Topic: Light Leaks with a Hasselblad SWC

[gothamtomato]

A friend just bought a Hasselblad SWC and has an issue with light leaks when using his polaroid back. Does anyone have any idea if this means there is a problem with the camera he bought? Or is it just something typical because the SWC (I don't think) was ever meant to be used with a Polaroid back? Is there a remedy?

I use a Polaroid back on my Hasselblad CM and have never had any issues with light leaks, so I didn't know if this was just characteristic of using it with the SWC.

[moominsean]

probably just a matter of replacing the seal on the back or camera. something like this:

http://home.earthlink.net/~blackbird711/HasselbladTrapSealSets.htm

[Phil Bebbington]

I have an SWC and have never had a problem with or without a Polaroid back.

[gothamtomato]

I have an SWC and have never had a problem with or without a Polaroid back.

We were wondering if it is wear of damage - which is why I always hesitate to buy anything used (but unfortunately that's the only way to get a SWC.)

[DS]

Yeah- I agree with Sean that it's probably the seals in the back that seal the darkslide slot. These go from time to time but the good news is that it's a 10min, $10 job to replace them. You can buy the seal kits on the net. The foam degrades and looses it's spring. It's a good idea to do this periodically (like every 2yrs or so) just to avoid the risk of leaks. I need to do mine as one of the film backs has started leaking and the pola back I have has since the day i got it.

If you are in a fix a bit of black tape over the darkslide slot will help.

Here's another link:
http://www.hasselbladhistorical.eu/HT/HTSeal.aspx

[Phil Bebbington]

Great links here. I have had my backs for years and never changed them, I guess it might be a good idea before I run into issues.

[gregor]

likely the seals. any sample shots?  The Pola back on my hassy had leaking in the dark slide slot - as did one of my backs...

[gothamtomato]

likely the seals. any sample shots?  The Pola back on my hassy had leaking in the dark slide slot - as did one of my backs...

OK, I'm going to try to post a sample. It's an iPhone picture of the Polaroid because I can't use my flatbed scanner with my new MacBookPro (no plug the right size - something I need to correct, if anyone has had this issue before). But you should still be able to see the issue with the SWC, and looking at it, I think the suggestion of replacing the seal is the right one:

[gothamtomato]

It (the posting) worked. The sample is above.

My friend is braver than I am in buying used cameras. From the comments above, it sounds promising that it might be a simple fix, so hopefully he can do it.

[seekingfocus]

Totally simple fix, and once you do it you will wonder why anyone would want to buy a new Hasselblad or pay someone to change their seals... You'll be saving yourself a lot of money and it will be literally just like new.

Save yourself the cost of the seal changing 'kits' on eBay and the like and just call Hasselblad yourself- A couple years ago when I changed all of mine, I got a set of ten seals with the foil wrappers for what two kits on eBay cost. The 'kit' consists of only a tiny foil piece and a foam strip and a printout of the instructions that are already readily available online.

-Jason

[DS]

Save yourself the cost of the seal changing 'kits' on eBay and the like and just call Hasselblad yourself- A couple years ago when I changed all of mine, I got a set of ten seals with the foil wrappers for what two kits on eBay cost. The 'kit' consists of only a tiny foil piece and a foam strip and a printout of the instructions that are already readily available online.

-Jason

This is a good tip- thank you. Saving money is always appreciated- especially when I've got 4 backs to fix up (after I finish the films in them  )

[gothamtomato]

Thank you to everyone for the tips!