Hasselblad Meter Prism Viewfinder PME 45

I have a Hasselblad PME 45 meter prism that I like very much but is in need of repair. The information display has grown dim, and I'd like to get it fixed but don't know where I can do that. David Odess doesn't do it. Any suggestions?

The later PME45 and PME90 uber-electronic prisms unfortunately fall into the same category as the electronic meterized 200-series bodies: wonderful when they work, but very very difficult to get repaired. As in your case, the typical repair itself is fairly simple: the problem is getting the parts. More than likely, you just need a new LCD display panel (if the legibility is fading) or the lamp behind it (if its still readable but not bright enough). This seems to be the common curse of all European camera mfrs: their mechanical wonders remain repairable for decades, but their innovative boutique electronics become pariahs five years after introduction (i.e. glance at electronic Rollei repair threads over the past 20 years)

 

David Odess would have recommended an alternative tech if he knew of one: since he did not, there may not be any replacement parts in USA right now. Hasselblad NJ often acts as if they never sold anything more sophisticated than the 503CW, but maybe its worth a call to them anyway on the off chance a sympathetic ear can tip you to a possible lead?

 

Other threads regarding repair of the 200-series cameras and late PMEs often end with the owner shipping the item to one of several specialists (comparable to Odess) in Germany, Switzerland or Netherlands after referral from other USA-based members who used those technicians. As recently as last year I saw a couple such threads, but don't recall the sites. If not here, perhaps you could run a search at rangefinderforum, photorio or camera-info and see if any recent suggestions turn up. If there's any possibility of getting your PME45 repaired properly, most likely it will be in Europe: the original market for these pricey electronic "end-of-V-era" pieces was much greater in Europe than North America, so availability of parts and experienced techs is somewhat better (repairs for the 200 bodies and later PMEs seemed to evaporate in USA/Canada the moment they were discontinued).

I see that the PME90 is illuminated from a window on the top, rather than the LEDs on the PME45, with low light illumination available additionally at the touch of a button. The PME90 might be better in this way, even though I much prefer the 45 degree viewing angle.