along with it, so I'll be ordering a seal set from ebay.
This is a good day, I'm happy!!!
Disclaimer: Unless you are particularly good with tools and working on equipment such as this, let the pros do it.
The camera does look as if it had never been used, both inside and out and the lens and back were in them same condition. I asked the seller what was the best he could do for price considering the body problem and he stated $700(US). I had looked at prices online, so even with the problem this seemed not too bad even if I had to send it out for a repair. The wife wasn't too impressed that I bought a camera for $700 that didn't work.
Having disassembled a few 35mm cameras over the years for repairs I thought I'd see if I could get the Hasselblad apart and get it back working. I found several documents online that aided in removing the main assembly from the case, which was surprisingly easy. From there looking at linkages and pivot points using a service guide I found online, I applied a very small drop of oil to those points and gently moved things a bit to loosen things up. It evidently was enough as the camera now could be consistently cocked and fired as it should. Putting it all back together went well after I figured out that the lever that operates the mirror pre-release needed to be lifted to allow its button to be positioned beneath it.
I've noticed after removal of the darkslide several times, there's some black residue coming along with it, so I'll be ordering a seal set from ebay.
This is a good day, I'm happy!!!
Disclaimer: Unless you are particularly good with tools and working on equipment such as this, let the pros do it.
