g_lindzey

<p>I mentioned the A24 etc because if you go to B&H photo video</p> <ul id="breadcrumbs" > <li ><a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com">Home</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/browse/Used-Equipment/ci/2870/N/4294247188">Used Department</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/browse/Cameras-Photo-Gear/ci/2871/N/4294247179"> Cameras/Photo Gear </a></li> <li><a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/browse/Large-Medium-Other-Formats/ci/10671/N/4294247178"> Large, Medium & Other Formats </a></li> <li><a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/browse/Camera-Accessories/ci/3084/N/4294247156"> Camera Accessories </a></li> <li >Roll Film Backs & Holders </li> </ul> <p>You get to a page where there are a bunch of hasselblad A24 backs and no A12 backs.<br> If you search for A12 then you get to a page with three A12 backs.</p>

<p>One more thing. Try to make sure that the insert matches the back.<br> On the insert there will be a 3 digit number. This should be the same as the last three digits of the serial number on the back. </p>

<p>If you check out items on the B&H website marked imported you will find that they are slightly less expensive than the items marked USA (B&H got them from the official u.s. distributor) and that the imported versions (not obtained from the U.S. distributor) are warranted by B&H, not by the manufacturer. I suspect that if you buy one of these overseas and bring them back they will not be warranted by anyone. For old all manual no electronic cameras I wouldn't worry about this. For these very expensive digital cameras I would.</p> <p> </p>

<p>Be very careful ordering these. The market is flooded with cheap A24 backs (for 220 film which is in very short supply) and A16s which is superslide and pretty useless unless you are planning on viewing them on a 35mm projector.<br> There are also 645 backs (I don't remember the designation perhaps A16, note the absence of the s).<br> A quick glance at the B&H web site shows me that the only 220 color film they have is Kodak Professional Portra in 160 or 400 iso. (What ever happened to ASA - am I dating myself?)<br> It is possible to use 120 film in an A24 back but I believe you get only 11 exposures and that the spacing is just a little off.<br> I don't believe there is any 220 Black and White film.<br> I don't know if you could even get superslide mounts anymore.<br> I would also point out that if you have a good camera store in your near vicinity check their used department.<br> I was in a local store here a few days ago and they and they had two rather nice looking black a12's for 99 bucks each.<br> It is possible to purchase dark slide holders to stick on the back of backs that lack them. Some people like them others think they are an abomination stuck on the back of a work of art.<br> I wonder if we will start to see a trend in Hasselblads of people selling chrome ones that were painted black as we are now seeing with Leica M3s.</p> <p> </p>

<p>Oh, in the event that you are thinking digital I would be very reluctant to pay that sort of money over seas. I would want to purchase it somewhere where I could go back if there are issues. And I would also want to make sure it had a U.S. warranty.</p> <p> </p>

<p>You mentioned Hasselblad or Pentax in the subject. I am assuming you are talking about film rather than digital. If you are thinking about digital then just stop reading now :) Any Hasselblad other than the H series will be used. And even if the V series was available new, there would be no real reason to buy one new when so many excellent examples of them are available on the used market.</p> <p>I also don't think Pentax has a medium format camera available new anymore.<br> But really, with these all mechanical film cameras there doesn't seem to be any reason to purchase new even if available. Even a forty year old Hasselblad 500 C/M will probably still be working long after the last Hasselblad H5D has ceased to work. </p>

<p>They will work but would look a little weird.<br> Black a12 backs show up online often.<br> I got one from KEH just recently however KEH seem to have an extremely low supply of all things Hasselblad. Not sure if that is by choice or because people are selling them in online auctions instead of to KEH.<br> I have also purchased black a12 backs at auction and had good luck in terms of ones of high quality. Just look for ones with lots of pictures. And most likely even ugly ones will most likely work or require no more than new seals. I just looked and it seems there are a number currently available at auction.</p>