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Archive 2015 · Hasselblad 500 C/M backfocus issues?

  
 
mjbetch
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Hasselblad 500 C/M backfocus issues?


Please bear with me, I'm new to medium format and this is my first medium format camera.

I recently picked up a 500CM from another member. It's been a blast to shoot with. I am however, experiencing some issues and was wondering if it was user error or something else.

It seems that all my photos have been out of focus/backfocused. Using a tripod and handheld seems to have no difference. Wide open or stopped down, f4, f8, f11, same thing. I'm using Portra 400 220 on a A24 back. I did find something interesting. Is the glass of the focusing screen supposed to be on the top or the bottom of the frosted/matte screen (not exactly sure what they're called)? I saw some photos and videos online and it looks like glass portion is on top of the focusing screen. When I received my camera, it was the opposite. The glass was on the bottom and the matte split image screen was on top. I was wondering if that could have caused my backfocusing issues?


Any help would be greatly appreciated. User error or not, just trying to see how I can improve my photos. Thanks!

Focus was on the Mustang.
FLM035.jpg by gabrieldiaz, on Flickr

Focus was on my daughter.
FLM045.jpg by gabrieldiaz, on Flickr

Focus was on the green cup.
FLM034.jpg by gabrieldiaz, on Flickr

Focus was on my girlfriend. She was pretty stationary. I understand it may be harder to nail focus that is farther away.
FLM031.jpg by gabrieldiaz, on Flickr

Focus was on the face.
FLM039.jpg by gabrieldiaz, on Flickr

Focus was on the pitcher.
FLM025.jpg by gabrieldiaz, on Flickr




May 26, 2015 at 01:16 PM
davidrwilliams
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Hasselblad 500 C/M backfocus issues?


If I recall correctly (it's been 13 years since I sold mine) I believe that the screen should be installed with the smooth surface at the top and the ground glass surface with the split at the bottom.

The only other question is whether your film back's insert is matched to the film back body. When manufactured these were matched together for accurate film positioning with the serial number of the insert having the same last three digits as the serial number of the back.

...hope this helps, and enjoy a wonderful camera!



May 26, 2015 at 08:20 PM
mjbetch
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Hasselblad 500 C/M backfocus issues?


Thanks for the input! I have since corrected it so that the smooth glass is on top. The film insert does match as well.


May 26, 2015 at 08:26 PM
fishjump
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Hasselblad 500 C/M backfocus issues?


Nah, you got the screen upside down.


May 26, 2015 at 08:26 PM
mjbetch
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Hasselblad 500 C/M backfocus issues?


fishjump wrote:
Nah, you got the screen upside down.


Is that to my original post or my reply? Which way is it supposed to be?



May 26, 2015 at 09:35 PM
fishjump
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Hasselblad 500 C/M backfocus issues?


Sorry. My reply was to your original post. It should be smooth side uppermost.


May 27, 2015 at 08:54 AM
mjbetch
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Hasselblad 500 C/M backfocus issues?


Side note, what does this little switch do?




May 27, 2015 at 08:55 PM
dhbanes
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Hasselblad 500 C/M backfocus issues?


mjbetch wrote:
Side note, what does this little switch do?


DOF preview

http://www.cameramanuals.org/hasselblad/hasselblad_500c_m-swc_m.pdf



May 27, 2015 at 09:05 PM
mjbetch
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Hasselblad 500 C/M backfocus issues?


dhbanes wrote:
DOF preview

http://www.cameramanuals.org/hasselblad/hasselblad_500c_m-swc_m.pdf


Damn, that was fast. Thanks! I was looking all over and couldn't find any manuals. Found out by trial and error. Thanks!



May 27, 2015 at 09:11 PM
irish-george
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Hasselblad 500 C/M backfocus issues?


If you don't know this website, you should:
http://www.butkus.org/chinon/



May 27, 2015 at 09:19 PM





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