Issues relating to infrequent use of lenses

Hello. I'm a hobbyist who has been shooting Hasselblad for about 12 years. Recently, with the dive in the value of the older lenses, I've

been picking up a few focal lengths I'm interested in.

 

One aspect that concerns me is that as I have a few different camera systems, the 'Blad (501C) only gets used 3-4 times a year. I know

that each lens has an in-lens shutter which obviously implies escapements and lots of fiddly little parts that like to be used with some

frequency (or so I assume). I'd like to grab a couple more lenses but truthfully, some of these later lenses are specialized and may only

be used once a year or so. Am I inviting mechanical problems from equipment left unused for too long between outings?

 

Thanks.

<p>Oil and grease will get stiff w/o use. I guess kind of like a crust of dry grease.<br>

I was told by a camera tech many years ago to simply work the shutter a few times a month at each shutter speed. <br>

Work keeps me busy (or worn out) so I don't even get a chance to do that. I'm lucky if I can do it once every 3 months.</p>

Once every three months should be fine too. <i>"3-4 times a year"</i> <i>"for about 12 years"</i> has worked for you, Carl, hasn't it?

<p>I have a collection of about thirty-odd cameras and once every three months, or thereabouts, I get them all out, wind them on, fire the shutters, mount all the lenses and open and close the apertures, just to keep everything moving.</p>

<p>"Am I inviting mechanical problems from equipment left unused for too long between outings"?<br>

You bet. Some shutters are more prone to sticking with infrequent use than others, but since there are no cheap Hasselblad lenses, it's a moot point. Mark a few dates on your calendar and take those lenses out and exercise them, with or w/o film, regularly. Or else.</p>

I have nev had a problem with lenses (some of mine can go unused for several years) some camera bodies like to be

used (e.g. canon T90). I have to say that I don't shoot Hassy (Fuji GX680 and Mamiya M645 are my MF bodies) but I

have several of each and rarely use them

Steve's "you bet" is quite accurate. Zeiss/Hasselblad lenses better be exercised regularly.<br>Not that they will all seize up if they are left unused. Much would depend on how they are stored, what they were/are exposed to. But leaving them unused for a lengthy time is taking a gamble that could go wrong (nothing will break, but a clean and relube will still cost a bit).<br>So just take them out of storage every 3-4 months or so and run through all speeds a number of times.

<p>There should be no "oil and grease" in a leaf shutter. If there is you're in trouble.</p>

Will "lubricants" be o.k. with you?

<p><a href="../photodb/user?user_id=2403817">'Rodeo Joe</a> <a href="../member-status-icons"><img title="Frequent poster" src="../v3graphics/member-status-icons/3rolls.gif" alt="" /></a>, Nov 14, 2012; 04:46 p.m.</p>

 

<p>There should be no "oil and grease" in a leaf shutter. If there is you're in trouble.'</p>

<p>Funny, if you look at Compur's repair manual for their shutters, including the Synchro-Compur used in Hasselblad lenses, they have lots of places inside a shutter that require lubrication, some oil and some grease.</p>

 

Whatever I'm not using I take out every few months and blank shoot them for a while.

<p>Blank shooting sure does save on film costs. LOL!</p>

What's more, Tom, it saves on repair bills.

<p>Hello everyone. After you have had your "fix" of using the camera/lens, make sure you select the 1 sec time, cock the shutter and release. This sets all components within the shutter into a non-tensioned state. Store the camera/lens with TLC. Bill</p>

Why, Bill, would it be better to store the camera or shutter in a non-tensioned state?

<blockquote>

<p>would it be better to store the camera or shutter in a non-tensioned state?</p>

</blockquote>

<p> <br>

It doesn't make much difference as the spring is still under tension in the un-cocked state. Probably between 80 - 90% of its cocked tension.</p>

What's more, the springs care very little about being kept under tension.<br><br>If it were not for the topic of this thread, you could argue that the extra cycles you put the stuff through to 'park' it in untensioned state only helps bring on the end-of-life a bit sooner. Cycles of putting tension on, then releasing tension from springs are what makes these thingies wear. Not being kept under tension. But then, the subject <i>is</i> the need to put the gear through otherwise unproductive cycles to ward off the even greater risk of lubricants (grease and oil) gumming up the mechanism.

<blockquote>

<p>But then, the subject <em>is</em> the need to put the gear through otherwise unproductive cycles to ward off the even greater risk of lubricants (grease and oil) gumming up the mechanism.</p>

</blockquote>

<p> <br>

I think that if the grease is going to either get thicker due to age or get mixed up with dust, it is going to happen equally if the shutter is cycled regularly or not</p>

Well no, Steve. If only it were a case of keeping dust away fro the equipment.<br>The problem is indeed with lubricants gumming, turning into resin. This can be prevented/delayed, it appears, by keeping the stuff moving.

<p>Grease is oil suspended in a soap base. The soap base dries along the edges that are exposed to air and the oil separates out. The longer grease is allowed to sit the further the deterioration. I service shutters and have some that sat for 10 years after a CLA without use or cycling and fired within 1/2 stop of accurate on first trip cycle while others were off after a few years. The rate that grease deteriorates depends on the environment it is in. Regular cycling of equipment lubricated with grease keeps the oil and soap mixed so that the grease remains more consistent in viscosity. I have had some shutters that the grease had dried to the point of acting like glue and was a real pain to clean off.</p>

<p>Springs: the synchro compur shutter uses an expansion spring for the main cocking spring and various types of torsion springs for the levers and a spiral torsion (clock) spring for delay timing.<br>

The expansion spring will weaken if left in the expanded position (cocked shutter) for an extended length of time (years). The spiral torsion spring might weaken if left in the wound position for an extremely long time.</p>

<p>The other single loop torsion springs are slightly compressed at the uncocked position and time between cocking cycles should not significantly affect them unless left compressed for many years. </p>

<p> </p>