negative frame 1 to 2 almost overlap using 12-back

I recently purchased a Hasselblad 500C with a 12-back magazine (serial number TE 141605) from a camera store; so,

I am new to the Hasselblad system. I have shot two rolls of 160VC print film with the camera, and both times

frames 1 and 2 on the negatives are touching and almost overlapping. Prior to loading film, I carefully read the

instructions from the manual that I downloaded for the 500C. After the first roll, I tried to be very slow when

cranking the film to load it to the first frame. The spacing on the remaining frames (after 2) is very

consistent. I made sure that the serial number on the magazine insert matches the housing. Any suggestions

about what might be going on with the film advance?

 

Also, I have been using a tripod and a cable release to take all of the pictures so far, and the focus seems a

little soft on the resulting prints and scanned negatives even with outdoor shots of distant trees with the 80 mm

lens set at infinity and 125 shutter with f11. Could the pressure plate be weak at this point and causing an

issue with the film at the focus plane?

 

I have done my best to search prior to making this posting.

 

Thank you for your help!

It sounds like your film back needs a CLA. If your budget permits, I would suggest getting a second back from a good source before sending your current back in for repairs. You can mitigate the overlap problems to a small degree in the mean time by taking the pictures as you have been doing and winding the camera as usual. But before taking the second exposure, try advancing the film a small bit with the film advance crank on the film back. A few clicks should do the trick.

 

As for the soft pictures at 1/125th and f11, tripod mounted with cable release, I don't have a clue. You're doing it by the numbers. Sounds like you need to begin a process of elimination. Good luck!

Frame overlap on the first two frames is a common symptom with Hasselblad backs. Send it off for a CLA.

 

Soft pictures is also common for new users of these cameras. It certainly was for me, and is fixed by lots of practice. You

should also use the mirror pre-release where possible.

Clinton, Do you have a split screen to focus accurately or are you assuming the trees are at infinity? As for frames 1 and 2, all I can think of other than sending the back away is to make sure the film is not loose on the spool when you close the back. I am not familiar with the 500 but does it have a winding crank other than the main film advance one to tension the film?

Thank you to everyone for your responses! It sounds like the back definitely needs a CLA. In the interim, I will try Thomas Wilson's suggestion of using the crank on the film back after exposing frame 1.

 

I read about the mirror pre-release in the manual, and I tested the function without film. So, I will try to use that feature in the future. I do not have a split screen on the 500C, and I have been using the fold out magnifier to help. As far as the outdoor shots of a field with trees in the distance, the 80 mm lens seems to have markings up to 50 ft and then a marking at infinity. I'm sure that I need more practice. The trees were definitely more than 300 ft away, and the scene looked sharp to me on the glass. The smearing on the negative seems to be in the vertical direction; so, maybe the mirror pre-release will help. I may also investigate the cost of having a technician install a split screen.

 

Thanks again!

You don't need a technician to install the screen. It's very easy. It's the cost that will scare you. I have the current one

(42215) lying around that I would like to dispose of. Contact me if you are interested.

The frame 1 and 2 overlap is the first thing to go after light seal problems with the Hasselblad backs. I would suggest buying one from David Odess that has been overhauled and then send yours in for a CLA. I would bet that many used backs available have this problem. I have bought 5 120 backs over the last few years and all but one had to be adjusted. You can learn to do this yourself, but I would not recommend it... there is a very steep learning curve. Send it in and spend time taking pictures.