Hasselblad light leak question

[jools230575]

Afternoon folks

A quick question. I've just got back my first processed film from my Hassie. On some, but not all, there are some light leaks. They are not consistant frame by frame.

Is it good practice to:

1) take shot.
2) put darkslide back in
3) wind film on ready for next shot.

On some I do remember taking my shot and then winding on the film without putting the darkslide back in.

Thanks

Jools

PS Thanks for all the other help people gave me lately. I need to respond to them!

[Dick Roadnight]

1) take shot.
2) put darkslide back in
3) wind film on ready for next shot.

On some I do remember taking my shot and then winding on the film without putting the darkslide back in.

Inserting the darkslide might cause a light leak and wear out the light seals.

If it is an old camera of magazine then there might be some movement between the camera and back that occurs during wind on.

Take a blank picture (lens cap on, dark location) and then wind on in a very well lit location, and see if there is a problem.

If there is a problem... get it fixed or put some electrician's tape round the camera, so no light can get through the darkslide slot or the "gap" between the camera and the filmback.

You could test with a digiback or other film backs.

[John R Smith]

Afternoon folks

A quick question. I've just got back my first processed film from my Hassie. On some, but not all, there are some light leaks. They are not consistant frame by frame.

Is it good practice to:

1) take shot.
2) put darkslide back in
3) wind film on ready for next shot.

Jools

If this is a used, unserviced 500 series magazine I am not surprised that you have light leaks. They all do. The reason the amount of damage varies from shot to shot is that the camera was more or less exposed to bright sunlight between frames. It is not good practice, and completely unecessary, to put the dark slide in and out between shots. You only need to insert the darkslide to remove the magazine from the camera. Store unloaded magazines without the slide inserted.

This is not the end of the world. You need a new light trap in your magazine. The cost of parts is about 5 GBP, and a competent repair man should not charge you a great deal to fit one. Any second-hand V-system magazine should have this done as a matter of routine.

John

[jools230575]

Thanks John.

Could you advise where I get a new light trap from for a fiver? I did see them on Ebay the other day but at a significantly more expensive price than that.

Also, is it easier to install yourself? I looked on Hasselblad's website and couldn't see where their service centres are. Either that, or I have spent too much time witnessing sunrise/ set and I'm gloing blind!

Thanks

[John R Smith]

Jools

Well, I am in the UK and I have always got my spares from Hasselblad UK. The contact is -

Paul Gould
UK Customer Care & Service Manager
020 8731 3271
[email protected]

Last time I bought light traps was about two years ago, so they might have increased in cost since then I suppose. You can install them yourself (I do) but it is a tricky little job to get right.

John