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500 EL/M Problem

J

JJB

New Member
Hello All,

I've been gifted a 500 EL/M with a standard Planar T. I always wanted one as a photographer in the 70s but used mainly 5x4.The battery is ok on the camera, but I know very little about Hasselblads and have immediate problems.

The shutter on the body was working when I first tried it, but when depressing the shutter now, it only gives a faint click. I have charged the battery to no effect. The mirror is in the 'up' position - I have no idea how I got it there.

Second problem is the lens. It looks terrific cosmetically, but the blade shutter is not open and there appears to be no way to open it. Also it will not latch into the body.

I would appreciate any help with these problems. No doubt it is the idiot behind the camera rather than the camera, but I would like to put a roll or two through to see if I like it. It's a lot smaller than my Sinar 5x4 and as I get older that might be infinitely preferable!

Thanks,
Jack
 
First of all welcome here Jack.

500EL(M) bodies are built like a tank and should last forever.

The problems you are having could be caused by two things.
First of all look at the round dial on the RH side of the body.
The little arrow between the letters should be in the 12 o'clock position.
Secondly the problem could be caused by lack of power.
I trust the battery is full charged. That leaves bad contacts or a faulty fuse as probable causes.

Take the lens in your left hand, look at the rear of the lens.
You see a slotted shaft and a small bush with a steel pin in it.
Take a small coin in your right hand and put the rim of the coin in the slotted shaft.
Turn the coin all the way to the right (clockwise).
The shaft locks in this position.
The lens is now ready to be fitted to the body but only if the body has made a full cycle:
mirror is down and the auxilary shutter is closed.

Register as a user at www.hasselblad.com
That way you have free acces to downloads of user manuals.
To register is free of charge, you only need to fill in the number of your camera.


Paul
 
500 EL/M Problem Solved

Thanks for your info, Paul. It was a slightly rusty fuse contact. The El/M is working fine now and has an even heavier shutter crash than my Bronica S2a! I have a manual now so have a clearer idea of what I am doing.

I will put a roll through and see if anything else needs attention. Thank you once again :)

Jack
 
I am glad you managed to get the camera going.
Another proof of the long live these cameras have.

Enjoy your first roll of film with the legendary 500ELM.


Paul
 
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