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CFV16 needs pro repair

Michael

Could one just ask - how old is your CFV-16? And how long was the interval between you previously using it, and the day the problem occured?

John
 
In general I think it is remarkable to see that cheap amateur DSLRs (like say a Pentax K10D) start to posses extensive weather sealing. Ruggedising digibacks to a reasonable extent would not feel illogical to me.


For some reason Pentax has always been ahead of the curve on weatherproofing. My wife's last film P&S was a Pentax and I was really impressed on what that camera could handle.
 
Dear Micheal, what you have on your CFV is definitely fungus caused by humid conditions with no air circulation.
 
For some reason Pentax has always been ahead of the curve on weatherproofing. My wife's last film P&S was a Pentax and I was really impressed on what that camera could handle.

They had it on their pro LX film body some eons ago. Could not afford that camera at the time :)

Wilko
 
Dear Micheal, what you have on your CFV is definitely fungus caused by humid conditions with no air circulation.

SAAD - Our indoor heating is very dry, so my house is anything but humid. The streaks are too even and orderly in nature to be fungus, I would think. Fungus grows more sporadic and spherical, I would also think. Who knows. It's pure speculation at this point, but I will gladly share any news from Hasselblad as to the cause, once I know. I do appreciate all concerns and support from everyone here on the forum.
 
Hi Michael, is this what you are talking about?

_D3X8601.jpg
  • NIKON CORPORATION - NIKON D3X
  • 105.0 mm
  • ƒ/5
  • 1/60 sec
  • Center-Weighted Average
  • Auto exposure
  • ISO 110
 

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Fungus on CFV-16

Based on my observation, the other side of the protective glass was cleaned with a cloth which was soaked with a cleaning agent. This was done during factory assembly.

The person assembling the unit cleaned the glass in two straight swipes first the left side then the right side.

The straight lines are left by the cleaning agent when it dried. It therefore provided the base for the fungus to grow and begin to expand.

Had the glass been cleaning of this agent then this would not have happened in this way.

I actually have photographs showing the the rapid growth of this fungus. The thing is actually alive!!!

Well, this is my take on the matter.

Oh, I sent the CFV to Hasselblad, they charged me more than 300 Euros for cleaning and calibration, and it is now perfect.

The good side of this, is that I guess the fungus would not have grown if the cleaning agent was not environmentally friendly.
 
A brilliant analysis. And if I remember correctly, the sensors come from Kodak with the cover glass assembled. So it looks as if this may be Kodak to blame, rather than Hasselblad. In which case, we would expect the same problem to have previously surfaced with at least some of the older 16MP sensors out there, in a variety of backs. But why did it in this case take two years for the fungus to strike?

John
 
Sounds like an interesting analysis.
Two years is not so strange because fungus can only grow under certain conditions like a damp environment and at least room temperature.

If the basis is a cleaning agent at Kodak it would be interesting to know whether Kodak has used the same product during the production run.
 
Thank you John.

I am not an expert on fungus but I know exactly how it happened. When I got my CFV-39 I gave the CFV-16 to my wife to use and she put it in a closed book cabinet which already had the fungus spores/organisms.

So if the conditions of temperature, humidity and air circulation or lack of it, is right, then the infection happens almost immediately in the case of the CFV with it's fungus friendly cleaning agent.

I always keep my photographic equipment in a sealed, cool and ventilated cabinet.
 
Saad

Thank you so much for this vital information. This knowledge could save many of us some very (expensive) grief, especially a certain Mr Smith who lives in an extremely damp old cottage in very humid Cornwall (last summer the RH was over 80% for days on end). And my camera case is leather :(

John
 
Hi Michael, is this what you are talking about?
View attachment 2393

SAAD - That certainly looks similar to the streaks on mine. Based on this, it seems you are correct in assessing my own problem.
But why did it take 2 years to manifest?
Nonetheless, I tip my hat to you, and apologize for doubting your assessment.
And I thank you for the fine confirmation image.
Michael H. Cothran
 
A brilliant analysis. And if I remember correctly, the sensors come from Kodak with the cover glass assembled. So it looks as if this may be Kodak to blame, rather than Hasselblad. In which case, we would expect the same problem to have previously surfaced with at least some of the older 16MP sensors out there, in a variety of backs. But why did it in this case take two years for the fungus to strike?

John

Regardless of whether it was Kodak or HB, to me this is either a design defect (how about hermetically sealing filter to CCD?) or a manufacturing defect.

In either case HB should at least pay part of the repair cost.

Wilko
 
Regardless of whether it was Kodak or HB, to me this is either a design defect (how about hermetically sealing filter to CCD?) or a manufacturing defect.

In either case HB should at least pay part of the repair cost.

Wilko

Wilko - I agree completely.
I think it's definitely neglect on an assembly person to not clean the glass thoroughly before assembly, which would include being sure that any residue is completely gone.

I'd like to email my regional Hasselblad office, and report this information.

Paul - Per Holk is the name of the Tech manager in Redmond, Washington, where I sent my CFV. If I send him a link to this post, can he access it to read it (assuming he's not a member)? If so, I'd like to do that with your permission.
Michael
 
You can send Per Holk a link of course. You do not need my permission for that as assistant chief moderator.

This forum is a public affair, everybody is free to browse and see what the forum is about.
Better advise Per to register, he may learn a few things he has not heard of before!


Paul
 
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