Hasselblad Film Back Questions

I'm still getting to know my new(to me) 500C, and so far have shot 3 rolls of film in it.

 

I have two film backs that came with it-a "12" back that was probably bought new with the camera(body dates to 1960, back to '61) and an A12 from 1970.

 

I can not seem to find any issues with the 12 back. The frame spacing is perfect and it shows no light leaks.

 

 

The A12 seems a bit different, though. Rather than the sharply defined frame edges of the 12 back, there seems to be a bit of "ghosting" around the edges of the A12.

 

I apologize for the somewhat OOF iPhone snap, but hopefully this shows what I'm talking about.

 

 

Is this normal? If so, is it something that resealing the back is likely to fix?

Did you ensure the film edge was under the guide? The guide holds the film flat when the film is wound on: without it, the film floats above the gate and may well produce an unsharp image as it is not held flat.

Hi Robin,

 

Yes, I was very careful of the guide when loading both of these. I "locked" it when pulling through to line up the arrows, and made sure the leader was still under the guide before I slid the insert into the shell.

At least you did not do what I did.

 

I got a test roll back from the lab, and it was BLANK :(

The shop owner and I were puzzled.

The only thing that we could think of, was that I must have loaded the back as if it were a TLR. And ended up with the PAPER facing the lens, not the film. :eek:

RTFM, and PAY ATTENTION.

Are the serial numbers of the back shell and insert matching?

If not, the insert might not be fitting correctly into the shell.

 

That is a thing to check for when buying backs.

You want the serial numbers to match.

Hi Gary,

 

Thanks and yes the inserts match. These are fully serial numbered-not just the last 3 digits like a lot of the newer ones I see-and I knew enough to check that before I left the shop. When I was reading them off, the owner said "You shouldn't have checked that-the price just went up $100." Of course he was kidding, but he actually hadn't looked before I did.