Reply With QuoteHello there A.P., sundial is probably your man for this, perhaps a PM? Enjoy your trip, and post some pictures please !
Good morning,
I've a Hasselblad 500 c/m camera that has not been used in quite a while.
Would anyone have suggestions as to where in London, or the UK more generally (or in Continental Europe) that it would be good to send it to for servicing? (And that is: high quality, reasonable, and reliable?)
Any suggestions much appreciated. I'm travelling in the summer and would love to have it for then to take some landscape photos among some quite wild scenery.
Experiences with the camera, which I'm new too, would be interesting, too.
With best wishes,
AP.
Hello there A.P., sundial is probably your man for this, perhaps a PM? Enjoy your trip, and post some pictures please !
F.T.F.A.
Remember an ex-colleague who used a place called Classic V in Watford, he was happy of they work they did on the back - something was wrong with the winding on his Hasselblad. Can try to mail him to get the address.
BWs
franco, Sheffield
Many thanks Maigrus. I'll do that. If the photos are any good I'll post some!
Many thanks too Franco, that would be excellent. He sounds like he knows the specialist area. Any suggestions gratefully received.
Best wishes,
AP.
PS Aperture in London has been mentioned, but I'd rather have an idea of alternatives and as they might be pricy.
Can't help on this, but good to see you back AP!
R
Ignorance breeds Fear. Fear breeds Hatred. Hatred breeds Ignorance. Break the chain.
Cheers! :-) Very happy to see you here still, too.
Something stirred at the back of my mind and I recalled buying a Canon 1DMkII from a fairly local chap. It turned out to have a small fault, only apparent because I'd set up the camera for back button focus. Luckily he was a good sort and refunded me, and subsequently he had it fixed at A.J. Johnstone & Co Ltd , and I'm pretty sure it was at reasonable cost. May be worth a phone call, if they can't do what you need perhaps they'll know who can.
Originally Posted by A.Pottinger
Found it, here: http://www.classicv.co.uk/ I originally only remembered the name because I thought it had to be a Beethoven enthusiast !
Seconded !
That's the company I use for my camera body & lenses servicing and repair: very good they are too.
R
Ignorance breeds Fear. Fear breeds Hatred. Hatred breeds Ignorance. Break the chain.
I've used Fixation in Vauxhall, London for years and have always been happy with them. Not sure if they work on Hasselblads but I'd be surprised if they didn't.
Thirded.
When you look long into an abyss, the abyss looks long into you.........
Great to see you back AP!
Hope you get your Hassy sorted.
Cheers,
Neil.
Send to Dave Boyle in Bletchley … likely cheaper than any other repairer and fast service.
http://www.camerarepairworkshop.co.uk
If just a sluggish slow speed shutter just send him the lens.
If you need an instruction manual download same http://www.butkus.org/chinon/hasselb...0c_m-swc_m.htm
Also lots of YouTube videos showing how to operate the camera e.g. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAN9AAY6st8
If the lens will not mount or is jammed, YouTube videos show how to 'unjam' https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...d+500cm+jammed
If the focusing screen is scratched, remove and polish it with Polywatch which can restore it to 'as new' condition
Remember that the shutter will not fire unless the dark slide / insert is removed … and the film back cannot be removed unless the dark slide is inserted.
All the info required to operate and maintain a H'blad 500 C or CM is available online … lots of videos and downloads available … and unlikely the camera needs servicing unless the shutter is sluggish or the light seals are worn.
dunk
Last edited by sundial; 5th May 2018 at 01:09.
"Well they would say that ... wouldn't they!"
buy yourself a nice stubby screwdriver that fits the lens cocking mechanism exactly. put it one of the outside pockets of your camera bag.
thank me later.
Many thanks to those who gave such a warm welcome, and to those you provided much appreciated advice.
After checking various possibilities, I decided to go into London today with the camera, to The Camera Museum - situated near that great institution, the British Museum.
Thankfully, the main section of the camera is in very good condition. The lens (50mm Zeiss) and the back/film holder need help as after sometime trying to get them to work, they were not quite fully ready for it. As the camera's not been used for at least 1/2 a decade, a service seems a good idea, too.
The price quoted at this preliminary stage seems quite reasonable.
I'll inform of the results. Fingers crossed...
BTW, and FYI in case helpful: A.J.Johnstone were not able to offer help, which they politely informed me after I called them yesterday as kindly suggested by Maigrus.
I'll keep Bletchley in mind Dunk, in case and might try them next time. Much appreciated. I'll also look up the videos: that's really helpful, too.
Many thanks again and cheers,
AP.
I cannot help thinking that there is likely nothing wrong with the camera and lens and its back … and that it's just unfamiliarity with its operation that's causing the worry. They are relatively simple cameras and easy to operate once you know how.
dunk
"Well they would say that ... wouldn't they!"
Another vote for these guys, aka Aperture UK. Their Hasselblad centre is on Museum St., the other stuff is in their other shop on Rathbone Place. Patrick and Richard are honest and knowledgeable. I've used them for years, Nikon, Hasselblad and large format.
This, i’m a pro who pre dig used a Blad for years and if you’re travelling it’s essential advice.
Many thanks.
It's a fair point Dunk, and quite a good deal of time was spent there trying to get the lens and the film magazine working, but they were not working as smoothly as they should. It's likely as they have not been used in a long, long time.
I'm hopeful they'll come back in fine fettle, ready for some good snapping!
MrSmith and Vulcangascompany, point taken and I've a few nice small ones at the ready, including to pack with the 'blad!
Best wishes,
AP.
Well, the 'Blad is back. Very happy with what they [The Camera Museum, 44 Museum St., London (nr the British Museum)] have done with it, and spent a good deal of time going through the camera with me, making excellent suggestions and observations. Notably, I've no vested interest with them.
Looking forward to trying it out and even considering getting a digital back for it, if I win the lottery(!)
In the summer, I'm planning on visiting somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic and hoping to take some pics with it then, and perhaps before in the middle east.
It depends.
I should also mention the build quality of the 'Blad and its various elements so far seen is something to behold.
Best wishes and thanks for all the kind suggestions,
AP.
Good to see you AP
Good luck everybody. Have a good one.
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